Art Classes

I am taking a Collage and Assemblage class with Donnely Smallwood at the Toronto School of Art.

Thimble near the school @ Spadina and Richmond

Last week was our first class. The teacher explained what we would be doing and we worked on a collective exercise to break the ice.

full view of collective exercise, my head

I remember doing this with my kids when they were little. We had such fun! Fold a paper in thirds and have one person draw a head. Fold it over to hide it and pass it onto the next person so they can draw the body and the next person to draw the legs.

full views

just the bottoms, mine is first on the right

It is amazing how the parts work together even though they are separate entities.

I know I will be able to apply the experience that I gain from this class towards my textile art. It will influence my textile pieces.

On the long walk back home, I saw the first sign that winter is coming!

Autumn tree in front of Robarts Library

Teaching this Fall

Since I will be in one place for the fall, I have decided to do some teaching! Classes will be held in Toronto, east and west locations. Classes include quilt making my machine for beginners, paper piecing, quilt-as-you-go and a 'come and sew' morning. Please view my schedule here.

Below are some of the happy beginner students and their projects. Most of the photographs were taken at our Quilt Recital, spring 2010

Accuracy Course with an emphasis on
values (lights, mediums, darks)

Community Project-Jones Public Library
Victorian Crazy Quilting
the youngest quilter explains

Course: Setting your Blocks on Point
We touched on the Floating Stars block.

Log Cabin Course

9-patch beginner class

9-patch beginner class

9-patch beginner class

9-patch beginner class

Isn't it fun that the 9-patch beginner quilts look completely different yet they are all made from the same block! I pride myself on that. Everyone's work SHOULD look different.

Oltre il Tessuto

From August 8 to 15, 2011, artist Maria Teresa Sansotta and I were invited to exhibit our work in Gangi, Sicily. The show was entitled "Oltre il Tessuto".

entrance to Palazzo Bongiorno with our poster

The exhibit was mounted in the 18th century Palazzo Bongiorno situated in the main piazza of the town.

Attending the opening, were the mayor, alderman, many journalists as well as people from Italy.

My friend and artist, Maria Teresa Sansotta (white dress)
with prominent figures of Gangi.
In the background her famous piece, Ti Amo,
incorporating coloured condoms.

The show was held during their famous week of festivities, La Sagra della Spiga.

decorations made with wheat hang above the narrow road

There were in all 1500 visitors at our exhibit, all very interested in our art expression.

two of my pieces

two of my pieces

Maria Teresa's piece

Maria Teresa explains her piece, Don't Touch my Plume

people inspect Maria Teresa's piece as she explains

Maria Teresa's piece on the left, Oltre Mare,
my piece, Blue Depression, on the right

Maria Teresa's two pieces

hand appliqued pieces from Maria Teresa

Maria Teresa explains my inspiration for my two pieces.

 I am glad we remembered to put out a book for comments. Those are always fun to read!

Today's Circle

Making contemporary circles for a new piece.

 assorted fabrics, thread, paper, plastic

Circles

The never ending line...

early morning spider web

asparagus ends

Paving stones in a Toronto garden

lamp sphere at Sweet Grass Spa, Toronto.
It was too high to touch!

I am still embroidering circles on my quilt.

It's so fun! I want to cover it completely!

Another School Year

Just returned from London, Ontario, where my husband and I dropped off our last child at university.

Doing some hand embroidery on a quilt and enjoying the quiet that comes with a big empty house.

embroidering circles on my latest scrap quilt for my book

I am not complaining!

Verona Anyone?

After a highly successful trip to Verona last March, I have decided to put together another group trip for March 2012.

Official dates are March 2 to March 11, 2012.

Verona and Adige river

Verona and Adige river

Me, last fall, with the Roman Theatre in the distance

Quilters/textile artists/sewers of any level are welcome. The group is an intimate size; minimum 6, maximum 13. The classes and tours will be in english, although I do speak french and some german. We  will be staying in charming, newly-renovated apartments in Verona's historical centre.

Do you...

love new adventures?

Sicilian ceramic tile

love new quilting and textile experiences?

outdoor sculpture in Piazza Erbe

detail of work by Anna Tosi

detail of work by Maria Teresa Sansotta

love to walk?

Path to the sewing studio, Verona

love Italian food and wine?

window display

dessert class at La Cucina di Casa

What makes this trip special is my connection to the Veronese textile community. Through that I am able to offer a truly cultural experience! (yes, I speak italian!)

Ponte di Castel Vecchio, also known as Ponte Scaligero. Verona

There is an info meeting set for:

Sunday,  November 27 @ 3pm.

L'Espresso Bar
321 Bloor Street West, Toronto
(south side, just east of St. George)

There will be photos from last year's trip, an itinerary for this year's trip and also the price. Some of last year's travellers will be attending. They will say a few words.

Statue on Ponte della Vittoria

Come fly with me!