Thursday, December 1, 2016

New Publication

Digital Fiber Art

By Wen Redmond




New England artist and SAQA member, Wen Redmond, is publishing an inspirational book on alternative ways to compose and print on fabric, paper and subversive materials. Wen has been a fiber artist for decades and experiments with mixed media for unique results and presentations!

The book, Digital Fiber Art: Combine Photos & Fabric - Create Your Own Mixed-Media Masterpiece, explores inspirational printing. "Experimenting and trying new ways of doing
things are the cornerstone of my art making. This book will take you there. Digital Fiber Art is a dialogue between my inner imagination and you!"

Her book is available now as a pre-order on Amazon. Wen's work is available at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's galleries in Hanover, Meredith, North Conway, Nashua, and Concord, NH, Exeter Fine Crafts, Village Goldsmith in Dover, NH and the Sharon Art Center in Peterborough, NH.

Wen's Blog
Wen's Other Blog 
Wen's Etsy Shop

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Member Profile: Julie Neu

Julie Neu was recently kind enough to answer a few questions so we can all get to know her better. Some of you might remember her from our last meeting when she shared a wonderful children's book which she had illustrated with her art quilts.





When did you start making art quilts? I’ve been quilting for 20 years and like many, started out as a traditional quilter. My foray into art quilts probably started with a week in a design class at Quilting by the Lake in 2006. After that, I started a “Creative Play” project in which I went into the studio with the sole purpose of playing and I made a small art quilt each week.

What type of work do you do? I do two different types of work right now. I create realistic quilts to use as illustrations for children’s books my sister writes. I also create precise geometric pieced quilts that are inspired by Islamic tile designs.




Do you have a favorite color palette?
I love jewel tones – deep, rich sapphire, emerald, amethyst, ruby. I’d rather have beautiful batiks in those colors than the real gems.

Are you working on a particular theme or series now? My educational background is in Middle Eastern Studies. I have a BA in that and a Masters of Theological Studies in Islam. I studied Arabic for six years. I’m now finally putting all of that to good use with a series called “Arabesques.” I am making intricate pieced quilts inspired by the geometric tile designs of the great mosques and Islamic palaces of the world.





How do you work? My work starts at the drafting table. I bring out the protractor, compass, ruler, and a big eraser and draw a full-sized rendering of my design. If the design isn’t precise, the rest of it will never work. Once I have a design, I create plastic templates of each piece and use those to cut and mark the alignment points on my fabric. Then I sew.





What is your studio like and when do you like to work? I like to work in the morning, but I have a four year old so I work when I can. Because we have a child and needed to move into a larger space that had an actual bedroom for her, my studio space is an additional bedroom where one entire wall is a design wall. When we decided to buy the house, I described it to my mother and she said, “Great! I’ll have a place to sleep when I visit.” I responded, “Sorry, no, that other bedroom is going to be my studio.” She’s an artist too so she understood.

How are you making the most of your SAQA membership? Which aspects of the organization are you enjoying?
I’m absolutely milking my SAQA membership. I joined recently, but I don’t think I let a month pass before I applied for the mentorship program. Having a mentor has been invaluable for both the knowledge that I have gained and the encouragement that I have had. My business practice has certainly improved as a result. I also really enjoy the meetings. Our region consists of a wonderful group of talented, interesting, and kind-hearted artists and I enjoy the companionship, the education, and the inspiration that the meetings provide.

Do you design your art with a purpose in mind? Generally I do not. I made the book illustrations with the express intent of creating a book, but much of my work isn’t created for a specific purpose. The exception to that is a project that I started a few months ago called “Victims.” It’s a departure from my other work and is meant to be a very political piece, an art as statement piece. After the mass shooting in Orlando, I was sewing and reflecting and the idea for the project flowed down into my mind. The design was fully formed within a few minutes. I am creating a quilt that contains a block with the name of each victim of a mass shooting in the United States during the last 20 years in which more than 10 people have died in one day. The events span from Columbine to Orlando and include Sandy Hook, San Bernadino, Aurora, and a few that I was embarrassed to realize that I had forgotten about along the way. 185 people and 185 blocks. My intent at this point is to quilt it, leave it unbound (because I don’t think it’s finished), and mail it to Senator Warren.


