Phyllis Cullen Art Studio

2012-01-20T23:06:00.000-08:00

A few weeks in Hawaii and you haven't heard a word from me (no surprise). Too beautiful for words on the windward side of the big island, so I'll just show a few pictures.



Hopefully we'll soon have a big house over there to share with vacationing family and friends. Stay tuned. Lots of inspiration for new paintings and quilts too.

Right after we got back I taught an eager group of students in my streamlined stained glass quilting class. So fun and so easy!

Here's some of my students' work in progress:
Frances used tan "leading" for an oriental look
Nancy went for simplicity to get it done
This was my class demo
Fran's Sunflower is ready for quilting. I hope to show some more when I get to see them finished.

Meanwhile if you want to see some of my work in person, so to speak, right now, "Lovebirds 2.4 Love" isdown at Road to California, and "Waders" and "Flight Envy" are in the Snowgoose Festival at Ave 9 Gallery.

Stained glass quilting - in Italy!

2011-12-18T13:21:00.000-08:00

Waders

Well, first I'll be teaching in venues here in the US, the next one being in Chico (check in with the Rabbit Hole shop).
If you want me to come to you, let me know! The class can go from a day to a week.
Here's my latest one, which has been juried into the Snow Goose Festival opening January 20 at Avenue 9 and Chico Art Center galleries . 45 excellent artists will be in that show- do not miss it!
More exciting news. I'm on the list to teach stained glass designing and quilting at the Abruzzo fiber arts school in Italy August 8-15. Sign up through the school for a memorable Italian experience in a charming medieval town. I'll help you with a photo that captures the experience and help you make it into a stained glass masterpiece (or two)..
I then plan to lead the group to visit, photograph, and sketch/journal other parts of the country, ( if you have more time, for an additional, but reasonable price).
There are also some other wonderful teachers at the school at other times if you can't join me (but I hope you will! ). Great accommodations, scenery, food, and lots of individual instruction. Check it out here: http://www.abruzzoschoolofcreativeart.com/phyllis-cullen.php Let me know as soon as possible if you are interested, so we can design our trip!

On the Road Again

2011-12-11T16:23:00.001-08:00

Happy holiday time!
A month with trips to San Diego, Lodi, Carson City, Medford, Boise, and the Russian River.I love to visit kids, grandkids, (and grand dogs), and I love to teach,-
but when do I get studio time to paint or quilt?

Marc, overwhelmed with love by Alani's 3 boxers.

sunset in La Jolla

We did fall in love with a house with panoramic ocean and mountain views in San Diego, but the price to match is way out of our reach. Sorry, Alani. Guess we're not moving right now..

I sent out my 25 postcards for the Tree of Life post card exchange in time for Chanuka (and actually remembered to take a photo this time).
I had great help making these from Sophie and Maia (ages 4 and 2)

Some pieces I finally finished: An often photographed old mill in New England's
gorgeous autumn.

On the way to the beach in Bodega Bay One of our local old tank houses

November madness

2011-11-13T14:13:00.001-08:00

Joy (Lovebirds Three)

Recent highlights, of course, besides 4 adorable little girls and their wonderful parents, to visit, were trips to Idaho, Seattle,, and Houston. The International Quilt Festival in Houston was astounding as usual, and the lectures, demos, vendor booths, added to the huge variety of top level quilted art, provided inspiration for months to come.
My quilts, photos, and poetry were there, and Joy was published not in one, but two different magazine's October-November issue . It's this one,
Go to Quilts.com to see more from the show

Treetop Pair

Thanks
Annie's Star for the beautiful
handmade ribbon that came
home with my parrots

And for those of you interested in learning this fun and easy stained glass technique, go on over to the Rabbit Hole quilt shop in Chico to sign up for the class on January 14. You can get all the details there (or call me).

Solitude

Here is a the class sample, which is hanging in the shop, although I will help you make your own pattern if you like.

Violet's curvy quilt

Now I'm back home, I hope to have
some new work to show you soon.

Meanwhile, I did manage to make a quick baby quilt (and take an even quicker snapshot of it) for our newest grand daughter.
Welcome to the world, Violet!

Open Studio

2011-10-20T17:08:00.000-07:00

Open Studio Tour this weekend and next gives you all plenty of opportunity to come by the studio, see what it looks like, check out the beautiful and incredibly functional furniture my brother Dave made for it, see what's new, watch me demonstrate free motion quilting and collage on the long arm machine, and felting on my Bernina, and just come visit and catch up with each other.. Here's a few of the felted pieces, a few new minis,

here's a piece made for the Textile Abstractions blog ( which you can check out through my sidebar),

and here's a piece I painted from a class with Frank Wilson (paint along with Frank) which I then thread painted/quilted
In between I've been to San Jose (newest grand daughter Violet has arrived), New York, Connecticut, Oregon, and San Francisco. No wonder I'm so far behind in my to do list in the studio.,

I did get to the last of the Chico Heritage plein aire paint outs, however, and my Matador oil painting will go to the Chico Icons show.

Next week, off to teach in Boise, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, and Burley Idaho. I come home for the second weekend of open studios( see you there?) and leave the next day for Seattle, Kent, Tacoma and Bellevue WA from whence I fly to Houston for the big show. See you there? Stop me if you see me! I'd love to meet you.

New Stuff! Hurray!

2011-10-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

Well, at least no one can accuse me of overloading my readers with too many posts... ok, this is waaay overdue, it won't happen again, blah blah
So, I've been so busy sending stuff off here and there I might as well tell you where you can see my work: Hayward New Line Cinema Gallery, Berkeley EB-MUD building (soon), PIQF, our own Annie's Star Quilt show Oct 22-23, Houston, judged show (2) , SAQA vSense of Adventure, and Hands all Around. You will not see my work in the winner's circle.
And, of course, at Avenue 9 gallery and OPEN STUDIO at my home studio on Oct 22-23 and Oct 29-30. Come one, come all! I will be demonstrating thread painting on the long arm and felting
My newest family album piece is done. I am including a photo of it after the collage, before the thread work with my oil painting set up next to it to show my method. The completed quilt has all the thread work done too.

I'm also showing you a little felted piece to
whet your interest

A little plein air piece from the Mozart mile event. After 15 minutes , the musicians at that spot on the race route packed up and left, so this is a very quick sketch!

and just a couple of other places we've been lately, Arata Pumpkin patch near half moon Bay (ponies, petting zoo, maze, gladiators, haunted house, bouncy house, LOTS of pumpkins)

And on the Oregon coast . Astoria. the bright green pilings in the Columbia river really are that color

Watch for early January for workshops locally on portraits and on easy stained glass quilts. Teaching schedule getting interesting for next year (Alaska! Israel! and....)

Painting, painting

2011-08-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

Passing Lane

My latest painted quilt is over at the Textile Abstractions blog, made in response to the challenge word "contrast."Check out that blog for more description and to see how the others dealt with it. I am way behind on those challenges, but thank goodness we aren't that strict, since we are all so-o-o busy ( hum mantra of the 21st century). Here's a photo though.

Autumn Reflections

And a quick little (11x14) oil painting of my favorite
season, autumn . Nothing compares to the reflections
of New England foliage (this is a lake in Acadia
National Park). I tried to express the fall excitement
at the end of the day.
Yep, it's 99 degrees outside and autumn can't come
too soon. Of course we have sunshine
and not hurricanes so I really shouldn't complain.
Fall social season, however, is already in full swing,
so although I enjoy every get-together, party,
show and event, I am already bemoaning my
time away from the studio.

Art in the Barn

2011-08-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

That's the name of the art show that will be part of next Saturday's Concours de l'Artiste, musical entertainment, food, wine, classic cars, and a beautiful setting, a fund raiser for the Northern California Ballet. Tickets are available from the Chico and Paradise Chambers of Commerce, or call us at Avenue 9 gallery to see where else to get them. I'm looking forward to all of it, especially the art of course! Expect to be greeted as you drive in by Mr Personality, as I've dubbed this inquisitive llama who watched me intently as I painted his portrait (oil, 16 x20). It will be on sale along with my ballerina paintings and more than 50 other beautiful works of art by several artists far more talented than me.
There';s also a magnificent new show on display right now at Avenue 9 Gallery by two very talented photographers. Amazing nature photography.They will be at the closing reception on September 1, but you can see their work before then!
Along with stuff from the rest of us, the usual suspects. I have a wool felted fiber piece, two watercolors and various photos for my contribution this month. Several other things in progress but not much to show you yet.
Time to get serious. Open studios is coming up fast.

A blog? I have a blog? oh, Yeah!...

2011-08-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

And there it is, right on my to-do list! (Unfortunately anyone who knows me and has seen my to do lists (yep, plural) knows they are about 78 items long. So easy for "update the blog" to get unnoticed). Doesn't mean I didn't want to.

