"Between Heaven and Earth" to make a showing

I was totally thrilled to find out this morning that my work, "Between Heaven and Earth," has been accepted into the upcoming "Plant Life" show at the Linus Art Galleries in Long Beach/Signal Hill, California.

"Between Heaven and Earth" ©Linda Friedman 2012

This 38" (W) x 48" (L) quilted work contains elements of hand painting, stamping with flora from my garden, machine and hand applique, and free motion quilting.  It first debuted with the Quilts on the Wall, "Bridges" exhibit and traveled throughout the United States for two years.  Again, it appeared with Beyond the Edge Fiber Artists in the "Fiber Perceptions" exhibit at the Cerritos Public Library in Cerritos, California .  Now, this fiber friend of mine comes back to take another stroll with me, this time into an outstanding art gallery.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoy greeting each new day.  Surprises always await the rising sun.

Always remember, never fear to experiment.  

Sometimes wonderful things happen.

© Linda Friedman 2016.  All rights reserved

Tribute to Red Circles, Birds and Friendship

I am so touched by Mia Bloom paying tribute to our friendship in her Collage #29 that I must write about this today.  There couldn't be a better way to describe who a person is than to illustrate that person's likes.  Mia certainly did this in her Collage #29.  She wrote that I love red circles and birds and then produced this wonderful collage.

Mia Bloom's "Collage #29"

My appreciation for a solitary red circle harkens back many decades to an evening when my mother and I attended an art exhibit at UCLA.  When we walked into the exhibit, we came face to face with a painting the size of a wall.  It was all white with the exception of a big red circle.  At that time neither my mother nor I could figure out why this was considered art.

Over the years I have learned how very important placement, balance (or lack of it),  and color are in a work of art.  Periodically a circle, sometimes a red circle, will appear in my own art and each time, I smile as I reflect upon that painting we saw many years ago.  I shared that story with Mia some time ago and she remembered it. 

Here is a stark example of my thinking about that same red circle.

"On the Edge"

Now, for the reference to birds...Somehow, birds keep popping up in my art.  Some are in flight, some are not, but but every so often they manage to creep into my work one way or another.  Just the other day I caught a glimpse of a loudly chirping little bird atop a telephone pole.  Because ledges and heights are not among my favorite places to be, I had a fleeting moment of compassion for the little feathered fellow.  Instantly, my mind acknowledged that birds can fly and I figured that if I, too, could fly, heights would not longer be threatening.  Perhaps I have a hidden desire to be able to fly.

All that being said, Mia Bloom tapped into the essence of the things that make me tick and for her to take the time to put her creative thoughts into action to recognize the Linda of Linda is an honor, indeed.  Thank you, Mia Bloom. 

I highly recommend that you check out Mia's collages on her blog.  She describes her 30 collages as a self imposed challenge to create a collage a day, in 30 minutes, for 30 days. 

Always remember, never fear to experiment.  

Sometimes wonderful things happen.

© Linda Friedman 2014.  All rights reserved.

Turn Fabric Scraps into Art

If I were a betting woman, I'd wager that anyone who creates anything with fabric has a scrap bag filled with remnants of fabrics that are just too great to toss.  This construction consists of some of those prized fabric pieces in my ever growing stash of scraps.

It started with a few pieces serendipitously appearing next to each other on my worktable--a scrap of drop cloth canvas, a few mottled fabrics.  Also on the table was a collection jar of buttons.  All these items were singing to me.  Even though I was knee deep into another project, I was drawn to "play" with them just for the pure fun of it.

This remains a thought in progress.  I've thought of using it as a starting point for a larger work but am now considering surrounding it with a black border and then mounting it on a colored fabric background, making a frame and then stretching it like an artist canvas around the frame.

Here is one idea that is percolating in the mysterious recesses of my mind.

Meanwhile, I need to get back to working on a piece that has a deadline which will come all too soon if I continue to play with this piece.

One last word...Don't forget to check out the Quilting Daily blog next Friday, July 18, 2014 to start the blog hop with artists from Quilting Arts TV, Series 1400. 

Always remember, never fear to experiment.  

Sometimes wonderful things happen.

 © Linda Friedman 2014.  All rights reserved.

"Small Works" Exhibit at the Chait Galleries Downtown

I am totally elated to report that the artist reception for the "Small Works" at the Chait Galleries Downtown in Iowa City, Iowa, is this coming Friday and kicks off a two-month show.  It is rewarding to know that three of my works were juried into the show and will hang along side paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works.  Pictures of the gallery show it to be a fantastic venue for art.

 

Chait Galleries, Downtown

 Here are my three works that were accepted into the "Small Works" Show.

"Blowing in the Breeze" (6"x6" mounted)

"Water Spirit" (6"x6" mounted)

"Soaring" (6"x6" mounted)

All contents of this blog © 2007-2013 Linda Friedman / Linda's Art Quilts  All rights reserved.

Tea Bags and Checkerboards - Surface Design Surprise

I'm still cleaning brushes and tools on fabric instead of paper towel.  Glory, glory, another tree is saved and the results are great fun.  Just wish that I had been doing this before. 

The first layer of blues, yellows and golds came from cleaning brushes that I used in a bird painting for a challenge quilt that I have been developing.

The second layer emerged by using screen printing ink that remained on tools that I was using for another project.  I grabbed a foam checker board stamp and somewhat randomly stamped over the first layer

After enjoying an afternoon glass of iced tea, I opened the tea bag, cleaned out the tea leaves, rinsed it and laid it flat to dry.  Just couldn't leave well enough alone.  Some apples were almost over ripe and instead of throwing them into the compost bin, I cut one in half and made a print on the tea bag.  After it was completely dry and heat set with an iron, I used matte gel medium to make it a part of the fabric.

Enough is still not enough...at least I don't think it is.  We shall see what does or does not develop from here.  I suppose it will depend on what colors will need to be cleaned off of tools from the next project.

It is great fun seeing what develops when there is no plan or preconceived idea.  Onward!

Cinderellee, Cinderelleee Dress Form - Journal Page

When I adorn the paper mache dress form with my one of a kind fiber arts, I hope that thoughts of fanciful little birds will offer their inspiration.

Paper Mache Full Dress Form

Childhood memories lead to images flitting through my head from fancy filled Disney films. Since I'm always exploring different ways to display my fiber arts works, the concept of a new paper mache dress form began it's first stage of actualization in my journal.

The idea starts to take shape. The figure is approximately 36" tall. I can't wait for the front of the figure to dry so that I can start to paper mache the back side. All of this was constructed from the Saturday newspaper.

Airbrushing a Moroccan Theme

I've been asked by a professional stager to do the fiber art work for a Moroccan themed gala that is coming up within the next week and a half and now must figure a way to dye and paint twelve 10' fabric panels very quickly. I've never used an airbrush or compressor before but if I can reach a modicum of control over the tool, this may facilitate meeting the deadline. I'll need to follow my own advice, ,"Never fear to experiment", and so I will just jump in and see what emerges.

Wildlife Habitat Certification

It is indeed a happy day. My property and studio are situation on land that has been officially designated as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. The joy of creating is always amplified by views through 24 large windows into the bowers of a huge Sycamore tree and the eye-to-eye visits from many a feathered friend.