Studui Art Quilt Association info

Christmas is coming, and we're all a' planning, but that's not today's issue.

Just a quick note about SAQA. Studio Art Quilt Association is an international organization of like-minded artists involved in promoting Art Quilts, Fiber Art, Textile Art. Whatever you call it as long as stitching and layering is involved. The organization is currently surveying members to re-define the art quilt definition.

I'm fortunate to belong to the Northern California region. Today's meeting was a wonderful retrospective of SAQA's "12 Voices" led by former SAQA president Judith Content. It is currently on exhibit at the Pence Gallery in Davis and is definitely worth a trip. Works by Judith Content, Linda Colsh, Elizabeth Busch, Clare Pflug, Kathy Weaver and others are displayed.

We've participated in a "Whisper Challenge" which our regional reps got published in "Quilting Arts" magazine. We critiqued part of SAQA's Trunk Show which culminated in a SAQA Journal article. We have consistent quality quarterly meetings with amazingly inspirational show and tell from our membership.

It's a great organization, and I hope you all consider joining.

Innovations in Fiberart

Innovations in Fiberart V is being exhibited at Sebastopol Center for the Arts in Northern California through December 4. This exhibit, juried by Melissa Leventon, features many Art Quilt pieces along with other thought-provoking, unconventional and innovative fiber artworks expressed in a range of materials from copper and brass to teabags. There are many other works exhibited. I didn't get pictures of each item. If you are in the area, stop by to see the exhibit.
I don't know all of the artists who created these pieces, but I credit them if I do. Please do not copy these photos. I am sharing them for educational reasons only.

The piece to the left is by Napa Artist, Cathy Zeleny. Cathy is a member of Northern California's Pointless Sisters group and exhibits nationally. Ms Zeleny's focus in her quilts is on value change.

Hundreds of used teabags make up this twin-sized bed covering which is stitched and quilted together. There are many different brands of teabags and their colorful tags add a touch of whimsy to this piece.

SAQA member Carol Larsen created this colorful piece. Hand-dyed fabrics with many layers of surface design add texture and create movement throughout.

This piece is made with a see-through wire armature and colored threads are woven down to mimic man's shirting.

Surface Design Associate (SDA)member Joy Stocksdale hand paints silks and creates exquisite free-floating designs mounted on Acrylic armature.



This small wall-hanging features a portrait of a woman totally thread painted, including the background. Commercial fabrics border the portrait.





Hand made and commercial papers were rolled and secured to create this imaginative art work.











This piece uses screening as its base and looks to be created with painted fibers. The technique is unusual but very effective.











Hand-dyed, shibori-clamped pieced and quilted wall-hanging seems tame and almost traditional in this setting.















This dress is created with eggshells glued onto a screen base.


















Who knew old books can be re-purposed to become art objects?




















Two beautifully-woven pieces.



















Copper wires, some round, others flattened and woven together form this dramatic piece.
















This dress was made with recycled plastic bags. Oh so clever.

This collage is my piece for the 12 Connected Fiber group. We were asked to portray the word "reminiscence" in a piece of fiber art. My "date" with Paul was a perfect way to reminisce about the Beatles and their music. The rest of the group will be posting their pieces on the 12 Connected blog today. Check it out.

Works Out and About

I finally was able to get this up. It seems Blogger wanted me to resign an agreement and I missed it.So my piece in this picture is a red doghouse with my 2 Bichons resting comfortably. It was a challenge to benefit an organization that trains dogs for the disabled. Right up my alley!

Oh well, I seem not to be a very good blogger. I've been doing quite a bit of painting. On canvas, on cabinets and on doors.
No pics yet, even though I brought my camera into my studio. but
i do have some news about what I've been up to. I have a quilt on display at the Rocky Nountain Quilt Museum. (Cool!)I have two pieces on exhibit at Soft Expressions Gallery in Anaheim, and the Sprint Center And I have my largest piece so far going to Pacific International. I've had a photograph chosen to be exibited at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, and, if I can get this photo uploaded, I can show you a piece on display at the American Sewing Exposition. I've been interviewed for a printed piece about disabled quilters in Machine Quilting magazine. I'm also exhibiting in group shows at Gary Farell Winery and next year at Moshin Winery and Rincon Valley Library. So even though I am horrible about blogging, I am working hard. For some reason, I cannot post these pics. I'm currently working on a discharged piece that has been on my design wall for a couple of months. I'm still teaching monthly at one of my groups, so I'm staying out of trouble!
Update:
I was so lucky to have a friend come over to help me set up my large Epson. I purchased it, used, before my stroke. So it's been sitting for over 4 years. I know I have power to it, but need to get a USB cable connection for it. I can't wait to use it! Thanks, Helen. That's the good news. The bad news is I spilled a can of dark walnut stain on my family room area rug and it seeped thru to my bamboo flooring. I was able to get it off the floor without staining but the rug is trashed. Off to the dumps with that. Thanks again Helen. So no art today. But I'll be working on it tomorrow.

