Glimpses of Quilt National opening. 07-02-13

The opening of Quilt National - 2013 was May 24 and 25 in Athens, OH, at the Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center.  I planned a Road Trip around it, which I enjoyed very much (except for the tornadoes).  But at the time I ran out of steam by the end of the day and didn't blog much about the event.  So, I will do so in little drips and drabs over the next few weeks. 


On Sunday everyone who could squeezed into the gallery to hear the artists speak about their work and the specific quilt they have in QN '13. In the center of this picture is Marianne Burr talking about "Thru the Lens".  Marianne says that she is primarily an embroiderer and her quilts are covered with very detailed even hand stitching to create the image.  Her quilt is the cover of the catalog.  www.marianneburr.com
In the background are quilts by Anne Smith, Catherine Kleeman, and Susan Shie.
 

One activity that the artists seem to enjoy is acquiring the signatures of the other artists. They carry their catalogs around and form these little knots of autograph hunters.  I usually join in, but I didn't do much of it this time - don't know why.  Here we have Kris Sazaki (of the Pixeladies and also President elect of SAQA), Susan Polansky, Leslie Bixel, Beth Smith (Director of Visions Art Museum/SDiego), and Deb Cashatt (the other half of the Pixeladies).  Background left is "Bow" by Sylvia Gegaregian and on the right, "Moonset" by Brienne Elisabeth Brown.
 

Deidre Adams with her quilt "Tracings III"  60"square.
This is one of my favorites in this exhibit.  She has used the technique/style that she has developed over the past years, refining and "growing" it into this amazing blend of texture and color.  This quilt sold immediately or I would have added it to TCQC.  The image in the catalog doesn't do it justice and neither does this one - one too dark and this one with a gallery spot shining directly on it.  www.deidraadams.com

 

Here is a close up of Deidra's quilt.  It has been heavily quilted and then painted so that the higher parts of the surface show the paint.  The white rings are added by hand around each "rock".
 

"Solar City" by Katherine Knauer who stands beside her quilt talking of her art.  That is not a microphone in her hand, but a recording device set up by QN staff. 
This is one of the most "traditional" quilts in the exhibit, but only by comparison to what else is hanging.  I think this is the "happiest/sunniest" quilt in the exhibit.  No website.
 

"No One But You" was made by Susan Polansky (picture above) and is another of my favorites.  The details are marvelous and viewed from a distance it just made me smile.  Another happy quilt.  www.susanpolansky.com
 

Isn't it amazing that these details read as they do from a distance.
 

 
"The Conversation" and artist Mary Ann Tipple.  This diptych is 72"W and 92"L.  A large piece that makes a striking impression from a distance.  It is hung at the end of the gallery so that it can be seen when visitors first walk through the door.  This is Mary Ann's father and his sister in the late 1930s.  She comments "since they are on two panels they can be switched to positions of agreement and disagreement.  I admire Mary Ann's work very much and have one of her large quilts (but not this large!) in TCQC.  This quilt sold at the opening.
www.textilearttipple.com
 

Road Trip -Athens, OH - Paducah, KY 05-28-13

I am writing this in Metropolis, IL, just seven miles from Paducah, because the HIE only had smoking rooms in Paducah (I'd rather sleep in my car) and the clerk directed me to this location.  However, I was so tired and feeling a bit puny, so I went to bed early and was asleep by 11pm Central Time.  And not up until 7:30am or so.  Feeling great today - amazing what a good night's sleep can do for me.  I did wear my earplugs to keep out all the unaccustomed noises and the banging of doors - endemic to motels I find. 

All that said, this is the post for Tuesday, May 28th - a bit of a catch-up look at my travels.


The University Inn looked lovely with white painted fences and railings and fresh spring flowers, mostly in pots.  But having stayed over a day I realized that the decor was probably for the two weddings that took place whilst I was there.  One on Sunday evening at four with the four bridesmaids in an earthy grey, each with a different neckline.  Is this the trend now?   On Monday the plant company came and removed many of the pots and tidied up what was left.  I had planned on photographing a gorgeous pot on the front steps, but I waited too long and it was gone when I went out to the car. 
 

One pot that remained is this arborvitae with a white trumpet vine growing up through the tree.  I pointed out to the plant guy that there is a bird's nest deep inside.  He said he knew and then he talked my ear off about everything under the sun. I had to excuse myself and go back into my room until he left so I could take the pictures I wanted.
  

Here is a view of the bird's nest - I was too short to get a view from above.  But you can see the fuzzy top knot of the baby bird - I believe there was only one.  I had watched the adult(s) flit in and out as they returned to feed the chick and then take off for more ,,more  ..more!  I believe it is a robin's nest, but could never get a good look at the adult(s) since I had other things to do beside waiting for them to appear.
 

