Member Activites – July 2016

Hi SDA-WA!  Here are some more activities from (and for) our wonderful members!

branchingCAMERON ANNE MASON

BRANCHING
July 7 – 23, 2016

Opening First Thursday, July 7, 2016 6 – 8 pm Artist will be in attendance

Foster/White Gallery is pleased to present a new exhibition with local textile artist Cameron Anne Mason.

The theme of nature and the evidence of human hands upon it permeates Mason’s work like the dyes used to color her hand-worked silks and velvet.

Deeply rooted in the Northwest Coast, Cameron Anne Mason’s relationship with nature is as much a part of her life as the artwork it inspires. Through deep meditations on our changing environment and by looking closely at our natural geography, Mason ardently layers and stitches her impressions into each sculpture. Her latest series, Branching, honors the history of the cloth she works with, embroider- ing stitch upon stitch parallel to a tree’s rings of growth.

Mason has been exhibiting her sculptures with Foster/White Gallery for several years. Her background in theater arts has also encouraged several installation projects throughout Seattle, including SAM Set the Table, MADArts, COCA’s Rootbound, the Bellevue Art Museum and this summer’s Bellwether sculpture exhibition at Bellevue City Hall. Mason has most recently been selected by Chateau Ste Michelle as the featured artist of their 2013 Artist Series Meritage to be released later this year.

Cameron Anne Mason’s work is in public and corporate collections throughout the Pacific Northwest and broader United States.

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maryMary O’Shaughnessy has a show of her new collage series: Hand Made Paper, Tea Bags, Image Transfers at Frame Works in the Under Town of Port Townsend (211 Taylor Street, suite B5).

Her art will be shown from July 2nd through July 30th, Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm.  She’d love for you to stop by and check it out!

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dorothy tetrahedron 3

 

Dorothy McGuinness has had her piece Tetrahedron 3 accepted into the Fiberart International 2016 show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania through August 21.

Congratulations Dorothy!!

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carylCaryl Bryer Fallert has two pieces in the show Women by Women a new exhibition by The Surface Design Association: North Peninsula Chapter opened June 29 at Pippa’s Real Tea in downtown Port Townsend, WA.  The show will run through the end of August. Fifteen of artists have interpreted the theme, Women by Women, in our respective fiber media to bring you a broad range of images and techniques.

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Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts will be showing the works of some of their level-3 graduates on August 13th and 14th, 2016.   Congratulations to all of the graduates!

gail harker

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HoushmandB_TheTimeWatcher-224x300

Congratulations to member Barbara Houshmand for her piece entitled The Time Watcher winning People’s Choice Award at the Northwind Art Center’s show “Bits and Pieces”!

Member Activities Update for April 2016

Hi SDA-WA

As always, our members are an active bunch (that’s part of what makes them so interesting!).

Member Activities:

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Danielle Bodine

Changelings (group- 2nd version) 1A6A0610

Danielle Bodine will be exhibiting her fiber sculptures along with Gordy Edberg’s paintings in a two-artist show at MUSEO Gallery on Whidbey Island.  Please join the artists for the opening reception Saturday May 7th, 2016.  From 5pm to 7pm.

The show will be held from May 6th through May 29th, 2016

Museo is located at:215 First Street (PO Box 548)
Langley, WA 98260

For more information about MUSEO or the show, please contact# 360-221-7737 or see their website: www.museo.cc

You can also find more information on Danielle’s site:   www. Daniellebodine.com

 

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Patti Shaw

Patti Shaw’s piece “Up In Smoke” made the Materialities Catalog AND is featured at the top of this month’s SDA Fiber & Fabric eNews!  (her piece is 3rd from the left!).  Congratulations Patti!

7080bc38-041b-42fb-9aee-55bf3887bef0

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Lois Gaylord          Arts North Studio Tour

Hand-Dyed-Shawl-500x500 lois gaylord Lois Gaylord and her husband Kevin Cain would like to invite you to join us at ‘Sun-House’ studios, part of the 2016 Arts North Studio Tour in North Seattle. The Spring tour is on April 30th & May 1st, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Visit 11 art studios hosting guest artists. View artwork and artisan creations. Chat with artists, learn more about the the creative process!    Visit the website to download a map.

