Tired of the Poetry...

Hello Art of Inclusion readers!

I just wanted to let you all know that I am finally taking action to stop the problem that has cropped up in the blog comments section with spam-poetry such as this:

and this:

and super flattering spam like this one:

I've turned on the "Word Verification" feature, which will make it a tiny bit more time consuming for folks to leave comments on the blog, but should hopefully mean that you all no longer have to receive weird spammy emails every time you leave a comment.

Artist Interview with Sue Reno

I was recently fortunate to participate in Art Quilts XVII: Integrating the Paradox alongside many excellent art quilters, and the fabulously talented Sue Reno agreed to set aside some time to answer a collection of questions for my first ever Artist Interview here on the blog! I think you will find both my questions and Sue's answers quite intriguing (I know I gained a new understanding of Sue's work from her answers, plus some thoughts about how to relate to my own), so I definitely encourage you to read on!

"Bamboo Emerging" by Sue Reno

Do you have a specific idea of the story you'd like each piece to tell, or are you hoping viewers will have stories of their own ready to inhabit your work?
Both!  I consider myself primarily a storyteller, and each piece gets created in response to an experience I’ve had, generally an interaction with the natural world.  I spend as much time as possible outdoors, walking around looking at things in nature, or attempting to tweak the micro environment in my yard.  I also spend time in and around the historic architecture so prevalent here in Lancaster County, PA.  From time to time something about a leaf, or an animal skull, or a building will become so compelling that I need to drop everything and produce work that reflects my understanding of it.  But I also try to not be too heavy handed, to leave room for the viewer to bring their own interpretation and their own personal history to the piece.

"Ginger" by Sue Reno

Would you say that there is some particular thing that you are channeling while you work? How would you describe that something?
When things are going swimmingly, and I am in a state of flow, I would describe it as the deliberate practice of getting out of my own way.  My conscious self can take things only so far, in terms of scheduling some time, and obtaining materials, and roughing out a scheme, but then it’s time to step aside and let the subconscious have a turn at the wheel.

"Silk Mill #1" by Sue Reno

Would you say your personal style runs more towards clutter or organization? Does your style work for you, or are there elements of it you wish you could change? 
I need to work in an organized and calm space.  I carry in my head a detailed inventory of all the fabric I’ve ever bought or otherwise acquired and I need to be able to find a specific piece of fabric quickly and easily.  All my fabrics and other materials are sorted, labeled, and shelved in clear bins.  That being said, I am not afraid to make a mess while I am working and in the flow, and I am open to serendipitous combinations that emerge from the temporary chaos.  But I clean it all up when I am done with a project before moving on the next.

"Columbine" by Sue Reno

Are you a stickler about your particular medium, or are you happy to cheat, borrow and steal from other disciplines whenever it seems like a good idea?
Within my chosen medium of fiber art / art quilting, I have several surface design techniques that I return to time and again—cyanotype, heliographic printing, thermofax screen printing, and digital transfer.  Each time I employ them, I discover new things, and increase my knowledge base and control of the process.  So while I am not opposed to an influx of new ideas, techniques and materials, I feel like I am still just scratching the surface of what can be done with the ones I currently employ.  You could say I am going for depth rather than breadth.

"Plume Poppy" by Sue Reno

Do you ever have to choose between doing some aspect of your work "the lazy way" versus "the better but far more annoying way," and has going for "the lazy way" ever produced unexpectedly awesome results?
I am not a big fan of the “lazy” or easy path.  I am meticulous in my craft practice and will do whatever is needed to meet my self-imposed standards.  I try not to rush any part of the process, and to enjoy it as it unfolds. 
My quilts are pieced, not fused, because I can only get the type of texture and integration of materials, and the aesthetic I prefer, by stitching the elements together.  (This is not a prejudice against fused work in general—it’s just my personal preference.)  So I don’t mind that the piecing is time consuming; same with the quilting stitches, or the hand embroidery, or the bead work.  All of the detail work provides a reward to the viewer who steps up for a closer look at the piece.
I also am always mindful of the ways in which I can extend the expected archival life of my work, and am leery of shortcuts that could jeopardize it.  So in general I stick with traditional and time tested materials and methods.  They provide the backbone for a design aesthetic that is decidedly not traditional, and I enjoy the juxtaposition and dialogue that results.

"The Organic Landscape" by Sue Reno

Describe your sketchbook (or other Vital Idea Capturing Apparatus). Do you work in such a way that there is a great distance between sketches and finished projects, or are you more likely to incorporate your sketches directly into your final work? 
I don’t use a sketchbook or similar device. I work on images and ideas (there’s never a shortage) in my head, and I feel like if I can’t remember them, they are not worthwhile.  I do enjoy documenting a project as I go along, taking pictures and keeping swatches and so on, but that’s the other end of the process.  The times I have tried to sketch or excessively plan out a work, I’ve lost interest in it.  If I’ve already designed it, where’s the mystery and the excitement in seeing how it takes form?

