Virginia A. Spiegel

Suzanne Silk

 I welcome Suzanne Silk as one of the new artists of the Fiberart For A Cause family.  Suzanne is a surface designer, fiber-artist, photographer, print-maker, and painter.  Visit her website by clicking on her name above to be immersed in the beauty of silk transformed by the human hand.

Suzanne shared the following about her studio:

I created my “dream” studio as a live/work space. The main room is designed with custom cabinetry across one-wall, affording me the best possible answer for contemporary loft living + art-making, as well as for my private clients appointments. At the far side is a digital work station + office area which serves all my needs.

The brilliance of light for night + day work was paramount to me, as was the availability of great storage space. I use a variety of mediums in mixed-media surface design, such as: Hot wax-resist for the “Rozome”, textile dyes (reactive + acid dyes), pigment paints for silkscreening + devore and much more. I make my own silk-screens + these are housed vertically under an 18 foot padded “print-table top”. Metallic foils are ironed on as a final touch to each piece, as is machine quilting if desired. Behind “closed doors” reveals a specially designed space for my Koala sewing cabinet. It houses 2 Bernina machines + rolls out for additional surface. One never has enough surfaces to spread-out on!

Suzanne’s BONUS is going to be amazing.  Here are three photos of detail from her multi-layered surface design work on silk:

**Share the news about Foto/Fiber 2012, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, and be entered to win a copy of Cate Prato’s, Inside the Creative Studio, or a $25 gift certificate to Fiber On A Whim, or a pack each of TAP and ExtravOrganza, also from Fiber On A Whim.

Diane Doran

Diane Doran uses machine piecing, appliqué and digital imagery to create complex, heavily quilted contemporary quilts.  Her quilts have been exhibited nationally and won awards at many of the major shows. A background in engineering has led her to use computer generated images and designs for much of her work work.  She shares her techniques in a DVD for Interweave, has appeared numerous times on Quilting Arts TV, and is a columnist for Machine Quilting Unlimited. Visit her Ooh! Pretty Colors blog, which I love for the name alone, today for photos of her completed postcards and the specific fabrics she will be including in her Foto/Fiber 2012 Fiber BONUSES.

1.  How do you find/make time to be in your studio?
I have to make time to be in my studio. Deadlines are usually the best way to get me there!

2.  If you could pick only one thing from your studio to represent your art practice, what would it be?

One of the in-process pieces hanging on my design wall behind my sewing machine.

3. What is the best/worst space you have ever had as a studio?

The best and worst space I’ve ever had is my current one. It’s in the basement and has no windows. Before I installed new lighting it was very difficult to work, and also difficult to organize my supplies without moving lights around. With good lighting I’m now able to easily see what I’m doing, and take photographs for the design work I do, articles I write, and of course my finished work. Regrettably it’s still cluttered!

Diane is donating three Fiber BONUSES to Foto/Fiber 2012.  You may assume that these feathered friends will be transformed in to fiber art postcards by Diane.

4.  What would make a “dream studio” for you?
I would love to have a larger space with windows, a sink, a surface design area, and computer. My current studio has a wonderful setup for sewing and quilting, but all other aspects of my work are done in other areas of the house.

5.  What would you advise someone setting up a studio for the first time?
The three things that I think are essential to a studio space are good lighting, storage that works for your needs, and a sewing surface that is large enough to handle the size work you do. Two of the best investments I’ve made for my studio are a Koala sewing table and daylight fluorescent lighting.

6.  Any exhibits or projects we should know about? 

My instructional DVD for Interweave, Digital Collage for Quilt Design from Start to Finish.

******Share the news about Foto/Fiber 2012, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, and be entered to win a copy of Cate Prato’s book, Inside the Creative Studio, a $25 gift certificate from Fiber On A Whim, or a package each of TAP and ExtravOrganza also from Fiber On A Whim.

Nancy G. Cook

I have long admired the bold and colorful artwork of  Nancy G. Cook. Her artwork features larger-than-life images of nature with seedpods being a frequent theme.  According to Nancy, the seedpods are symbols of the gifts that come with maturity. Her artwork has been featured in numerous solo exhibits, is held in permanent collections, and among her many awards is Best of Show in the It’s a Green World exhibit at the Aullwood Audubon Center.