Lois is also excited to announce that her piece “Tree of Life” will be part of the 2016  Liturgical & Sacred Art Exhibition at the Springfield Art Association, Springfield, IL 62702 Dates: April 30 – May 28, 2016.  The Exhibit is part of The Liturgical Arts Festival of Springfield. It is a non-profit, inter-faith organization, that was founded in 1995 by clergy, artists and community volunteers interested in expressions of spirituality in the arts. This inter-faith celebration of the arts is presented every two years and has evolved to include a juried liturgical and sacred art exhibit, music celebrations of faith held in local houses of worship, and sharing of religious traditions. http://www.lafspringfield.org

Lois will be the Guest artist at The Fiber Gallery for the PhinneyWood’s BIG art walk on Friday, May 13, from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, May 14, from noon to 5 p.m.   8212 Greenwood Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103

Originally a stand-alone annual event, The BIG One is now the centerpiece of the monthly Art Up PhinneyWood art walks, held the second Friday of each month.  The BIG One usually includes 70+ venues and 150+ artists. Because of its long history, it attracts hundreds of art walkers. Friday night, in particular, is a festive occasion and becomes a “neighborhood party.”  For more information, please see: https://artupphinneywood.com

Two opportunities to ‘Get your Geek on’ in June. Lois Gaylord and her husband Kevin Cain will be returning to ODDMALL: Emporium of the Weird in Everett.   The next big show takes place June 4 & 5, 2016 at the Holiday Inn, Downtown Everett,Wa. Conveniently located off I-5. Oddmall features over 130 of the Pacific Northwest most unusual, most talented, most bizarre Artists, Crafters, Authors, Entertainers and more! Oddmall is a cosplay friendly event! We encourage uniqueness with out visitors and vendors. Come spend the day with us in the Emporium of the Weird! Always free admission and plenty of free parking.   In addition to over 130 vendors, Oddmall features a stage with live entertainment all day long. A very special area called Fairy Hollow featuring Fairy Princess Lolly, a Fashion Show presented by Dames for Dreams and more!

We will also be at ODDMALL ALLEY at the Georgetown Carnival. Seattle,WA  SATURDAY JUNE 11, 2016: 10am – 10pm Over 10,000 in attendance! Oddmall in partnership with the Georgetown Merchants Association is offering 20 premium booths for this years Georgetown Carnival. All of the Oddmall booths are located on Nebraska St. The only way to get to the new Clown Town and the beer garden is to travel down Nebraska St. Last year, The Georgetown Carnival had over 10,000 attendees and it continues to grow each year.

EVENTS —————————————-

cuttingedge1020x466_001A show not to miss–“Cutting Edge”, an exhibition of the Contemporary QuiltArts Association at the Washington State History Museum  (http://www.washingtonhistory.org/), 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington from April 16 to August 21, 2016.  The museum has done an exceptional job at displaying the quilts beautifully.

 

The following are a sampling of SDA WA members pieces in the show (and comes from the CQA Website):

04/25/16 Our apologies – we somehow left out SDA-WA member Katherine Sylvan!  Her wonderful art is also included in this lovely show!!

SylvanK_AndDances_309x520“…And then my heart with pleasure fills and dances with the daffodils.” by Katherine Sylvan

Artist Statement: My mother’s name was Margaret and her favorite flower was the daffodil. This piece is a memorial to her and a tribute to a time, long gone, when children learned verse which brought comfort and joy into their later years.

Materials & Techniques:
Materials: silk; Lanaset, Procion and Vat discharge dyes; textile paint; thread; Misty Fuse. Techniques: dyeing, silk screening, multiple layers of color discharge and over dyeing; stenciling; applique; hand painting; interlacement of two pieces of silk
Dimensions: 38″W x 64″H
Photographer: Robert Block

VincentR_OnMove_480

“On the Move” By Ruth Vincent

Artist Statement: Continuing my cosmological landscape series, this triptych is inspired by the movement of people across the land–from traditional aboriginal migration to modern-day touring from Sydney to Adelaide.

