The Art Quilt Association (AQuA)

62 MEMBERS

Issue #17 – May 2007

www.theartquiltassociation.com

The goal of AQuA is to explore textile manipulation and

 the diversity of mixed media as an art form.

Next meeting – Saturday, May 19th 9:30 a.m., DHS Building

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Bridges:  The news is in and it's great !  ALL pieces submitted for our "Bridges" show at Denver National 07 were accepted by our Juror, Faye Anderson.

The pieces that she selected to go on our website that she felt were representative for their Depth and Quality are the following:

Forever Home by Jolene Stratton

River Tyne by Ann Tregilgas

Cattle Guard by Susan Strickland

On The Way to Key West by Sandra Hoefner

Down Dog by Jan Warren

The Members choice for their favorite for our postcard goes to Kathy Schattleitner for "Moonshine Over The Belt."  Congratulations to Kathy for a really lovely piece of fiber art.

The Juror's choice, for her favorite, goes to Jan Warren for "Down Dog."  Congratulations to Jan for a really unique and wonderful piece.

Faye Anderson was very complimentary on all of the submitted work and recognizes the growth that the members have all made.

Thanks for putting your best work out there....it will be a GREAT show !

Thanks, Susan Strickland

All pieces shipped to Denver on April 25, 2007.

Also Mancuso is taking Bridges to 2 other venues.

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Please bring your show and tell, techniques you have tried, books that you have run onto, classes or events you have heard about.  All of this information keeps the creative flow going.  Do your part!

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Design Boot Camp: Drill Sergeant Deborah Snider

On Contrast  - See Back for copy of information

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Demos: Fabric Post Card

Making a Fabric Post Card

• Remember the main rule in making these is to HAVE FUN.  Try a new technique, try adding embellishments like beads or Angelina, use a color that isn’t normally “you”, or use a photo transfer, or Shiva paint sticks.  Play with the design process.
• Cut a piece of fabric about 4” x 6”. This will be trimmed later. This is the final size we need for our Creamery show/sale. Yes, these postcards can be mailed as long as they are regulation size, no more than 1/8” thick and have the word “Postcard” on the back at the top.   Postage is generally 39 cents in the USA, 55 Cents for Canada and Mexico and 75 Cents for overseas.  Use the self stick on kind of stamps as they adhere to fabric better and request hand cancellation.
• Create the front of your card, using whatever technique(s) you want. Now’s the time to put into play all those things that our drill sergeant taught us about line, shape, colors, balance, etc………… you remember all the rest, don’t you?   If you want to add stitching or embellishments to the front now is the time to do that. Add the fusible to the wrong side of the front at this time.  Follow the fusible instructions for whatever product you chose.
• The next step is to add the information to the back of the postcard. I stabilize this back with freezer paper.  It makes it easier to write on with a Pigma pen or permanent gel roller pens.  You could also fuse the layers together and then add your writing, if you prefer.  I also use a stamp to imprint the postcard onto the back.  The post office requires that the word “Postcard” be on the back somewhere.
• Fuse the back to the front layer; again follow the fusible maker’s instructions.  Trim the postcard to the size needed.
• The next step is to finish the edges, using machine stitching, like a satin stitch or narrow zigzag stitch.
• ADMIRE your art work.  Wasn’t it fun to make?

TIPS:  Your basically making a small quiltlet.

You can use heavy card stock(paper) for the address side rather than fabric. For the middle, you can use Peltex, Timtex, Fast2Fuse, Wonderunder. Peltex has fusible on both sides called Peltx 72.  I use upholstery stiffner.  The best pen to use is one with pigment ink, like Pigma or permanent gel roller pens.  You can make a 12” x 12” piece and then cut it into 4 postcards.

