Cay Denise

Here are two painted canvases ready to go through the cut-up and reassemble process -- recently learned in a Katie Masopust class. These didn't take too long to complete...maybe two hours overall that includes alternating periods of painting and drying them. In looking at these more critically, they really need more gradation of the background color.  That is part of what makes Katie's technique work, and these don't have that yet.  Will I paint over them?  I probably should.

The New Year is just around the corner, and do you know what that means?  LIFE BOOK 2015 is about to begin! LB 2015 is a year of learning mixed media techniques and creating a portfolio of mixed media work that will eventually be bound into each participant's own personal journal. This is a project led by Tamara LaPorte from Willowing Arts that in will also involve 25 special guest instructors, artists in their own right.  I'm excited to be participating and looking forward to a wonderful journey! If I've peaked your interest and you'd like more information about LB 2015, check out the details at  http://www.willowing.org/life-book-2015/ . And if you join in, look me up!

We did ALOT of painting on canvas in Katies's class!  The intention was to use them to create a single piece -- though many of us didn't have enough time to complete a project.  That was especially true for me!   I started by painting the two canvases below--that evolved even after these photos were taken.  The whole intention is to have a graduated background overlaid by assorted strokes/marks and fabrics.  Then I cut out areas (squares mostly) I liked from my painted canvases. (Everyone did this.) Next, I cut them apart and reconstructed them (see squares below).   Even though I like these squares, there isn/t enough contrast between the two canvas paintings for a really striking effect in the deconstructed/reconstructed squares.  That IS KEY and it didn't work! Katie has done some absolutely amazing work, and I value the learning from her class!  Her techniques are not difficult but they do require t...

This basket was made in Jane Hall's half-day course at IQF 2014.  The greatest amount of time involved in making it--was cutting and sewing the strips together.  Otherwise, it went together easily and quickly (3 hours). These baskets are a great holiday gifting idea that you can match to family and friends' home decoration color schemes.  They're fun and useful besides.

From Festival activities to award-winning quilts to selections from the exhibit floor at the George Brown Convention Center in Houston, the 2014 International Quilt Festival was a wonderful experience.  Enjoy some of the beautiful pieces, if you haven't seen them already, in this video short!   This post also linked to  http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com .

I'm so pleased to finally reveal my entry that was juried into this year's International Quilt Festival in Houston!  'Forest Storm' was a finalist in the Art - Abstract Small category in the International Quilt Association  (IQA) competition.  It is an honor to have been selected to have my art quilt on display.  Thank you IQA for the recognition! I've been fortunate this year to have attended Festival which just ended earlier today.  It was a great event with stunning quilted works of art of all types.  Walking through the entrance to the exhibition in the George Brown Convention Center was a magical experience. The centerpiece of the show was a spectacular chandelier of hanging red and white quilts! Congratulations International Quilt Festival on your Ruby Jubilee, as well as a BIG thank you to all the staff who worked tirelessly to make such a beautiful Festival come to fruition! This post also linked to  http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com ...