Materials & Techniques:
 Materials: Hand-dyed cotton fabric, cotton thread, polyester batting, fusible interfacing, commercial printed cotton backing. Techniques: Procion dyeing, textile paint stamping, discharge paste dye removal, piecing, quilting.
Dimensions: 74″W x 30″H

StehrC_Dentciles2_480x400 “Denticles 2” By Carla Stehr

Artist Statement: Although shark skin looks smooth, it is covered with tiny tooth-like denticles that can only be seen with a microscope. This is inspired by an image of dogfish shark skin denticles that I photographed with a scanning electron microscope during my career as a Fisheries Biologist.

Materials & Techniques:
 Materials are cotton fabric, stiff interfacing, wool batting, fabric paint and Liquitex ink. Faced openings were made in the quilt sandwich and then it was quilted with polyester thread. Layers of diluted paint were added after stitching. Stiff double-sided fusible interfacing was used to form the denticles. A grey patterned batik fabric was sewn over the denticle shape (much like facing a collar). Ink and paint were applied to the denticles to enhance the batik fabric. Denticles were inserted through the quilt openings and stitched to a backing of painted fabric.
Dimensions: 35″W x 29″H x 1.5″
Photographer: Carla Stehr

 

OSteen_Trees1_322x480“Trees 1”By Barbara O’Steen

Artist Statement: Whether you see this art as two tree trunks, one hollow stump or something else, the image and words are meant to convey a message of the value we receive from trees standing in a forest; providing oxygen that replaces poisonous carbon dioxide for decades.

Materials & Techniques: 
Fabrics of wool, cotton pique, cotton/polyester, satin, and cotton batting. Appliqué by hand and machine embroidery and couching with yarn, weaving, knitting, crochet, stuffing, trapunto, quilting.
Dimensions: 25″W x 36″H x 2″D
Photographer: Barbara O’Steen

 

 

 

KurjanJ_RiverofLight_480x“River of Light” By Janet Kurjan


Artist Statement:
 I find inspiration in patterns from nature, such as light coming through the trees during a walk in the woods.

Materials & Techniques:
 Hand-dyed fabric, machine-pieced, machine quilted with a walking foot.
Dimensions: 52″W x 68″HPhotography: Ken Wagner

 

 

 

 

FallertC_WatchMaster_480“Watch Master” By Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry

 


Artist Statement: 
On any given evening during my growing-up years, you could find my father at his watch-repair bench in a corner of our home, working among draws filled with tens of thousands of sparkling, nearly microscopic watch parts, springs, screws, balance wheels, jewels, stems, faces, hands, and crystals. When he died at the age of 103, the twelve-drawer cabinet which sat next to his workbench, still contained all its tools and glowing little parts, organized in rows of tiny tins, capsules, and clear plastic boxes.

Materials & Techniques: 
Original photography, digital printing, watch movements, watch faces, cotton fabric, wool batting, polyester thread. This is a completely double sided piece.
Dimensions :53″W x 53″H
Photographer: Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry

 

Other SDA Members in the show:

Patti Bleifuss

Bonnie Buckman

Ginnie Hebert

Melisse Laing

Margaret Liston

Barbara Nepom

Helen Remick

Lynne Rigby

Sharon Rowley

Digital images at http://www.contemporaryquiltart.com/ExhibitFiles/CuttingEdge.html.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Member Activities and Opportunities 4/7/16

Hi SDA-WA!

We have a few more activities from our members that we wanted to make you aware of, as well as an opportunity for you.  Did we peak your interest?- if so, read on!

Member Activities:

unnamed

We are thrilled to announce that SDA-WA member Danielle Bodine has been selected to have an artist profile of her work in the Spring 2016 issue of Fiber Art Now magazine!

 

 

COLOR, TEXTURE, FORM: The Sculptural Basketry of Danielle Bodine – Artist Profile by Adrienne Sloan, Pages 36-39

 

 

for more information contact: http://fiberartnow.net

Larkin Van Horn workshop for FB (1)

SDA-WA Member Larkin Van Horn is offering a workshop entitled: Vessels, Shrines, and Reliquaries.

Vessel: Anything that will hold or contain anything else

Shrine: Anything that commemorates or memorializes a person, place, or event

Reliquary: A combination of the two

 

 

Participants will choose from a variety of forms to explore as they wish and will design their own 2d or 3d structure.  In this one day class students will concentrate on one form.