Tuesday, November 22, 2016

SAQA Pod Meetings on Cape Cod

SAQA MA/RI Cape Cod Pod
Meeting November 17, 2016

Thirteen SAQA members and guests were in attendance at the first Cape Cod Pod meeting in Falmouth, MA this past Thursday. MA/RI SAQA Co-Rep, Nancy Turbitt, began the meeting with an overview of SAQA benefits, history and rules for maintaining a SAQA Pod. Non-member guests were encouraged to join in order to continue with the group.

The meeting was then turned to the members to discuss meeting dates, places, frequency and times. As this was the first time some members had met, they decided to meet monthly for the first few times and to lead it out with a Show & Tell to introduce each other and their styles of working. Skipping the month of December as a difficult month, they chose to start in January.



Melissa Averinos offered to inquire about Tumbleweeds, a Barnstable fabric and quilt shop, as their first choice of meeting place. Melissa will also be keeping everyone abreast of information on meetings and will be the connection to the MA/RI Reps for announcements. The meeting wrapped up with a viewing of the MA/RI Trunk Show, an announcement of the next regional meeting on March 11, 2017, and lunch followed by an invitation to visit Salley Mavor's studio a few miles away.



Thanks to Elaine Cominos Hickey for hosting the first meeting at her home and to Jeannette Spencer for taking notes. "Welcome" to those new members who joined SAQA as a result of the meeting. We are all looking to see wonderful things happening on Cape Cod as a result of this strong group of artists!


I rode over to Salley's studio with Jeannette Spencer and Brenda Jones and the three of us were just blown away by the ambiance of her studio and the actual work on the walls. Salley has a fantastic work space above her garage, full of light and lots of storage. She showed us thumbnails and enlarged drawings for a new book she is working on illustrating. She also had several mailings from her Etsy Shop, SalleyMavor, packed and ready to mail out. Each of the three of us visiting walked out having purchased one of her books which she was happy to personalize with an autograph.


Those members who may be interested in coming to a Cape Cod Pod meeting will find their announcements in the MA/RI Regional Newsletter which are emailed directly to members and can be found here on this blog under the heading of Newsletters.

Monday, October 31, 2016

Exhibition News

Inspired by Nature
Vicki Jensen
November 5 - December 3, 2016





Fiber artist, Vicki Jensen, will have a solo exhibit of her work at the Greater Fall River Art Association from November 5 through December 3, 2016. There is an Opening Reception on Saturday, November 5 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. The Greater Fall River Art Association is located at 80 Belmont St. in Fall River, MA. Please RSVP through Vicki's website at www.vickijensen.net.

Friday, September 30, 2016

Member News - Ro Morrissey

Fall For Fiber
The Artists of Fiber Frenzy
Brewster Ladies Library
October 4-29, 2016




Ro Morrissey - "Turning Tide"

The Brewster Ladies’ Library is pleased to present Fall for Fiber, a mixed media fiber art show, from October 4 to 29, 2016. The artists featured are Christine Anderson, Madeline Arnault, June Calendar, Carol Flax, Carol Fitzsimons, Robin Maguire, Ro Morrissey, Toni Newhall, Jane Parhiala, Meredith Pearson, Elaine Skoler, and Susannah Wheelwright. The artists first came together in 2014 to create a show for the New Church in Yarmouthport. Since then, the group, informally known as "Fiber Frenzy," has grown in reputation, obtaining shows at the Museum of Natural History in Brewster and at the Woodruffs Art Center in Mashpee.

The public is invited to a reception at the Library on Saturday, October 8 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

This exhibit is sponsored by the Brewster Ladies’ Library. Please call the library at (508) 896-3913 before coming, due to the exhibition room sometimes being in use for a program and not open for viewing. The Brewster Ladies' Library is located at 1822 Main St. In Brewster, MA.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Member News - Lee Sproull

Sew'l eWitt: 
Quilts Inspired by Sol LeWitt
Presented by Northampton Modern Quilt Guild
September 23 - October 23, 2016



By Robin Heller


Artwork by SAQA MA/RI member Lee Sproull is included in an exhibit of art quilts which were inspired by the work of Sol LeWitt whose work was full of graphic design, line and bold color. The exhibition is created by the Modern Quilt Guild of Northampton, MA and shows in the Eclipse Mill Gallery in North Adams, MA. The exhibit opens on September 23 with an Opening Reception from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.



