Wine, Women and "Wow!" -- Part III

It's taken me by surprise that a full 2 weeks have passed since I posted Part II of this SAQA Western Canada Retreat synopsis...but there you are.  Between work at The Shop, a trip to Edmonton, three commissions to finish, the call of the yard and garden, and a spring head cold, I've had little time and even less energy to apply to writing...and this is a long post, for there's lots to cover.

Today's the perfect day, though, to be at my desk -- because the temp is climbing to 27 C (80.6 F) -- a July reading at the end of May! -- and I'm staying in with fans on and windows open.

Saturday, May 6 was the second full day of the retreat -- and its focus was creativity and play.

Judy Villet

One of our exercises!

Most of the morning featured a session on colour and design, guided by artist Judy Villet of New Westminster, B.C.  Fast-paced yet thorough, Judy packed a great deal of information into the short time she had with us -- including great exercises to test our abilities to discern tints, tones and shades.

You'll see below what I mean when I describe Judy's teaching style as dynamic: I tried four times to capture her...but she proved too quick for my wee point-and-click!  ;-)

The last of the morning was a presentation on photographing our quilts from SAQA WC Co-Rep (MB/SK), Valerie Wilson.  Now...I've already told you I use a "point-and-click" camera -- and that's the extent of my enthusiasm for the subject!  I've managed to take reasonable photos on which to base my landscape work, but for important submissions, I rely on the skills of my daughter, who has studied the subject, had photos published in calendars and books, and has had some success selling her work.

Nonetheless, though I was fully prepared to be bored by this session (reading my camera manual puts me to sleep)...Valerie surprised me, and I confess she left me with several nuggets to take home and try out.  Thanks, Val!  :-)

After lunch we broke into three groups that rotated through as many creative stations -- for some hand-on play.

Janet Scruggs taught us her "Scorched!" technique that uses lemon juice mixtures and a hot iron to produce interesting designs, whether applied over stencils, used to colour in shapes, applied over shibori-style folds or created free-form.  I'd been anxious to learn this ever since I'd seen examples of Janet's work using this technique at an exhibit in Calgary last year.

Janet Scruggs with
her piece, Petroglyphs

First I tried bundling, shibori-style:

 With mixed results...

Next, some painting.  

A picture was laid underneath and I 'traced' it with the solution:

And finally, my favourite: 

a thickened solution (using sodium alginate) with a stencil.  

To my delight, I made a type of Glasgow Rose!

Next, I moved to the session taught by Susan Purney Mark, on "mark-making".  She's posted a few times about this on her Facebook page...but here are some of my samples...

First, using black fabric paint with a 'wedge' (larger than the edge of a credit card but a credit card would work too):

1. Dip wedge in paint;
2. Apply edge to fabric;
3. Experiment - create blob;
4. Ignore blob!

Another 'wedge painting', using a
sweeping motion with the wedge.

Then...one of my favourites...applying the paint to wet linen, with the wedge.  I love the softened edges and the irregularity of this.  I have lots of pieces of scrap linen off-cuts from embroidery, and plan to play some more with this!

And my other favourite: 'asemic writing' -- essentially meaningless shapes that appear to be writing but make no actual letters or sense -- using a fabric pen on a densely-woven cotton:

I've already cut up most of the piece of asemic writing that I created, and am applying it to card-stock...stay tuned for the reveal...

Last but not least was a session with Valerie Wilson on creating and using stamps.  Another one that filled me with reticence...as years ago I'd taken a similar session and found that trying to carve a stamp was very hard on my hands, and not at all worth the effort.

Again...Valerie surprised me!  I managed to make three stamps, all of which I really like and may use in future (especially the larger one, in which I tried to emulate wavy grass).  So here are the results:

First, the grass stamp and the leaf -- the latter being made out of a small eraser:

Leaves and Grasses

Next, remember the mixed results I got with the 'scorched' shibori-style folding (above)?  Well...I took this piece and stamped over it with the third stamp, which I'd carved to emulate either ripples on water or bark on birch/aspen...and I think it makes a rather interesting textured piece, don't you?

 After expending all this creative energy, it was time for dinner -- followed by a wee bit o' hospitality (read: wine and cheese!) and fabric fondling at the home of Coleen Adderley, (now former) SAQA WC B.C. Co-Rep and Retreat Coordinator!

Coleen Adderley

We all bundled into the several vehicles available and were up, up and away (literally!  She lives on the side of a cliff!) to her home in Peachland, which is also home to her new business, Quilted Reflections.

On the way, Coleen indulged me for a short side-trip to the far end of Peachland, site of Antler Beach, Hardy Falls and the Edgewater Pines Trailer Court.  The latter was the home of my parents from 1978 through 1994...and the visit brought back many memories of visits there -- mainly in the summer -- with the kids.  The last visit we made was in the summer of 1993, and though a great deal has changed since then, it would appear that my parents' place is still there; I was certain I was able to pick it out as we drove slowly by.

Just a small sampling of what Coleen's shop offers

And the group had no trouble finding items to take home...

Coleen also place several examples of her work around the shop, including this beautiful surprise behind the entrance!