 
This is the little herb garden at the Dairy Barn Arts Center.  It is enclosed with a tall fence and has a weighted gate that will close automatically.  I presume it is to keep out deer.  I sat on this bench for a half an hour on Monday, watching the birds and contemplating the green-ness of Ohio.  I had a broad brimmed hat to protect me from the sun. 


And then I was on the road again, this leg (498 miles) was from Athens to Paducah.  I had thought about stopping there before I left CA, but left the decision for later.  When I mentioned that I was thinking of bypassing the National Quilt Museum someone asked, "When were you there last?  When will you ever be this close again?"  Good point, I may never be here again, which made the decision for me.

I took a surface road that goes along the river through many little towns.  Not much traffic and a chance to see something other than the Interstates.  Lots of living going on across this huge country and it is nice to have a glimpse now and then.  Makes one appreciate what one has in their own part of the world.  I was not attracted to this sign, but to what was displayed all around it.
 

There were somewhere close to a hundred colorful gliders, rockers, and stationary "chairs" in these bright colors.  I imagine the makers have stocked up for the summer tourist season.  The inventory is all made on site and, of course, the owner figured I was a customer and came out to greet me.  He was friendly and said pictures were okay.  I took the shot of the sign before I left - if you are ever looking for lawn chairs along county road 7 in Ohio you'll know where to stop!
 

Lots of Interstate with few vehicles.  I felt like it was MY highway.  Blue sky with some clouds, a bit of a sprinkle now and then, lots of lush green trees and bushes and some wild flowers.   The temperature was in the mid-eighties.
 

Naturally, since it is summer, there was some of this, but not much.  With so little traffic it was difficult to slow to the designated speeds - down to 35mph in places. 
 

I'm always amazed by the layers of earth that are exposed in road cuts and I take a lot of  inspiration images to use in the future.
 

Take from the bridge between Paducah and Metropolis, IL. 

Quilt National '13 05-26-13

This was the last day of the opening events for Quilt National 2013 in Athens, OH. What a great weekend it has been with so many of this year's artists attending.  Here are a few people pictures.


Karen Rips - Thousand Oaks, CA - with her quilt "High Water Mark" 29"W x 46"L
 

Del Thomas in front of Jan Myers-Newbury's "Tilt-a-Whirl" 89"w x 63"L 
One of the artists thought I looked perfect in front of this quilt and took a picture with my camera. 
 

Elizabeth Barton - Athens, GA - talks about her quilt "Legacy" (44"W x 62"L).
 

Kris Sazaki carried this great purse embellished with flattened bottle caps.

Elin Noble - New Bedford, MA - talks about her quilt "Fugitive Pieces 11" which won the Quilts Japan Prize.  45"w x 65"L

I'll be on the road heading home tomorrow, but haven't decided on a route yet. 

Quilt National - a full day 05-25-13

As you can see, it is much too late for me to be up.  But I wanted to show you a bit of QN '13.


"My Town by the River"  Pamela Allen - Kingston, Ontario, Canada  60"W x 48"L
I like Pamela's work - a lot - although I cannot add some of her quilts to TCQC, because they are too embellished.   She said she is trying to work in more monochromatic values right now.  This is her first time in QNational.   
 

Karen Rips with husband Ted.  Karen's very original quilt "High Water Mark" is hanging and I did take a picture of her with it.  But that will have to wait for another post.
 

"The Conversation"  Mary Ann Tipple - Elyria, Ohio 72"Wx92"L
I met Mary Ann when I came to the QN opening in 2009 and I think her work is exceptional.  A few years ago I added one of her quilts to TCQC, but have yet to post it on my Sunday blog.  The people in the quilt are her dad and his sister.
Mary Ann's quilt won the QSDS and was purchased at the opening.
 

The quilt "Springfield" by Brooke Atherton - Billings, MT., won the Best of Show award.  It is encrusted with many small found items - rocks, glass, pieces of wood, paper - and more.
I don't have an ID on the woman on the right.
 

"Sunlit Canyon" by Patty Hawkins is one of several quilts that sold immediately, but not to me!  The quilt is 52"W x 28"L.  Most of Patty's quilts depict some aspect of aspen trees, she lives in Estes Park, CO.

Tomorrow is the last of the events and I will have to decide on a route to go home.  But I may stay here another night just to reorganize and get a little extra rest.  It is 1am now - much too late.   But I am having a great time.    

Friday Feet 05-24-13

I drove 2354 miles in five days and arrived here at 2pm an hour early for check-in at the SAQA conference.  Timed it just right - but not intentionally.  I thought I would arrive here yesterday so I would have a chance to rest and re "set" my brain.  Oh, well, I'll get my brain working tomorrow!