So, anyhow, still travelling. Last trip to Portland a few weeks ago we accidentally found a touring group of restored cars from the 1900 to 1920 era. There were about 300 of them and their occupants were all in period clothing too. Looks like there will need to be paintings and quilts from that show. Here are just a few pics

They were on a group ride down the west cost and were all parked at Fort Vancouver, which was also fun (recreated buildings, reenacting people and occupations. worth a visit.)

We also went to a nursery full of amazing

water plants, gorgeous lotus blossoms, with lily pads big enough for
kids to sit on ( as demonstrated by the
owners' children). More inspiration.

Solitude

Meanwhile I am way behind in work
for the Textile Abstractions group,
having finished "solitude", shown here,
but not even in planning for the next two.
Solitude was inspired by a painting I did of
Bodega Bay a few years ago

The big event at the Chapelle de l'Artiste is coming up soon. It's a benefit for the Northern California Ballet, on Saturday night, august 27. Besides the Art in the Barn show and sale, there will be a classic car show, all over the gorgeous property (which is a reason to come just by itself), good food and drink, live music, etc. I did finish two more ballerina paintings, shown here (one is a quick watercolor sketch I did on site, the other an oil I did from my sketches, memories and photos). I am almost finished with another oil, of the llamas, but I don't think it will be dry on time, we'll see. Naturally, the quilt will NOT be ready this month. (No, you only think I can work that fast...)
Tickets are available thru Chico or Paradise Chamber of Commerce i believe

I will be arranging to teach a portrait quilt class and a stained glass quilt class locally. . Let me know if you are
interested in either, so we can take that into account when scheduling which weekends

And the beat goes on

2011-07-10T19:57:00.000-07:00

An outfit fit for the queen

Felted abstract

Or maybe it should say, "And the Heat goes on," although we did escape it for three weeks by making trips to Southern Oregon, then to San Jose, then to Portland Oregon, back to SF/San Jose for the Alcatraz swim, then to Eureka, so despite road and jet lag at least the weather was cool! But we are home now, and just took down the show at Avenue 9. I only got a picture of one of the felted pieces, which all sold, so I'm showing that here. The three little girls show where my time was really spent- and gladly!.

I hope to keep up with entries, new work production, learning and practicing more painting, and maybe get in some exercise...(unless it stays hot, which absolutely zaps my (minimal at best) interest in exercise.)

Do I get a tiara too?

Future ballerina and leading scientist

But enough nonsense. Let's see what's new in the studio.

The Conversation is my contribution to the SAQA auction. Check out all the small works available in September at www.SAQA.com and look for the auction to support the studio art quilters association.

The Conversation

A fun upcoming event will be held August 27 on the beautiful grounds of the Chapelle de l'Artistes Chateau and Retreat, where our group of plein air painters are enjoying the lush grounds, chateau, ponds, pools, waterfalls, and llamas.

classic cars and classic dance

We had a special treat on Saturday. A group of delightful young ballerinas from the Northern California Ballet company came in and cheerfully posed everywhere (the August event, an art sale and classic European car show, is a benefit for the ballet). More details soon.

first painting

Come to the reception this Friday evening at Avenue 9 Gallery for the Playing with Primaries show. Lots of new talent, and some amazing work, as well as our usual Avenue 9 party atmosphere!

Correct date June 10 Friday Avenue 9 Gallery

2011-06-08T00:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks Nitsa for catching that! Two posts ago I typed the wrong date for the Avenue 9 show.
It is this Friday, June 10, 4-8 PM. I hope I didn't confuse anyone.

Here's a show preview. while we were hanging. You can see a few of my quilts, and a few of Doug's big metal fish ( so if you have a fishing enthusiast bring him long too!)
I ended up with way more work than was needed, whew! We hung about 30 quilts and 30 paintings, framed fiberart works, photos etc. And I think Doug has about 30 fish and other creatures. A wild show. Come join the party.
for those who can't make it, the show will be up Wed-Sat every week through July 10.( I don't want to hear from you later that you wish you had known I was showing in Chico, yada yada yada...:)

Hands All Around, SAQA Sense of Adventure, more for Chico show

2011-06-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

Happy to announce that "Native Market" was selected from thousands of entries to be one of twenty quilts from all over the world (they try to find them from everywhere so even less chance of getting in from the US) for the travelling exhibit "Hands All Around." It will debut in Houston at IQA show. Yeah team! Everyone who contributed a segment will be named on the placard and when it is published in QNM.

Sunset Roost

Also debutting in Houston will be the SAQA travelling show, "A Sense of

Ready for the Show

Adventure." My "Sunset Roost " will be in that show, fresh from its appearance at the Eureka Art Museum in the latest California Fiber Artists show, where you can also see "Streetlamp" and the absolutely amazing work of 20 other artists in basketry, silkpainting, fiber sculpture and quilted art.

In the home stretch now for the Chico Avenue 9 show. Here are one last quilt, "Treetop Pair" and one last painting, "New Orleans in the Rain". Now just some more framing, labeling, naming, pricing, etc. We hang the show Monday. I really hope to see you all at the reception. We're throwing quite a party!

New Orleans in the Rain

If you can't come Friday night, I'll be there Saturday from 2:30-%:00 so I can still talk to you about the work then. Thye'll be up the rest of the month, but I'll be out of town, so you are on your own ( you can of course call or email me with questions or requests for prints etc)

Treetop Pair

Then to start on the SAQA auction piece, and maybe some more portraits, and commissions. And maybe some time to read all the new books,( art, mixed media, digital art and novels) that I keep buying, and haven't had time to read. and some time to go outside and paint.
I will be teaching a class on easy stained glass quiltmaking. Also one on portraits. Stay tuned for details.

New shows coming up, new stuff

2011-05-23T23:17:00.000-07:00

Still working away, still trying new things, deadlines are creeping up and over me...
Spending great times with family lately, so a bit behind on progress, but, well, so what.
Here's the card for my upcoming show (with metal sculptor Doug Rathbun) at Avenue 9 gallery in Chico. Opening reception is June 10, 4-8 PM. I hope to see you all there!
This next card is for our show at the Eureka CA art museum. Opening reception is June 25, so if you're in that area, we'd love to see you.
Works to be sent to Sacred Threads, SAQA Sense of Adventure. Entries due soon for Chico Art Center, BC Watercolor Society, Houston, Lowell.....
Did I mention that I practice medicine too?
Here are a few more pieces for the Chico show, for those of you who are somehow just not going to make it

Tributary is "stained glass" in fabric

Rocky Point is acrylic on paper

Waiting for Snow (the polar bear) is oil on canvas

I'll also have some watercolor, some stitcheries,
some felted pictures, some photography.

Doug will have big metal fish, strange metal bugs,
prints and who knows what else.

Dave Pierce will sing his originals and popular songs
We'll have lots of wine and food

It's free, and I'll be available to tell you about all my work

What more can I say?

Waiting for Snow

Judge's Choice, and something old, something new

2011-05-04T18:26:00.000-07:00

Several people have asked me to show which quilt won a judge's choice at the Denver National Quilt Festival. I am pleased to show it to you. It's final name is "Peeper." Sometimes my quilts have a few name changes before they are satisfied. Multiple multiple layers of fabric and tons of thread pose a challenge to my Innova longarm, but she came through.
My latest piece is actually more traditional. It's a wedding ring design with the addition of some irises I designed from the plentiful supply outside my door ( a yard full of 150 varieties, thanks to my friend Mary). Thus, "Something Old, Something New"
Now if life will quit getting in the way, I have some stained glass quilts to make, and some origami journals.

Thank you to everyone who made such nice comments on this blog. I really do appreciate them, and like everything else, will reply to you all after June 10 show opening!
Meanwhile, the Lighthouse challenge quilts are up for viewing at Back Porch Fabrics in Pacific Grove, CA, the latest CFA show is still on view at the Bakersfield (CA) Art Museum, another CFA show will be opening July 2 ath the Eureka (CA)Art Museum, I think the Yeiser show which has my Lovebirds, is still up, Sacred Threads will be in DC this summer ( with "Joy; Lovebirds 3), and "Sunset Roost" will appear both at the Eureka art museum and then travel to Houston and beyond with SAQA's Sense of Adventure.
But don't forget! Avenue 9. June 10. please come.

More portraits! More gardens!

