Modern Architecture

You don't expect the view of the Centre Pompidou as you come out of Rue Saint Merri onto Rue du Renard.

I am told many Parisians have "trouble" with the architecture from the 70's.

It houses the biggest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe.

I loved the gallery spaces and the wide hallways.

You have one of the best views of Paris from the top floor.

The main entrance looked like a subway station, in my opinion. My son said it looked like Yorkdale Mall in Toronto!

Their permanent collection is amazing -more on that in later posts. I was so inspired!

I want to go home to create and sew right now!

Jean-Luc Moulène (1955)
 part of his 24 objects of protest

Yummy Colours

Pierre Hermé is more than a French pastry chef.

Choosing the macarons at Pierre Hermé, Paris.

Vogue magazine has called him the "Picasso of Pastry".

I was immediately struck by the brightness of the coulours of the macarons.

His combination of flavours are inventive. So is his use of colour and texture. They are a treat for all your senses. He is a true food artist.

 We ate them in the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Blissful.

(photo credit: Veronica Gerson)

Versailles

Walking around the immense gardens at Chateau Versailles,

and listening to the Baroque music that played everywhere in the garden brought back memories of dancing in Vienna. (my career before motherhood)

ok that's just my daughter and I fooling around!

The costumes we wore during our performances of historical dance were exquisite! The fabrics were elaborate.

Louis XIV
The costumes the boys wore for the performances
were similar- with the wig but without the hat.

The Mirror Fountain had jets 'performing' with some music. It was a water dance!

Last Night's Dinner

Mon entré.
Our dinner at Les Enfants Perdus
was amazing!

Our wine from Vovray, France,
where we stayed many years ago
while on a two week family holiday.

Paris

Today was my second day in Paris.

Not much to report on the textile front but wanted to post something to let you know I am still around.

walking around Paris, rue de Birague

It rained a little but that didn't stop us or anyone else for that matter.

Park across Place des Vosges with two people who found a way to
continue their picnic in the drizzle.

Place des Vosges is the oldest "place" in the city. There are many art galleries down this stretch of arches. My daughter and I discussed exploring a theme to create a series.

We even stopped at the hospital because my son picked up an eye infection of some kind. 

We noticed the colour of his shirt
is the IN colour over here.

More Publicity

There is another article about Tradition in Transition that appeared in Quilt Italia Patchwork News (formerly Quiltitalia Newsletter)

my Italian/ Canadian friend sent me this image!
Thanks L.

Every bit of publicity is great! I am a member of Quilt Italia through Ad Maiora (Verona) and often teach at their national conferences and in the country in general. I hope with this article many from Italy will make the trip up to France to see the wonderful Canadian works. Hopefully, my friends and students will come and see ME!

Quilts for the Twins

I am almost finished the commission quilts for a set of twins.

Basically, I am making a bar quilt using their baby clothes. Since they are twins and very close, I added a piece of fabric in each of their quilts from the other sister.

The black polka-dot binding fabric is perfect for
the bright and busy quilt top

At the end of June, the twins, their mom and I met at Sew Sisters and the girls chose the fabric for the in-between vertical strips. As expected, each girl chose a fabric that reflected her personality.

The girls drew lovely drawings which I transfered onto cotton and used as their labels.

I want to have them delivered before I leave for Europe....that's soon!

Weekend Art Show Visit

On the weekend I attended the opening of Sybil Rampen's 40 year retrospective, "Epoch of Stolen Moments".

I love what she said-yes, stolen moments of tranquility and calmness
 in a day of many responsibilities

Spirit House, with Marion Spanjerdt, 1976

Woodworm I and II, 2009, seen on the outsides
Burnt paper is incorporated with the fabric

detail, Please Write, 1999
wild cucumber filigree

My two favorites of Sybil's.
Top: Pico Volcano, 2010
Bottom: Red Cows, 2004
 It reminds me of a Frederick Verner painting
There is tissue paper in the felted background

Exhibiting alongside Sybil was high school student, Tsochoy Go. I met him two years ago at his school when I worked with his class on a community quilt. His exhibit is entitled "A Messenger from Outer Space". His drawings are amazing!

artist, Tsochoy Go stands proudly beside his work

I had a few favorites of his. Here is one below.

Rhythm Angel
It glows.
When you stand in front of it, the wings seem to beat

He gave me one of his drawings two years ago. Lucky me.

His class mate, Ron, performed during the exhibit.

Background art work by Meredith Horne

The exhibits run till August 12, 2012, at the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre in Oakville.

The back property at the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre

Photo Album

For the exhibit Tradition in Transition, I thought it would be interesting to add a photo album of Canadian landscapes seeing as our surroundings affect the work we produce.

lots of big skies!

I asked all participating artists to send me some images of their part of the country to share with the exhibit visitors in France.

from top left:Toronto path, sky from Nova Scotia
view from a cottage Alberta, winter path Duncan, BC
PEI sunflowers, cottage view Alberta
Saskatchewan road

The album will start with images from the west and go 'across the country' ending with photos from Newfoundland.

Beautiful Newfoundland.
photo by Paddy Barry, resident and talented photographer!

Today, I got them printed...and unfortunately will have to go back to the printers because all images in portrait orientation were printed in a landscape orientation!

Outdoor Art Show

Every year, Toronto exhibits a showcase of contemporary fine arts and crafts in an outdoor setting, the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibit. It is the largest juried outdoor show of its kind in Canada, recognizing excellence across all media. Nathan Phillips Square is covered with white tents and local artists! It's like going to a hundred galleries that are all in the same place. (last year's TOAE)

Amanda McCavour was there again this year with her latest installation. As you may remember she is one of the artists participating in Tradition in Transition.

Yesterday, I went to see it.

Amanda putting the last touches on her installation-
being in front of it, LIVE, was a wonderful feeling,
not able to be captured in a photo!

On the very hot day it was refreshing to see the 'meadow' of wild flowers blowing in the breeze! It really made you feel cool...for a second!

In August, she is off to the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, USA, to do a Masters degree. I will miss seeing her creations LIVE.

note: at the end of the exhibit Amanda received an "honourable mention" in fibre.

China Patchwork

Close to Bay Street and Bloor Street in Toronto, there is a wonderful china shop called William Ashley's.

Displayed in their front window is their "Great Wall of China".

I find tranquility in symmetry.....

Almost symmetric- I love the piece that is missing in the corner.

Canada Day

Happy Canada Day!

Karen Neary's Log Canada quilt
photographed in a historical garden in Nova Scotia.
This image appeared in the book, Canadian Heritage Quilting
which she co-authored with Diane Shink.

July 1 is the official birthdate of Canada! In 1867, three colonies were united- the province of Canada, which was Ontario and Quebec, plus New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. We're 145 years old today and my have we grown! Canada is now made up of 10 provinces and 3 territories.

This is a holiday long weekend when many people head to cottage country. BBQ's and picnics are called for!

detail, Log Canada by Karen Neary
Notice the maple leaf in the quilted design.

This quilt is part of Tradition in Transition. I plan to hang it at the front of the exhibition space to announce to visitors, "This is the Canadian exhibit."