"Minerals" Exhibit

The deadline for the Minerals call-for-entry was in early December.

Pisoliths

It is amazing to see so many different interpretations of "Minerals".

Calcite

We received many wonderful textile pieces from Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and even one from a Canadian living in Umbria, Italy!!

Pisoliths

The 6 member jury, made up of artists and scientists, have chosen the top 10 works to be exhibited at the PDAC (Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada) in March 2013 at the Convention Centre in Toronto. Six artists were invited to create a work to be added to these top ten selected for a total of 16 pieces.

Sodalite

There will be more posts about this exhibit in March, including pictures of the works.

Calcite

This exhibit has also been invited to be part of Verona Tessile, the international fibre festival taking place in Verona, Italy, from April 16 to 21, 2013.

(all mineral images from google)

Finnish Textiles

Maker.

signature of Finnish creator, Armi Ratia

She and her husband established a printing workshop in Finland in 1951.

Her strong colours and designs became known all around the world.

Vesimelooni (watermelon) pattern
1963
screen printed cotton
design by M. Isola for Marimekko

Marimekko's philosophy shaped a new approach to living through fashion and design.

Pienet Kivet pattern 1956
screen printed cotton
design by M. Isola

Everything I saw looked so NOW.

Her designs have transcended time.

my favourite -great angle 

Curator, Shauna McCabe, included some great ads throughout the exhibit.

Vesimelooni (left)
Silkkikuikka (great crested grebe) pattern (right)
1961
screen printed cotton
design by M. Isola

I owned a Marimekko bag when I lived in Vienna in the early 80's....where did that bag go??

Basso pattern (left)1975
Oona (right) 1969
Both are screen printed cotton
Both designed by M. Isola
for Marimekko

It was wonderful to be surrounded by such large fabrics; large in size, large in importance, large in influence, LARGE

The retrospective is on till April 21 at the Textile Museum in Toronto.

Who wants to go to Verona?

As you probably know I take a small group of quilters and textile artists to Verona, Italy, every two years in conjunction with the festival, Verona Tessile.

That trip is coming up in April and I still have a few spots left.

Who wants to go to Verona??

View of the historical part of the city
from the Roman Theatre.
The famous Ponte Pietra is visible.

The trip begins at the Verona Airport so your departure place does not matter.

The dates are April 12 to 21, 2013.

Who wants to take classes with some top Italian teachers and artists? (all levels are welcome, even beginners!!)

Sewing together at Ad Maiora studios

samples of the technique we learned

Who wants to eat great food and participate in a cooking class?

Learning to make home-made pasta

Who wants to drink great wines and go to the Valpolicella for a wine and country tour?

View while driving out of Verona
towards the Valpolicella region

Who wants to see some amazing international exhibits of quilts and fibre art?

work by DAMSS from Milano
exhibited in the lobby of a hotel Trieste in Verona

work by italian artists Agostina Zwilling

Who wants to see the inside of some amazing historical buildings while admiring some quilts?

Setting up in 2011 at San Giorgetta.
Look at the floor!
Look at the fresco on the walls!
Look at the quilts made by the members of Ad Maiora!

Who wants to get close to the culture and the quilters and artists of Verona?

We were invited by Italian friends to a Masquerade Ball during Carnival.
Talk about cultural experience! 

Who wants to have an enriching experience they will never forget?

Gelato in front of the Arena

...just a few spots left....come with a friend!

Flying towards Verona with the view of the Alps

References available. Click here for more info.

Making my Own Fabric

I always have my camera in my purse.

I noticed some of the advertisements on the street posts were 'altered' because of the big rains that had fallen during the night.

I printed those photographs on treated cotton fabric (Printed Treasures by Dritz)

I love the text that you barely see.

I like the texture.

I may print it again and alter the colour slightly.

I will eventually be using this 'new fabric' for an art piece.

Today's Postcard

Today's 15-minute postcard
 foreground: made with hand-dyed fabric scraps,
detailed photograph of Toronto graffiti printed on paper
background: painting by Isabelle Reford

In Between

Whenever I am "in between" jobs I make a blanket. The repetitive action of sewing is relaxing.

The top, detail, pieced using 5-inch squares.
It's ready to be quilted.

Usually, I make a scrap quilt -always using my odds and ends and trying to make it all work together.

back fabric-love it!
I bought the one on the right especially to add on the back.

Sometimes I buy a few fat quarters just to give me a boost or purchase some back fabric that's new and fun.

I am teaching a scrap class on February 9 so I am switching gears from artist and curator to quilt teacher.

Creating in the Kitchen

On Sunday, I stepped out of the studio and created in the kitchen!

Our friend, Jacquie, is an expert macaron maker.

She taught us all her tricks and secret techniques.

Yummy.

That was my treat after packing up art work from Tradition in Transition and spending one week shipping that work across Canada. Well deserved treat!

Taking Down the Exhibit

It took 2.5 hours to take the 35 pieces down and fold them and pack them up in my car!

Canada geese flying overhead while we were packing up the car.

It took 21 hours to hang everything way back in November!!

Tradition in Transition had a good run, I think.

Forward and up for the next project!

While I was out in Oakville, I picked up a copy of SNAP Oakville. Click here to see their coverage of the exhibit Tradition in Transition.

Today's Postcard

No, this isn't that self-portrait I was thinking of making. LOL

Bad Art

British photographer, Martin Parr, says he has to take many bad photographs in order to take one good one.

I have to make lots of bad art before I can be happy with a piece.

That is why I like working on my postcards. Click here for details on my postcard routine.

It's always difficult to make good postcards after I am away from my studio for long periods of time.

That is why one of my promises for 2013 is to DO more. More art- sewing- stitching- drawing.

Last year, I promised to host more parties at my house and I did that!! So fun!