"Watt & Shand #9" by Sue Reno

Are there any colors that give you particular trouble? 
Nope, I love them all!  And I’m not shy about combining them.  I hate color wheels; I feel they put an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy between the colors and my use and enjoyment of them.  I do use discretion, and hopefully I have taste and judgment, but I will not be dictated to by external standards of what “goes” together.  And if I am ever in doubt, I just look to the natural world.

"Skunk and Garlic Mustard" by Sue Reno

Do you have any concrete advice about how to do away with artist's block? 
Relax.  Don’t panic.  Breathe deeply.  Go for a bike ride.  Walk in the woods.  Have a beer.  Eat some raspberries.  Dabble in an alternative craft/art practice. Do the things that make you happy, and don’t worry.  Creativity springs from an endless well, and dry spells will pass.
This summer I took my own advice and bought a set of specialty lenses for my iPhone.  I have been having an absolutely fabulous time experimenting with macro and fisheye photography, and I am learning a great deal about the natural world and what makes a good image.  I don’t know where this is leading in regards to my fiber work, but it’s bound to be a good thing.

"Groundhog and Green Bean" by Sue Reno

You live in Pennsylvania - what opportunities exist locally for fiber artists?  What about the character of your city do you find particularly inspirational? Are there any local organizations or groups you'd like to mention so they can get more exposure? 
I am fortunate to be involved in several excellent local artists’ organizations.  The Pennsylvania Arts Experience is a diverse group of incredibly talented artists working in a variety of mediums, and I’m proud to have been a part of the organization since its inception.  It’s provided me with exhibit opportunities and the opportunity to forge some wonderful friendships.  Do yourself a favor and browse the artist galleries:
http://www.paartsexperience.com/
I’ve also a member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, which recently opened its flagship store here in Lancaster.  I’ve obtained juried status with the organization, and volunteer my time serving on the Standards Committee and doing floor jurying.  I’ve learned a tremendous amount about craft practice and met some amazing artists through my participation.  Read all about it here:
http://www.pacrafts.org/

Thank you so much Sue Reno for your excellent answers - I definitely hope you'll have a show here in NYC some time so I can see your work in person and do a review on the blog!

Upcoming Show: "Art Quilts XVII: Integrating the Paradox" at Visions Gallery in Chandler, Arizona

This post is coming slightly later than it should, but I have been accepted the show "Art Quilts XVII: Integrating the Paradox," at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Arizona, and I thought I would put up a sampling of works by some of the other artists who will be participating in the show.  This show will feature work by many people whose work I admire, either because I already knew who they were and was thrilled to find out I would be in a show with them, or because as I was searching for their names on Google, I was surprised over and over again by the talent of these people I had not known about.

This show promises to be pretty darn fabulous, and I have to say I'm quite sad I won't be able to get out to Chandler to see it in person.  If you will be in the area, the works will be on view from November 2, 2012 through January 19, 2013 and you should absolutely check it out (I know, I say this about every show, but it keeps being true!)

Here's the art - some of these are the pieces that will appear in the show, while others are not the ones that will be included, but they should all brighten your day!

"A Rather Attractive Prison," by Pamela Allen

"Sketches #3" by Denise Linet

"Pair O Docks II" by Betty Hahn

"Thought Process 1" by Frances Murphy

"Jet in the Carina Nebula" by Jimmy McBride

"Voice of Experience" by Kathleen Kastles

"Winter's Charms" and "Convergence" by Laura Gaskin

"Delhi Commons" by Neera Huckvale

"The Poemfish" by Sandra Branjord

"Squirrel and Locust" by Sue Reno

"Parallax Patterns" by Sandy Donabed

And finally, here's my piece:

"Habitats" by Stella Belikiewicz

Art Show: "Line and Color," by Lisa Call at The ArtQuilt Gallery

Once again there is a new show at my favorite venue, The ArtQuilt Gallery in Chelsea, and this time I actually got to go and see the artist speak about her work.  The show, titled "Line & Color," will be on view through October 20th, 2012 and features works by Lisa Call, whom I had not previously known a lot about, but I am now a huge fan.

Lisa Call's gallery talk was filled with witty and informative thoughts on all kinds of topics - I'll include a few of my favorite bits from the notes I took, and hopefully my paraphrasing of her words will not be too inaccurate. As always, please forgive the inconsistency in the photos (for a better idea of what Lisa Call's work looks like, go check it out in person!)

"Structures #115"by Lisa Call

One of my favorite things from Lisa Call's talk was her description of her ongoing lack of relationship with what is trendy.  As an artist, she is concerned primarily with beauty and compositional integrity, and with achieving a sort of visual rightness, which is a thing that artists are uniquely inclined to seek out.  This concern for formal design qualities, along with the fact that Lisa Call does not incorporate any fancy cutting edge technology into her work, has meant that she is not walking a path towards trendiness.  This is, I think, true for a fair number of quilt artists, and the thing I took away from Call's talk is that if you approach your work with enough drive and take it seriously enough, you can build a solid career even in the midst of an art world that is not often concerned with the things you care about. 

