"Swallowtail" art quilt

I'm on a roll! Adding one more photo of one of my butterfly wing series, this one of a swallowtail. All are 10" x 10". This one is now in a private collection.

"Spectactular Wings" art quilt

This is the second in my butterfly series. I just came across a calendar with some more wonderful images in it, which may inspire a few more works in the series.

New Year thoughts

Today is a wonderful day to plan some goals for the next 364 days to come.

I am excited about my upcoming show in April at the Lynchburg Art Club, and have a few weeks to make some new pieces for that.

I want to pursue some opportunities to show my works outside of my immediate area.

I plan to enter more shows at the regional and national levels this year.

Still considering a website, but want to be a more active blogger.

I recently made some small 10"x10" works of the details in butterfly wings. I draw my rendition of the segment I want to portray onto freezer paper, then cut it up to make pattern pieces. I used fusible applique to make these, and mounted them with velcro onto 1.5" deep cradled board that I paint black. I like the presentation, the piece stands out a bit from the wall and has more of a presence. For smaller pieces, I think framing or mounting helps the viewer perceive them as fine art.

Wing Fragments Series

So far, I've completed 5 of my wing fragment series. All are 10" x 10", fused applique, and mounted on cradled board with sticky velcro. This method of mounting is working well for me so far, and would allow removal if someone wanted to frame a piece instead (or if I want to recycle the cradled board for another purpose!).

I find the graphic patterns in the butterfly wings to be exquisite and artful and wanted to focus on these qualities in my works. They are currently on display at the Lodge of the Fisherman in Lynchburg, Va.

Ten Squared Exhibit

I've been busy! I have an exhibit opening Friday at the Lodge of Fisherman, 4415 Boonsboro Road, Lynchburg, VA, 5-8 PM. I have 11 new pieces, all 10" x 10". Some are extreme close-ups of butterfly wings, and others are gelatin monoprints, the Moonflower series.

The Lodge has wonderful old brick walls and the pieces show up wonderfully on them. A great opportunity!

Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 12-5 PM, through Friday, Sept 16. Then on Saturday, Sept 17, I'll be at the Lynchburg Art Festival on the grounds of EC Glass High School, fence #96.

Idle Hands Exhibit at Goose Creek Studio

I'm so thrilled to be showing my art quilts at Goose Creek Studio in Bedford, VA this month. The opening reception is Friday, July 8, 5-8 PM, and thru July 30, Tuesday - Friday 10-5, and Saturday 10-2. The other artist also exhibiting is John Cowlbeck, a sculptor who uses branches, roots, stone, and metal to create lovely, organic pieces. These photos are just a hint of the lovely things on display.

Exuberant!

I've been working on some colorful new pieces based on doodles. Some of my friends have been doing Zentangles doodles. I thought that some of those doodles might be good starting points for some quilts. Then I saw an article in Quilting Arts Magazine by Laura Wasilowski on her Zentangle quilts and I had to make some! This is called "Exuberant" ( can you tell it's because of the colors?!).

This piece is currently on display at Quilted Expressions in Lynchburg, VA, as an example for a class I am offering in August 2011. I think it will be great fun, and everyone will wind up with something of their very own creation.

I am finishing up some others on the same theme, and they will debut at the Goose Creek Gallery in their new location at 302 Court Street in Bedford, VA, next month. Opening reception on July 8th, 5-8 PM, and I'll be there also on Monday, July 11, 10 AM - 12 PM.