1.  How do you find/make time to be in your studio?
I retired 10 years ago to create art full-time. It was a joyous occasion that I have never regretted. Everyone knows that this is my new career and take it seriously. My husband is a terrific support and does 90% of the cooking so even my meals are stress free.

2.  Describe your studio in five words.

Mine, large, over-flowing, changing and inspiring

3.  If you could pick only one thing from your studio to represent your art practice, what would it be?
My box of tree seed specimens that I have collected locally and in area botanical gardens. They are a constant source of inspiration.

Nancy is donating two Fiber BONUSES for Foto/Fiber 2012. This detail gives you a preview of her textured hand-dyed fabric, a piece of cheese cloth hand dyed by Els van Baartle, a piece of red shibori by Lunn Fabrics, a silk rod, 3 hand dyed silk cocoons, and more.

4. What is the best/worst space you have ever had as a studio?
The worst space I have had for a studio was my dining room table where it was always seen as a “mess” that needed to be put away.
While I love my current studio and spend lots of time here, the best space for a studio was the two-story studio I had at McColl Visual Art Center when I had a 4 month residency with other artists nearby in their studios and with several galleries in the building.

5.  What would make a “dream studio” for you?
A dream studio for me would include space for everything I currently use and everything in its space with no leftover material or tools from previous creative processes, and an area to set up to photograph my largest works.

My unique studio features are the set ups that my husband created for me. My cutting, sewing, and pressing surfaces are at good height for me ergonomically and really reduce the strains. He made a sewing table that has space to handle quilting a large piece. My sewing machine drops flush into the table. And I now have a new Pfaff machine that drops into the other side of the table. Either can be used or taken out to create a larger surface.  And I love my bright red chair that is very supportive and comfortable.

 8.  Any exhibits or special projects we should know about?
Currently 18 pieces of my Seed Play series are on exhibition at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill, NC from January 9 through February 26. Read more about this exhibit and series on my blog.  In March I will have a solo show at MONA gallery in Charlotte NC and next year I will have a solo show in the NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC.

This is the second of Nancy’s Fiber BONUSES showing details of a piece of hand dyed and painted silk fabric from Sue Benner, a pouch of silk hankies hand dyed by Janet A. Lasher, hand dyed cheese cloth, ribbon, 3 silk cocoons and more.  Did you know that after you choose a photo on February 15, you may choose Nancy as your BONUS artist? And that 100% of your donation goes directly to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart for a Cause?  Learn more here.

Mary Ann Van Soest

Mary Ann Van Soest is one of those wonderful people who is both an artist and a Patron of artists, as you can tell by her studio photos below.  Mary Ann shared this information about herself: I have not been formally educated in the field of art. Mostly self taught by choice. Had sewing class, music class and 4-H from an early age. Was tailoring clothes by the age of 12, working for a produce market by age 14 and running a produce stand by age 16. Owned a real estate office and had 33 good years of sales. But I always wanted to go to art school. Not in the cards for me. In 2009 I  went to the International Quilt Show on a whim and, wow, I found a way to express my art.  The art quilts fascinated me. There are no limits. The last three years being retired gives me all the time I choose to create. It has been fun and I look forward to growing as an artist. As you can see I am a little driven. When I choose to do something I go full speed ahead. I am close to Chicago and I may just try the Art Institute some day and go to art school after all.  My best friend is a 90 year-old artist who has given me a lot of direction in the last 3 years. Life is good.

1. How do you find/make time to be in your studio?
I usually try to be in the studio at least 4 times a week. I start to work(I call it playtime) by 9 am, break for lunch, and continue until 3 or 4 pm.

2.  Describe your studio in 5 words.

Big bright comfortable work space.

3.  If you could pick only one thing from your studio to represent your art practice what would it be?

I would pick my hutch which is by my idea wall. In that space I  have art from my friends, pieces of my art I choose to keep, carved birds, a collection of blue mason jars, books, pottery and whatever I like at that time.  It is a easy place to rest my eyes during the day and remember who I acquired those items from or when I made that special piece. Great memories that  inspire new art.

4.  What is the best/worst space you have ever had as a studio?
Hands down the furnace room where I started out. No windows and plain ugly.

5. What would make a “dream studio” for you?
I am in my dream studio now. Last year a family member moved into our guest room for 4 months. That had been my studio. When they left I stayed in the large bright room I have now. 22 by 20 foot open space with lots of windows, cabinets for storage and a sink for clean-up. This space has evolved into a great working space. A happy place to create.