By Robin Heller


The Eclipse Mill Gallery is located at 243 Union St., North Adams, MA. Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Member & Exhibition Call News

Fiber in the Present Tense 2016

Surface Design Association, MA/RI Chapter
September 7 - November 3, 2016

Opening reception Saturday, September 10, 3:00 to 5:00 pm



Shaman's Dream by Janis Doucette


Member Janis Doucette has artwork accepted into a regional showing of fiber at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown, MA. Fiber in the Present Tense 2016 is a juried exhibition to showcase the fiber artwork of the MA/RI Chapter of the Surface Design Association (SDA). The Juror for this show is member Marcia Young who is a SAQA Board of Directors member and Editor of "Fiber Art Now Magazine".

The Arsenal Center for the Arts is located on 321 Arsenal St. In Watertown, MA. Summer hours for the gallery are Monday through Friday from 12:00 to 5:00 pm. For fall hours call 617-923-0100 or email info@arsenalarts.org. The Fine Arts & Crafts store on the first floor of the Arsenal Center for the Arts is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12:00 to 6:00 pm.



Call to Artists: Small Works 
(The Arsenal Center for the Arts)

The Arsenal Center for the Arts is seeking the work of artists from the Greater Boston Area for their annual Small Works exhibition happening November 10 - December 30, 2016. The work will be exhibited in their first and second floor galleries and will be on display throughout the holiday season. Works must be 12" x 12" or smaller and can be 2D or 3D but must be priced under $300.00. Arsenal Center for the Arts will retain 40% on the sale of works. A maximum of four pieces per artist will be chosen but up to 10 pieces may be submitted for consideration. Submit all work in JPEG format (not larger than 300ppi) Include name, address, phone number, email address on corresponding numbered sheet with title, medium, size and artist statement. Submit to Aneleise Ruggles at aneleiseruggles@arsenalarts.org not later than October 1, 2016. Jury fee is $20.00 and should be mailed to: 

Arsenal Center for the Arts
Attention: Aneleise Ruggles
Small Works Submission
321 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Questions or concerns contact them at 617-923-0100, ext. 8304 or via email (above)


Call to Artists: Fine Arts & Crafts Shop
The Arsenal Center for the Arts

The Arsenal Center for the Arts seeks artists in the Greater Boston Area to exhibit and sell their fine arts and crafts in The Shop. The Shop features fine arts and crafts from over 40 artists at any given time. They open their doors to thousands of employees at the Arsenal on the Charles Complex, patrons from the New Repertory Theatre and the Watertown Children's Theatre, patrons at Panera Bread and La Casa de Pedro and other shoppers offering them the opportunity to purchase beautiful handcrafted artwork. All items must be original, hand-crafted work and each artist may offer a wide variety of items. The number of items accepted will be determined by the Program Director.

Artists are invited to participate in the opportunity by submitting 3-5 images of you work via email along with name, phone, website, medium and price range for consideration to beverlysnow@arsenalarts.org. Inventory from selected artists will exceed the original 5 items submitted. Deadline for submissions is September 16, 2016. A $20.00 jury fee is required and can be paid via credit card (Visa, Mastercard and Discover) in person Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm, via phone 617-923-0100, x8304 or a check made out to the Arsenal Center for the Arts and mailed to:

Beverly Snow
Shop Jury Fee
Arsenal Center for the Arts
321 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472 

Monday, September 5, 2016

Member News - Dawn Allen

Dawn Allen's Secret Garden

 

 Poppy II

A solo exhibit  highlighting Dawn Allen's fabric art from the past two years, will be at the Rinnova Gallery in Westfield, MA, September through October and the artist reception will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, October 7.. Most of the artwork from the "Larger Than Life Flowers" series will be there as well as several new and not yet exhibited pieces.


confetti in the grass


The “Larger Than Life Flowers” series is inspired by the moment in the Wizard of Oz when the movie turns to color and the camera pans across giant colorful flowers. This series is fun, exiting, and happy. These original art pieces hang on the wall and bring cheer to your space.