Here are some web sites with good information/pictures about making fabric postcards.

http://www.art2mail.com/faq.php

http://debrichardson.blogspot.com/2005/09/how-to-make-fabric-postcard-debr-style.html

http://www.postmarkdart.com/index.php

http://dollmakersjourney.com/fabricpostcards.html

http://interweave.richfx.com.edgesuite.net/catalog_interweave/Fiber_Valentines/index.aspx?rfx_passback=Fiberarts magazine

http://www.quiltinartsblog.com/quilting_arts_blog/2006/08/fabric_collage_.html

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From the Desk of Marge Fox

We get all sorts of mail at our website, recently we heard from a Linda Matthews who was trying to sell us a workshop.  www.linda-matthews.com  She lives in Florida and I pointed out the problem of transportation expenses, suggesting she call me if she was coming anywhere near here, which she agreed to do. In her last note she said:

 “I enjoyed your website very much, and love the work that some of your members are doing particularly the piece on the frontpage by Tana LaDuke - just love those colors.” 

I enjoy checking and responding to our mail, thought I should share this one with you all.  marge fox

TANA, more nice words about that wonderful piece! 

On our website we received two very nice messages from a gal who went there after seeing us in the Sentinel.  I have combined them so that all her nice words were included, and I wrote back and got her address for our postcard mailings.  Here is what she said:

“Congratulations on your gorgeous artworks and your recent recognition for them!  I read about you in the paper.    I had to look at everybody's quilts and am blown away!  They are so beautiful AND so expressive of fun!   Good for you all! Yeah!  What fun!

We also accepted to new people to the steering committee. Jane Elderetta and Kathy Shatlightner.

Linda Matthews wrote

Hi Marge

Thanks for your email. I'll certainly contact you if I'm in your vicinity - I have been to the Peublo area previously. I enjoyed your website very much, and love the work that some of your members are doing particularly the piece on the frontpage by Tana LaDuke - just love those colors. It's also worth remembering that if there are other guilds in your area interested in setting up classes, sharing costs is very economical and as I usually fly out of Orlando, air fares are very reasonable. Thanks again, and hopefully I'll be in touch one day soon.

Regards, Linda

Linda Matthews
Cretaive Textile & Quilting Workshops
www.linda-matthews.com
www.lindamatthews.etsy.com

Subject: workshops

Hi Linda,  I am responding to your e mail of April 26 to the website I manage. www.theartquiltassociation.com.

We are located in western Colorado.  Should you be booking classes in Colorado or Utah, or driving through on your way to classes, shows, etc west of us,  please contact me and I will see if I can’t set up a workshop.  This has worked for us before so just tuck this factoid away in your mind and see if we don’t fall on your ‘path’ sometime.  We are a small group and just cannot afford transportation costs. 

Hi Girls,

Marge Fox got a great press release on the Mancuso website...for those of you who are interested do the following:

Go to www.quiltfest.com

Then on the left click on Quilt Festivals

Then click on Denver National (it's on the first line)

Then click on left side to Online Newsletter

When that page pulls up go down to the 4th little section...it reads "Updated 4/17/07"

Good Article and great picture of Jan Warren's quilt...

Thanks, Susan

GET UP ON THE WEBSITE!

This is how easy it is to have your own page in our Galleries section of our website.

First go to the website, www.theartquiltassociation.com and review other pages for what you like and don’t like.  Make your decisions.

Then, get together the following:

A photo of yourself.  Or not.

A few words about yourself and/or your work.  Or not.

Pictures of  quilts you have made.

                                    I have all entries for our shows, so you needn’t send me those.

                                    Send digital pictures (jpeg) to me via e mail.

                                    Scan paper photos and then e mail them to me.

                                    Have someone burn a CD of images if you cannot e mail them.

                                    Get slides converted to jpegs via one of the stores here in town.

                                    Get Frank Nored to take photos for you.  434-9410

                  Words to go with the pics: titles, years, sizes, blurb about it, for sale or not, etc.

Tell me if you should be linked to another site, and if you want any contact to go through the website or direct to your own e mail address. 

Send me all this stuff in e mails.  It is usually easier to send one attachment at a time but I can receive pretty big e mails if you want to send more. 

After your page is up, send a check for $20 to Susan Strickland.  You’re done!