A great time was had by all, and the wine and conversation continued long into the evening, even after we'd returned to the lodge.

And on Sunday...it was home-time.  After breakfast there was a 'brain-storming' session about what is next for the Region, which, come July, will be bereft of SAQA Representatives unless people step up to the plate.  Ah, Gentle Readers, 'twere ever thus!  Organizations that thrive on volunteers are always on the look-out for folks with a passion to support their mission, at various levels...and SAQA is no different...

Here is where I wind up the story of our first-ever SAQA Western Canada Regional Retreat...with the hopes that the organization will continue to thrive in this part of the country, and the excitement of knowing that the first-ever International Conference to be held outside the U.S. will be in Toronto in 2020.  You can be I'm hoping to be on board!

Blessings...till next time...

Wine, Women and "Wow!" - Part II

On Friday, May 5, our first SAQA Western Canada Regional Retreat got into full swing.  The topic of the day was that of the overall retreat: "Out of the Studio, Into the Wider World".

First up, yours truly and my colleague, Valerie Wilson of Winnipeg (Regional Co-Rep, MB/SK), spoke about our experiences showing in galleries in and around our respective locales -- Valerie, from the urban perspective, and me, from the rural perspective.  I'd been concerned that we might be travelling over familiar ground for many, but in the end, over all, I think it was well received.

The next part of the morning featured Certified Appraiser, Dawn Hunt of Canmore, a SAQA Associate Member, speaking about how quilts are valued, why valuing one's quilts -- whether traditional, vintage, antique or more contemporary studio art.  She did an analysis of the prices asked by members who'd volunteered this information prior to the Retreat, and shared a detailed spread-sheet thereof with all of us.  It's in tiny print so I've yet to read it in depth, but her synopsis of the data was that "...prices were all over the map" -- which is the conclusion SAQA Board Member (then Co-Rep, Atlantic Canada) Chris Nielsen, drew when looking at the price list for the My Corner of the World exhibit last year -- and which was one impetus for our having this topic at our retreat in the first place.  :-)

After lunch (all this food for thought requires fuel!), artist and teacher Susan Purney Mark of B.C. took to the floor for a discussion about using Social Media more effectively to get our work into the public eye.  Many artists appear to be reticent about diving into various avenues of Social Media -- especially Facebook -- for fear of inability to control how one and one's work is viewed, shared and used.  Susan gave examples of blogging, Facebook use and connections between one form of media and another, with tips and tricks on how to use them most effectively, and to our best advantage -- safely and securely.

Susan gave us a short list of "Points to Ponder" which, it seems to me, are valuable whether specifically related to using Social Media for our artwork -- or for entering the "exhibit fray" altogether.  I list her questions below with what I think of as parallel questions with respect to exhibiting at all (in italics).

• Why do you want to be involved? (Why do you want to exhibit your work?)
• How will you be (or are you now) posting/writing? (How are you showing your work now? Are you showing, selling or both?)
• Where will you interact? (Which platforms for Social Media?) (Where will you exhibit? What type of venue?)
• When are you interacting? (What's your time commitment?) (Ditto.)
• What is do you want to say? (Content) (What is your artistic voice? What types of pieces do you produce?)

After all this stimulating and thought-provoking discussion, it was time to unwind!  Despite the heavy rain, about half of us piled into a shuttle van to take a 3-stop winery tour.  First up: Quail's Gate, where the detailed tour took us from overlooking the vineyards to viewing the vats and learning the process, to tasting a variety of finished products -- all under in the hands of the capable, informative and charming Guillaume.  It was a challenge to choose what we wanted to bring home with us!

From there we travelled to both Mt. Boucherie and Mission Hill wineries for more sampling, and purchasing.

Mmmmmm.....and here I'll leave you....Part III to come!

Photo credit: Quail's Gate Winery

Wine, Women and "Wow!": Part I

Flying in over the Canadian Rockies

It takes me a while to process events when they have been thick with learning, sharing, exploring, conversing, and enjoying good food and wine.

Such was the case with the first SAQA Western Canada Regional Retreat in Kelowna, B.C. last weekend.  I came home with a full head and a very full heart, a quiver full of new ideas and emotions that ran the gamut from delighted to doubtful and back again.

The setting was part of the delight.  Green Bay Bible Camp isn't a four- or five-star hotel, but it is a clean, well-equipped, friendly resort on the lake that was quite well suited to our group's budget, size and planned activities.

View of the green space from the parking lot.

Most of the thirty or so attendees were from B.C., and all but 5 of us drove to the venue.  This meant that the small group of us that arrived earlier than some others could take some time to preview one of the three wineries that we'd tour more formally during the weekend.  So...late Thursday afternoon, that's just what we did, driving up the hill to the sprawling and elegant grounds of Mission Hill.

I was fascinated by the assorted sculpture and architecture:

I could find titles on none of the pieces, but remain convinced that this fellow is on a perpetual search for one of his contact lenses...

And then there was the view of the vines and the valley...

The amphitheatre over-looking the lake, where concerts are held in the summer:

And the views from inside various patios and porticos which appear to be used for both large receptions and individual contemplation...

