“The Quilt Show’s May 20 daily post included photos from special exhibits from Denver National Quilt Festival.  AQuA members Lea McComas’ piece made for the exhibit Quilt for Change, and Janet Schupp’s piece from A Walk in the Woods Encore were selected.”

“The Mending” by Lea McComas

“A Walk in the Donnersberg” by Janet Schupp

Posted by Rita Faussone 5/22/13

Additional information concerning this show has been posted under AQuA Show Info – Main Street Grand Junction 2013.  Please read it all carefully and fill out the appropriate form.

The first document spells out the guidelines for temporary art exhibits at City Hall and the second page is the Artwork Loan Agreement, which must be filled out and attached to all entries.

The second document is a Reception Flyer which you can print off and give to your friends and family.

Posted by Rita Faussone 5/17/13

“Who’s Walking” by Christie Barton

Even though I thought I had corrected all the dates on the Entry Form and CFE for the Main Street exhibit, I discovered that I had not!   So, if you have printed it off and find it rather confusing date wise, please print off a new copy.  Everything is due on June 15th.  If you have any questions, please contact me.  Thanks to Beth Bottorff for bringing this to my attention.

Posted by Rita Faussone 5/10/13

“Beneath the Red Plum Tree” by Tana LaDuke

The deposits for the Mickey Lawler workshops (Paints on Fabric) and (Painting Landscape Fabrics) will be due at the May AQuA meeting.  The deposit for each class is $100.

In addition there is a $40 supply fee for the 3-day class and $25 supply fee for the 2-day class, both payable to Mickey Lawler.

“Dunes” by Mickey Lawler

Posted by Rita Faussone 4/21/13

Calling all Artists!!

The Raw Canvas is looking to add new Fine Artist, painters, illustrators, sculptures, etc., to our gallery. We are a co-op styled art gallery and put on big shows every other month with live music, food and local wines! If interested please click the link below and fill out our application! Have art friends? Feel free to share with them as well!!
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Active, positive, participating members creating work which is realistically priced and professionally/artistically presented. We are always looking for work which is unique to our gallery and has a high standard of quality and marketability. Keep in mind that we do have limited exhibit space so it is important to get your application in asap if you wish to be a member. We are always excited to see new styles and media!

TO APPLY:

1. Membership Application
2. Membership Agreement
3. Current Artist Statement
4. CD/DVD with 3 current pieces of art

Ready to apply?!?  Click HERE

“Highland Lakes, Sunshine on my Nose” by Daniela Schupp

Posted by Rita Faussone 4/21/13

Sue Benner’s “Driven to Abstraction” workshop was a great success.  From what I heard everyone in the class had a great time and learned so much.

Posted by Rita Faussone 4/20/13

PLEASE NOTE:   There are 2 (two) classes, a 2-day and a 3-day.  DEPOSITS WILL BE TAKEN AT MAY AQUA MEETING

Mickey Lawler Painting On Fabric Workshop: Sept. 11,12,13. Cost $250.00 with lunch included at Grand Vista Hotel.

List of those already signed up: Susan Strickland, Kathy Schattleitner, Georgina Chapman, Kathleen Malvern, Suzanne Barnhart, Laurie Marks, Jan Warren, Tana LaDuke, Daniela Schupp, June Colosimo, Angela Kenley, Gail Ristow, Cindy Williams, Christie Barton, Beth Bottorff, Gjeneve Hopkinson, Carol Patten, Maureen Koski, Susan Madden and Pam Franklin.  CLASS FILLED

Mickey Lawler Painting Fabric for Landscapes Workshop: Sept. 14 and 15. Cost 175.00 with lunch included at Grand Vista Hotel.

List of those already signed up: Susan Strickland, Kathy Schattleitner, Georgina Chapman, Kari Harvey, Emily Buchanan, Debbie Hughes, Bev Cormier, Beth Bottorff, Sue Van Voorhees, Gail Ristow, Rita Faussone.

WAIT LIST FOR PAINTING ON FABRIC:  Eldrid Schafer, Barbara Scott, Casey Pike.

Those on the wait list for the painting on fabric class might consider taking the 2-day landscape class.

Please check under “Upcoming Workshops” for supply lists and class descriptions.

Thanks, Susan Strickland and Kathy Schattleitner/Workshop Co-Chairs

Posted by Rita Faussone 4/14/13

Congratulations to the following quilters who were chosen by juror Sue Benner as Juror’s picks.  She also chose three honorable mention quilts.  Her juror’s statement will appear at the end of this post.

Jurors Pick #1 – “A Walk in Donnersberg” by Janet Schupp.  Also chosen as Member’s favorite.

“A Walk in the Donnersberg”

Juror’s Pick #2  – “Forest Treasures” by Kathleen Malvern.

“Forest Treasures”

Juror’s Pick #3 – “Lichen Hikin’” by Susan Van Voorhees

“Lichen Hikin’”

Juror’s Pick #4 – “Pioneer Cabin” by Terry Lee

“Pioneer Cabin”

Juror’s Pick #5 – “My Garden Shed” by Pam Franklin

“My Garden Shed”

Honorable Mention – “Yellowstone Revisited” by Susan Strickland

“Yellowstone Revisited”

Honorable Mention – “Aspen Trees in Autumn Splendor” by Cindy Williams

“Aspen Trees in Autumn Splendor”

Honorable Mention – “A Walk Along the Canal” by Nancy Vanaken

“A Walk Along the Canal”

A Walk in the Woods—Encore
Juror’s Statement by Sue Benner
April 2013

Thank you for inviting me to jury and judge the quilts for the exhibition, A WALK IN THE WOODS—ENCORE.  What a pleasure it was to spend a day, viewing and examining these quilts.  What a luxury it was to have the time to investigate their visual delights, possible meanings, and stories. 

