I spent all last week at Fabrications in Kalamazoo, Michigan becoming a famous fiber artist.

Well, a girl can dream! I took a five day workshop with Lyric Kinard (I have her new book in my hands as I type – tricky, that – and it’s fabulous!) learning The Elements of Art. Give me a couple of more months and I’ll knock your socks off!

But don’t worry, I’ll teach you how to knit more  (socks).

If  you have been reading my Blog, you know all about the best Fiber Art Retreat in all of Michigan (and several other states). It was the best 5 days of art, fabric, wine, friends, more art, wine, excellent food, colorful fabric, music, wine…

Did I mention wine?

balance

So we did really cool things to fabric and had a generally great time. We did not sleep much but I guess a week of creative exuberance is a sufficient substitute 

About my class; it was pretty much based on Lyric’s new book “Art + Quilt” (pictured above). For this ol’ ducky who has had very little formal art training, it was perfect. I absorb art and art knowledge in bits and pieces and odd places; reading books and magazines, watching videos, taking workshops aimed at fiber art, hobnobbing with artists, staring at artwork of all kinds, and playing with color,  fabric and yarn.

4 days of learning

To work through exercises on texture, shape, line, color and value made it clear to me that I had the knowledge, I just couldn’t control it. I now feel like I have the gift of (at least some) control. Knowledge is power they say. This is true for artistic endeavors as well. I now have the power to know why some of my pieces are triumphs and some are, well…

dismal disasters.

I know my weak spot (value) and to watch for it. I know my strong point (color) and will aim to capitalize on it. Although I even learned new stuff about color and I thought I had that one nailed. I learned about unity, focal point, balance, motion, rhythm (doesn’t that word look like it needs to buy a vowel?), how the eye travels through a piece.

All good stuff!!

I even learned about “seeing” in daily drawing exercises. That was tough! I’m the girl who dropped out of college Drawing 101 when my art teacher would not let me use my triangles, straight edge, and scale to draw a leaf. I had a nervous breakdown! I still can’t draw but at least I will try – progress

I learned about kicking the muse in the boot, finding inspiration when it’s being illusive, storing ideas for when inspiration is coming too fast and furious.

I learned about critiquing; our work and others.

New work started

I learned about my own creative nature. And I started a new work that I’m excited to explore!

Lyric teaching us

The workshop was soooo fabulous. And so is her book. A must have for anyone who does not have that MFA after their name.

My cup is full.

Deb H

Ginkgo Leaves On Water - Water Series #1 by Deborah Harowitz

12″ x 12″ – hand dyed and hand painted cottons and silks by me and multiple artists, commercial cotton, fused glass by me, clear vinyl. Machine quilted, hand stitched and beaded. Mounted on a stretcher frame.

The quilt is actually very square, my camera does this whole fish-eye thing which really bugs me but I haven’t figured out how to avoid it – yet. Any suggestions?

I gave you a teaser a few weeks ago about an art quilt I was doing for a barely made deadline. This quilt was for a juried exhibit called Blurred Boundaries in conjunction with Fabrications Fiber Art Retreat.

detail of fused glass and beading

I cut a hole in the quilt through all layers and sandwiched in a piece of clear vinyl to create a window in the quilt. Holes were drilled in the four corners of the fused glass (2-3/4″ x 2-1/3″) and hand stitched with beads to the vinyl window to create a floating look.

I was going to wait until September 1st to post pictures of my quilt since that is when the show will be hung. Well… I’m posting it now because I didn’t get in. But that’s OK, I kind of knew when I sent it off that it was not really blurring many boundaries as far as being a mixed media piece. The judge’s comments were a reiteration of what the show was looking for; work a bit more edgy and mixed in techniques and materials/medium. She was gracious and diplomatic in her response and her decision became obvious to me as I read the guidelines. Not only am I OK with it, I agree wholeheartedly and am excited about stretching my creative self even more in the next project. I’m also very eager to see what did get in! I did a second quilt in this series (Water Equals Life – Water Series #2, 20″ x 24′) that will be exhibited in the MQAI (Michigan Quilt Artist Invitational) traveling exhibit from September of 2009 through August of 2011. I can post pictures of that after September 11th, the show opening. And, since MQAI is an “invitational”, it was a sure thing.    Both pieces are more “quilty” than mixed media. For the MAQI exhibit, it is totally appropriate and blends well with the other entries.

Going for the "floating" look

As a summation, I’m very happy with my Ginkgo Leaves piece. I got to use some of my glass I made and I experimented with some techniques and ideas that were new to me. I’m happy with the colors and overall effect I got; being very much what I was going for.

Deb H

Ginko Leaves on Water

The photo is a teaser, I’ll post the full view on September 1 (ish), as soon as the show is hung – that’s assuming I get in – I’m a great positive thinker    The show is Blurred Boundaries, a mixed media exhibit in conjunction with Fabrications this year.

And I have been busy doing other things as well, but since I have a whole ton of photos to process/sort through… that will be next time. I’m also working on another art quilt for a different show with a very near deadline (7/18), apparently I love pressure!

Deb H

A Time for Change and Growth

Fabrications is an annual Fiber Art Retreat that is the fiber art highlight of my year. This year (2009) is it’s 5th or 6th year (I’ve lost count, but I’m thinking it’s the 6th. I’ve attended 4 so far) and it has grown to a truly fabulous experience. Having spent it’s first 5 years in the Fall in Mid-Michigan, it has had an expansion; from the original two days to a full five
a date change; now the first week of September,
and a location change; Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Quickie Collage

Of all of these changes, I heartily approve! The longer session for the workshops from two (then three) to five days was so needed. Those of us who attend regularly were always feeling like things just ended when we were getting in our stride after the third day. Five will be better, longer strides  ;o)

My Wall of Work

Kalamazoo (yes, it has a very funny name) is a wonderful little college town with so many more perks than the small rural communities where we have been in in the past. Yes the scenery was luscious but, we will now have access to several wonderful restaurants, art galleries, fabric shops, bead shops, art stores, coffee houses (Water Street and Fourth Coast are my two favorites there) and other wonderful distractions.

Detail of "Too Many Directions"

We almost need to go two days early and stay and extra two days to take advantage of the extras K’zoo has to offer. There are even going to be some special Fiber Art exhibits just for us!

A Productive Day

As for the class offerings – they are fabulous (as usual). There is a button to the right that you can click on to find out more (it’s worth the diversion), I’m already signed up for Elements of Art with Lyric Kinard.

Art Journal

I am so Jazzed. Just dreaming about the week to come; a posh hotel, most of my meals taken care of, immersion in fiber and art, incredible evenings with like minded fiber artists that totally understand me (the best part)… makes for a wonderful day dream. That will hold me until the end of August.

Portrait of Cathy

The photos are all of past years at Fabrications, as usual click to big-ma-fy. See you there!

Von and Cathy take art seriously

Just so you know, all artists are not the serious Vincent van Gogh types  ;o)

Deb H