2011-04-22T22:12:00.000-07:00

This week's portrait is called "Ring of Fire." A tribute to another kind of artist, a man who sang of deep- held beliefs, and the stuff that constitute our souls. The gravelly voice of the man in black spoke to something deep within.
Many thanks to those of you who have commented so kindly on my work.. We work alone, and often don't know if our art speaks to others. Lonely decisions every step of the way, painting, quilting, writing, composing. We must all speak out, affirming, guiding, applauding, correcting and inspiring each other.
And if you think fiberarts is time consuming- try writing a book! My true admiration for those of you who work so long and hard on that, with no assuredness of success.
This painting is of the bridge in the rhododendron garden in Portland, an incredible place bursting with flowers, and fountains, and streams, and ducks, and color, color color. Go see it when the rhodies are in bloom. It is magnificent.
Wish I could go to the big shows next week. If you are at the Denver National Quilt show., look for two of my pieces, "Peeper," and "Wetlands". And if you go to Paducah, "Lovebirds " is at the Yeiser."Old Point Loma" is in the Lighthouse invitational opening May 1 at Back Porch Fabrics,
Instead, I'll be in ...Anaheim, at a medical meeting instead. Bummer.
But if any of you live around there and want to get together for dinner, that would sure improve my trip!
By the way, I don't know how to link to other blogs, but a must read is Elizabeth Barton's. (www.ElizabethBarton.blogspot.com). Especially March 23, her spoof on entry rules for shows.
OK, back to work. I've got a huge gallery to fill, you know. I'll show you some more soon.

Finally! Some new stuff. People and places

2011-04-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

I can't say that I've been very efficient. as a matter of fact it seems to take three hours of futzing around (And maybe another hour or two fooling around with email etc) to every hour of productive work in the studio. But I've got a deadline, well, several, but the main one is my upcoming solo show at the gallery, with opening reception June 10. Mark your calendars, everyone! I'm gonna feel bad if you don't come!
So, here are two more collaged, stiched and quilted fabric portraits. One is of John Steinbeck, whose writing (and politics) I hugely admire. It's called "Man of Letters" and was done for our Textile Abstractions group's challenge this month "Letter."

The other is called "Petting Zoo," using two of my favorite models, one of my sons with one of his daughters.

It's better to see them in person,

of course, so Come to the show...

Still painting, as well. This oil painting is called "Guilfoss," as that is the name of this incredible waterfall in Iceland

and a preview of the next portrait, loaded here on the longarm, ready for quilting when I can get back to the serenity of the studio

Now to work on the postcards for our latest IJQ swap,
And another painting.
And another 6 or so quilts boefore I have enough to even consider filling that huge gallery space.
You know where to find me.

2011-03-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

What with all the remodeling, travelling and teaching, and all, the fabric pieces don't seem to be making it off the wall and onto the quilting machine. Soon, however, very soon (I hope, I hope).
Meanwhile, I did paint some chickens, in oils, and a few portraits, which I got to do at Paul Milosevich's workshop.. That's Eli Wiesel in charcoal, I'm holding Maia, the little "angel" with wings and tutu, and Alani , both in watercolor.

Making art is great fun but hard work. Don't let anyone tell you different.

Next California Fiber Artists show is in Bakersfield, at the art museum. Opening reception this Thursday 3/24 in the evening. Next Avenue 9 opening this Friday evening. See you there!

Just bloggin' along

2011-02-17T22:57:00.000-08:00

A much better picture of my autumn scene here now that it's come back to the studio and I could shoot it outside

The quilt peeking out last post behind my "prisoner" is shown in its entirety here. The polar bear's name is Snowflake. Without the snowflakes and the hibiscus which has floated in from somewhere this quilt was a lot of black and white which may explain why it remained UFO for quite a while.

Meanwhile, I did finish two sleeping bags for my two older grand daughters. Tops and furry insides are shown here. Lots of family photos transferred onto fabric in between the kid prints and just pure fun to do

.I'm getting out the watercolors again in preparation for a workshop

with Paul Milosevich, an amazing painter from Santa Fe with a show

opening in Chico at Avenue 9.. He will be doing a free portrait demo at

Avenue 9 Gallery tomorow night (Friday 2/17) so come if you can.

My brother is putting his cabinetry and remodeling skills to work

on my studio and already the improved lighting is really making a

difference. It will be quite a showcase, so if you need a more

efficient and satisfying studio, let me know and I'll send him your way.

Photos will come soon.

social commentary, CFA, journalmaking

2011-02-02T23:21:00.000-08:00

So much is happening!

Our California Fiber Artists group opened a new show in Folsom- "Text and Texture"it is worth your while to see- really nice range of a wide variety of work emphasizing word or surface. If you go to the Folsom quilt show on February 11 hopefully you can stop by our show as well and meet some of us there discussing the pieces.
Here's the announcement card
The word for this month's challenge in our textile abstractions group was sky. Although I was at first tempted to make a piece depicting one of our awesome sunsets, like this one last week shot by my house, I decided that I really couldn't improve on nature, so here it is as a photo.

The quilt I did make wanted to be more of a social commentary, perhaps joining the one I did for last month's "blight" challenge on homelessness. It is called "No Sky Inside", and refers to the aspect of sky representing freedom. Putting people in my quilts seems to be important, and mpieces going to all the major shows are the people quilts. Several people quilts are on my in my head drawing board,I am showing this piece pinned in the middle of other current pieces in progress on my design board. It stops with the black "wall " Finally, a few shots from my latest class, journal making. I taught this one right in my studio.A dozen women, paper fabric, beads, ribbon and glue, and lots of good snacks+ FUN! Come join us next time!

Is it Art?

2011-01-24T08:20:00.000-08:00

I recently made a small piece for an exhibit called "This is a Quilt." Of course, I thought, this is a great opportunity to answer the question about art made in the form of quilts, which some people then insist is (merely?) craft, So, here it is. When I painted the scene on fabric (yup, stretched canvas is fabric) with oil paints, it is clearly, Fine Art. When it's painted on fabric, and a piece of batting and backing attached to the back of it with thread (enhancing the painting with texture?)- now it's NOT Fine Art. Now I'm not an artist, I'm "crafty?" (Sounds shifty, or underhanded). Or at best, I'm "arty?" Sounds like impersonating an artist- but it's MY artwork. It's a copy, or a print? Is printmaking fine art? Most serious printmakers I know consider themselves artists. As long as they don't add thread, I guess... Of course, are you an artist if you also do something crafty for a living, like do surgical procedures around peoples' spines (uh, yeah, my day job). Am I more of an artist because I often sell paintings and fabric collages (art quilts?) from the walls of my exam rooms while I write prescriptions for my patients? Whoa, talk about blurring the lines? Do you have to actually sell anything to be an artist? I like to donate art to worthy organizations for fundraisers, and just give paintings and quilts away to friends and family. So, crafty physician? Artsy-fartsy doctor? Artist and scientist? Sorry, this is making my head spin. I've gotta get back to the studio now and make craft, er, make art. Here's the quilt. Go back two blog posts. There's the oil painting. And here's a new oil painting, destined to spark a similar fall from grace when it inspires a quilt.

Lighthouse challenge

2011-01-08T19:39:00.000-08:00

well, I guess I haven't been overly productive, so it's been awhile since I posted.. I'm trying out acrylics, so I'm not showing any of those paintings until I get the hang of it, but I did finish my quilt entry for the invitational lighthouse challenge which will join 29 others and be first shown at the Pajaro Valley show at the end of February. The quilts then travel to several other shows, and will be sold to raise money for historic lighthouse renovations. I took photos and sketched when I went with my daughter, Alani, to visit the Point Loma lighthouse in her hometown of San Diego last year. The lighthouse, which you can see in the lower right corner of the quilt, is actually pretty much identical to the 11 lighthouses built up and down the Pacific coast. Apparently it was replaced within a few years by one at sea level, because the hilltop location was actually above the usual fog, so none of the ships could see it most of the time!
I decided to focus on the essence of the lighthouse, the light itself, and used Angelina fibers, glitter pain, acrylic and oil sticks to add details. Also some fusible ribbon and fusible bias strips. It's all quilted/appliqued on the Innova. The corner that shows the whole lighthouse is my painted rendition of the structure. It's 22" x 26"
I am looking forward to see all of the quilts, which will be posted online at lighthouseartquilt.com

Paintings from travels,an unusual quilted piece

2010-12-21T20:14:00.000-08:00

Step one, photos and journal sketches with pen and wash, step two, studio paintings (usually in oil). Step three will be the quilts. Here are two oil paintings I did from photos and sketches, hoping to be quilts when they grow up. Pretty self explanatory. Zion National Park is a painter's dream, with its natural complementary color scheme of rock and sky. Oil and painting knife. Riverwalk is quintessential San Antonio Texas, running beneath the city, a miles long oasis of adobe buildings from alamo days to restaurants, shops, gardens, and homes.

The quilt today is "blighted by the line." (for a full explanation, check out the Textile Abstractions blog). Not the graffiti, but the homelessness of course. yes, they are almost invisible. Lots of travel, not much studio time lately (of course that means I have plenty of inspiration for painted and quilted portraits and landscapes for next year..). New year's resolution: Try out some new things, materials, techniques, subjects, get off the Internet, get together with other artists, and play. Happy new year's resolutions to all of you, be sure to find time to play.

