ON NOW! Visions Art Quilt Show, Canmore, Alberta

Hosted by the Mountain Cabin Quilt Guild, the show runs through March 18.  

Location: CAG Gallery, Elevation Place

700 Railway Avenue, Canmore, Alberta

Contact: Lynn Cooper - 403-609-0228

On and Off our Walls

Last week I introduced you to Helene Blanchet of Calgary and Nova Scotia, and invited you to join the conversation, sharing with me your projects, experiments, the highs and lows of what's going on in your studios.

I was rewarded with a note from Jaynie Himsl of Saskatchewan.  Her name is familiar to me from her contribution to our travelling exhibit, "Meet the Best of the West".  She writes:

What a great idea... to show our own and see each other's work. I always enjoy looking at what others are producing. 

  

With that in mind I'll send you a picture of a recent piece of mine.  I created "Genesis" out of a desire to do a quick piece using only materials I had on hand.  Abstract work is not my usual style but I was pleased with how this came together.  It's made with synthetics, metallic brocade, silk, suede and paper napkins.  The size is approx. 37" x 53"

"Genesis 009" - Jaynie Himsl, Weyburn, SK

My inspiration is a free Hoffman Fabrics quilt pattern.   I started to assemble a selection of fabric but I seemed to be going on a tangent from the pattern.  I ended up using only the cutting style suggested for the wonky blocks.  The rest was determined by intuition and fabrics on hand. 

I was experimenting with this piece so it will only stay in my collection.  Now that I have details figured out, I may make another one for public show.  We'll see if inspiration strikes again.

What about you?  Do you like to take a pattern style and 'tweak' it?  Do you go completely off on a tangent?  Do you like to use "non-cotton" fabrics in your work?

Please drop me a line -- margblank AT xplornet DOT ca... include a photo (or two) and share what's "On and Off" your wall!  I'd like to make this a weekly column, but it all depends on you!

To see more of Jaynie's work, you need to visit her on Facebook.  She has her own personal page, plus her artist's page -- and she's a member of the group, "Regina Artist's Trading Cards ATC Collective".

To see her piece in "Meet the Best of the West" -- visit the Kiwanis Gallery, Red Deer, before March 2, or the Royal Alberta Museum's up-coming exhibit, "Western Threads", opening in Edmonton on April 12.

Articulated Materials: Bridging Waters

That's the title of a joint textile art exhibit opening February 19 at the Gallery on Third in Watrous, SK.  The opening reception is February 20; the exhibit runs through March 10.

The project is a collaboration between the Canadian textile art group, Articulation, and the British textile art group, Material Girls.  SAQA WC members Gloria Daly (Duncan, B.C.), Wendy Klotz (Calgary, AB) and Lesley Turner (Victoria, B.C., formerly of Calgary) are part of Articulation.

Described by Lesley on her blog as "the...Articulation and Material Girls' response to the Bay of Fundy and the River Thames, respectively", this show is a "must see" if you can get to it, because the Gallery on Third is the last venue for this exhibit before it is dismantled and the pieces returned to their creators.

For more information, please visit Lesley's blog HERE.

On and Off Our Walls

SAQA Atlantic Canada has a regular feature on its blog, entitled "What's on Your Wall?"  I've been keen to get something like it going here in the West.  To avoid blatant plagiarism, I've selected a different title (see above)...and hope to have a steady stream of contributors!  Just send me an e-mail describing what you're currently working on in your studio -- show entries (if sharing is permitted), class samples, etc.  Include photos either in the body of the document or as attachments.  Think of it as your blog-within-a-blog!  My e-mail address is linked to my name in the side-bar at the right. -- Margaret Blank, Co-Rep (Alberta)

And now...for our first contributor to this new blog feature!

Helene Blanchet is a textile artist who hails from Nova Scotia, but has lived in Calgary for the past couple of years and is continuing to create beautiful pieces in her studio there.  She has graciously shared this article that she has also submitted to the Atlantic Region's blog.  Without further ado...