All of the pieces are made from fabric using modern art quilting techniques and Dawn's own method of transforming the usually flat quilt medium into three dimensional art. 



The Rinnova Gallery is located at 105 Elm Street Westfield, MA, 01085.

RSVP on Dawn's Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/300958396925965/



Also from Dawn:

Quilting Arts in the SPOTLIGHT

Dawn Allen



Dawn has a five page article in the August/September 2016, issue 82 of Quilting Arts magazine. She describes her experiences with altered vision and depth perception in detail and explains why she finds it so important to work with the concept of three-dimensional sculpture. 

Don't miss this fascinating article. Quilting Arts magazine can be found at Barnes & Noble and JoAnn's for $7.99 an issue. For subscription information 800 406-5283 or quiltingarts@emailcustomerservice.com


Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Member News - Madalene Murphy

The Abstract Artists Group of New England Presents:
Edge
August 30 - September 11, 2016


In Possibility

SAQA MA/RI member, Madalene Murphy, has artwork accepted into a group exhibition by the Abstract Artists Group of New England (AAGNE) which will open on August 30, 2016 at the Newburyport Art Association (NAA) Gallery in Newburyport, MA. In Possibility is one of five pieces that Madalene has in the exhibit. The Opening Reception will by held on Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the NAA Gallery. There will be live jazz by Barbara London and Rick Kress. The reception is free and open to the public.

The exhibit will be on view from August 30 to September 11, 2016 at the NAA Gallery on 65 Water St. in Newburyport, MA. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. For more info call 978 465-8769.  

Monday, August 29, 2016

Member News - Salley Mavor


Intertwined – Needle Art of Salley Mavor
September 16 – October 30, 2016
at the Bristol Art Museum, Bristol, Rhode Island

Several of Salley Mavor's new embroidered bas-relief pieces will be shown at the Bristol Art Museum this fall, including Whiskers, Cover Up, Face Time, Birds of Beebe Woods and the premiere showing of DisplacedKatherine French, executive director of the Danforth Museum in Framingham, MA said of Salley's exhibit, “This is very sophisticated work. When you describe it, it sounds too precious, but the reaction is one of amazement. People hear about it and say, ‘Oh, that’s nice,’ but then they see it and are blown away.”


Displaced


Of her new work Salley confides, "In a productive year, I can make 2 large (24″ x 30″) pieces, so it takes several years to accumulate enough work to hang together in a solo show. That’s why I’ve held off selling my new pieces. I just finished Displaced, which will have its premiere showing at the Bristol Art Museum in Rhode Island this fall." 

Birds of Beebe Woods


For those living in or near Rhode Island, the Bristol Art Museum encourages the creation, promotion and appreciation of the arts through exhibitions and educational opportunities. For those looking to visit from further afield, Bristol is a lovely town sprinkled with galleries, shops and eateries and is located on Rhode Island's East Bay not far from Newport. Salley's work can be found at the Abbott Low Gallery of the Bristol Art Museum in the main building located at 10 Wardwell St, Bristol, RI. The opening reception will be held on September 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Call (401) 253-4400 for more information and directions.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Member Profile: Suzanne Housley-Noonan

Suzanne Housley-Noonan is our latest member to be featured on the blog. You can see more of her work here http://www.suzannehousleynoonan.com/ and here www.etsy/shop/OceanStateHomeDecor.


If you would like to be featured please click here.

When did you start making art quilts?
I started making quilts when I was 15. My Aunt Nell would teach me how to sew on summer trips to Tennessee. My Father bought me an antique Singer sewing machine. All it had was a “straight stitch,” but I was on my way and have been sewing ever since. 


What type of work do you do - abstract/realist/representational...? What styles or techniques do you use?
My art lends itself to be a representation of the landscape and nature around us. I tend to represent a view of a familiar area or just a close up of nature.

