Inspired

Sue Cook — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 16:49:00 GMT

Houston seems long ago, and I'm just getting to your blog today. Instead of being one of the first five to answer your question about inspiration, I'll be on of the last five. After wandering through all the quilts and booths, looking at some really fabulous and beautiful pieces of art, I found myself coming home to the one piece that continues to inspire me. I created a piece two years ago, during a difficult period in my life: divorcing, my Mom's death, quitting a 15 year job, moving to another state....all within about a 4 month period. During that transitional stage, I started cutting, glueing, stitching, and I'm finding that each time I look at that piece, I cry a little again, marvel at the emotions it evokes in me, and find myself wanting to do even more! Despite being very busy with my new and wonderful life, I'm able to find enough time to buy more "stuff" and create something new. As this is a new venture for me, I find it hard to call what I do art, but it's certainly fulfilling, and at my age (nearing 65 very rapicly), that's a huge benefit! To all who wonder what you'll do when you retire from the real world's job.....start putting together "stuff" and enjoy your life! It's wonderful!

kelly snelling — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 20:58:59 GMT

the cut apple prints are gorgeous. the apples themselves covered with paint are so vibrant and lovely. i frequently work in a series with a theme or icon. recently i made a series of collagraph prints for seven ATCs. the print was taken from another ATC i did last year. it was my first beeswax experiement. it is a man traveling through a set of arms. it symbolizes passes through from this world to the next. here's the link to see the seven collagraph atcs: http://tinyurl.com/gt4m8 if you look at this link, you will see the original from which the elements were taken: http://tinyurl.com/zj76t if you like them, give a shout in the guest book. thanks! kelly

Karen Mason — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 02:40:41 GMT

Trees and leaves are the reoccurring themes in my work. I am new to art quilting after working hard to perfect my 1/4" seams in the traditional form. I am also very intrigued by labyrnths.

Jennifer Henley — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 08:57:14 GMT

Hi As an absolute beginner at aged 59 I want to say how inspirational I find Coth Paper Scissors. I discovered the magazine on a trip to the US last May -- am now a subscriber from here in the UK. The magazine is just what I need to kick start my creativity now that I have, at last, the time and space to do something. It would be nice to have some articles on techniques for beginners. Thank you. Jennifer Henley London, UK

Nici Derosier — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:43:55 GMT

I never really considered what my recurring themes or personal petroglyphs might be! Looking through my work, I am seeing lots of leaves, leaves and more leaves, usually curling off of vines and wild curlycues. I must say, too, your apple-snapshots inspired me; I know we have some nice orchards here in CT as well, and I plan to take my boys to one soon! My heart goes out to you for the loss of your dad; we recently lost my FIL to asbestosis. There is nothing more unfair and difficult than such a departure. Blessings on your family.

Adriana Zobel — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:45:41 GMT

Dyeing materials such as fabric, lace, paper, cheese cloth, and yarns has become my new obsession. I love to find new techniques and try them all. As I cut into the fabric I love to see what it can become.

Tammy — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 23:31:05 GMT

Trees, Trees & Trees. I've been working on tree dolls for a while & next up is a quilt that I have been working on for years - then somehow incorporate them into fabric jewelry. If you're near southern NH next weekend, I'll be in a local studio tour - come and see my quilted tree dolls: http://www.goffstownmainst.org/studio.htm. A sneak preview can be seen at my site: http://tamdoll.home.comcast.net/Earth.html.

jaihn — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 15:26:16 GMT

Hallo - I just read your news of the loss of your father, and send my best wishes to you. My dear Dad died in February this year, too. I found that my blog at the time ('truly playroom') really helped me along, too. Posting some of his beautiful photos, and my memories, and receiving lovely supportive comments there, as you have done here, was all good. I have a new blog now, ('truly spacious') of all kinds of creativities, and a website ('spaciouscraft'), mainly of my stitching work, now. All accessible via my name link, below! Please do drop over. I'd love to receive more visitors! You ask here about catalystic and recurrent images/themes/symbols/motifs (what a great quartet that is!). Mine include: Circles, squares, Leaves, Trees, Snowflakes, and many aspects/qualites of Nature. Butterflies and Crows are longtime deep favourites too, though I haven't stitched as much as photographed, or painted, them. Thank you for all your great work. The apple prints are delightful.

Deb Hardman — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 09:13:31 GMT

You know, if you slice the apple in half horizontally instead of vertically, you get a nice little star shape in the middle of a circle.

Sandra Spagnuolo — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:07:58 GMT

For the past few years a recurring theme in my work has been trees. First funky, sewn paper trees and hand dyed Xmas trees, but recently I spent a week as an artist in residence at a local conservation area and I've found my interest has become more detailed, bark,leaves,etc. rendered in fibre on fabric. Now that winter is approaching again I have been working on beaded trees on canvas. It has taken me awhile to post a blog but I think I've got it! Thanks for keeping us up to date and inspired. Have a great day. Sandra

Jane LaFazio — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 15:20:14 GMT

Tree of Life. Watercolor, mixed media, art quilts, painted quilts. Tree of Life. www.PlainJaneStudio.com

Lorri Chambers — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 01:15:42 GMT

I am so sorry to hear about your father...My main concentration has been trying to do handwork in quilts 3-d style and applique. I spent the summer with my husband in Durham NC (we live on the Outer Banks) while he underwent treatment for lung cancer at Duke Hospital the morris clinics. I have wanted to work on my fiber arts as it was something that was mobile and passionate..I own a Bead Store presently mobile because of his illness...and when I would see someone who needed a pick me up in the treatment rooms I would give them one of my small quilts.I also made a 40x40 art quilt for the Caring house where we stayed for them to auction to raise money.It is a non-profit place where people can stay while receiving treatments. We will find out how things are healing October 31.

Lynda Thompson — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:43:07 GMT

Thanks for your article. Brings back memories of 28 years ago when I lived in Leominster, MA - home of Johnny Appleseed. Belonging in clubs and challenge groups you tend to create series. I created series of star postcards, and bird postcards a couple of months ago. I mailed them out to individuals in swaps, but I have links to them in my postcard gallery: http://quiltzart.com/?goto=fiberpostcards&thumbs=ok I do intend on doing more series on my own. I guess with my love of flowers and roses, that is just an ongoing series for me. Lynda

Mary Wiggins — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 00:26:57 GMT

I have this thing with stars. Uneven pointy child-like stars. Remember when you first figured out how to draw a star? And keys--key to my heart, key that locked the box of secrets, keys to happiness, a key to a door that leads to a [you pick a place]. Eggs. I just love the way an egg feels in my hand.

Chris — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 23:08:16 GMT

I have several face images I have been using in a lot of my recent work. I used one to create the focal point of my fiberart postcard which I'll be sending to Virginia Speigel for her fundraiser 'Fiberart for a Cause'. We live in central Wisconsin, also home to many apple orchards! The local farmer's market is brimming with a great selection of varieties.