Dog House

Dog House is a small, 12" X 12" piece completed for a Breaking Traditions challenge benefiting Bonnie Berguin's school for dogs for the disabled. The theme is "home" and the quilts will be posted online and then travel to different venues. Ihe doghouse is a depiction of Charles Schulz "Snoopy" doghouse to honor Mr. Schulz who lived close to me and was a huge supporter of Ms. Berguin's efforts. The dogs are painted versions of my Bichons. Enjoy.
I'm still trying to complete my large quilt and I just completed a printed portfolio. Pictures of that later.

Crime Scene

The back story:
Four local (SF Bay Area)police officers were shot and killed one day last month. It is a real tragedy and affected me personally because I have several family members in law enforcement and public service. A cousin is a police sargeant. My sister works
in the behavioral unit, my father was a deputy sheriff, a nephew is in the
police academy, and my brother is a firefighter. So this story made me think of the dangers public servants face every day.
I overdyed commercial fabric for the background. I then discharged the scope
sight in the center. I stamped the crime scene letters on hand-dyed fabric and
foiled the police badges. I then fused the black "grieving" strips over the
badges and printed the names (with paint pens)of the four officers after
stitching them down. I used Fabrico pens to write around the scope sight "I saw
the news today, Oh Boy."

I hope to complete this piece tomorrow. And as you can see, I am so encouraged by all your wonderful words. I'm also sending my congratulations to a fellow guild member Vicki David who got a second place on her first try at Padukah. Her piece is exquisite.

Current Exhibits

This image is mine from the Black and White Challenge. It features elephants. These are huge yet mystical beings who seem to have a connection to each other and relate to each other even when death intervenes. Amazing creatures of whom I have the utmost respect. This is a detail image. Full shot of fiber art piece is below. This is a commercial fabric I purchased years ago because of my affinity with these mammals.

Trees and Birds is my second Textile art piece in the Black and White Exhibit now touring the country. It is currently showing at the MidAtlantic Quilt Festival.



My Vineyards exhibit just closed at Moshin Winery. Next on tap is Along The Russian River exhibit at Sebastopol Center for the Arts.

Advanced Design

I created four pieces as an assignment for Liz Berg's Advanced Design class. We were to create 4 or 5 small pieces in a series. I chose to continue my spirals. None of these pieces is finished yet, but one is actually hand-quilted. I didn't work too small. I can't seem to do that anymore. Is thst a good or bad thing? Three pieces use my hand-dyes. The black & white is commercial. It's a great class and I'm looking forward to our next assignment.

Freedom - SAQA Trunk Show

"Freedom" is the realization of a dream. A Democratic President willing to bring values back to the American people and the world. I sure hope it works. So I got my photo uploeded in time, but I misread the call and trimmed my piece to 8X8 inches. Oh no! That's the size of the opening and I needed aminimum of 9 inches square. I blame it on my stroke. I blame all my missteps on my stroke. Maybe I need to pay more attention or get someone to help me. I get confused so easily now. Oh well, I was hoping to get a place in SAQA history. Not thistime, but I'm sure proud of those who will make it. (congrats Carol, Jill and the others)

O's for Obama

I'm sure these circles are really O's, since today is inauguration eve and I am sending my best wishes to President Obama. I did this piece for Liz Berg's Advanced Design online class. Every media I see or hear is all about tomorrow's ceremonies, and rightfully so. I was in my teens for JFK's ceremony and subsequent tragedy. I wept for Bobby and Martin Luther King. To be alive to see this history is remarkable.
I watched the concert and was so proud of all the talented performers and of the huge crowds. I am hoping everything stays peaceful.
The piece is mt hand-dued cottons and is quilted with Superior Neon Orange.

