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

A Deadline Approacheth!

Did you realize that June 1 is the submission deadline for the 2015 SAQA Benefit Auction?

It is.  :-)

"Yellow Tree" - inspired by a song
written by Steve Martin
& Gary Scruggs

I'm on my way to Portland, OR on Wednesday to the SAQA International Conference, "Fiberlandia".  I'm taking with me ten art quilts that have been entered into the Auction for September: nine from generous artists who participated in our "Meet the Best of the West" touring exhibit...and one (new one - pictured left) of my own.  (Note: this photo taken just before facing was applied.  It's now finished and in my carry-on bag with the others.)

I was going to wait till my return to bug you about submitting to this year's auction but...why?  We've had snow here in Central Alberta, and it's still too cold to get into the garden so...If you've got some time for your studio in the next couple of weeks -- go for it!  :-)

Special thanks to these members for their "Best" donations:

• Marie Barry, Sechelt, B.C.;
• Rena Holma, Regina, SK;
• Karen Johnson, Langley, B.C.;
• Paula Jolly, Mossbank, SK;
• Pippa Moore, Comox, B.C.;
• Patti Morris, Red Deer, AB;
• Patricia Scott, Edmonton, AB;
• Linda Sharp, North Vancouver, B.C.,; and
• Jill Sullivan, Sechelt, B.C.

Stay tuned for a Post-Conference Newsletter.  Meanwhile...maybe you too will be inspired by a song...

"Meet the Best of the West": It lives on ....on the Internet

When "Meet the Best of the West" wound up its tour in August 2014, nine of the artists decided to donate their 12" square pieces to the 2015 SAQA Benefit Auction.  This week I've been completing the online submissions for these pieces, preparatory to delivering them to the curator, Gale Oppenheim-Pietrzak.

Should be easy, right?  Well...one of the members seems to have let her membership lapse, and I can't find her.  I've sent an e-mail...with no reply.

That said, in my search for Linda Sharp of North Vancouver (Yoo-hoo, Linda!  Are you out there?!)...I found an article that was published about the "Best of the West" exhibit...in the Red Deer Advocate...dated January 10, 2014.

In "Art Quilt Themes Run Deep", author Lana Michelin took the time and care to describe 10 of the 37 pieces that showed at the Kiwanis Gallery, Red Deer, through March 2 of last year, noting, "The...art quilts exhibited...are each only a foot square, but depict everything from detailed birds' nests to an expansive lake..."

You can check it out HERE...and take a trip down Memory Lane.

Meanwhile, if you know Linda, please tell her to contact me!  (margblank AT xplornet DOT ca)  Thanks!

Opening Soon in Edmonton!

SAQA Western Canada's long-running touring exhibit, "Meet the Best of the West", makes its final appearance at the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton, as part of the up-coming "Western Threads" exhibit. 

There will be a by-invitation preview for the artists (and guests) on Thursday, April 10; the show opens to the public on Saturday, April 12, and runs through August 4th.

SAQA Western Canada will be joined with the Focus on Fibre Arts Association in a terrific exhibit of Western Canadian textile talent.  If you're travelling through Alberta this spring or summer, do make a point of taking in this show!

First Friday in February

Windblown Poppies
Daphne Greg, North Saanich, B.C.

First Friday is a monthly event at galleries under the auspices of the Red Deer Arts Council and this coming Friday, February 7th, SAQA Western Canada's travelling exhibit, "Meet the Best of the West" will be starring at the Kiwanis Gallery in the Red Deer Public Library, 4818 - 49 Street, Red Deer, Alberta.

There will be a reception from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., featuring a special performance by Bradford Lawlor.  

I look forward to this opportunity to share our artwork with the community; one or two of the artists who contributed to the exhibit and live in the area will be joining me.  If you're in and around Red Deer next weekend, won't you come by too?