Quilts = Art = Quilts Slide Show

There is a slide show available of the Quilts = Art = Quilts exhibit at the Schweinfurth Art Center.  It looks like a wonderful exhibit.  Sorry I won't be able to see the exhibit in person, but I am pleased that my quilt Bridge Controversy is part of it!

Bridge Controversy by Bonnie Bucknam

Photo by Mark Frey

New Purses for Sale

Here are a few bags recently added to the Purses for Sale page where you will find more photos, information, and prices.

 PTT55

PTT54

 PTZ69

 PTZ72

PTZ73

My Quilts on Display

Canopy by Bonnie Bucknam

Photo by Mark Frey

Bonnie Bucknam's piece Canopy is part of the exhibit "Finding Our Place: The Geography of Art" now showing at the Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Art Center in Dowell, Maryland.  The exhibit will hang through January 3, 2016.  There are numerous activities and exhibits at the Garden.  Stop by if you are in the Washington, DC area.

Bridge Controversy by Bonnie Bucknam

Photo by Mark Frey

Bonnie's quilt Bridge Controversy is part of the 35th Quilts = Art = Quilts at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, New York.  The show hangs from October 31, 2015 to January 3, 2016.  An opening reception will be held Friday, October 30, 4-6pm, admission $10.

Next Shipment of Quilts to Mayan Families

I'm working on a shipment of quilts for Mayan Families in Guatemala.  The quilts should be ready to ship next week. Here are some of them.  The first is by Chris from the Loose Threads group in Vancouver.

 Block Party

These next four are from Pat B. in Idaho.

Gardenias

Africa Dance

 

Sampler Blocks

Red Star

 These next two are from Linda in Palm Desert.

Blue Twist

Delft

These two beautiful color studies are from Kimberly in Oregon City.

Autumn at the Lake

 Starry Night

Here's one that Pat from Anchorage and I collaborated on.

 Sunset at Lake Atitlan

 And here is another of my alphabet quilts.

Little Letters

These should make some kids in Panajachel happy!

Pattern-Free Quilts: Riffs on the Rail Fence Block by Kathleen Loomis

If you’ve never designed a quilt on your own but are tired of using patterns devised by others, a new book by Kathleen Loomis, Pattern-Free Quilts: Riffs on the Rail Fence, is for you.  Kathleen was a journalist before she “retired” to become a full-time fiber artist.  That background holds her in good stead.  She has an easy, conversational writing style which incorporates her sense of humor.  Her book is an easy read.

But don’t let that fool you.  This book is packed with helpful hints and fresh ideas on making the rail fence block, which Kathleen defines very loosely, your own.  She takes you step-by-step through the decisions needed to come up with your own unique and successful quilt design.  From choosing the block and the layout to fabric choices – Kathleen has good advice each step of the way.  She gives you a guide to continuing on after making your first pattern-free quilt – how to keep growing and changing.

The quilt gallery at the end of the book shows a myriad of possibilities with simple or more complex variations rail fence block. Each photo is accompanied by a helpful description of the rails, block, arrangement, and color plan. It's a good place to study the effects of choices made with regard to color, layout, and complexity. 

These are quilts you could whip up quickly for gifts and charity work.  In fact, Kathleen whipped up two of them herself (one shown on page 69 of the book), which she donated to my Guatemala Bound project!  Or you could adapt the basic pattern to a more sophisticated style for a stunning art piece.  The choice is yours.  Whatever you choose, you'll be making something unique.

So check it out.  You can’t go wrong following Kathleen’s advice.

For ordering information see Kathy's blog, Art With A Needle, or CreateSpace.com

Corvallis Exhibit Now Open

Here are a few photos from yesterday at The Arts Center in Corvallis, Oregon.  The noontime brown bag lunch was well-attended.  Curator Hester Coucke asked some challenging questions which Linda McLaughlin and I answered as best we could.  The audience participated, and we had a lively discussion about art, craft, quilting, sewing, influences, and dreams. It was quite fun!

Linda's work, all black and white circles in various permutations, and mine, colorful shapes and patterns, compliment each other perfectly.  It is an interesting and effective juxtaposition in a gorgeous gallery space.

There were quite a few attending the evening opening, with great food provided by the local art quilt group.  Thanks to all the staff and volunteers that made the exhibit possible.

Quilts at The Arts Center, Corvallis

Bonnie Bucknam and Linda McLaughlin: Contemporary Art Quilts opens at The Arts Center in Corvallis Oregon on August 27.  There will be an informal Brown Bag Art Talk at noon, followed by a reception from 5:30 - 7:30pm.  The gallery is located at 700 SW Madison Avenue, Corvallis, Oregon 97333.  Regular hours at The Arts Center at Tuesday through Saturday 12 - 5pm.  The Center will also be open on Thursday, September 17 from 4 - 8pm in conjunction with the Corvallis Arts Walk.  The exhibit in on display through October 3, 2015.  Please stop by!

Slalom Course

Bonnie Bucknam

2015

Photo by Mark Frey