So last week as I was packing to get ready to go down to the Crow Timber Barn for another class with Carol Soderlund, when I got a phone call. It was one of those phone calls where I wasn't quite sure what was going on... after a minute or two, I figured out what was going on and was on the moon. Catherine Mott from the Muskegon Museum of Art was calling because my quilt had won a prize in an Art competition! I truly just to get my piece in the show. It may not sound like a lofty goal, but most within the art community don't consider quilts as works of art. So my elation was not only for the acknowledgement but the acceptance. I wasn't even sure which award that I had won; I was a little too excited to get the details. I would like to thank Nancy Crow for opening people's minds to quilts as art and making opportunities for us as quilters/artist (or however you want to define yourself). I also want to thank the Muskegon Museum of Art for being textile friendly, not only in this show but in general. In case you would like to see more about the show, here is a link... http://www.muskegonartmuseum.org/exhibition/87th-regional-exhibition/
Modern Art in Quilt Form has made it into ArtPrize...
I am excited about exhibiting my work in ArtPrize for the first time. I will be in the Fifth/Third Bank and Warner-Norcross & Judd Building. Never having been a part of this huge show, I am a bit nervous. I am not sure how it works from the artist point of view, so I am sure I will learn a lot from this endeavor. Here is a link... http://www.artprize.org/sue-cortese/2015/modern-art-in-quilt-form This is my latest piece modern/contemporary piece. It is a compilation of two pieces that were made as exercises in a Nancy Crow class...I took the class twice which is why I had two of same exercise pieces. Here are the two original exercise pieces ... I struggled with this exercise, as I don't think that I developed interesting shapes and they didn't really tie together as a united piece. I didn't like either piece in class. I originally thought it was the color combination of pastels and brights, however, after further thought I believe it was the large unrelated blobs that cause the pieces not to work. Another class participant came home and cut and re-configured it her piece, which gave me the idea to combine my two pieces into one. I tried to no go too small with the pieces, so that they remained "shapes" and didn't become lines or bits of color. I tried to create areas of interest and calm within a united and balanced piece. I have come to appreciate that the pastels actually work very well to create a secondary ground. I am much happier with the reconfigured compilation then either of the first two pieces. It was also a great to practice with on the long arm...as I am continuing to learning to control it.
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Helpful Hints:I love using leader/ enders when I am chain piecing. It was an idea from Bonnie Hunter. Instead of using a scrap piece of material in between chains, use two small blocks. You can work on two project projects at once! I keep a pile of 2" scrap squares next to my machine for this reason...Happy piecing!
Resources:Pro Chem
Dharma Trading West MI Quilt Guild National Quilting Association American Quilter's Society Surface Design Association International Machine Quilter's Association, Inc Modern Quilt Guild Some of TEACHERS I HAVE LEARNED FROM: |