Chico Icon piece and CFA Woodland show

2010-12-05T22:03:00.000-08:00

Just getting the show ready at Avenue 9 gallery for Friday's opening reception. Go see this show. It's marvelous. Here's my contribution (the theme is "Seasons") It is fabric collaged ( I mistyfuse (is that a verb?) my fabrics first, then cut them into tiny bits improvisationally for landscapes) and stitched all over with multiple variegated threads.

The California fiber Artists show will be up for the next month in Woodland, CA at gallery 625 in the county administration building at 625 Court St, Monday to Friday 9-5. Lovely reception the other night. I'm including a few photos and a collage of some of the works. This does not represent the way they were hung, side by side along a long corridor. Great to see some friends there.

Carol Brown's Winter Window was one of 4 pieces that were sold

A lovely choir performed for us

Two long walls of beautiful pieces, by 20 of our talented artists

Marjie's dye painted scarfs were popular. Four interesting demos represented a lot of work in set up and planning

As for me, I'm working on more landscapes and portraits in fiber and oil painting, some quite overdue for deadlines as usual. Other obligations do intervene.

New lovebirds

2010-11-25T12:26:00.000-08:00

Well, actually coming up on their first anniversary, but it's so wonderful to see how they always look at each other, Dr Ben and Nurse Leslie certainly love to have a good time too.Here's a case in point on a sailing adventure. First , my painting. You know what comes next.
If I can get my quilting machine to stop breaking the thread every five minutes, I'll show you my Chico in Autumn quilt tomorrow
Today, tomorrow and saturday are for enjoying the family that inspire all the portrait quilts! Enjoy your family and friends today

IQA, Green Bay, and CFA

2010-11-20T22:57:00.000-08:00

So many trips this month I haven't even unpacked stuff in the studio, much less worked. Well worth it though. I am not going to show a bunch of pictures from IQA because there are lots around, but suffice it to say that there were no duds in the several hundred amazing pieces. This photo does show how it was set up, and where my piece was to be found (circled here).
It was a bit mystifying how the vending area was always so crowded, but the quilt area never was. Good for viewing, but not saying much for the multitudes of shoppers who never knew what they were missing.

My teaching trip to Green Bay for the Women Who Run With Scissors, was absolutely delightful. From the terrific job of hosting by Lindi, to the positive attitudes and originality of the very talented group, and the fun and friendship all around, I felt like a member of the family. Only a few pieces are shown in progress shots here, but I really hope to have some finished work emailed to me (and posted here!)

So many good starts, including first time art quilting Paula's house, to Kathleen's painterly barn, to Judy's fabulous garden gate effect which she is pondering here. Look at those beautiful birches, and a choice of perfect fabrics for canyon walls. I can't wait to see how these and others turn out.

Meanwhile, getting ready for Chico Icons at Avenue 9 gallery (just starting on that now, got to hurry for Dec 10), our California Fiber artists opening on Dec 3 in Woodland at the county Administration Building, and, of course, Thanksgiving with kids and grandkids. Paintings and quilts in progress. I hope to have more to show you soon.

Wetlands, IQF

2010-11-10T20:20:00.000-08:00

Just too much happening this last month I guess to keep up the blog. Hope I haven't lost you all!
Costa Rica produced lots of photos for future quilts, but no paintings or fiberarts as yet. Small wonder, since Eva's exhibit was next, followed quickly by International quilt festival in Houston. This show was incredible. I'm not even going to show quilts from it yet, although I might post some next time. Quilting Arts' International Quilt Scene edition does show some of my favorites though, so you should take a look at that issue. Lovebirds Two was in good company. Lots of excellent demos going on all around. I took two long arm classes that should prove useful as well
I'm about to leave for Green Bay WI to teach art quiltmaking this weekend. Drop by if you are in the area for the Friday night slideshow and lecture. Check with Lindi Kuritz for directions, or leave a note here and we'll call you. Still openings for the Saturday and Sunday workshop too.

Closer to home, California Fiber Artists has two shows coming up, with openings in Woodland on Dec 3 and Natomas in January. I'll post the addresses when I get them. Haven't done anything for the Chico Icons show yet, but something will come. For the Snow Goose festival, I have entered Wetlands, shown here.
And just in case your longarm is hard to move, do check under the wheels for errant cats
I'll post from the workshop and maybe some inspiration photos next week.

More Lovebirds, and more trees

2010-10-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

Well some people have photo albums of their families, some paint pictures. I do both, but am slowly producing a textile art album of everyone as well. This one is Terence and Hadas with their first newborn, called Lovebirds, Three, of course, and also in line with our Textile Abstractions group's word of the month, "joy." Check out that blog too to see how everyone has interpreted the theme.No joy greater than a new baby, and beaming parents, but also joy in creating these family portraits. It's kind of funny that I enjoy painting portraits on canvas in oil or watercolor, but for my fabric portraits I usually prefer to collage hundreds of tiny commercial prints and accent with lots of different threads rather than paint a portrait on fabric, although of course I've done many of those too.

The other new piece is another tree- that seems to be an ongoing theme for me as well, and using lots of yarms, threads and embellishments is also pure joy.The next California Fiber Artists shows will be coming up soon. This one may be right for the one themed Text or Texture

Nancy M finished her cute dog that she did in my class. Here it is and it's wonderful

Lots going on at the design wall. Some waiting for a sleeve, some for more collage, some are up there to spark another idea. Not very organized looking, but it is the way I think, artistically at least. Now for the usual post project studio tidying up- so I can see what else I'm working on!

We'll be showing Eva Henneberry's quilts at Avenue 9 Gallery Oct 15-for two weeks. Please come see. They will be priced to sell.And if you are going to PIQF, look for my quilts, Lovebirds, and Sfat, and if you see me with my bright red curly hair- say hi!

New Year, New Work

2010-09-09T22:00:00.000-07:00

Happy new Year (Shana Tova) 5771 in the Jewish calendar. Time to reassess all goals in life, including artistic goals. Do I want to improve fine art skills, work on quilting, add new tricks, delve more into portraits, try abstraction? I know I want to journal more, and study the vast knowledge available with my subscription to http://www.artistsnetworktv.com/. If you sign up, you can watch over 100 full length high quality demos in many different media.

Luckily, no big travel plans for September. Maybe I'll actually be able to spend some time in my studio!

Latest in my portrait series is the baby here. freehand collaged from commercial prints, mistyfuse applique, longarm quilted.

Still time to sign up for my portrait class this Sunday, which will include manipulating reference photos in photoshop.

The California fiberartists show went well, very popular show. What a lot of work repacking and shipping- makes me appreciate all the work that others do for the shows I get to enjoy.

Here's a photo of Equine 9 in early stages, our gallery's entry into the Chico Palio race, part of the marvelous Artoberfest month long celebration of the arts in Chico. Behind the horse you can see some of my work hanging in Avenue 9 gallery.

My beaded jewelry is still being shown at the Chico Art Center- available for purchase in the gift shop for pretty reasonable prices considering the time it takes to make!

And here is a shot of my oil paintings hanging in a four month long exhibit sale at Grilla Bites in Chico, along with Barbara Morris' platinum prints, Maria Phillips' work, and Claudia and David's glass work. a nice venue, and a great place to eat fresh organic food- they are featured in the latest Chico News and Review's restaurant guide.

And of course, you are welcome to see my work at the Chico Pain Clinic and in my studio. Just give me a call.

A new painting and a few no-shows. Avenue 9 opening

2010-08-23T08:18:00.000-07:00

Well, the no-shows aren't people, just new quilts that need to be surprises or un-prepublished show entries. I am debating about a new piece that I really like for Quilt National but it is on the small side and I've been told that they want large pieces and they want three similar ones to choose from, so I may skip it again this year and send this piece elsewhere. Then I could show it to you!
I am including my latest oil painting here, from a photo I took of Marc on a beautiful October day in Maine.
And a reminder that I am teaching locally, a portrait quilt class, very simple technique, no drawing required. See previous blogs for Moses, Elvis, John Lennon and previous student portraits to see what you'll come out with. It will really look like the person you portray, and it is really easy, I promise.
Off to Reno tomorrow, Seattle on Friday, so will miss the opening of our new show at Avenue 9 gallery , featuring Valerie Payne and Chris Yates work. This Friday at 5 PM-do NOT miss this show. They are spectacular artists! And you can see my new portal series quilts, a few paintings, and still see John, Elvis and Liza as well

California Fiber Artists show in Chico

2010-08-15T16:49:00.000-07:00

Only one week left to see this show- and it's really worth it. Then, of course, we have to take it all down and send all the pieces home. What a shame that so few fiber art pieces, even at low gift shop prices, can't seem to sell. They are really beautiful and the prices never reflect the amazing amount of time that goes into them either.
I'm only posting a few images of the show here. More photos can be seen on the California Fiber Artists website or on a our facebook page.
I got some beautiful shots of the redwoods last week in Eureka. photos paintigs and quilts to follow.
Now to get my little fabric postcards thread painted and sent out, and my entry to Houston mailed.

