Back From Sicily

A few weeks ago I had an authentic experience in Sicily with my friends from Verona.

Town of Gangi, Sicily.

One of the ladies has a house in Gangi. She organized a trip for 12 of us.

Gangi

You can imagine the chatter and the laughs we all had together...and the FOOD.

We visited Palermo and Monreale, Castelbuono and Cefalu'.

Cefalu'

We had a wonderful evening teaching English paper piecing to the local residents of Gangi of all ages. They loved making hexagons.

Room where we shared our passion for patchwork!

It was interesting for me as a trip organizer to be on the 'client' side. I confirmed that travellers like to integrate in the place they visit. I am on the right track with the Verona trip and the Umbria trip!

Making Changes

I recognized a friend at the St Lawrence Market that I hadn’t seen in over 30 years ! She and I went to high school together in Montreal. She has recently moved to Toronto.

I exhibit my work in Europe.

We met for coffee later in the week and had a long chat about everything! It was wonderful!!

I prepare teaching samples for my
quilt classes.

She asked about what I was doing and I gave her my blog and my website address.

I organize trips to Verona, Italy, with a textile theme.

But later that week I wondered what she would see on those sites.

I work on art journals.

The website has not been updated for years! No new photographs. No new text. No additions to my CV. Yet I have done a lot!

I recently organized a trip to Umbria for August 2016...
and by organize I mean preparing an itinerary,
interviewing the right people to give workshops and lectures,
finding the best places to eat,
booking an amazing villa,
discovering places to visit...
a big job!

The blog is fine if you follow me regularly. You know what projects I am working on and you know what I have done.

I exhibit my work in Toronto.
This piece was part of the exhibit
The Gathering last summer
@ Gallery 814.

But for a person who is just visiting for the first time I need to have a better description of what I am and what I do and what I have done!

I teach in the art department at different high schools.

My website and my blog need a make-over! 

I take some art classes and always keep learning.

That is what I will be working on in the next months.

I curate textile exhibits

Verona Trip Meeting

I am getting ready for the info meeting on Saturday, November 17 at L'espresso Bar (as in Italian bar).

My favourite breakfast spot,
321 Bloor Street West

I have put together some slides of the trip in 2011.

The Adige river flows around the historical centre of Verona.

The 8 quilters and textile artists who travelled in 2011 had such a great cultural experience.

Walking to Ad Maiora Studios for a sewing class
along the "lasagna"

Flipping through the images brought back such fun memories.

We went to Venice for the day during carnival.

I know this group will also experience something special!

I am a Textile Artist

I make quilts (blankets) out of cottons and I make textile art (to hang on your wall) out of painted and dyed fabric, plastic and paper.

What is wrong with doing both?

One of my daughters says I will not be taken seriously as an artist if I make blankets!

I AM a serious artist.

a friend and I (right) discharge dying with bleach

speaking about my art at Quiltitalia's National Conference
 Rimini, Italy, November 2009

detail installation, Toronto Public Library
Spadina Branch, 2010

detail La Poesie d'un Plume
exhibited MoA Gallery, Verona,

detail, 'reuse reduce recycle'
international juried show, 13th Carrefour Europeen
du Patchwork, France

AND

I love making quilts.

One of my daughters and I cuddling under her grad quilt.
All her friends signed it!

Quilting has given me an opportunity to teach and travel in Europe. I love doing that. People enjoy my classes. I had 90 people signed up for my class last year at Quiltitalia's National Conference in Cervia, Italy. Seeing what is going on in Europe regarding textile art has enriched and inspired me as an artist.

Why can't I do both?

Working on one means less time for the other- I understand that.

The time management skills I have honed as a mother of 4 are coming in handy!

me, the 4 children and the dog, 1993