JUST A BIT OF FABRIC AND THREAD

Marion and Ms. Mandela who is a visiting from South Africa

Visiting the Michigan State Museum Archives was educational and fun.  There was so much cool stuff to see in addition to the quilts.  The staff was wonderful and graciously lead tours of their collections.  When I wasn't drooling over quilts I was wanting to see hats and shoes.  I am also very honored to have my quilt "Angry Young Men" included in the museum collection.  Whoopee!

Stacks of quilts to be viewed during the behind the scenes tour of the museum collections.

Wonderful African quilts top and below

Quilt detail of children playing soccer.

 Let me stop right now and give many thanks to the Michigan State Museum and staff members for allowing photography of the work and permission to show it.

Donkey quilt.  I'm lucky to have a small donkey panel that my Aunt Corine gave me.  She is 100 years old and her birthday is next Friday, February 25th.  Here's to her making 101.  Did I mention she still makes quilts and lives independently.  How's that for a quilt family legacy.

Quilt lovers one and all including a quilter from Colorado, Marion, Dr. Mazloomi, Ms. Mandela and Dr. Marsha McDowell, Museum Curator of Folk Arts

 Michigan quilter, Dr. Mazloomi, Ms. Mandela, Dr. McDowell and Colorado quilter.  If you ladies see this write and give me your names again.  You know how we seniors are.  Dr. Patricia Turner, fellow guild member had just given a lecture at the symposium but I missed getting her in these shots.

These are a sample of the quilts from the Benberry Collection that we came to see as part of the Cuesta Benberry Symposium.  We were treated to a lecture and video presentation about The Skin Project video by Lauren Cross,  Dr. Mazloomi, Dr. Patricia Turner and Kyra Hicks were among the distinguished speakers.  The whole thing was topped off with a tasty reception and welcome presentation by the museum director.  You couldn't ask for more than that.

Cuesta's Choice Quilt by Hazel Carter

Black Family Quilt by Dr. Mazloomi

Sampler by Cuesta Benberry

Little Brown Koko Quilt by Jeannie Cuddy, 1943

Visit this link to see an article I wrote for the Alliance for California Traditional Arts

http://www.actaonline.org/content/examining-quilt-legacies

It's always a pleasure to get together with fellow quilt lovers and I am hoping there will be more quilt retreats and symposiums that I can enjoy in 2011.  In the meantime keep making art.

 

ART ON THE RUN

Art making has been exciting and rewarding since I last made a post.  It was my good fortune to have traveled to Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan in October to participate in the Cuesta Benberry Symposium,  I had a chance to meet new friends and reconnect with Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi and Kyra Hicks.  The weather was beautiful and I was able to add to my collection of utility covers and public art images.

These scenes of the creek running through the campus provided inspiration for future landscape pieces.  I enjoyed meandering around looking at gates, bicycles and students going about the business of campus life.

I love this tree with it silver branches.  I have it on my bulletin board with the hope of recreating it's wispy appearance.

 This garden gate sparked my interest as I explore sculptural forms for future projects.  

As always I went in search of utility covers.  I like these because they are in grass.  Here's a bit a green before the snow that has been blanketing the area recently.

I particularly like this one with the debris all around it.  Each has a different pattern/design and I'm always looking for that.

Now I have to learn to make digital prints since these covers are really catching my fancy.

Which one is your favorite?  More than one meets the cut, let me know what you think.

When I visited Japan in fall of 2009 I began looking at bicycles as art.  They had all types including many with seats for children.  On campus they are an affordable mode of transportation and came in many colors and styles.

 I like the style of the pink bike but I would want it in purple or bright red.  You know what I always say, put something shiny on it!

 The public art on and near the campus is also very interesting.  I had a chance to take photos while I listened the the MSU band practice.  You could hear them clearly and it made me want to march.  Don't you just love the enthusiasm of youth.

The large abstract sculpture was wonderful and is in marked contrast to this figurative sculpture on the edge of campus.  As a public artist I am always looking at the presentations of other artists.  The photo tile pillars are an option I may pursue in the future.  There's always so much to see and explore and I hope you enjoy this mini trip to East Lansing.

 

This shot shows the beginning of the pillars and they are all aligned so you can't see the others behind this one.

Doesn't this abstract piece make you want to dance?  Go for it!