Marge Fox                                                                                                                     

#####May 19 AQUA meeting will have to move to the upstairs lobby######

‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’

NEWSLETTER:::                                                         I apologize for the delay in the newletter this month.

But when a computer crashes it throws a monkey wrench into all well intended plans.

If  you want to send me info to be in the next newsletter I would like to have it within a week of our meetings and then the newsletter will be sent out the second week after the meeting from now on. 

Madelina Brown

Sherrill Kahn

Sherrill’s website http://www.impressmenow.com

Friday, July 6

Creative Embellishments

Learn new techniques

Geared toward embellishing quilts,clothing,dolls,books

Imagine a class where you can learn many techniques geared to embellishing your creative efforts. The students will learn how to make stuffed fabric pieces, fabric motifs, creative paper and cloth beads, wire seed bead dangles, Tyvek pieces, air dry pieces, fabric motifs, and many other wonderful techniques. The embellishments are ideal for jewelry, decorating dolls and books, decorating clothing, and any other creative endeavor that the student chooses. The student will leave the class with samples of many techniques.

Saturday July 7

Painting Pizzazz – Painting Techniques From A to Z

Create your own painted fabric by learning easy fun techniques

It is best taught as a two day class because the students learn more techniques than in a one day class. Each day is very intensive with demonstrations and hands on experiences by class members. The painting techniques can be used on any surface. Many of the demonstrations will be on cloth, but the painting techniques can be used on paper, wood, cardboard, decorator items, clothing, etc. The workshop will explore easy, fun filled techniques for beginning as well as advanced students. A variety of samples will be shown for inspiration. Some of the techniques included will be sponging, wet into wet techniques, creating textured surfaces, rubber stamping, printmaking, stenciling, and using alternative tools to create art pieces. Each student will leave class with a variety of painted pieces to use in wonderful creative projects. This class is an ideal companion for my books, "Creating with Paint-New Ways, New Materials" and "Creative Stamping with Mixed Media Techniques".

9am to 4PM each day

First Presbyterian Church

3940 27 ½ RD

Classes are $35.00 each

                                                         Cut here

Please sign up for your first and second choice. We anticipate selling all seats. Since AQuA is contributing to the funding of this class, we need to give as many members as possible the benefit of this great pricing.. I will draw from all the entries. Entries must be postmarked by May 5. This drawing will be on May 11. I will then notify members of their class choice(s) and date(s).

I will keep a wait list. Class fees are non refundable but we will help you find someone to fill your seat, if possible.

Name: __________________________________________________________

Phone: __________________________________________________________

Email address: __________________________________________________

Creative Embellishments                           Painting Pizzazz

First Choice ___________                                                First Choice _____________

Second Choice_________                                                 Second Choice____________

   Please enclose your check to cover the class fees with your application

   Mail to:                       Cathy Stewart

Calendar of Events

2007

April 27-July 25:  Gail Perrone has a felted piece showing in the Greeley Museum Fiber Celebration 2007 juried show.

May - North Fork Arts fiber show at The Creamery Arts Center  www.northforkarts.org for further info

May 3-6 – Denver National Show at Merchandise Mart. “Bridges” exhibited.  www.quiltfest.com  Sandra Hoefner featured exhibit “Story Lines.”

May 19 - AQuA meeting.  Deborah Snider Boot Camp on “Emphasis”  Demo – slide show by Karen Holt of Houston 2005 & 2006.  Marge Fox to chair meeting

May 30:  Check local listings for 3-part PBS show, Craft in America.  Starts this month! Looks good.

June – Gail Perrone is “Artist of the Month” at the Creamery Arts Center in Hotchkiss

June 16 – AQuA meeting.  “Stories of our Ancestors” pieces due….no exceptions.  No Demo.   Deborah Snider Boot Camp on “Rhythm”  Christie Barton to chair meeting.

****July 7 – 8 – AQuA - Sherrill Kahn workshop(s) – more info to come.  Cathy Stewart chairperson.

July 13-15 in Montrose, the Black Canyon Quilt Show – at the Pavilion.