Date: Thursday, June 2nd, 2016

Time: 9:30am-4:00pm (includes a 30 minute lunch break)

Place: Social Hall, Temple Beth El, 5975 South 12th Street, Tacoma, WA 98465

Cost: $95 Gig Harbor Quilters Members/$105 Non-GQH Members

(Please bring your own brown bag lunch, drinks and dessert will be provided)

Contact gigharborquilters@hotmail.com for more information or to register, or for more information, please see:  www.larkinart.com/Vessels-Shrines-and-Reliquaries

EVENTS

cqa QUILT exhibitPlease join Contemporary QuiltArt Association for the opening of Cutting Edge—Art Quilts of Washington with 69 art quilts created by 37 members.

Opening: Saturday, April 16, 2016
Washington State History Museum
1911 Pacific Avenue, Downtown Tacoma

www.washingtonhistory.org

2 to 4pm: Live Tour with CQA artists talking about their work
4 to 5pm: Opening party hosted by CQA

Exhibit runs from April 16 through August 21, 2016.

Opportunities:

wigt for postWould you like the opportunity to display and sell your artwork??  The Whidbey Island Garden Tour is looking for artists!

The Whidbey Island Garden Tour attracts up to 1000 visitors who are eager to buy something to commemorate what is always a wonderful day. You are invited to spend the day at one of the gardens displaying and selling your work.

The Whidbey Island Garden Tour is Saturday, June 18th, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

The Garden Tour only asks for a donation if you sell anything. Go to http://www.WIGT.org for information about the tour. Please call us at 360-321-4191 if you are interested in participating!

 

SDA-WA Member Activities – 03/29/16 Updates

Member Activities

Hi SDA-WA!

We love highlighting our member’s activities!!  If you would like your activities and events posted on our blog or Facebook page, please send an email to  blog.surfacedesignwa@gmail.com with your event or activity information, your contact info, and a good photo or two or three of your event, activity, art, or yourself!

 

Save the Date, Jane Dunnewold will be in the Seattle area to conduct a workshop on her newest book Creative Strength Training.

The one day workshop will be heldSaturday, August 20, 2016. The following day will be for individual critiques. More information soon. Interested in helping plan for this event? Please email me bjmatthews76@comcast.net.

 

Member Mary Ashton is in an upcoming Show At BallardWorks!

BallardWorks Exhibits “Making a Statement”
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 6:00pm-9:00pm
B
Mary M Ashton's photo.allardWorks, 2856 NW Market St., Seattle 98107

“Making a Statement” exhibits Artwork and Artist Statements from Artist
Trust EDGE graduates, 2013-2014. Participating artists: D.Lisa West,
Andie Styner, Ellen Hochberg, Isobel Davis, Mary Ashton, Anita West,
Susan Derrick, Louise Hankes, Kip Kania, Melissa Koch and John Webster.

If you are not familiar with the term “artist statement” the following
Is a definition by Ariane Goodwin, author of “Writing the Artist
Mary M Ashton's photo.Statement.” “Like the art that it reflects, an artist statement uses its
sincerity of purpose and its purity of intent to create a powerful
word-reflection of the art and the artist.” Come and enjoy the art and
the artist statements of this group and see if the statements
accompanying the art cause you to see the art in a new light.

Three floors of art studios and exhibition spaces open for the Art Walk
Saturday, April 9th, 2016. Open 6:00-9:00 pm only. Families with kids
welcome. Enter through the 1st or 2nd floor doors on 30th Avenue.
Includes painting, wood working, sculpture, wearable fiber art,
encaustics, print making and more, all under one roof.
www.ballardworks.com.

REMINDER:

If you’re interested in teaching a class (or two or three) during the travelling Fiber Fusion show, we are still accepting applications!  The first location – is in Richland, WA…and the due date April 8th, 2016 for submission/proposals.

For more information, please see our previous post:

https://surfacedesignwa.com/2016/03/10/teacher-proposals-needed-for-fiber-fusion-show/

 

SDA-WA Member Activities – Updates For March 2016

Member Activities (and a few other reminders)

Hi SDA-WA!

Our members are a busy bunch!  Just a reminder – if you would like your activities and events posted on our blog or Facebook page, please send an email to blog.surfacedesignwa@gmail.com with your event or activity information, your contact info, and a good photo or two or three of your event, activity, art, or yourself!

