Antique Quilts

Over the years I have bought a few antique quilts. They are lovely to hold and definitely nice on a bed. The cotton has soften after so many washes.

a log cabin from my collection

The fabric choices are always interesting since no one went out and brought the "right" colours. They repurposed fabrics they had from a  dress or apron and used fabric sample booklets.

I love the hand embroidery added to the
 blue and white gingham. Clever addition!

While I was in Verona last week, I found out Jen Jones will be exhibiting her antique Welsh quilts during Verona Tessile. She will also be giving a lecture.

I like this one but ended up not buying it in the end.

You can watch a video of Jen Jones talking about her collection by clicking here.

This quilt is so soft from all the washings. I like the white tufts from the ties.
I also like the circles that come into view as your eyes scan the quilt.

If you want to join me in Verona for 10 days/9 nights and see her quilts and enjoy the city and the entire textile event (exhibits, classes, tours and great food!) click here for information.

Painting in Verona

I see this artist every day when I cross the bridge.

I have seen his progress every day. He is a serious painter. He concentrates and turns his head to see the landscape. He is "in the moment" you can tell.

He paints with heavy clothes and a piece that covers his mouth and nose. Is it for the pollution or the cold.

He wears covers on his shoes- for the paint drips? or the cold as he is out all day, 6 hours at least.

He wears gloves and I wonder how he can paint with those on his hands.

People stop and watch him work. They sometimes have a chat together.

I return to Canada this Friday. I think he will be finished by then.

What a nice evolution I witnessed for the past week.

Travels

Monday: The view from my window in Toronto.

Wednesday: The view from the bridge near where I am staying in Verona, Italy.

Well Made Quilts are a Pleasure to See

I visited the York Heritage quilt show. It was on for only two days.

It's like a stained-glass! It was gorgeous!
by Kim Workman

Another quilt that brought back images of European
 church stain glass.
Work by Lynne Lee

Back in 2012, I included one of Robert Gutcher's quilts for the exhibit I curated, Tradition in Transition which was shown in France. His machine quilting is superb! His sense of colour appeals to me. I have a similar pattern that I kept from about 15 years ago and I may tweak it and use it for my Spring Clean-Up class I host in the spring. The aim for those classes is to use up your stash and not buy any new fabric. This quilt design would fit in for sure!

Quilt by Robert Gutcher
This quilt sparkles like a jewel!

I like the woven pattern below. The colours are definitely the hot choice these days. They follow the trends of the Modern Quilt Movement.

by Valerie Prideaux
The label stated:
Made with permission of the artist Eleanor McCain

The one shown below wasn't as flashy as some of the others but effective nonetheless.

machine pieced and quilted by Linda Morse
inspired by a Denise Schmidt design

It is a guild show that I try to attend because the works exhibited always demonstrate great skill!

I was able to purchase a few hand-made gifts to give away to my Verona friends when I visit them this week.

Hand-made ornament using felted wool, hand embroidery,
  beads and an antique button at the centre
 by Sandy Lindal

I always hear, 'I can make that', when I am shopping at these stands but why not buy something anyway and support makers!

Japanese Textile Works

The work of Kazumi Shinomiya from Kyoto, Japan, intrigued me.

Tides
2012
Kazumi Shinomiya

I saw this piece at World of Threads. I liked the way the wall became part of her art work. I considered the shadow as part of this piece. It added interest and depth.

detail, Tides

There will be some Japanese textile works (contemporary quilts) at the Verona Tessile festival in Verona, Italy, May 2015. (By the way, I have 5 travellers signed up for the trip already!)

I look forward to seeing their competence and proficiency. The works from Japanese textile artists and quilters that I have seen have always been executed with a precision and attention to detail that is notable.

Expectations

I visited the World Of Threads festival exhibit (going on till November 30 in Oakville and Mississauga).

Not To Know But To Go On
Installation
Judy Martin

Judy Martin's works were spectacular and by far my favourites.

detail, Not To Know But To Go On
Judy Martin

I have been following her Circle Project (details seen below) since the beginning and I was glad to have finally seen those 4 pieces 'live' and not from a photograph. It's a whole different experience standing in front of such work. The size, the detail.

I see many textile exhibits around the world. I'd like to make a general comment about some of the textile "artwork" I am seeing. Just because the work is messy doesn't make it art. Just because you can collage or sew things together doesn't make you an artist. One of the qualities an artist has to have, in my opinion, is an advanced skill level in the medium of choice while executing his/her thoughts and ideas.

I expect to see techniques that are well executed when I go to exhibits.

If you chose fabric as your medium, best learn your basic sewing skills.

* in this spot I had written a few lines about certain works I saw at the World Of Thread exhibit that in my opinion were lacking skill in the sewing department and after talking to my husband about it he pointed out that I could still give my opinion and not point to someone's work in particular. True. So I have removed the images and criticism but I do stand by my opinion that if a work is going to be exhibited it should be demonstrating fine skill.

Moving to Judy Martin's work. Well, here is someone who knows her craft and has a skill level that is impressive.

detail, Not To Know But To Go On
Judy Martin
I love the way the embroidery floss changes
the colour of the fabric underneath

The above 3 images are details of the Circle Project
by Judy Martin and community 

I also enjoyed the weavings of Quebecer, Louise Lemieux Bérubé. Again such skill!

Rodin e Claudel no 1
244 cm x 412 cm
Louise Lemieux Bérubé
2012
jacquard weaving
cotton, linen, dyes

I loved her theme too, maybe because my previous career was in dance and I can appreciate the movements of her subjects.

Tree Hug

Art work hugs a big tree. 

Stop and Breath

Autumn is a beautiful season in Canada. 

Today, I was out for a long walk, clearing my head and making room in there for some new art ideas.

The colours were so vivid. Very inspirational.

It's important to stop from time to time. I didn't even make a post card today.

It's important to stop and "regroup".