When taking in a quilt or art of any medium, I first respond to the overall effect, the strength of the image.  What impact does it have on first viewing?  Then, how long can I spend exploring its surface, gleaning details not seen from afar?  In the case of an art quilt, I look at how the fabric and thread is used in the creation of the image.  Paint and other embellishments may come into play as well.  Is the craftsmanship appropriate to the style of the work?  And finally, again, back to the overall force of the art quilt—I want to experience all of these elements working together, creating a unified whole.

In this show, approaches vary from representational and naturalistic, to abstract and stylized.  A few quilts include a sense of humor and playfulness.  Color reigns supreme in some while others make beautiful use of a muted or limited palette. 

A WALK IN THE WOODS—ENCORE as a theme is interpreted in various ways.   Some use trees as design elements or symbols.  Others picture sweeping landscape vistas.  There are detailed vignettes and mysterious narratives. 

Given the theme of the show, I am particularly drawn to quilts that have a point of view that places me in the midst of the woods.  With these I feel transported and invited to explore the artist’s wonderland.  LICHEN HIKIN’ reminds me of a childhood fantasyland with hours of exploration to be had.  A WALK IN THE DONNERSBERG brings me right to the snowy woods, perhaps arriving by snowshoe.    FOREST TREASURES leads me to ponder the tangled branches around me and marvel at their patterns.

Please enjoy the walk around these quilts.  

I am grateful to Art Quilt Associates for supporting this art form and the creativity of its members.

Posted by Rita Faussone 4/11/2013

TAKING THE FEAR OUT OF PAINTING ON FABRIC

MINI WORKSHOP
JUNE 15, 2013
ARTIST’S HAVEN – 1 PM TO 4 PM

SUSAN STRICKLAND, INSTRUCTOR

 (This information is also posted under “Upcoming Workshops”

Please bring a fiber piece roughly 10”x14”.  This size will fit with a mat into a 16×20 frame should you decide to frame your art.

Ideas for piece could be a landscape, a simple flower such as a tulip rather than an iris, a building etc. It would be very helpful if you brought the picture or inspiration for your piece so that we can study it.

It is not necessary for the piece to be quilted but it will be no problem if you have already done this.   Do not bring a picture of an animal or pet as I am not familiar with hair and fur !  Also, pictures of people are difficult.

Your piece can be your choice of either wonder-undered and ready to go OR hand appliquéd…i.e. all the fabric adhered and fastened to the background.  It is beneficial to use a background that has something going on…i.e. not a plain beige fabric but rather something with a slight pattern that could be later enhanced.

I will    teach the following:

How shadows work and their colors

How highlights work and their colors

How to think about “reflective light”

How to give a sense of distance and depth to your piece

HOW TO JUST GO FOR IT !

I will have handouts telling you how to mix paint colors, types of paint, types of ink, shading and highlighting, making grass with paint etc and anything else that I can think of.

I will also show two small identical pieces that I have done.  One will show no paint and the other will be painterly.  This is the easiest way for you to see how paint can dramatically enhance your artwork.

AQuA will include,in the price of the class, an acrylic set of basic paint colors.  We will also supply a communal jar of fabric paint extender so that you get the feel of it.

Supply List:

3 or 4 brushes size #10 or #12, #6 (flat brushes not round) and a #2 liner brush ( get the type that is made for acrylic paint) DO NOT GET SABLE AS TOO EXPENSIVE

Small empty margarine container for water

Spray bottle for water

Paper palette (available at Hobby Lobby, Michaels or Artist’s Haven)

Roll of paper towels or old rags

Picture of your inspiration for the piece

Camera or iphone to take a before and after picture of your piece

Small notebook if you would like to take notes

Piece of batting cut  4 or 5 inches larger than the size of your piece (this will keep the paint off of the tables)

Our incredibly efficient and talented member Marla Ferguson has made all the plans for our retreat in Moab in February 2014.  Arrival time is 12 noon, February 21st; departure time is 4 pm Sunday, February 23rd.

The event will be held the Moab Valley Inn.  Twenty rooms have been reserved for our members.  The cost of the retreat will be $15 payable to AQuA for the work room.  To make your reservation, use group code AQuA214.

The phone number for the Moab Valley Inn is 435-259-4419. All of the rooms are double queens but there are a few King Suites and Queen Suites available at the same rate on a first come first served basis. The room rate is $72 per night. This is a change (Lower!) from what I quoted at the meeting. You have to reserve with a credit card but the card will NOT be charged until you check out in February. We have to fill a total of 20 rooms but we’re not limited to that many. There should be room in the meeting room for up to 50 people. Breakfast is included in the room rate. We can bring food into the room and I might organize a pot luck lunch for the first day and/or evening but haven’t made definite plans on that just yet. There will be time to shop at the quilt shop and yarn shop when we’re there also but I haven’t set that up yet either. Nancy Dobson has agreed to be in charge of planning some hikes for the time we’re there so I’ll incorporate that into the schedule when we get closer also.

 Don’t miss out – this is going to be a ball!

Posted by Rita Faussone

“Connected” by Marla Ferguson, prepared for AQuA’s “Bridges” exhibit.