I'll post new paintings and quilts soon

And following up on that-here's my latest work, inspired by travels in Israel

2010-07-23T19:55:00.000-07:00

If you look back a few posts, you'll see the photo, then the oil painting I did of a street scene in Sfat, Israel's birthplace of Kaballah, or Jewish mysticism. The streets were cobbled, covered by archways, buildings of orangy stone and had so many doors painted a bright cobalt blue. Irresistible for my quilt portal series, so here it is.

	San Diego was wonderful in the 70s with coastal breezes. So great to visit my daughter Alani and my grand dogs. Also great fun was going up to Julian, a cute nicely restored gold rush mountain town, to stay with the very generous and talented Merry Jo Rembold, take a workshop with the irrepressible Karen McTavish, and talk quilts, quilts, quilts with a group of, well, rabid quilters! Thanks for everything, Merry Jo! Here are photos of Karen's feathers, our practice work, of Karen, well, McTavishing, and Karen and me

	For my fellow longarmers, especially Innova owners, here are some photos of my latest innovation: my brother David, a remodeler, cut out an opening in the wood tabletop, inserted fluorescent bulbs and box , and covered the opening with diffused glass. A perfect lightbox. Here are in progress and final pictures.


Be sure to come to the opening at the Chico Art Center on July 31, 7-9 PM if you can. The show is the California Fiber Artists, and the entries we unpacked this week were breathtaking! All sorts of fiber art. Come! It's worth the trip! Check out facebook for cute photos of my grand daughters. I promised to stay on task here on the blog, art related only.

Deadlines and shows-coming up for air!

2010-07-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

Have you ever signed up for a dozen different shows, challenges, projects and donations and then found out months later that they were all due at the same time? Yep, that's what happened.
First I had to ditch one or two. No SAQA 12x12 this year, I;ll be ready next year. The grab bag quilt project came due without my remembering about it, and necessitated a last minute marathon to make "Winter Night" with the inspiration photo and materials from the other participant who received the final product guiding me. They will all be seen on Tomme Fent's site soon, including the one made for me.
Meanwhile I did finish the next piece for Textile Abstractions, but am not posting it yet. Two pieces for the California Fiber Artists show at the Chico Art Center which my friend Dee and I are curating. Entries are starting to pile up around here. Opening reception is July 31 at the art center- I'll make another announcement here when it is closer.
then there was the SAQA whisper challenge. My month turned out to be, you guessed it, due July1 . Can't show that one yet either- shhh, it's a surprise ( we each make a quilt based on the one made by the person ahead of us on the list, but e don't see the original photo until the end.
About to open at Avenue 9 Gallery is "Playing with Primaries". We had to do three separate pieces, one in red, one in yellow and one in blue. John, Elvis and Lisa are shown here. The show gets hung tomorrow, so I need to bring them over soon. The opening reception will be this Friday evening at the gallery and should be a great show. Unfortunately I have to miss it because I will be in San Diego- in Julian, actually, taking two days of workshops with the inimitable Karen McTavish, which will certify me to teach her technique and pick her brain. I can hardly wait. and to get to see my daughter in San Diego as well. Double fun.
And, I promise, Iris, that I will finish my latest portal series quilt this week, for your article. Photo soon.
After teaching in Santa Rosa Thursday, I got to spend Friday with my friend Kathne in Sacramento at the big gem show . The low prices were totally irresistible. Watch for some beaded and embellished work coming later this summer.

tomorrow off to see my granddaughters in SF, Wednesday in Salt Lake, Thursday to San Diego- we'll talk soon

Tempus Fugit

2010-06-02T00:41:00.000-07:00

Tempus Fugit means time flies, certainly a true description of my life these days also the name of my latest quilt.

It is for my Textile Abstractions international internet group, and more details about it can be seem with the others in the "time" challenge on our blog. However, I'll post the photos here too, to show those of you too lazy to look. That one is the second quilt using my new machine.
The honor of being the first goes to the baby quilt made for my newest beautiful grand daughter, Zephyr.

Recent travels to St George, Utah for longarm training at Let's Quilt provided photo ops at zion National Park. Nature provided a perfect split complementary color scheme of red-orange with blue and green. I really like the one from under the waterfall too.




Then there are 300 more from there alone. I can paint and quilt for several lifetimes from my 12,000 or so photos.

FAVA show

2010-05-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

A great excuse for visiting my aunt Evie and uncle Nate was to enter "The Artist as Quiltmaker" show at the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts gallery in Oberlin Ohio. Of course, I entered "Lovebirds", and Nate loved standing by the quilt and telling everyone "This is my sister!" Since they look so much alike it was easy to see the resemblance! The top picture here shows a few of the prizewinners (the two pieces on the left).The show as a whole was quite impressive, and if you are anywhere near Oberlin Ohio (home of Oberlin College, where Nate was a professor) you should definitely make an effort to see this show until July 31. Open Tuesday through Sunday.

And for those of you just dying to see my messy studio, here are a few photos.
Lots of deadlines looming, but I'm on the road until June. There will have to be some magic act to get all the pieces done.

New oil, watercolor, photo and fiber work( thank goodness I don't have to pick just one medium!)

2010-05-09T12:59:00.000-07:00

Well, one advantage of procrastinating on the next blog entry is that there's lots to say each time!

We have a new show up at Avenue 9 gallery, with incredible metal sculptures by Doug Rathbun. I have fiber art, oil paintings and flower photos on display, so check them out. We have a great variety of art in the gallery and it's fun just to browse through when I'm gallery sitting. Here's a few of my flower photos. The candy striped roses are in my garden along with multicolored roses and irises of every color combination. the rhododendrons are from my visit to Portland a few weeks ago, in the rhododendron gardens near reed College. I will put an album of them here soon. By the way, you can click on 'galleries' at the top of this page to see more of my work. I am trying to find photos of as many of my fiber art and paintings as I can and am slowly adding them in.


Last weekend I got to take a watercolor workshop from Pat Osborne on painting atmosphere. I now have two new pieces with sunset skies, shown here. Really fun and check her work on her website too, wow.

Next weekend I will go to the opening reception of the show at the FAVA gallery in Oberlin Ohio. Having a piece in that show is somewhat prestigious so I am honored to be in it and looking forward to the other art there. Especially looking forward to seeing Aunt Evie and Uncle Nate, professor emeritus, who pushed me to enter. And one more new oil painting, very textured rocky Colorado stream in early spring.

And finally, quilted birthday greetings! 15 kinds of fabric manipulation involved.

And what's on my new quilting machine? Shh, it's a baby quilt - she's due next week and I hope my latest grand daughter can work around my travelling and teaching schedule so I can be there for her birthday. No peeking! You get to see it when she does!

Paintings, quilts, a new toy, and goings on

2010-04-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy month. A memorial in Ferndale (complete with snowstorm) featured Eva's Peace quilt and people from her whole life. Bill and an old pal stand in front of it. If you want one of her quilts, now's the time. I have them all and they are going fast.
My new Innova longarm machine is here, so I'll show you that half of the studio. As you can see, it's been approved by the cats (nice hammock).I get to learn in depth how to use it next month with a visit to St George Utah

This small quilt, "Feelin' the Beat" was made for our Textile Abstractions group's music challenge. Check out the Textile Abstractions blog to see everyone's work.
Two more quilts, but can't publish them yet. Stay tuned.
Oil paintings, though. A portrait called The Purple Hat, and the first of the Israel series, Sfat: the Blue Door.

And a lot of (mostly medical related) travelling (but at least I'm going in style! Stretch limo!)
See you soon

more workshop photos,

2010-04-09T22:50:00.000-07:00

Some more terrific masterpieces in the making. Shulamit's arched streets, Tsvia's semi abstract sand and water strata, exotic. figures from Indonesia, and a masterful covered bridge scene (of Vermont!)


And the first one done, Eti's river boats, not her usual style, she says, but so very nicely done. And just a few more photos: Musicians in the mysticism soaked city of Sfat, and a scene in the old city of Jerusalem, inspiration for paintings, or, of course, quilts

Israeli workshops, continued

2010-04-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

Look at all the exciting pieces here, well on their way. Anybody finished yet? A lovely landscape derived from a watercolor painting, another from a photo (Cindy had fun with foliage made from roving), a flamboyant chicken, a lovingly accurate rendition of the synagogue across from Daisy's house, a quilt version of an Agnon painting, a folk village framed by trees, Rachel's autumn pathway, learning perspectiva despite our language challenge, Ruth aiming for an abstraction of a rock face (very cool), Shoshi's lively African village. The creativity was flying, as was the fun- and way too many baked goods and chocolate! More to come, very soon. Any questions, banot? I'm waiting to see what comes of these- you are all on notice, haha. (No pressure)

Israeli trip part 1

2010-03-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

Yikes! A whirlwind trip, quilts, art, scenery, history, architecture, flowers, photos, paintings, and certainly no time to even email, let alone blog while it was going on. And did I mention the food- . I plan on several blog posts rather than trying to squeeze it all in here (especially since it'll take awhile to sort through 2300 or so photos..), so here is week 1. The first workshop was a short one, but some wonderful work was begun. Hint: if you send me a picture of a completed piece, I'll publish it right here in this very blog... Here are some nice beginnings: Jessica's little Dutch boy, Orna's Sabra plants (the prickly outside but sweet inside plant that native Israelis are called), a beginning reflections in water piece that will be spectacular with "water" quilting lines going through it, a flower that reminds me of all the beautiful ones I saw throughout the country.