How did you learn the techniques you use?
I studied textile design at RISD. I learned screen printing, painting, and the dyeing process using acid and natural dyes. My mentors were teachers, my Aunt Nell, and my father.

Do you have a favorite color palette?
My color palette usually starts with one color I like. Then I will choose a contrasting color or a shade darker or lighter. I have a good sense of what color formulas are made of. Primarily all colors have red, blue and yellow in them. The color scale may tip depending on the amount of pigment. I love all color pallets. I find myself using earth tone colors a lot. 


 

Are you working on a particular theme or series now? Tell us more about it.
I am working on a series of landscapes. Landscapes are a constant theme for me. Mostly New England wet lands and tall grassy fields. When I am stitching onto the fabric I try to depict the wind movement, and the lines in nature. Trees are also a passion of mine. I am fascinated by their strong foundation that roots itself into the earth.


How do you work? Give us some insight into your design process?
Photos are my starting point. I make several sketches with notes on colors and the types of fabric I need. I draw the design to scale on tracing paper twice, once for design and once to dismantle. Next, I go to my wonderful source of hand dyed and hand painted fabrics. If the fabric is not exactly what I am looking for I may re-dye or paint the fabrics again and again. I will also work with commercially made fabrics in conjunction with my hand dyed fabrics. I may also paint a landscape with oil paints on canvas before stitching the fabric.



Do you work on a single project at a time or do you work on multiple pieces at once?
I work on multiple pieces. There is never enough wall space or time. Many times I need to step away for a piece and come back to it later.

What are your sources of inspiration?
My inspiration is definitely landscape textures, color and beautiful nature everywhere. I love to go to museums and get inspired by the art around me. 



What is your studio like and when do you like to work?
I am so fortunate I have a nice studio space. I work in the third level of my home. I have two rooms connected. One I paint in and the other is a clean space for sewing. It makes me so happy when I step into my space every day.

What are your goals or aspirations for your art?
My goal is to share my work with others. I have sold many of my small pieces. Now I would love to sell my larger pieces or show them in galleries or quilt shows.

How are you making the most of your SAQA membership? Which aspects of the organization are you enjoying?
SAQA is a group filled with wonderful, talented people. I have been following you for many years and finally decided to join. I found the meetings to be very informative and enjoyable, having met many artists that share my passion for textiles.

Do you design your art with a purpose in mind (function of the piece, for a particular call for entry, a commission)? Tell us about that…
Since I joined SAQA I found myself designing for the call for entry. I always have multiple pieces under construction at once, and I continue to work on them until they are complete.

Monday, August 8, 2016

Currents Opening

A few photos of the "Currents" exhibit opening reception at the Brush Art Gallery and Studios.


 

Kudos to Christina Blais for landing her piece on the "Currents" poster! Catalogs are for sale at Amazon.com or CreateSpace.com


Before the crowd I took some pictures of the space. The food at the reception was exceptional. Much thanks to the Brush and it's members. On the wall: Urban Sprawl by Judy Ross, Little Drops of Water & Splash by Clara Nartey, and Beach Roses by Dawn Allen.


Deep Sea Currents by Rosemary Hoffenberg, Reunion by Nancy Turbitt, and Water Currents by Judy Ross


Showing in the front window are scenes from the beach by Ann Brauer (left) and Evening Rays on the Water & Morning Rays on the Water by Valerie Maser Flanagan


Two pieces, Crumbling Infrastructure and Global Warming: Living with Drought by Sandy Gregg


Riverbed by Valerie Maser Flanagan and Crown Point by Wen Redmond


Il Pleut by Christina Blais


Viewers look at Across The Pond by Janis Doucette. Work by Wen Redmond, Out Beyond and Tricia Purrington Deck, Magical Moment in the background


Members Wen Redmond and Jeanne Marklin


On the wall: Disturbance by Mary-Ellen Latino, Riverbed by Valerie Maser Flanagan and Crown Point by Wen Redmond. Members Sue Bleiweiss, husband Scott and Sue Polansky to the left.


