2017 Trunk Show -- Samples to Inspire

Over a month ago in this space, we posted about the SAQA Trunk Show and the opportunities it afforded for trying on techniques, for getting exposure for your work, for automatic acceptance (no jury) and for having some fun.

Now, however, The End Deadline is Near!  That's right, colleagues!  If you've been procrastinating about entering this every-three-years opportunity -- you have a mere four days (and a few hours) left.  The deadline for your online entry is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 30 -- which translates to 8:59 p.m. Pacific, 9:59 p.m. Mountain and 10:59 p.m. Central Standard Time.

Soooo...if you're needing a bit more inspiration, here are a few examples from your SAQA WC colleagues who've already submitted their entries...

From B.C., Terry Aske:

Croatian Door (C) 2016
Terry Aske

Terry's statement about her piece:

While visiting Croatia, I took a photo of this small rustic door, tucked under a flight of well-worn stone steps, and set deeply into a rough rock wall. The passage of time can be seen in the shape and surface of the door. I wondered: how old is it; what history has it seen; what might be behind it?

Techniques:  Digital image, computer enhanced, then printed on fabric.  Rock surfaces machine-quilted through one layer of batting.  Grout and door quilted through two layers, resulting in a dimensional trapunto effect.

From Alberta:

Margaret Blank, Mirror:

Autumn Colours (C) 2016
Margaret Blank

Margaret's statement about her piece:

I was inspired by the trees and the sky on the Central Alberta prairies in late September found in the view from my back lane.  Yes, the sky here is really that blue!

Marie McEachern, Calgary:

Off the Grid (C) 2016
Marie McEachern

All Marie would divulge is that she hand-dyed the fabric...


Mary Wilton, Camrose:

Ireland View (C) 2016
Mary Wilton

Mary was a painter before she was a quilter, and when she discovered painting on fabric...she became an art quilter.  She is now developing an entire body of work with painted backgrounds.  Mary took a quilting tour to Ireland last spring, which was the inspiration for this piece.

Okay; now you have your inspiration!   Translate a photo; go abstract; add surface design; paint a background -- it's your turn!

What are you waiting for?!                         

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This is my last post as Editor of the SAQA WC blog...at least, for the foreseeable future.  I am handing the reins on to Val Wilson, Co-Rep for MB/SK...with my blessing.  Please give her your support, and send her your news to share with your SAQA WC colleagues.  You can reach her at v_wilson@mts.net.

I want to thank each and every one of you, SAQA WC colleagues, for your support, your feedback, and your faithful readership over the past three years as I served you in the Region.  I have no idea what's next for me in the SAQA world, beyond making a modest contribution to the Region's first-ever Regional Retreat in West Kelowna in May...but I welcome whatever comes!

Should one of you in Alberta decide you might be able to manage being Co-Rep here for a couple of years (the term is really only two years; I stayed on one more for a variety of reasons)...please get in touch with either Coleen Adderley (B.C.) or Val (as above)...or with SAQA Reps Coordinator Desiree (Desi) Vaughn. (Please note that my job as blog editor was by choice; it's not a requirement of whoever serves in Alberta! LOL!)

There is Co-Rep training provided as well as a manual and other materials -- and I have a box of goodies to pass on that I'd love to get out of my back room! ;-)

May SAQA continue to excite, educate and inspire you to show your work within the organization and elsewhere.  May you continue to use the opportunities it offers to build your confidence and skills as textile artists...and may you always remember that you whatever you contribute to any organization, you receive in return, many times over.

See you in West Kelowna in May, God willing! 'Bye for now!

At the opening of Western Threads
"Meet the Best of the West" Exhibit
Royal Alberta Museum, April 2014

In Memoriam for a Colleague

SAQA Atlantic Canada posted this today:

We lost our good friend and SAQA Atlantic member Susan Tilsley Manley one week ago.

Anne Morrell Robinson created a small quilt as a tribute to Susan. 

Release by Anne Morrell Robinson 

Release by Anne Morrell Robinson of Margaree Valley, NS

 AMR: "Release" is a tribute to Susan Tilsley Manley and depicts some of her favourite things; crows, bubbles, flowers, and being able to celebrate who we are.

Anne's quilt will be part of SAQA Atlantic's upcoming regional trunk show. Read more about Anne Morrell Robinson on her website, Kingross Quilts. 