Gay Jensen and Dorothy McGuinness

dorothy at the schack

Dorothy McGuinness

 

Gay and Dorothy both have pieces in the 20th Juried Art Exhibit at the Schack. For more information, see:

JURIED ART EXHIBIT

March 10 – April 23, 2016

Opening Reception: Thursday, March 10, 5-8pm
Awards Presentation at 6:30pm

gay at the schack

Gay Jensen

Sponsored by the City of Everett Cultural Arts Commission

This biennial collection of Northwest artists features a wide variety of mediums to produce an eclectic and visually stimulating exhibit. Jurors: James Arrabito, Chris Hopkins, and Verena Schwippert.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nan Leaman & the Whidbey Island Surface Design Group

nan leaman

Nan Leaman

Nan and WISD are showing some of their works at the La Connor Quilt Museum in the show Beyond The Surface.   Beyond the Surface includes artwork using fiber and fabric as the basis for the work. Each artist has their own unique style and the process used to accomplish their work is as varied as the individual piece. Techniques include:  dyeing, wrapping, felting, stitching, weaving, image transfer, beading, quilting, painting, printing, and collage.

For more information, see: http://www.laconnerquilts.org/beyond-the-surface.html

Nan also has works on display at:

  • The Santa Fe Weaving Gallery, Santa Fe NM
  • The Flying Shuttle, Seattle WA
  • Artworks Gallery, Whidbey Island, WA

 

Diane Williams

IMG_3623

Diane Williams

Diane is an artist participating in the Real Change Portrait Project.  Her work (along with many others) will be on display at Seattle City Hall from March 1st through the end of April 2016.  The opening reception is March 1st,  from 2-4pm.   Since the project began about four years ago, more than 30 artists have volunteered to paint a portrait of a Real Change vendor.

“I made a portrait quilt for the Real Change Portrait Project. It features 30 Real Change vendors on a city street like grid surrounded by crazy quilt scraps  All seams are exposed and the binding is wonky because homelessness is not neat and finished. The quilting goes every which way because homelessness is crazy and unpredictable. It was featured on the cover of Real Change during the Winter Fund Drive in 2013.”

Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry

caryl bryer fallert gentry

Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry

Caryl says “I’m very pleased to announce that I will be escorting a quilters safari to Kenya in January of 2017.  Please join me to see the fabrics and fiber arts of Africa as well as the amazing wildlife and culture in this beautiful country.  This is a deluxe tour with professional guides, great accommodations, and only four people per Land Rover on the game spotting runs.

There will even be a couple of afternoons when we can fit in a quilting presentation or two.  You can find all of the details and book online at Craft Tours http://www.crafttours.com/trips/?page=africa_caryl_0117

Here is your brochure:
http://www.bryerpatch.com/news/Kenya2017/Kenya2017.pdf

Here are details of the itinerary:
http://www.bryerpatch.com/news/Kenya2017/KenyaItinerary.pdf

I hope you can join me.

Caryl

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Fiber-Fusion-Logo-Web-400x484

 

 

And yes, it’s another reminder for all of our members!

The Fiber Fusion Traveling Art Show call-for-art closes on March 20th.  That’s only 3 weeks away!   Don’t let this great opportunity pass you by!

Click here to access the entry form: http://sdafiberfusionshow.org/fiber-fusion-entry-form/

 

 

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Are you a SDA Member and would like to see your news posted here?

If so, please send us an email by the 15th of each month to: blog.surfacedesignwa@gmail.com

Please include:

  • Your name and contact info
  • your event or activity (please include the location, dates, and the times of your events!)
  • The website for your event if your event has one
  • A picture that you want included (or two or three – we may not use them all, but it’s nice to have options!)   **NOTE – it is wonderful to have a picture of your artwork and a picture of you as well!
  • A breif write-up/description of the event and/or artwork

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Just a quick reminder about a great opportunity for quilters to attend a Quilt Art Symposium occuring in Tacoma, WA in April!

quiltartsymposiumA Gathering of Art Quilters

Quilt Art Symposium promises to shine a light on the future of Quilt Art with three leading speakers, a luncheon, an artist-led tour of the CQA exhibit, and an opening party.