I've been in Calgary for over two years now. I work at my textiles mostly during the winter months as I have a seasonal job as a gardener the rest of the year and find I’m too tired to quilt then. We fully intend to return home to Cape Breton, so while we are here I am trying to document our stay. I have decided to create my first series of work. It is called “Calgary Days” and each piece is 16” x 36”. I hope to have about 6 pieces in the end.

"The CFA" - Helene Blanchet, Calgary

This is “The CFA” and shows me arriving in Calgary in Nov 2011. This piece has been traveling around as part of the Fiber Arts Network’s “From Away” exhibit. 

Detail - "The CFA" - Helene Blanchet, Calgary

"The Gardener's House" - Helene Blanchet, Calgary

“The Gardener’s House” is a picture of my boss’ place and shows the type of work we’re able to achieve despite the many challenges of trying to garden in Calgary. I’m waiting to hear if it will be accepted into this year’s NJS in Ontario.

Detail - "The Gardener's House" - Helene Blanchet, Calgary

"The Apartment Building" - Helene Blanchet, Calgary

“The Apartment Building”. I am just putting the final touches on this piece. This is where we live in downtown Calgary and it’s a way for us to remember our many neighbours.

Detail - "The Apartment Building" - Helene Blanchet, Calgary

"Frank Lake" (WIP) - Helene Blanchet, Calgary

“Frank Lake” is my next attempt. This is where we took our son birding during the fall migration, so I’ll have to create a ton of tiny birds. This will be my first Prairie scape and is proving to be a bit of a challenge - so much yellow!

Cheers,Helene

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?

An Invitation to SAQA WC Members

Elizabeth Bamberger, SAQA Co-Rep for Oregon, sent me this e-mail this afternoon:

The first Oregon SAQA Conference will take place in Newberg, Oregon, on Thursday March 6th, 2014. There is a limit of 70 places for the conference, due to space limitations. A few places are still open, so we are very pleased to invite Western Canada members to join us, if you would like to do so*. We have an exciting line-up of presentations and panel sessions for the day, with a keynote presentation by SAQA President Kris Sazaki*. The conference will also mark the debut of the Oregon SAQA exhibit "Exploring Layers", and the presentation of the 12" x 12" Challenge "Referencing".

You can find details of the conference program, how to register, lodging options in Newberg, and how to enter a piece for the 12" x 12" Challenge, at www.saqaoregon.blogspot.com/p/meetings-and'events.html. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

We look forward to seeing you in Newberg.

 *(emphasis mine.)

In addition to being the current SAQA President, Kris Sazaki is one of the duo, Pixeladies, with her long time friend, SAQA member Deb Cashatt.  I've had the pleasure of taking a seminar with them at the Denver Conference (2011), and of speaking with Kris after her election in Santa Fe (2013).  Kris is a lively and interesting person; her passion for SAQA is sure to come through in her keynote address.

Another name you will recognize if you click the link to the program details, is that SAQA Member, shop-owner, author and two-time visitor to The Quilt Show, Jean Wells, will be co-chairing the meeting with Portland, OR art quilter, Betty Daggett.

There is information at the above link with respect to accommodation as well as details about the program and costs.  I hope some of you can make it there!

Arizona Snowbirds...Art for You!

Alberta member Trudy Cowan basks in the warmth of Arizona over the winter months.  While there she belongs to "a couple of quilt guilds" including the Mavericks Art Quilters (Main Street Mavericks), a chapter of the Arizona Quilters' Guild.   This year, Trudy is excited that one of her pieces will be in the AQG Show!

Any of you who'll be in the area in March -- do take in the show, and share it with those of us unable to escape Winter's blast, eh?




Here are the particulars:

• Dates:
• Thursday, March 27 - 5:00 - 8:30 p.m.
• Friday, March 28 - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 29 - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Admission: $10 USD per day or $15 for a two-day pass (Fri/Sat only). 
• Location:  Mesa Convention Center - 201 North Center Street, Mesa, AZ

ENJOY!  

Current Threads Exhibition -- on Till February 8!