This late afternoon was the opening of Quilt National '13 with quite a crowd.  The quilts are, as expected, wonderful and there are at least ten that I would like to buy.  But I don't have the money.  I may buy one or two.  However, all the quilts travel for at least two years, so I wouldn't receive the quilts until sometime in 2015.  I'll look again when there are fewer people milling about. 

I only took two pictures today.


Considering how cold it was today - mid 50's - I was surprised to see so many women and men in sandals.  These are nice with the shiny surface reflecting the light.  But no stockings - horrors.
 

 
And I took this picture of a beautiful hand-dyed jacket.  I tried to get around to her front side to read her name tag, but she moved off and I couldn't find her again. 

Road Trip - First day (05-19-13) Posted 05-22-13

It appears that the problem I have been having with Blogger has gone away - or maybe hiding out to hit me again.  Here are a few images from the first day.


Anyone who has traveled with me knows that one BIG reason I want to drive everywhere is that I want to take everything with me.  Here is proof that I can pack light.  Some of this stuff is permanently in my car, no matter where I am, like the box of bottled water on the left, and my little folding stool in the blue tote bag on the right.
 

You will notice that the back seat is in seating configuration instead of flat for cargo.  And look at that huge empty space beside my "bed bag".  I don't want anything to shift as I am driving so I pulled the black Empty Spools bag down to stabilize the load.  I still hang my shirts and pants on a clothes pole so that they won't be wrinkled when I want to wear them.
 

Here is one of my favorite signs.  It is located on the ramp from I-15 to the beginning of I-40, just east of Barstow.  Every time I see it I am tempted to just keep driving until I reach the Atlantic Ocean - all the way on I-40.  After this trip I don't think I will be quite so tempted. 

This is day four of my drive to Athens, Ohio, (a gorgeous, sunny day in the mid-70's) and I am spending the night in Springfield, MO.  I still have about 700 miles to go before I am at my destination, but I did 652 miles today and I believe I can do the remaining miles in one and a half days.  I hope to find some time to post some pictures tomorrow evening or Friday.   

Another Road Trip 05-19-13

I'm on another Road Trip.  This time to Athens, Ohio, for Quilt National opening and the SAQA symposium.  As usual I had a hard time getting everything done and actually on the road.  But I didn't go far, I'm spending the night in Barstow.  Tomorrow I'll turn east on I-40 and go 1214 miles to Oklahoma City before turning NE.  Haven't decided exactly what route I will take from there.  I only have four and a half days and it is a lot of miles. 

If you are in Athens, please look me up.  Short, fat lady who always wears a hat! 

Monday Browsing 05-28-12

Song from the 1950s http://www.flixxy.com/the-diamonds-little-darlin-1957-2004.htm
[Oh, be still my heart!! Del]   Note: the singer on the left is Tom Hanks’ father.

Carol Ann Waugh is a Denver, CO. artist who does amazing things with the fancy stitches on her sewing machine and makes her quilts even more wonderful by adding hand stitching. She has a new self published book, “Stupendous Stitching”, which is overflowing with ideas, hints, instructions and great pictures. http://www.carolannwaugh.com/   The Quilt Show posted a little video with some of her work: http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d7a45324e7a63334d7a413d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link

One of the Blogs I regularly enjoy is Sherrie Spangler’s “Sherrie Loves Color” http://sherriequilt.blogspot.com/   She does love BRIGHT color and is an excellent photographer. If you live in or are traveling to the Seattle area you should check back in her blog for some of her favorite destinations in the area. Recently she highlighted Bellingham - who knew?

Quilt National '13 is open for entries for the 2013 show with an entry deadline of September 14, 2012. The 2013 show will be accepting entries online only. The process is very simple. Just go to the Quilt National Web Page   http://www.dairybarn.org/quilt/    and use the link to access the Slideroom entry programming. You will need to give them only email and contact information to access the entry forms. You can fill out the entry information and upload your images in one easy session - or you can save a partial entry and come back and edit before you submit. We are looking forward to this new technology and hope that it will ease the entry process for everyone!

I’ve always enjoyed Melody Johnson’s quilts and have one in the Collection.

http://www.delquilts.blogspot.com/search/label/Melody%20Johnson
She has a fabulous sense of color and most of her quilts are very bright and ‘sunny’. She is only a sometime quiltmaker these days, instead working to create an extensive and gorgeous garden, waiting on their two dear little pug dogs, and creating great hand knitted garments. But the pendulum will surely swing back to quilting one of these days. Check out her quilt galleries: http://www.wowmelody.com/Pages/Galleries.html

I love this image now being circulated on the Internet.


"So, what are you looking at?"