Here, also, are a statue at Caesaria, the site of Roman ruins, a shot of a tiny piece of the amazing full mountainside of symmetrical Baha'i gardens in Haifa, that looks like a quilt center, a gold leafed gate at the Baha'i center, and a shot of the grottos at Rosh Hanikra on the Lebanese border that is absolutely an inspiration for a quilt.. More in a few days. Hugs to all- the family I've missed, and the new friends I've made

Happy Pesach to all. A very special thanks to my hostess and friend Shulamit Ron, for an incredible job of organizing, publicizing, running and even taking the workshops, And greetings to my wonderful new quilter friends halfway around the world..

New Landscapes

2010-03-04T16:07:00.000-08:00

A few new pieces, shown here, one of the creek running into Bodega Bay, and a nighttime one of some new growth in the garden,but otherwise not a lot getting done since,first of all, I'm packing and making kits for workshops, and second, my studio is all torn apart to make room for the new Innova quilting machine and frame, due to arrive the week after I return from Israel. Since architecture is a favorite theme, I expect to paint and photograph my way around Israel with a view toward quilts made faster with the new toy.

after the frame is up, and I HAVE to reorganize the studio, MAYBE I'll show studio photos here.

Upcoming solo show in Sacramento

2010-02-05T19:48:00.000-08:00

Too much traveling in January, not enough studio time! But after it all, fun birthday party for my 3 year old granddaughter was very special. Squeezing in visits to my sister in Boulder and my daughter in San Diego was great too.

Still, a lot going on art-wise. You'll have to move quickly to see the Snow-Goose festival before it comes down at Avenue 9 Gallery. Fantastic wildlife in every medium. Here's a few of my paintings, my friend Kristina's quilted pelican, and even one of wood. Many wonderful photos and paintings in the show.

I finished this little piece for our online "Textile Abstractions" group. This month's challenge was "walls" and I did a piece with some of my favorite kind. Check out the group's blog for a lot of neat interpretations of the theme. It's at http://textileabstractions.blogspot.com

"Eden" my tribute to Chagall's Jerusalem windows will be featured at my new show! Please come to the opening reception for this upcoming solo show at the KOH library gallery at the Mosaic Law Center in Sacramento (2300 Sierra Boulevard) on Sunday February 14, from 4:00-7:00. Here;s the special piece I made for them. Come early and you can hear and see my presentation on how my quilts are conceived and made, and some details about them, and see pictures of many more than the 16 or so quilts in the show. It's a lovely venue and the quilts will be up until April 15, during library hours. If you come early to the reception you can go out for a Valentine's day dinner afterward at one of Sacramento's nice restaurants... See you there.

So much for New Year Resolutions

2010-01-18T22:06:00.000-08:00

High time I update this blog, eh? So much travelling, saying goodbye forever to too many friends, taking care of people, not much time for art. but sanity insists, so here's what's new.
I haven't decided whether to call this banner, made for the Enloe Hospital Cancer Center, "Mt Hope" or "Pinnacle". Either way, I hope it will be inspirational. The request was for 30x30 inches, and only of materials that could be treated with flame retardant, so here it is, in cottons, ready to hang.
The postcards, with the theme of the 7 species from the bible, were shared last week with 22 members of the Internet Jewish Quilters, and the backs are watercolor paintings. Metallic netting and thread make them sparkle.
"Shane" was commissioned from a baby picture, and is layered portrait style.
And finally, a photo of my dear friend Eva, at her last solo show at Upper Crust Bakery. We will miss her, but her art and her message will live on in these beautiful quilts .
Now on to finish my "wall" themed piece for our online group, a new piece for my upcoming solo show at the Mosaic Law Library in Sacramento, and some samples for workshops coming up soon. In between upcoming trips to Denver, Dallas, Danville, and Detroit. Those are January. And then,...? Stay tuned

A few new pieces, thoughts on being productive

2009-12-25T08:36:00.000-08:00

The scene of the courtyard is from the restored "poorhouse" near Portland, on an overcast autumn day. And, yes, I also do some still lifes but I'm not crazy about them. They don't convey a mood like a landscape or a portrait. Otherwise, slow progress on quilting, maybe because so much stuff is piled up in my studio that I feel a bit paralyzed. Yes, I know where things are, but I have to keep moving them around to get at what I need. Time to clear it out, get some more storage, figure out a system. all suggestions appreciated. . And I'm thinking of squeezing in a quilting frame and quilting machine... oh boy.
Happy whatever you celebrate today. It's sunny here, we are supposed to join the kids at a rental house in the mountains but I've come down with a cold, don't want to share that. Maybe I'll have the energy to get orgznized

2009-12-18T20:10:00.000-08:00

Friday, December 18, 2009

BCWS Watercolor society juried show

opened this week - with some very impressive pieces. I was flattered that my entry, It's not what you think, sold on opening night. Here's a photo of the piece.

No award, but seeing awards go to several friends who entered really special pieces was fun. A great show, with a few years of great effort by the BCWS board members and committee members who worked really, really hard on this. If you get a chance, go see the show at the Chico Art Center at 5th and Orange, open daily.
Where does the time go? A year almost over, and nearly half of my resolutions still untouched in their original packages, Hmmm.
Soooo, on to next year. Priorities include pieces already promised to different organizations, pieces for the galleries, and for workshops. I also need to improve and expand on my workshop handouts, and provide more complete stage by stage samples.
Did I mention that there is a medical practice and speaker tours as well? and, um, er, exercizzzzz.
The oil painting shown today portrays a blustery day on the Sonoma coast:

I do have lots of work that I need to photograph, and some I forgot to photograph before they left, and a resolution to organize my photos next year (if for nothing else than to show them to you), but here are a few more quilts from the collection. Windows on the world, Time and Space, and Town by the River.

And finally, welcome to my new daughter in law, a wonderful addition to our family. Ready to learn to paint and quilt?

Posted by Phyllis Cullen Art Studio at 9:30 PM

portrait class

2009-11-25T16:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Lots of happy faces and amazement in last week's class. Some faces of family, some animals, but they all went together easily. We also explored using photoshop, and my favorite image manipulations, to make the patterns, then explored values to put them together. Here's a photo of most of the final (mostly prior to quilting) tops (I think one dog snuck out before pictures).
Just one oil painting to show you this time, since I've been travelling so much, but I thought I'd better get this published.
Now off to see the kids for Thanksgiving number two!

Playtime

2009-11-15T22:41:00.000-08:00

I guess that's what we call it when we try new techniques, streamline old processes, and generally spend a lot of time fooling around with photoshop to generate new ideas, That and a lot of travelling lately haven't been conducive to many new finished works, though I'll show a few paintings tomorrow when they dry enough.
This week is the class at Honey Run. Seems like a lot of students are interested in doing their pets, so i have a few petworks for you today.
Of course, if you want my "fur and feathers" class, you can check out the various birds (penguins, pelicans, eagles, parrots, etc) that have shown up in previous blog posts
Lots of ideas percolating. Now I need studio time, transfer play to finished work

Annie's Star Quilt Show

2009-10-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

Being the featured quilter is enough to make anyone's head swell, after a few thousand people tell you how fantastic your work is! Thanks everyone! And thank you to the guild for letting me do it! Here are a few pictures of my booth, and a few pics of some of the other great quilts that were there. The one with the wacky features by Grace Crocker won the best art quilt award. Several of the quilts in the show were by my students, and it was fun to see them finished. My portrait quilts generated lots of interest, so I hope we'll have enough brave souls willing to try portraits in my class Nov 17 and 19th 6 PM at HoneyRun Quilts. I included the original photos, manipulated photos, "patterns" and fabric charts to show the process I use. They can also be done by using painting filters in Photoshop, actual painting, tracing, printing etc, all easy options, which I'll demonstrate or help you with in class Sign up now and I'll have time to manipulate your photo into a pattern for you to follow easily. Then you can wow your own families!