Gloria Sl Daly -
Snow Country #2
60" L x 50" W
blue wool blanket;
hand-stitched

Several SAQA WC members in British Columbia, also members of the Surface Design Association chapter on Vancouver Island have, with their SDA colleagues, mounted a colourful exhibit at the Nanaimo Art Gallery's Downtown location.  It opened two weeks ago and runs through February 8th.

If you're in the area, be sure to treat yourself to an Artist's Date!

Click HERE for details.

(Thanks to member Kristin Rohr for this information.)

Artist Pat Pauly Teaching in B.C. in 2014!

Pink Leaf 4 - (C) Pat Pauly

B.C. SAQA members of the Lower Mainland/Sunshine Coast are pleased to announce that artist Pat Pauly will be coming to Langley, B.C. for a two-day workshop and evening talk in October of this year.

Space for the workshop is limited to 20 participants, and the evening event to 100 attendees, so reserve your spot early! Registration is open now for SAQA members only; after March 1, registration will open to non-members.

From Pat's Website:

Known for her improvisational technique, Pat Pauly uses bold colour and unusual juxtapositions of printed and painted fabric, to create absolutely stunning art.   Her workshops on contemporary art quilts carry the same qualities as her work—energized, spontaneous, and artistic. With a mastery of diverse construction techniques, Pat Pauly uses textiles as a medium of choice. 

 Workshop Details

CUTTING UP THE PRETTIES     2 days

$120 for current SAQA members, $140 for all others

Thurs Oct 9, Friday Oct 10, 2014 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day 

    

at the Brookswood Seniors Centre, 19899 - 36 Ave, Langley, V3A 2R3

20 participants max           sponsored by SAQA BC

We all have that great yard of fabric that we purchased, made, traded or were given.  But using it up is sometimes the most difficult thing to do!  Sometimes that fabric just does not "play" well with others.  Pat will show you how to "cut up the pretties" to use that special fabric to its best advantage.  So, gather those great and unique fabrics, in combination with other handmade or commercial fabrics, and explore design and colour in some careful exercises that will give you a road map for creating with one of a kind pieces.  Pat will show various design solutions while you learn a new language in design elements.  This class will teach you to embrace and USE the special fabric we love (but are afraid to use) and we will overcome our fear of 'Cutting Up the Pretties."  This is a hands on sewing class where we will start a notebook of ideas as well as begin an art quilt using our great fabric.

 Evening Talk Details

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE:  Finding Your Style in Contemporary Quilt-making

Friday, October 10, 2014       7 - 8 pm     Cost: $10.00 

George Preston Rec Centre, 20699 - 42 Ave, Langley, V3A 3B1

Sponsored by SAQA BC

This evening lecture is Pat Pauly's irreverent look at her own work and career, with its lucky beginnings and twists and turns.  After having diverged several times to accept positions in other aspects of the design profession, she cane back to full time contemporary quilting, where she had started in the early 1980's.  All is fair game for inspiration and comment as Pat presents more than 400 images in the space of an hour; you will never think of the word "quilt" in the same way, again. 

For registration form(s), contact
Katie Stein Sather

April Workshop in Duncan, B.C.

"Landscapes: Digital and Stitched" is the name of a five-day workshop being held from Tuesday, April 8 through Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Studio G Art in Duncan, B.C.  Here are the details:

INSTRUCTOR: Martha Cole,  www.marthacole.ca

DATES: Tuesday, April 8 – Saturday, April 12, 2014 (5 days)

LOCATION:  Studio G Art, Duncan, BC

DESCRIPTION

In any landscape there is always a sense of great distance and wide space combined with really incredible amounts of details. How do you chose what to keep and what to minimize, particularly in a digital image that give you everything!  In this workshop we will explore a variety of techniques that will help you pick and choose what will best enhance the essence of the image using a number of aerial perspective techniques in combination with transparent fabric paints, colored pencils, free-motion stitching and quilting.

CONTACT:  Gloria Daly, www.studiogart.com

Martha is a fibre artist from Saskatchewan; she and her host for the workshop, Gloria Daly, are both SAQA members.