Saturday, April 16, 2016
Washington State History Museum
Tacoma WA

Tickets are $75 +available here

Please help CQA by spreading the word about this quilt community event.

http://quiltartsym.com/

 

In Memoriam: Artist Spotlight- Deb Taylor

"Frayed Holes" by Deb Taylor - 2015. Chambray fabric, painted cotton batting, screen printing, quilting, beads. The work is a later addition to the Fiber 19 group Beyond Blue collaborative project.

“Frayed Holes” by Deb Taylor – 2015. Chambray fabric, painted cotton batting, screen printing, quilting, beads. The work is a later addition to the Fiber 19 group Beyond Blue collaborative project.

It is with heavy hearts many of us in the SDA community heard of the passing of Deb Taylor, fiber artist, teacher and friend.  The following are some memories and images of Deb and her work contributed by SDA members.


 

Memories of Deb by Barbara Matthews:

I met Deb in an independent study class lead by Jane Dunnewold.  By way of introduction, Jane had us tell two truths and a lie to the group.  We were to guess the lie.  I thought my 3 triathlons would trip people up. Before the intros got to me, Deb trumped me by saying she had done 8 triathlons (surely she could not have done that many–I thought she was exaggerating!) but she had!  She had done the Danskin triathlons as a cancer survivor no less.

Deb Taylor's "Evening Flight" - 2014 Window sheer fabric, paper, silk, linen and sand

Deb Taylor’s “Evening Flight” – 2014
Window sheer fabric, paper, silk, linen and sand


We connected because I think we both felt a little out classed by others in the study group.  We started meeting weekly to show our progress on our art and get suggestions.  We were the yin and yang in doing art–her willing to play with any media; me more methodical in my thinking. She would gently chide me to play more. She was fearless and seemed to have endless energy diving into her art even after 8 hours of work. Her curiosity for surface design was boundless; she sought people out to learn new techniques. She jumped on the chance to learn the deconstructed printing I learned in a workshop. I came to appreciate her approach, because she played hard and developed a full bag of techniques and materials. She had a blast learning.

Deb was the one I called on to take excursions, most recently to Vancouver and Maiwa. Another to a quilt show, where a skein of silk kimono ‘yarn’, which we split, enticed us to collaborate on art pieces.
I miss being able to email or text Deb with new adventures.   Our next venture was to Harbor Freight where we heard from friends at a recent retreat there were lots of interesting finds.
I have lost my excursion buddy, but more than that, I am heartbroken to have lost the person who I realize now was my best friend in Seattle.

Deb served as a SDA Seattle group leader for 2 years and also blog editor.

Some Members of Fiber19, a fiber group that meets monthly, at a show of Fiber19 work at the Sydney Art Gallery in port orchard, wa: Tre Taylor, Becky Wachtman, Louise Roby, Mary Auld, Deb Taylor, Barbara Matthews

Some Members of Fiber19, a fiber group that meets monthly, at a show of Fiber19 work at the Sydney Art Gallery in port orchard, wa: Tre Taylor, Becky Wachtman, Louise Roby, Mary Auld, Deb Taylor, Barbara Matthews

Thoughts on Deb by Sharon Rowley:

Deb’s body carried her spirit as far as it could.  I never heard her complain about her health, or broadcast how she was feeling.  I was in the car with Deb and Bud in San Antonio in 2013 and she took a call on her cell phone that she’d been waiting for.  So I heard her side of a conversation with a nurse doing intake for an experimental procedure in Philadelphia that she was considering.  Since I’d heard that much, I was given the history and what they were likely to try next.  Bud recited possible side effects with a determination that I later realized came from having held Deb through so much.

Serenity Flower by Deb Taylor. Painted canvas with repurposed Silk Sari ribbon.

Serenity Flower by Deb Taylor. Painted canvas with repurposed Silk Sari ribbon.

A year ago, Jane Dunnewold suggested Deb as an addition to the critique group Ruth Vincent and I had formed.  Deb had just spent a week in her multi-media class and wowed Jane with her creative spirit.  Ruth and I were regularly treated to Deb’s lead-in of “it’s not much” and shown work that blew us away.  If there was a new technique she’d seen, she was in it up to her elbows.  That kind of pioneering spirit jolts you right out of your comfort-spot.