Twas the night before

2009-10-22T20:45:00.001-07:00

setting up for the quilt show and i haven't done much preparation yet. Oh, I looked at the space (big) and asked for a few frames and a table, and printed out a few photos, and rolled up a few quilts, but, basically, I go over tomorrow and see what fits on the walls. It was fun to be on TV, on the news, and I heard that I was in the newspaper, although I haven't seen it (vendor was out, but surely someone will save me a copy). The show will be great- a lot of effort went into it, and we appreciate it.
an oil painting, "Damariscotta Doorway", a scene (I photographed the door in Damariscotta, Maine last fall).
We had a great time taking Sophie to the Pumpkin Patch. (She liked the gladiator fights best, don't ask)
After PIQF I'm thinking of getting a quilting machine on a frame- lots of research to do. And next we have Mitzvah Day, etc. And my patients, family and friends...busy!!!

watercolors, and quit shows

2009-10-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

Pacific International show was great, and the vendors made sure I spent my prize money there! The bottom picture here is of my prize winning pelicans. I will be teaching a class called "Feathers and fur" for anyone who wants to make colorful animal quilts.
The quilt at the top is the Cape Cod lighthouse that I made for my parents 50th wedding anniversary, borrowed back for the show, and it was published in the newspaper, along with a nice article about the show.
In the middle are two watercolors, both of which will make nice quilts one of these days when I have time to get back into the studio!
Avenue 9 gallery will be featuring art glass next month, and my fiberart will be back on the walls too.

I'll be on TV tomorrow with quilts,noon news. All for now

PIQF, 500 Quilts

2009-10-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

Well, not all 500 are mine! But "Sunset Tree", which won a blue ribbon (best use of embellishment) 2 years ago at the Denver National Quilt Festival, will be joining 499 other art quilts in a new book coming out in the spring, published by Lark, so I'll show you a a picture of it here. the book should be outstanding. I keep buying art quilt books. What a wonderful time to be involved in this great art form!
I just heard that my pelicans won a blue ribbon (best use of color) at the Pacific International Quilt Festival. I'll see the show Sunday, because Saturday we go to the pumpkin patch with Sophie! I hear it's a great show, as always, so anyone near Santa Clara, CA should definitely go.
A reminder that our Chico show is rapidly coming up, Oct 24, 25 at the Silver Dollar fairgrounds, so if you come, stop by my booth and say hi.
The watercolor show deadline is coming up fast. Enter if you can!
I'll show my entries here soon. Gotta run.

new portraits

2009-10-07T12:14:00.000-07:00

Just finished "Lovebirds, too", of my wonderful son and daughter-in-law, Sky and Ginger. I love you both! The qult is fabric collage, cut freeform based on a contrast enhanced photo of a playful moment, with a bit of acrylic paint here and there. My portrait class at Honey Run Quilters will allow students to do their own, either like this or from a traced and painted, or ink jet printed photo, with added quilting.
As in this quilt of the old woman. All will be explained- and everyone will have fun! I will also demonstrate using the computer to generate a usable Pattern for several of the techniques. Class will be evenings on November 17 and 19 in Chico at Honey Run Quilters- or book me for your venue! The pelicans of "Sunset Roost" are off today to Pacific International Quilt Festival. I'll be there Sunday the 17th. Say hi if you see me! I'm happy to report that we are adding another workshop in Israel in March. Please contact Shulamit Ron if you are interested, or leave a comment here and I'll have someone get back to you.
And one new painting, from rural-upscale Ferndale- a nicely contented cow HAPPY HOLIDAYS

No news is

2009-09-25T20:04:00.000-07:00

pretty cheesy of me, actually. My excuses run from being out of town almost constantly to the lack of completion of new projects. So, back to historical news. I;ve been asked to show thread paintings, and photos of my studio. (That's not gonna happen unless I clean up, so, uh, not yet...) So, an example of thread painting, which to me means just thread on canvas, no appliqued fabric. They are slow, but kind of fun to do, in a meditative way, and I plan to do more when things aren't so hectic and I don't have so many deadlines and, and,,,
Anyhow, just to keep things alive around here (till next week at least), here is Squaw Creek, from a photo I took in Tahoe

Yesterday, today, and tomor- well you get the idea

2009-09-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Lots going on right now. SAQA's auction is going on. This week's offerings are at Page 1a and Page 1b.

My little penguin piece is in the next batch, I think. You can look at the upcoming ones at the same site.

Some phenomenal little pieces of art!

Here's the one I donated last year.

Meanwhile, lots of travelling, volunteer work and teaching. Besides the guild show, coming up in October (where my booth will be something very different from previous featured quilters' straightforward "show and tell" style) I'm working up new ideas for classes. My portraits class in November (at Honey Run Quilters, check their website), will feature very easy and very challenging ways to do portraits- demos will show all, and participants can choose!.

No paintings today, but I'll try to post more often.

Rosh Hashonah is coming up, so I'll show you a piece which won a prize a few years ago in a show called Women's Wisdom, Women's Courage. It's called City of Golda. There are shutters that can be drawn over her face if you don't want to see her, requested by my Israeli daughter in law, who liked the quilt otherwise. Anyhow, Happy Jewish New Year (L'Shana Tova).

free, to good home

2009-09-05T09:20:00.000-07:00

well not really, unless you are one of my fantastic fun cousins who were so great to us in Seattle. Hope you'll be picking your pieces soon.

In the meantime, several pieces were sold to good homes, several from my primary "gallery" i.e. the walls of my office! A few of these are two oils,shown here, one of the breezy beach we walked on every day in the Dominican Republic, another from my New England in autumn series.

The Butte County Watercolor Society will be having a members' show at the Chico Theater Company, opening reception on Friday September 18, 4-7 PM and then every Tuesday through Sunday 2-7 PM through October 11. To whet your appetite, I'll show you my entry, Spanish Town, but please realize that there are many really professional watercolorists who will have really good stuff in this show, so go, even if you miss the opening (which was set up (without asking me) on Rosh Hashonah (ok, we can make the very beginning, I guess)).

No quilts to show today, since I've been traveling so much, but I'll have some nice surprises for my featured quilter booth at the guild quilt show October 24-25. Save the date!

It's About Time. More plein aire, new quilts

2009-08-22T17:02:00.000-07:00

Plein aire painting in the park in Fair Oaks produced two oil paintings.
The one of Alani and her dog is at the Sacramento River.
Painting in watercolor in Cory's garden (followed by one of her incredible lunches) produced a painting of her gate. The entire property features these gates everywhere. Gorgeous bed and breakfast full of artwork everywhere.
The quilt of the lone cypress is from a photo, and was made during my demo at Avenue 9 gallery.
This is a technique I teach in workshops.
Finally, a plein aire oil painting of a tree by the water (shown in an earlier blog, now you have to go back and look it up), led to three variations: snippets, thread painting and abstract collage. Which do you like best?

Off to our new opening at Avenue 9, featuring David Mallory (come see).
I left a few of my pieces on view that were hung too high for people to see last month.
Thanks for coming!

new painting, new venues for old quilts

2009-08-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

First of all, I finally acceeded to my daughter in law, Hadas' request for a painting of Sophie. I took a picture of her with Terence (my son, her dad) at the petting zoo. I think the oil painting captures her delight with the goats while being safe in dad's arms.

Our group quilt, Native Market, all 134" wide of it, was published in Machine Quilting Unlimited.

One of the most popular quilts in the ongoing gallery show seems to be Boxed In. The challenge was to use the central fabric, which looked like it had monsters on it, so I added eyes. I put it in a box, but it broke out, and ate the members of the guild, so it has chewed up arms , purses and coke cans, possible the only quilt many have seen with these features...

The demo was very popular, hopefully even helpful, although my sister maintains that my presentation style "channels Julia Child," since I was showing how to make a fabric collage landscape, which means that if you have a hole somewhere just stick on another rock or tree or foliage , no set design necessary.

I'll post the resulting landscape soon.

cover girl

2009-07-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

Nice writeup today in the Buzz, Chico Enterprise Record's entertainment section, with pictures of my show (I'm their cover article!). See it online here.
I'll be doing a demo at the gallery Saturday from 4-8 for Art First Saturday.
And the show is still up until the 15th. I added 7 new pieces to it, so go look again.
Here's one of the new pieces. It is based on an oil painting which you can see in a previous post ("Are they real...")

And a photo taken during our hanging process...

workshop update, show update

2009-07-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

All in one week, artist reception -- about 300 people, steadily still coming to the show, which will be up until August 15 -- a writeup in a local newspaper and a magazine coming out, preparing for demo on August 1 on fabric collage, thread painting and felting, the last by Kristina.

Last week I taught another very successful art quilting workshop. This time I tried to concentrate on art principles, composition, etc.

Pictures this week are from my workshops, showing the amazing work my students have been doing. Most of these are photos of the works in progress, but most of them really do get done. As you can see, they range from art reproductions to scenes from photos, from zoological specimens (lizard skin from painted Tyvek) to reproducing Chihuly glass in fabric paint and stitch.

Please contact me if you are interested in one of my workshops (art principles for quilters, quilts from photos, inspired by classic art, embellishment, design, etc. I travel worldwide :)

It's Showtime!