July 17-22 – Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum 1st Annual Quilters’ Retreat in the Rockies featuring Carol Bryer Fallert.  www.rmqm.org for further information.

***JULY 20 – Aug 25 – SAQA exhibit “FLOW”, Translations Gallery, Denver, www.saqa.com

July 21 – AQuA meeting.  White Elephant sale and potluck.

Emily Buchanan to do a bead making demo Marge Fox to chair meeting.

August  - Carole O’Brien is “Artist of the Month” at the Main Street Gallery in Glenwood Springs.

August 18 – AQuA meeting.   Art Center Show introduced:  theme and rules discussed. – Christie Barton to do demo 

August 20 to September 7 – The Johnson Gallery at Mesa State hangs “Stories of our Ancestors,” with our exhibit included.

August 24 - Opening reception for “Stories of our Ancestors” from 7:00-9:00 p.m., Johnson Gallery

September 15 – AQuA meeting.  Kari Harvey to chair meeting

September 19–23 – Colorado West Quilters Guild Fall Seminar featuring Karen Combs

October 20 – AQuA meeting.  Postcards due for show at Creamery Arts Center.

November 9 - Postcard show at The Creamery Arts Center, Hotchkiss.

November 10 – AQuA meeting (please note date change)

December 2007 – no meeting

2008

AQUA“Bridges” travels to Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival, Feb 21 – 24

April – Gee’s Bend Quilts Exhibited at Denver Art Museum

May 1-4, AQuA, Denver National III , new exhibit plus member Ruth Field featured.

May 14 – AQuACarol Shinn workshop, Sandra Hoefner

May/June Jane Dunnewold workshop in Ouray?  Susan Opdahl

August 1-30 AQuA exhibit at the Art Center

September ?  AQuA, Cas Holmes workshop?  Jolene Stratton

2009

October 15- 18, AQuA exhibits at Pacific International Quilt Festival, Santa Clara, CA.

Steering Committee members are:  Christie Barton, Jan Warren, Sandra Hoefner, Susan Strickland, Jolene Stratton, Kari Harvey, Marge Fox.  Kathy Shatlightner, and Jane Elderetta

Your newsletter editor is Madelina Brown @

Contrast

“Variety assumes difference and contrast in a work of art is achieved through the juxtaposition of objects or elements that exhibit notable differences from one another. (page 198)

“Contrast in the service of the design principle of variety typically consists of a limited number of dramatically different elements places in proximity to one another so that the differences are stunning.” (page 200)

(Foundations of Art and Design, Lois Fichner-Rathus, Thomson Learning. Inc., 2008)

Line: vertical, diagonal, horizontal

Use a variety of line qualities – for instance delicate, thin line along with thick, undulating lines, or directional lines – for contrast. 

Shape; organic vs. geometric

Mix up the types of shapes you are using, in addition to their size

Color: red vs green

Experiment with how colors look in close proximity.  Do you want subtle harmony or dramatic impact?

Value: light vs. dark

The two terms for value in artwork are chiaroscuro (the use of light and dark values) and tenebrism (the extremely dramatic use of light and dark values).

Texture: rough vs. smooth; dense vs. delicate

Whether working with textural illusion or actually mixing up textures, use variety.

Simultaneous Contrast

When two different colors come into direct contact, the contrast intensifies the difference between them.

Keep Them Guessing

You want to intrigue your audience. What will s/he do next? Keep them coming back for more!

In Dovima with Elephants

Noted photographer Richard Avedon presented his own version of “Beauty and the Beast(s)” by posing a fames fashion model – resplendent in Christian Dior haute couture – before a group of circus elephants.  The model’s smooth, ivory skin versus the wrinkled gray hides of the elephants, her fluid and graceful arm movements versus the awkward confinement of their chained legs; her elegance and civilization versus there clumsiness and animal nature.  Avedon often illustrated the contrast between youth and aging in his photographs, and the variety through contrast in Dovima with Elephants may suggest the transitory nature of beauty and inevitability of physical change with the onset of old age