Read more about Susan Tilsley Manley, Artist and Maker of Things, here.

A tribute to Susan and her artwork will be published on our blog in the coming weeks.

Detail - "You've Got Mail"
Susan Tilsley Manley

I never met Ms. Manley but was introduced to her work when I saw her piece, "You've Got Mail" at the Opening of My Corner of the World: Canada in Stratford in May of this year.  At that time, former Co-Rep for SAQA AC, now Board  member, Chris Nielsen, told us that Ms. Manley had recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour and had months to live.

Her piece touched my heart because it spoke of the demise of rural post offices and mail delivery, which is a sore spot out here on the rural Central Alberta prairies, as it is in many areas across our land.

Please hold Ms. Manley and her family in your thoughts and prayers at this sad time.  Canada and the SAQA community have lost a talented artist and self-described "Maker of Things".  

May you rest in peace, Susan.

Photo 2 Fibre: A New Call for Entry!

B.C. Co-Rep Coleen has received this request from SAQA member Brigitte Red, who is also a member of the Board for Gallery Vertigo, the sponsor of this non-SAQA Call for Entry.  The Gallery would like to expand its response for this annual exhibition, so this is open today for your consideration.  Thanks for sharing this, Coleen and Brigitte!

Now On in Manitoba!

Former SAQA Western Canada Co-Rep for Manitoba/Saskatchewan, Dawn Piasta, has just opened a solo show in Hamiota, Manitoba!  (40 minutes' drive -- or so -- north of Virden; just over 3 hours' drive east/northeast of Winnipeg...)

Dawn's shared a photo of some of the pieces in the show...

Titles on show include: Something Fishy, The Walk to Water, She Reclaims Her Voice, Waterhen Mermaid, Halls: An Unexpected Gift, Waterhen's Special, and Rainbow Road.

Note the date of the "Meet and Greet", which is near the end of the show: November 26, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

If you're in the area, please do drop by to see it...and celebrate with Dawn.

Alberta-based SAQA Artists Now on Exhibit in Lacombe!

In my previous post, I mentioned that the TREX (Travelling Exhibit) from the Alberta Society of Artists was coming to Lacombe.  I had a little bit of time there Saturday evening, on my way to the theatre, so stopped in for a look and took photos.

I found myself having to dodge some children who were running around in the area (the gallery is in a wide hall on the main floor near the ballroom, where a wedding reception was beginning), so please excuse some of the angles and a bit of blurring.  (I am a 'point and click' photographer and was using a Canon Power Shot A2600.)

There are only three artists in this exhibit, and two of them are SAQA members: Margie Davidson of Edmonton and Diane Duncan of Calgary.  This exhibit remains at the Lacombe Memorial Centre till December 7...so I hope to get back again to view it more slowly and carefully.

Perhaps these photos will entice SAQA members -- especially those in Alberta -- to do so too. (NOTE: The exhibit moves to Belgravia School in Edmonton thereafter, showing from December 14 through January 18.  School venues are a bit more challenging to enter, as you need to contact the school to confirm your visit, and during this period of time in particular, remember that schools will be closed for the "Holiday Season".)

First, from Margie:

Tom's Ties - 2016
Machine pieced and quilted

A Sampler - 2016
Hand-painted, stamped,
hand-stitched, machine quilted

And a trio, together entitled "A Sense of Place", in a seasonal palette:

Backyard Ferns - 2016
Sun-printed, machine quilted, hand-stitched
(Winter)

Canada Maple Leaves - 2016
Sun-printed, machine quilted, hand-stitched
Autumn

Edmonton Elms - 2016
Sun-printed, machine quilted, hand-stitched
Spring/Summer

Now, from Diane:

Grandma Bella - 2016
Assemblage, fabric collage, quilting,
crochet, embroidery

Granny Alice - 2016
Assemblage, fabric collage, quilting,
crochet, embroidery

Mom Evelyn - 2016
Assemblage, fabric collage, quilting,
crochet, embroidery

Dad Ernie - 2016
Assemblage, fabric collage, quilting,
crochet, embroidery

Please note that in the second floor gallery of the same venue, Margaret Blank's Mark on the Body: Honouring Those Who Live with Type 1 Diabetes is up through Wednesday.  If you are in Lacombe before November 17, you can see both exhibits in the same venue, at the same time.