Paul Schutte

While in the Val D'Argent area of France for the textile forum, I had the pleasure of meeting artist Paul Schutte from South Africa.

Paul Schutte in front of his work entitled,
"Barren Mountainscape", 2011,
58 cm x 78 cm

He is full of energy! I love his accent!

Acid Mine Drainage, 2011,
56 cm x 77 cm

He often uses African fabrics in his textile work.

Acid Mine Drainage, detail.

He created a series of 12 panels introducing himself and his battle with prostate cancer. He was very brave to share his experience with others and did it in a very unique way. Some visitors who had themselves experienced cancer had tears in their eyes as they read his poetry that accompanied each panel.

poem #10, detail 

 poem #5

poem # 12

I was disappointed I was only able to dedicate 10 minutes to his exhibit! Shameful but it was either that or nothing. I am so glad I drove up to Romach-le-Franc even for that very short visit. 

Shown here are four of Prof. Paul Schutte's pieces in his environmental series.
He is the director of Communication Studies at
North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

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.

Teaching in Italy

I am proud to say my proposal to the Abruzzo School of Creative Arts has been selected and I will be teaching in Sulmona, July 23 to 30, 2013.

flickr image by Greenery

All are welcome. The course will be given in english but I also speak fluent french and italian and my german is a little rusty! What an experience it will be for me and the students!

Flickr image by padesig

Here is an excerpt of my course outline:

She will lead a group through the process of educated observation. Students will generate a record, in journal form, of their awakening to this emotional response to both the natural and the man-made world of Sulmona, Italy.


During morning walks, participants will record patterns, shapes and colours so that they may “capture the moment”, later taking these memories home to their studios where they can create at leisure when making larger works. Sandra works with the philosophy of using what is on hand to create with and be inspired by, so the focus of the daily walks will be tied to that way of working.

To learn more about the course click here.

 Flickr image by Greenery

Start saving up! If those dates don't work for you, check out my other two textile trips to Italy that are coming up.

Flickr image by Franciov

Che bello!

Hard Twist 6- Obsession

The textile-based exhibit at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto ends this weekend (January 29).

Kate Busby will have her red piece going to France for the Canadian exhibit I am curating.

3,600 (BEATS) by Kate Busby
There is a french knot in the center of every square.

Amanda McCavour's work is still hanging at the hotel.

"ACCUMULATE (LARGE)"
my picture of Amanda's work isn't very good.
Go see it LIVE! It's beautiful.

One of the jurors, Judith Tinkl, is an artist who is also participating in the France show, Tradition in Transition. She has made a new piece using her grandfather's silk ties, her grandmother's fabric and  japanese obi she had collected.

I loved these two spinning lamps! (yes, they do twirl gently.) They are so FUN! (they are not part of the france show)

SWAG, by Barbara Sutherland, which hangs on the 4th floor of the hotel,
is made with strips of fabric.

The Gladstone, as we locals call it, has a geometric design painted on the outside of its building. Quilt like?

Challenge Results

Our guild hosted a DIVA evening along with the Paint Chip Challenge works.

So many ladies wore costumes! I resurrected my blonde wig and a sparkly top from the kids' dress-up box.

one of the DIVAS

Members voted for their three favorite pieces from the Paint Chip Challenge. The three with the most votes (shown below) were awarded prizes.

This was one of my votes.
It was visually appealing and
very well done technically.

"Grey Morning" by our president
 in her DIVA dress!

Two artists that were in attendance that evening were Maggie Vanderweit and Clare Kirby.

Clare holding up her work,
"Belisarius and the Cosmic Astral Tyger"
hand dyed silks, hand quilted

"Cat Killed the Cardinal", by Clare Kirby
hand dyed silks, fused silk, feathers, beads, hand quilted

The executive from the Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre has asked me to contribute an art piece for their fundraising event in May and I have decided to donate my Paint Chip Challenge piece, Jungle Green. (to see the work click here)