Fibre Artist
3 D Thread Applique
I was excited and very pleased to recently learn that my piece Bank Machine Blues was chosen by Martha Sielman to include in her book on fibre artists who are inspired by birds. Martha is the Executive Director of Studio Art Quilts Associates ( SAQA).
My solo exhibition, Colours of Nature, will be held at the Andrew and Laura McCain Gallery in Florenceville NB May 15- June 19, 2021. It will include thread paintings, wall quilts and perhaps some wearable art. Below is my newest thread painting, Willow at Dawn.
Sunbury shores Arts and Nature Centre Saint Andrews NB has accepted my submission of New Brunswick through the Seasons in Paint, Fabric and Thread to be included in their Craft Year 2020 exhibition and sale to be held Oct. 2- Nov. 7, 2020 in Saint Andrews. My submission includes both thread paintings and wall quilts.
Curry Mountain thread painting framed under glass 15 by 17 inches
I have been part of Team Canada for the World Wide Whispers Project. In a nutshell it’s a bit like the child’s birthday party game where the leader starts by whispering a sentence in the ear of the next participant and then it continues around the room, evolving and changing from the original sentence. Kim Caskey, the Team Canada leader produced the first quilt inspired by a photograph by Lesley Zwaal of Edmonton Alberta. Artists from each province and territory of Canada (13) were sent a photograph showing only the most recent wall quilt and given a one month time frame to create a 18 by 24 inch wall quilt inspired by that photograph. I was the New Brunswick representative and created the third Quilt in the series. It has been a long 13 months when we were not allowed to reveal our involvement and saw only a photo of the quilt that inspired our piece. Finally on January 6, 2019 Kim sent us a wonderful power point presentation showing us all the quilts, artist statements and more.
Also involved in their own World Wide Whispers were teams from Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands, USA.
The Canadian collection will be shipped to Scotland where it will hang, along with the other 4 teams, at the Scotland Guild’s AGM event in Glasgow in March. Following that, they will travel to The Netherlands for a show in April. The most exciting part is that all quilts from the 5 teams will be displayed at The Birmingham UK Quilt festival in August 2019.
Looking In Looking Out is my piece. In a separate post I will show my inspiration piece by Pat Findlay.
I made this thread appliqué pet portrait of Bruno for my son’s 29th birthday. Bruno has captured the hearts of my son, Tristan and his fiancé, Erin.
The fur was a bit different from other animals I have done so it posed a bit of a challenge but I was pleased with the result.
I chose to paint the background in muted greys so as not to compete with that sweet little face.
Members of SAQA-Atlantic have put together a trunk show which represents the diversity of techniques and styles which they use in their work as art quilters. Each piece is 8 x 8 inches and is presented in a 12 x 12 inch mat. Clear presentation envelopes protect the artwork and permit it to be handled safely.
The trunk show is available to travel to meetings of quilt guilds and other interested groups. A SAQA member can accompany the show to make a presentation regarding art quilts and SAQA.
I have finished my piece entitled He Sings and here is a photo of it before it is shipped off for matting and packaging.
He Sings – January, 2015
Materials and Techniques- Hand painted background, free motion embroidery 3-d thread white- throated sparrow, free motion embroidery over yarn tree and branches, 3-d leaves.
Artist Statement:
I strive to recreate nature’s beauty realistically in my work. While my artistic medium is primarily thread, my painted fabric backgrounds support the production of landscapes and life-like three-dimensional images of birds, wildlife and portraits. My wish is to transport the viewer to a unique place, whether it is a forest stand, a beach delivering the glories of a morning sunrise, or a backyard hosting our joyous songbirds.
Have you been thinking about making a jacket, vest or cape that is distinctly “yours”? If so, come to the Quilt Canada 2015 in Lethbridge Alberta and take the Designing One of a Kind Wearable Art with Kathy Tidswell on June 4 and 5. Sewers and Quilters of all levels are welcome. This is a class designed to help you make individualized items that fit your lifestyle. You may choose fancy or casual. In addition to learning hints on the types of patterns to choose, you will learn embellishment techniques such as lace cutwork, bobbin work, trapunto, arranging appliqués and new methods for attaching appliqués. Information will be shared on choosing batting for quilted items, or you may choose not to quilt. My outfits often feature appliqué or appliqué and cutwork with no quilting. Come have some fun and learn some new techniques. You will receive hints on placement of appliqués and produce samples using free motion embroidery on a regular zigzag sewing machine. Then choose which techniques you want to incorporate in your piece and work on your outfit under my tutelage. For more information and to register visit www.canadianquilter.com/events/quilt–canada–2015.php. See more wearable art in the Gallery.