We were met on our return to the camp with a delicious dinner and an evening relaxing, settling in and getting to know each other over glasses of local wine, simple snacks and stimulating conversation.

Friday a.m. would bring a new dawn -- foggy and dripping with rain -- and a day filled with learning and discussion focused on the main theme of the weekend: "Out of the Studio and Into the Wider World".  

To be continued.... ;-)

Three Posts -- but Not Here

This weekend I created three blog posts -- but not here.

MOB I - thigh

First, I updated Mark on the Body for July 29.  The first section of this project -- MOB I -- is now in the home stretch, and you can read about that HERE.

Second, as part of my work as a Regional Co-Rep, I updated the SAQA Western Canada Blog to showcase one of our member's latest achievements.  You can read about Diane and the Alberta Society of Artists' touring exhibit HERE.

Heaven's Gate - detail

And third, I posted my contribution to the 15 x 15 Group's latest "Reveal"; this one's on the theme of "Architecture" and required the use of a stencil somewhere in the piece.  (You'll recall from my last post the challenge that presented for me!)

You can read about my piece and see and learn about all the wonderfully unique interpretations of this theme HERE.

As we move into August, I find myself with much to do...and more of the same.  I have a hankering to start something new, and as the next 15 x 15 Group theme has already been announced, I might just make a start on that -- with Scarlett O'Hara -- tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I'm linking this up with Nina Marie's Off the Wall Friday...and am going to enjoy some Sabbath time.  Have a good week!

Grumpy

And perhaps also Dopey and Sleepy.

Today is my first full day home since Friday.  The days in between have been full and rich with work, friends, travel and good food...but short on quiet time, exercise, and -- to some extent -- sleep.   In other words, I've been operating outside my routine and though I have a long list of 'to do's' for today, I can already tell that very few of them will be crossed off that list by this evening.

For example, I wanted to rake the front lawn today so I could apply "Turf Builder" -- with a view to restoring some of the damage done by last year's dew worms.  However, it's far too windy, so that will have to wait.

I have a mini and some fabric post cards to finish for the Lacombe Show, though, and those will probably get done:

That one you see on the bottom?  I finished it on Saturday morning...

Blue Moon (C) 2016

And realized that while at the Central Alberta Quilters' Guild show that afternoon, I'd need to track down at least one more piece of dark blue fabric that would take deColorant well, if I were going to make any more "moon" pieces.  I did find it, as well as a couple meters of wonderful batik for landscapes (Hamel's Fabrics, a long-time favourite), and some fat quarters (yarn-dyed from A Threaded Needle) and single meter cuts ('regular' cotton, in the Japanese taupes from Quilter's Dream, Vancouver) for the Japanese Taupe Quilt (aka the JTQ or the Wedding Quilt).  The Superior Threads distributor (Cotton Mill Threadworks) was there, too, so I bought another spool of King Tut (in whites) and several packs of needles -- 90/14 for 'regular' use and 60/8 for tiny, fine work.

My friend C and I had a great time at the show, especially enjoying demos (she went to one on rulers for Dresden designs, while I went to one on working with kimono silks), and the wonderful work of my friend, Annette Johnstone of Red Deer who was the Featured Artist for this 25th Anniversary edition of the show.  I didn't take photos of her collection this year -- you'll have to take my word that each piece is fabulous! -- but here she is with one of her needle-turned, hand-quilted beauties, when it won Best Of Show in 2014.  (I think it's title is "Friends of Baltimore", but don't quote me on that!)

So...while I go off and work on the last of my minis and cards, how about you pour a cuppa and enjoy a few of the photos I did take...mainly SAQA members (there are 4 of us in Central Alberta and 3 of us had pieces in this show), and a few others that really caught my eye.

First, a collection from Patti Morris, SAQA JAM (Juried Artist Member) and former SAQA Western Canada Co-Rep (Alberta):

Blue Heron for Mom

Alberta Turbines

Alberta Dinosaurs Rock!

Lazy M Sweat Lodge

As you can probably tell, Patti is known for her large, colourful pieces -- but not all are pictorial.  She enjoys creating abstract too:

City from the Air

Red, White, Black and Dots

And these from Wendy Greber, a SAQA Artist Member:

Galaxy - juried into the
National Juried Show,
Quilt Canada, 2015

Love of Fall

"Z" is for Zebra - Pattern by Susan Filer

Wendy and me, side-by-side
(L) Edging into Spring (mine)
(R) Alberta Trees #2 (Wendy)

Then there are a few special ones I had to photograph...the first being from a multi-talented needle-woman and crafter, Mary Vanson of Red Deer, to whom I was recently introduced.  She does delightful figurative work, as well as piecing:

Once Upon a Summer

Goodie and Peter: 1910

And these pieces, incorporating vintage fabric and/or linens...

Stitches of My Heritage
Shirley Cullum
includes hand-embroidered dresser scarves
from her mother and grandmother,
as well as vintage fabric from her mother-in-law

Then and Now
Candace Cullum

Vintage Love
Terry Rowland
A Battenburg table-topper
used at her daughter's wedding and
lovingly preserved in a quilt

Linking up to WIP Wednesday over at The Needle and Thread Network...and hope you enjoy the rest of your week!