This is one of three beautifully color-cordinated Fiber BONUSES donated by Mary Ann for Foto/Fiber 2012. Items in her BONUSES may include hand-painted fabric, snow-dyed fabric, batiks, beads, fiber cards, thread. See more details about her Fiber BONUSES on Mary Ann’s blog and on Facebook. Foto/Fiber 2012, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, opens February 15 at 10 a.m. Central. Mary Ann has also donated a gorgeous art quilt for a drawing when we reach our goal of $7000.

 6.What would you advise someone setting up a studio for the first time?
Think it through first. Imagine it in your head. Find the arrangement and style that is comfortable for you. You can always move things and change it out.

7.  Any unique features/pets  you would like to share?

My large window area that looks out at ground level is special to me. Deer, birds, the neighbor’s cat, some Canadian geese and squirrels have all looked into the window when I am working.  Always something interesting to see out there.

8. Any new exhibit or project we should know about?
I am part of a show coming up this summer, Under Indiana Skies. I am creating pieces for that now. I just finished the first art quilt, Sunrise, for that show. Five more to go. I use a photograph or a painting I have done to inspire the art quilt. The 2 pieces will be hung side by side for the show. Another show in 2013 that will be a botanical theme. I have just started to plan that one. Both shows will be at the Wells Center in Lafayette, Indiana.

Sue Reno

Sue Reno is known throughout the art quilt world for her use of cyanotype and heliographic prints. Her rich and intricate art quilts are inspired by her surroundings, incorporating images of plants and animals that inhabit her extensive organic garden and the surrounding woods. Sue also works with architectural subjects, including a series documenting the transformation of the beaux-arts style Watt & Shand department store into a hotel and convention center.  Sue’s artwork has appeared in numerous magazines, in solo shows, galleries, and art centers.  She also serves as a lecturer and juror.

1.  How do you find/make time to be in your studio?
I’m always trying to find that elusive balance between time spent in artistic endeavors and the commitments I have in the rest of my life.  One of these days I may get it right!  In practical terms, I eat well and exercise to keep my energy level  up, I’m not afraid to let non-essential household tasks slide when I have deadlines to meet, and I get a lot done late in the evenings when I get a second wind.  I keep a daily log of time spent working on art and art-related paperwork and web work, and review it periodically to see where I can make adjustments.

2.  Describe your studio in five words.
Peaceful, inspirational, functional, organized chaos.

3.  If you could pick only one thing from your studio to represent your art practice, what would it be?
The materials I use to make cyanotype prints.  I am continually delighted by the process and intrigued and stimulated by the limitless possibilities it presents.

4.  What would make a “dream studio” for you?

A helio print drying on my driveway (outdoor studio space).

I could always use more room, but aside from that I love the space I have now in my home.  It has all my stuff in it and it’s well organized.  I’ve got good light, my machines, two big work tables, movable design walls, and a half bath with a sink.  Best of all, it’s got sliding glass doors that open into my backyard.  The outdoors provides much of the inspiration as well as the raw materials for my work in the form of the plants and flowers in my extensive organic garden beds.  It’s also my adjunct workspace for much of the year, where I make cyanotype and heliographic prints and hand paint fabric.

A view of my garden (my inspiration).

5.  What would you advise someone setting up a studio for the first time?
Don’t be discouraged if it’s not ideal.  A dream space is a wonderful luxury but not a necessity. What’s more important is the commitment to make the work that’s important to you, in whatever increments of time you can manage.

Sue is donating three Fiber BONUSES for Foto/Fiber 2012.
Read all the details about her Fiber BONUSES on her special blog post; you won’t believe all the fiber treasures that Sue is fitting in to a 6×9″ padded envelope.

6.  Any new exhibits or projects we should know about?
I’m excited to be working on my entry for Seasonal Palette, an invitation juried SAQA exhibit that will debut at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX this fall.  I’ve started documenting the inspiration and construction process of my summer-themed quilt on my blog, see the tab at the top.  I’m also thrilled that I will be the juror for an upcoming SAQA exhibit curated by Kathy Nida, I’m Not Crazy.  It’s going to be a wonderful, meaningful, and well travelled exhibit, and I’d like to encourage everyone to read the prospectus and consider preparing an entry.  The prospectus can be viewed here.