2009-07-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

44 of my pieces, 14 of Kristina's - lots to see! Here are a few more in the show:
First, one of those challenge pieces- had to use a few specific fabrics, including the tea bags that make up the path, and the theme was "tea party". Mine is called "The Party's Over" so it's nighttime, it's autumn, the birds are eating the leftovers, and the cows have come home. Hand appliqued.
"Midnight Sun" does have some resemblance to traditional quilts (gasp!) since the pieced blocks really are abstract versions of a yellow sun in a midnight purple sky. The quilt tells the story of our cruise along the Norwegian coastline, up above the arctic circle. The sunsets lasted until midnight, and the sun came out again an hour later. The Viking images were everywhere, and the sled dogs were enjoying their summer break. The bottom right hand corner depicts our cruise ship , appropriately named Midnatsol.
I used a lot of needlefelting for embellishment on this quilt

Finally, one thing we worry about is people touching the
quilts. Especially when the show is named "Tactile Art!".
How to warn them off, without resentment?
Hopefully, our little signs will do.

Gallery show, new work and old

2009-07-08T19:53:00.000-07:00

I've been quite busy getting ready for the Avenue 9 Gallery show. I was lucky to have kids and grandkids here. I'll try not to go so long between posts. The little house from two blogs ago has turned into a dockhouse with boats. It's gone to the gallery along with twenty or thirty other fiberart pieces. I'm including a few pictures of other pieces in the gallery right now.

My signature piece, "Fascinatin Rhythms" is there It's been to a lot of shows and museums, and was published in Katie Pasquini Masopust's book, "Ghost Layers and Color Washes" Now it's being featured in an article about Kristina and me in a local magazine "Inside Out". If you look closely, you will see three layers. Most evident are the three faces of the musicians one above the other. The next layer shows the jazz quartet, piano,horn player, saxophonist, stand up bass. Finally, the color changes are musical notes. Kristina Adams is joining me in the gallery for this show. Her work is colorful and goes well with mine. I hope to put some pictures of her felted pieces in here next time.

The piece that is featured on the postcard invitation to the show is "Portofino", with colorful buildings surrounding the port. So I'll show you that one too.
Our artist's reception is July 17, 5-8 PM
And, here's a recent oil painting, from a photo I took at Multnomah Falls in Oregon.

SAQA auction, and more animals

2009-06-26T16:15:00.000-07:00

I sent in my donation for the annual online auction for SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates), an organization that does a lot to promote art quilts as, well, an art form. Anyone and everyone can bid on these little gems, so go here for all the information and to look at all the neat pieces available.. Mine is called, Across the Great Divide, and the whole story is in the body language!
The oil painting this time is of a sweet little antelope from the San Diego animal park. And the watercolor/miniquilt is a pair of playful otters done in inks and then quilted.
Click on any picture to enlarge it, then use your back arrow. Thanks for all the great comments.
Lots more to come. Stay tuned!
Phyllis

Lovebirds and Motherhood- in fabric and paint

2009-06-18T20:19:00.000-07:00

The lovebirds are my mom and dad. We lost him recently and after 63 years together, mom's feeling a bit lost too. I tried to capture his vibrant spirit in my favorite medium, quilted fabric collage. Motherhood is a watercolor rendition of an eagle and her baby. It's off to another show.
And, to round things out, a new oil painting, Statuesque, which may need a bit more work. I'm very excited to have joined the California Fiber Artists www.cafireartists.com where a few samples of my work have joined a very distinguished group's web page. and...back to work.

streetlamps, houses, birds, animals, landscapes-quilts and paintings

2009-06-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

Really, I expected that I'd have at least 8 more done by now. I want to have NEW stuff for my gallery show.
The show will all be fiberart this time.
As you can see, Streetlamp is done from a photo, so I'll bring my class over to the gallery ("creating an art quilt from a photo- design and composition secrets", July 8, 10 and 11 at Honey Run quilt shop classroom- sign up on line or in the store). Bird of Paradise (thread painted)on an abstract background. Just for fun, mypenguin quilt juxtaposed with a pelican painting. There's a house quilt in progress.. and just to show my mom and I are still painting, my watercolor puppy, and side by side watercolor landscapes by me (left) and my mom(right) of the same scene.
Enough for now. Back to work. More next week, so tune in then. Thanks for looking, everyone

Painting-is it real or is it memories

2009-06-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

A few of my oil paintings-plein aire(on the spot)-or not. You decide. Five mile Park is a favorite place to paint. So is the American River park. And autumn in New England is amazing. Here's a sampling:

Off again

2009-06-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

One of my quilts to a show, that is. My mom was here for a few weeks and with painting and running around,I haven't updated.Lots of fun, though!
Now to get some work ready for my Avenue 9 fiberart opening on July 17.
Close to Home remembers the Lightning fires that started a year ago and devastated so much of Northern California. Fire evokes hearth and home, but they are not safe from fire caused by nature or human intent. The quilt will be part of the exhibit in Ohio called Sacred Threads, quilts with emotional content. I can't wait for the CD and recommend ordering it from them.

new additions (quilts, paintings, and a baby!)

2009-05-17T19:34:00.000-07:00

That was the week that was, and it was so good!
A great time in Ferndale, terrific food, fun teacher (I highly recommend time spent with Pam Holland, whether you do her technique or not. I found my own portrait technique worked better for me, but it was great working surrounded by others making art and she is so entertaining). Best of all, spending time with friends at Eva's (and gourmet meals by her in-house chefs).
Then along came Maia, healthy and cute, good work Hadas and Terence.

Before I went, I did finish my quilted pelicans. They followed the one I painted in oils.

Where are they now?

2009-05-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

No, not anyone famous, and not my kids (I think know where they are), just my artwork.
Currently travelling in Hands All Around international show is Pursuit of La Paloma, (on the right here) part of my tribute to classic artists series. Most of you know the backstory here. Although the piece has been published in a national magazine, is travelling in a prestigious show, it was totally ignored by the judges at the local county fair, who awarded ribbons to premade panels, kits, anything! We are all still laughing about that ,except for my poor friend Mary who insisted I enter it. Mary, it's OK- it makes for a hilarious story!
Meanwhile, back at the gallery. Currently showing are It's a Bloomin' Iris, (shown at right) and Sages, (second down on the right) using monoprints from my Joan Schultze class.
About to go up is Sunset Trees (right), a blue ribbon winner at Denver National, Chinese Landscape (below, right), shown at Road to California and other places and various small pieces, so you still have to go over and look. The Kenya Women raffle quilt will be hanging at Avenue 9 gallery until May 29- get yer tickets now, folks.. And don't miss our opening on May 15 even though I myself will miss it this time).
I have an oil painting at the Chico Art Center current show, Marshes, from Autumn in New England series (painted in Boston).
Finally, I'll be teaching a workshop on making an art quilt from a photo, which will deal with creating a composition, making a line pattern, and getting the effects you want as well as the techniques of actually creating the quilt. Enough for now. Tomorrow it's off to Quilter's Escape in Ferndale. And that baby- still not here. Guess she's waiting for Mother's Day.

just1person.org, women of Kenya quilt

2009-05-07T21:56:00.000-07:00

Several friends helped me make this quilt that will be raffled off for an organization that enables young women in Kenya to attend school, avoid marriage at age 12, have some hope for the future. It will be raffled off on May 30. Tickets for the raffle are available online at www.just1person.org. The organization provided fabric from Kenya that we used, and Jean Denney found lots of shiny bits for their jewelry! Thanks, Fran, Kristina, Dee, Mary, Gail, Jean, for answering the call.
Meanwhile I'm hard at work getting pieces done for the gallery (Avenue 9 gallery in Chico), and for our guild show in October where I'll be "featured quilter", which means I'd better get on the ball.
Meanwhile we are waiting for grandchild number two who was due yesterday but evidently doesn't read obstetrical charts...

2009-05-03T21:44:00.000-07:00

Before I tell anyone about this blog, I'll start getting some pictures of my work gradually loaded up. (Why else would you be here? To hear my thoughts on politics or something?) So, in no particular order, although I might try to give some estimate of when things were done:
This is the quilt we made for Congregation Beth Israel. It's about 12 feet high. The photo of us making it in my studio is the label. It was finished in time for Rosh Hashonah last September (2008). Although it is our own pattern, it is clearly based on Chagall's stained glass 12 tribe windows.
It hangs in the synagogue.

2009-05-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

Hi, friends and fans I'm finally ready for digital self promotion (aka strutting my stuff). Until I get to the website phase, I'll be putting photos up here and getting some information about where to see my stuff in shows and what workshops I have available.
Now to get a picture of my work to show you.
This quilt, Yosemite was made for my son and his wife, avid hikers and fans of Yosemite National Park. It is raw edge applique and is most definitely not for sale!
Now that I have the hang of this, I'll start getting more photos up, and more about my artwork..
Stop me if I start telling you what I had for breakfast.....