Autumn colors

Autumn vineyards is my latest work. It is not completed yet and I am actively requesting critiques. Also, check out this site: http://dianedidit.com/stayathome.html. It chronicles the pieces made for the Ami Simms Alzheimer's challenge by those of us who didn't get to Houston. And if I don't get back to my blog, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Alzheimer's Quilts Plus

I had to start with this photo. This is my grand niece, Addison. There is a photo of her baby quilt in a previous post. She is one of the prettiest babies I've ever seen, si I thought I'd share her with you all.

This has been an interesting and productive week. At Tuesday's Pointless Sisters meeting, we played with stamping fabric. I brought dyed, discharged and overdyed fabric to play with. I also brought my own handmade stamps. This piece includes fabric stamped previously. New pictures at another time. This is one of my Alzheimer's Quilts for AAQI. It is hand-dyed, stamped and painted fabric fused and soft-edged applique. I called it Sailing thru Life. If only we could.

IThis is another one of my Alzheimer's Quilts for AAQI. Paradise is Not Lost. It is hand-dyed and painted fabric fused and soft-edged applique. A message of hope.

Another AAQI quilt. Circle of Life. Hand-dyed and commercial fabric, fused and soft edged applique. With a gorgeous piece of rusted fabric from Lois Jarvis, donated specifically for AAQI.She also is dinating $5.00 per quilt using her Rust-Tex fabric and registered before 11/5. I made the cut-off date.

On Thursday I attended a Community Service "retreat" with guild members. I quilted 2 baby quilts and 6 doll quilts, all of which will be donated to needy families and children. Our group is very active and has donated 1050 quilts so far this year. Some go to Wounded Warriors, others to YMCA shelters and hospitals. If you ever need to purge your stash, our group would welcome the donation. Everything is put to good use.
On Friday, I attended a wonderful lecture and demonstration by Claudio Jiminez Quispe, a Peruvian artist who specializes in creating Retablos. The pieces he created for this exhibit focused on Day of the Dead scenarios and some Frida Kahlo works. He will be exhibiting and teaching next at Shasta College in California. Check their website for info. He does amazing work with few tools (small toothpick, large toothpick and small knife). There were also beautiful alters done by various artists included in the exhibit. I learned a lot about the creation of the Retablos and the tradition of the Dead ceremonies.

EPU II Cultures in Cloth

EPU II challenge and artist statement.

ABILITY WITH DISABILITY
My photo-transfer collage features a Sonoma County sunrise, my love of horses, the strength of my Italian grandmother, the wisdom of my Irish/English mother. I actively participate in my world . I’m now “Unbalanced” ( my quilt title in the collage) but my art is still my passion in spite of my disablity.

Look at this cool rusted fabric from Rustex by Lois Jarvis. It will be used for the Alzheimer's auction after I use it in my piece. Lois is donting $5.00 to the cause for every piece registered. Hooray, Lois. I have a couple of pieces finished and an idea for this one.

Stolen photos

No pictures tonite. I'm trying to unravel the mystery of who is stealing others' pictures for their own gain. Mine wasn't the only piece ripped off. I recognized paintings of Melody Johnson and Elin Pendleton and Lots of others works that didn't belong to the person who posted. Unfortunately, I don't have much to go on as I deleted the email when it locked up my laptop. My time wasted!

I entered an online challenge, which, if I'm juried in, will be exhibited in at least 4 locations over 2 years. These are just details of each. They really show nothing, bit I remembered to post a photo. I'm horrible at posting. I'm not sure why. I used to write for a living. Maybe it's the one-hand thing. Frustrating as.... you know what. I've been getting my studio back together. Finally! Pictures to come. I'm still working on my fine art painting as well as finishing up some fiber pieces I've been working on for what seems like forever. I never got my auction piece into SAQA. I found it yesterday almost complete. I'll try to remember it for next year. There are some fine small compositions in there. VP debate tomorrow nite. Can't wait. Tina Fey will have enough work for a year.

Breaking Traditions piece previewed

Check out the Breaking Traditions Blog for its preview of my Maya Angelou piece, "Still I Rise."

Or check it out here!

Tulle time

Today I received an envelope full of tulle samples from Montana. Yummy! but what? Then I remembered I had requested this package after reading about the Salvaged Threads challenge online. Cynthia St. Charles has put this challenge together. It is on my TO DO list. Too late to think about it now. Still exhausted.