A long view of the gallery and crowd; on the wall to the right, Drip and Sail by Sue Bleiweiss


On the wall: Shifting Reflections Baltimore Harbor by Judy Ross, Deep Sea Currents by Rosemary Hoffenberg, blocked from view is Reunion by Nancy Turbitt, Water Currents by Judy Ross and a bit of Reflection #2 by Gwyned Trefethen


On the wall: Out Beyond by Wen Redmond, Magical Moment by Tricia Purrington Deck and Across the Pond by Janis Doucette


A view of the studios at the Brush


Dawn Allen in front of her piece Beach Roses. Dawn is wearing a dress made from a digital print on fabric of her work created by Spoonflower.

"Currents" can be viewed at the Brush Art Gallery and Studios in Lowell, MA through September 18, 2016.


Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Profiles: Melanie Johnston & Joan Blade Johnson


 
                 Melanie Johnston                                                           Joan Blade Johnson

Melanie Johnston and Joan Blade Johnson are Connecticut based fiber artists who exhibit, lecture and teach together. They will be the focus and featured speakers at the SAQA MA/RI Regional Quarterly Meeting on August 7, 2016 at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, 115 John St (2nd floor auditorium) in Lowell, MA from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

Of their art and working together, Melanie and Joan state, "Our art is expressed through textile and often incorporates our own dyed, printed or painted fabric. Each of us has our own distinctive style and preferred processes. Joan enjoys interpreting the natural world using non-traditional methods and materials. Melanie’s work often includes bold color and geometric shape. Through selling and exhibiting our art, we hope to introduce others to fiber art as fine art."

Melanie and Joan answered a few questions, giving us an introduction to themselves and their work.

When did you start working with fiber and why?
We both began as traditional quilters and were independently drawn to surface design and art quilting. Joan’s career was in nutrition and Melanie’s in health care. We met about six years ago and bonded as friends over our mutual love of fiber art. For the last five years, we have both been working as full time fiber artists.

What types of techniques do you like to use in the creation of your work?
We love creating our own fabric using dyeing, printing, painting, marbling and a variety of other surface design techniques. Joan loves photography and often incorporates her photos into her work.

What is your studio like and what is your working schedule like in your studio! Do you use a work wall or long arm?
For our sewing/construction activities we each have separate studios with large design walls and lots of storage. Additionally, Melanie has a large wet studio in her basement where a Handi-Quilter long-arm also resides. Tuesday mornings are dedicated to wet studio time. We work 8-16 hours per week on our own individual projects and another 2 or 3 hours getting together to work on planning for classes and other upcoming events.

What or who inspires you?
Joan is inspired by nature. Melanie is often inspired by abstract painters.

What benefits of SAQA do you find have helped you best in your development as an artist?
SAQA has been a wonderful resource for meeting amazing fiber artists, access to exhibits and resources for the business of fiber art.

How and why have you decided to work together in your teaching, lecturing etc.? What are the benefits of forming a partnership?
We believe the right business partner increases the likelihood of success and definitely makes life easier and more fun. We respect each other’s art and business skills, we motivate each other and we each have complementary strengths.

Do either of you have a degree in art, business, etc. and how has that helped you to achieve your goals as an artist?
Neither of us has a formal art or business degree but we have taken advantage of many art and business classes, groups and seminars. We also draw on our leadership and organizational skills acquired from our business careers. We both believe that knowing how to communicate well in a variety of media and how to set, measure and achieve goals has been critical to our success.

Melanie and Joan will be talking about their experience exhibiting and selling their fiber art. They have many recommendations for anyone thinking about or interested in taking this next step as a professional fiber artist.

For anyone reading this who is not a member of SAQA, the MA/RI Region of SAQA has an active group of about 130 members. Meetings are held around the two states quarterly. All members are invited to these meetings. Our next meeting, featuring speakers Melanie & Joan, will be held on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum on 115 John St, 2nd floor auditorium in Lowell, MA from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. If you are considering joining SAQA and would like to attend this or another meeting as a guest, please leave a comment below and we will contact you with information. To join : SAQA