Virginia A. Spiegel

Boundary Waters 31 (North)

It’s not often you are able to go to one museum and see three fiber art exhibits.

The New Focus art quilt exhibit, including my artwork above, opens tomorrow, December 12, at the Coos Bay Art Museum in Coos Bay, Oregon.  

There will be an artists’ reception from 5-7 p.m. for a total of three exhibits focusing on fiber art: 

Boundary Waters 29 (North) is an interpretation of the moss layered on the north side of trees in the Boundary Waters. Materials include upholstery fabric, white cotton cloth, acrylic textile paint, felt, organza, and copper wire mesh.

All artwork for this exhibit was mounted to 16×16″ stretched canvas per the request of curators Judy B. Dales and Kim Ritter.  I really like the look and bought three additional canvases for future work.  It’s quite easy to mount the artwork to the canvas using embroidery floss.  

Here is what the back looks like with the stitching almost done:

Boundary Waters 31 (North) Mounted on stretched canvas.

This photo inspired two new artworks, posted to my website today. They are #40 and #41 in the Boundary Waters series and both are Double Moons.

It’s moments like these in the Boundary Waters that you don’t know if you should even take a photo or just be in the moment.  We had been out on the lake exploring and suddenly two big missiles were headed toward our boat. What in the world?  Of course, it was two beavers. They didn’t see us until the last minute and then Ka-Boom went a tail slap and they disappeared.  We realized how quickly it was becoming dark and headed for camp. A loon appeared, no more than two feet from the boat, and escorted us to shore.  Suddenly in the dark, a light started shining.  It was this glorious full moon rising and soon it was light again.

Boundary Waters 33 (Becoming One – Water) 
8×10″ (Designed to fit opening of 11×14″ mat)
White cotton fabric, acrylic paint, graphite, colored pencil,
inkjet print of manipulated photo on silk organza, thread.

Remember way back in July I came back from Alaska and said I had Boundary Waters’ fever and had to start some new small pieces?  The six artworks are done, at last, and posted here.

These are my favorite pieces of the moment because, although they lean to the surreal side of things, they are so personal.  There is my sister with her crazy hat, my beloved miniature coffee press and lucky blue bandana, the loon and the eagle, our lovely Kevlar canoe and all the things we cherish about our wilderness canoe trips.

Boundary Waters 36 (Java)
8×10″ (Designed to fit opening of 11×14″ mat)
White cotton fabric, acrylic paint, graphite, colored pencil,
inkjet prints of manipulated photos on silk organza, thread.

I now accept PayPal and credit cards through PayPal.  Shipping and handling for current patrons is free and $3 otherwise. This does include my special packaging.

Boundary Waters – Study (Detail)

Today (Friday, October 17) only, you may choose any one piece of art at a 25% discount.  

I’m celebrating my birthday month and today is my once-a-year thank-you to all of you for another great year.

Shipping is, as always, free for current patrons and I do accept PayPal.

Visit my website and browse through my galleries of artwork, make your choice and e-mail me at Virginia(at)VirginiaSpiegel.com

As promised, here are two special artwork, not on my website, that are available as part of the celebration:

Boundary Waters – Study
See detail above. 

This is part of the Boundary Waters series. 
White cotton fabric, upholstery fabric, duck cloth felt, paint, thread.  
Paint, screen print, stitch.
12.25×8.25″  Framing recommended.
$140 (Birthday Celebration:$105)
SOLD - Collection of Irene M. Peake

Portage: Journey With Joy

This is part of the Portage series.
White cotton fabric, paint, graphite.
Painted, hand written. Bound with 1/4″ hand-dyed green cotton binding. 
14×11.75″
$225 (Birthday Celebration: $169 )

Portage:  Journey With Joy (Detail)

Boundary Waters 9

ThreadLines 2008, including my Boundary Waters 9, will be held September 5-29 at Missouri State University Art & Design Gallery.  

 Juror for the exhibit was Jason Pollen, President of the Surface Design Association.  Several other fiber exhibits are also being held during September in the area.