My work comes from a place of internal and external positive energy.  Deb helped feed that place. A big heart, calm presence, warm smile always.  Generous of her time and energy.  She provided an important context for me in the work I’ve been doing for the past year on aging and illness.  If you didn’t see that she was ill, it is not because she was hiding it, or because you weren’t important to her.  She chose to lead with the positive; strength, creativity, connecting with others.

Bud’s been an incredible support to Deb’s artistry.  It was clear Deb would seek his feedback on her work and valued it.  Her small “deconstructed” dyed and hand-stitched pieces are presented on unusual hard surfaces, with Bud’s help.  When Deb lost her job and wasn’t getting any traction finding a new one, and Deb was discovering the joy of full-time “making art”, Bud encouraged her to make art her new job.

Deb’s major accomplishment this past year was becoming an exhibiting artist.  It may sound like a natural progression, but it means a lot of hard work and determination.  She was thrilled to be in several shows and especially to be juried into the CQA show recently at the LaConner Quilt and Textile Museum.  It was a delight to see her shine when she and I took Jane up to see our work in the show this past spring.

May her spirit live on.

Deb Taylor working in Jane Dunnewold's San Antonio studio, assisting with Sharon Rowley's Prayer Flag installation, 2013

Deb Taylor working in Jane Dunnewold’s San Antonio studio, assisting with Sharon Rowley’s Prayer Flag installation, 2013

Thoughts on Deb by Becky Wachtman:

I received word on Wednesday, that a friend had passed away – suddenly and without warning.  Two weeks ago she was at a retreat with me sharing laughs and art projects.  One week ago, she emailed me and gently encouraged me to teach silk painting at a local college.  Monday, she was chatting excitedly with a mutual friend about all of her exciting plans for the future. Tuesday night, she was gone.

"Lithostratigraphic 1" by Deb Taylor- 2014 Cotton, dye, Inktense pencils, textile medium, Plexiglas, slate

“Lithostratigraphic 1” by Deb Taylor- 2014
Cotton, dye, Inktense pencils, textile medium, Plexiglas, slate

She was an inspired artist who dabbled in many different mediums (most of them fiber-related).  She was always kind and had a gentle, loving spirit.  She was a caring teacher and sharer of wisdom. She was a member of Fiber 19 and leader of the Surface Design Association (Seattle division).  She was truly a lovely woman, whom I was privileged to call my friend.  My heart bleeds for her family, and tears fall heavily when I think about all of the people whose lives she touched… whom I know will be missing her as much as I am.

Looking through lens of the loss of a friend, makes me realize just how unimportant some of my worries have been.  I know my bowls will get made, and the family war will work itself out.   But not ever getting to share another laugh or piece of art with my friend… that cannot be changed.  That is an incredibly sad fact.  One that reminds me to cherish those around me that I love (even the ones currently driving me nuts!).

Deb Taylor, you were my friend and I thank you for sharing a part of your life with me!  You are missed, you are loved, and you are remembered with fondness and joy!


We believe there will be a small memorial service for Deb in Bellevue around October 24.  We will update details about this as they become available.    Christina Fairley Erickson

 

Screen Printing Simple to Sublime

Learn how to Screen Print with Wendy Huhn

Learn how to Screen Print with Wendy Huhn

Guest Blogger: Wendy Huhn

Last year I received a grant from the Surface Design Association to research photo emulsions. I have spent the year working with over a dozen different emulsions, with the artist’s working conditions in mind. My goal was to take most of the guesswork and failures out of this process, and to help artists set up a space that will work within their budget.

——————

Screen Printing Simple to Sublime -Workshop with Wendy Huhn

The focus of this hands-on workshop is to introduce and take the unknown element out of screen printing.

Learn How to AVOID making mistakes for example a really bad coating job.

Learn How to AVOID making mistakes for example a really bad coating job.

The techniques covered in depth include: Photo Emulsion, Screen Filler & Drawing Fluid .The mediums to be used include: textile paints, thickened dyes, discharge paste, and foils, allowing time to print and explore what happens when the screens and various mediums are layered. The first day will start with assembling low-cost silk screens that each student will keep. Techniques will be taught step by step, so that you are comfortable and understand each one. Time to print and explore what happens when the screens and various mediums are layered is an important feature of the class.

This example shows what happens when duct tape is used on a wooden frame . You will learn how  to keep screens lasting longer & not rotting away.