"Structures #72" and "Structures #32"by Lisa Call

Call's total lack of interest in bringing technology into her work is particularly amusing in light of her job as a software engineer.  She's been a part of the computer world for basically forever, and finds that it holds zero interest for her - there is nothing she has to say through her work that cannot be brought about through a series of dyebaths, a twenty year old Pfaff and a massive investment of time. I think nearly all art quilters can appreciate this deliberate decision to embrace slowness in art.  Call says the success of her work may indicate that the world is ready to move towards tactile media again as part of a desire to bring beauty back into the world we inhabit.

"Structures # 38" and "Structures #143" by Lisa Call

The process Lisa Call uses to construct her quilts is extremely deliberate, and each step, from designing the work on the wall to cutting, piecing and quilting, involves no shortcuts.  As she says, no strip-piecing is involved - if a line is present in a certain spot it is because she specifically meant for it to be there.  I have a lot of respect for this way of working, and I enjoy how different it is from my own approach which favors reacting to a work as it develops in real time over careful planning.  One area where Lisa Call and I have a similar style, however, is dyeing!  Her way of dyeing is in direct contrast to her approach to construction - she uses no formulas, dyes only one yard of fabric at a time, and embraces the "you get what you get" quality that is the result.  Brilliant!

"Dream "37," "Dream #38," and "Structures #97" by Lisa Call

Two final thoughts from Lisa Call.  The first is her answer to the inevitable question of where the distinction is drawn between functional quilting and Art Quilting.  Her response to this is simple and struck me as incredibly true.  The answer is Intention.  She creates her pieces with the idea that they are art.  That is their purpose, and it is definitely enough. 
The second thing is Call's suggestion of an artist that people interested in her work should also check out.  I think this is something I should bring into my posts on artists whenever it's possible - we can learn vast amounts from asking artists we admire who they go to for inspiration.  Her suggestion of an artist to check out is the painter Richard Diebenkorn, whose work is also carefully planned and meticulous.  

That's it - go check out the show!

Informative Video on Low Water Immersion Dyeing

I have been doing a fair amount of fiber reactive dyeing recently, and today while trolling YouTube for random video tutorials on the subject, I came across one that quite nicely answers a question I didn't even know I had been meaning to ask.  The question, which I realized I had actually been wondering about ever since I started researching low-water immersion dyeing, is: When, exactly, should you add the soda ash fixative to the dye bath, and what will be the result of adding it at various specific points? 

It turns out someone else was also wondering about this - Glenda Hopp of http://SoManyColors.net has put together a video in which she explores the effects that can be achieved by adding your soda ash in various ways.  I like her no-nonsense approach to dyeing and also to making videos! 

My Work, in "High Fiber Under Five" at San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles

I am thrilled that five of my quilts have been accepted into the fifth annual "High Fiber Under Five" benefit show for the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles. This show is devoted exclusively to fiber pieces that are priced at $500 or less, and a portion of the proceeds from each sale (between 50% and 100%) will be donated directly to the museum.

The thing I love about this show is that it is specifically geared towards an audience of people who love fiber art but do not necessarily have the disposable funds to become big time collectors. 

The show runs from October 20 through November 4 of this year, and if you happen to be in the San Jose area, definitely stop in and pick up some gorgeous and affordable art! Also, let me know what you think of the show!

Here are three of my pieces that will be on view (click on the images to view larger versions on Flickr):

"I Had a Dream Like that Once"

"An Oasis for Orphaned Treasure"

"Fictional Animals: Three New Species Discovered on the Very First Day"

My Work, in Quilting Arts Magazine's "From Sketch to Art Quilt" Reader Challenge!

Back in November, when I received the beginning of my Quilting Arts subscription, I was excited to see a reader challenge called "From Sketch to Art Quilt." Exactly the perfect challenge to start with! At the time I was drawing a lot of adorable monsters onto the yellow lined paper pads available at my job, so I decided to turn one of those sketches into the basis for my quilt.  I had been having fun for a while already with quilts based on various monsters and "fictional animals."

My work, featured in a magazine!

I scanned the sketch at high resolution and printed it out in cotton in two sections, just for fun. The size of the quilts in this challenge is 8 by 10 inches, so in theory I could have printed the monster all on a single piece of cotton, but I knew I was going to be monoprinting on top of the inkjet, and I wanted to have the option of an image in which the underlying monster drawing appeared to flow seamlessly across the whole quilt while its background broke abruptly into two sections.  In the end, the monoprinting that I did, with a Gelli Arts reusable "gelatin" plate, ended up looking similar on both parts of the image. I created a mask for the monster from freezer paper, ironed it into place on each piece of the monster body, then had fun playing around with my Gelli Arts plate. Once my printing was complete, I put the quilt together, with all kinds of added details including embroidery and laminated images.

Quilting Arts June/July 2012 Issue

I was super excited to have my quilt accepted into this particular Reader Challenge, and sent it off to the folks at Quilting Arts, along with the original sketch. They do their magazine photography in-house, and took very good care of my quilt which they eventually returned to me along with a copy of the issue. 

"Monster Portrait: Reginald"

Title: "Monster Portrait: Reginald"
Materials: various commercial fabrics, inkjet printed cotton, acrylic paint, laminated imagery, metal eyelets, embroidery floss, buttons
Dimensions: 8" by 10"
Date: 2012