This example shows what happens when duct tape is used on a wooden frame .
You will learn how to keep screens lasting longer & not rotting away.

 

Other subjects that will be discussed are studio safety, how to use Photoshop to convert an image for screen print exposure and how to set up an exposure space. Last but not least, there will be time to print, experiment, push the techniques and troubleshoot.

Visit the Pacific Northwest Art School website to register:

https://pacificnorthwestartschool.org/product/huhn-wendy-photo-emulsion-with-screen-print-august-14-18-2014/

Pacific Northwest Art School, Coupeville, WA, August 14-18, 2014

www.pacificnorthwestartschool.org

Phone 360-678-3396/ 866-678-3396

$595.

Schack Opening Ready!

This biennial collection of Northwest artists features a well-rounded variety of mediums to produce an eclectic and visually stimulating exhibit.

Opening Reception: June 19, 5-8pm

Awards Ceremony at 6:30pm

One more of our WA SDA artists has been accepted into this eclectic art show: Terri Shinn.

Terri’s first piece, “Entanglement” is made from acrylic, molding paste, cotton, and wire.

Terri_Shinn-Entanglement

Entanglement by Terri Shinn

 

Her second artwork, “Caste Relic” is also a unique mixed-media work made from abaca paper, acrylic, colored paper, linen thread, wood.

"Caste Relic" by Terri Shinn

“Caste Relic” by Terri Shinn

The exhibition has works of 87 different artists, with a wide range of work that will be of interest to our SDA members. The exhibit will run from June 19-August 2, 2014.   For more information on the artists and directions to the Schack Art Center go to their website at: http://www.schack.org/exhibits/19th-juried-art-show/#gallery

For more information on our other WA State SDA members represented in the exhibit go to: https://surfacedesignwa.wordpress.com/2014/06/12/come-see-wa-sda-members-at-the-schack-art-center/

Maura Donegan’s “Text-ural” Art

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Maura Donegan with some of her 3-D cubes

 

Last week, SDA member Maura Donegan visited the Eastside SDA chapter meeting to share her incredible fiber art embroideries.  Born and raised in Ireland, Maura holds a diploma from the London Cities and Guilds Embroidery program which she started in the UK.  However, after completing her first year, she moved to the Puget Sound region… Luckily, she was able to continue and complete her studies under the tutelage of  Gail Harker here in La Conner, WA.  In 2011, Maura was one of four graduates of the Gail Harker Center to be featured artists at the “Four Embroiderers” exhibition at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum.

 

imageMuch of Maura’s work features words embroidered with each letter within squares in a grid, like crosswords.   Memory and a historical tradition of handwork in both Maura’s family and women in general are honored in her work.  Some of her pieces are for the wall, while others are 3-D, such as her box of 108 cubes, each with a 6-letter word inscribed on it.  108 is considered a sacred number by several Eastern religions and is the “hyperfactorial of 3, as it is of the form:108Maura invites people to choose a cube from the box and then replenishes with more cubes as needed to maintain the number within.

 

Box of word cubes

Box of word cubes

Maura’s Irish heritage also is seen in some exciting new pieces she is making with machine embroidery on a heavy Japanese paper.  The designs are inspired by ancient art on the megalithic rock tombs that were near where she grew up.  The dense, beautiful embroidery is made with metallic thread, making elegant patterns and webs in the areas she has cut away which replicate the stone-age art.

 

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imageSee more of Maura’s art on her website at http://www.mauradonegan.com

Made by Hand – Marianne Burr

Marianne Burr

Marianne Burr, silk painter, quilter, and Whidbey Island SDA member, is the featured artist at the La Conner Quilt Museum in La Conner, Washington in the show “Made by Hand” from March 26 – June 29, 2014.  She will be there Saturdays starting April 12th demonstrating her methods.

MarianneBurrClass-Of-1935

“Class of 1935” 68”H x 55”W

Marianne is currently in Tokyo receiving the Silver Award at the 12th Quilt Nihon Exhibition 2014-2015 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art for her work “Class of 1935”.  Her pieces are an inspiration to silk painters, surface designers, and quilters alike.  For more, see marianneburr.com.

 

MarianneBurrClass-Of-1935-detail

“Class of 1935” Detail