Somehow I managed to get some work done for Dale Copeland’s annual International Collage Exchange. She does a fabulous job managing an exhibit and exchange of artwork from well over one hundred artists. Each of those artists created 13 works of art.
So this year, I decided to play with fiber for my collages. They are not quite art quilts as they are really missing the batting and backing — except for the four flag pieces. Each of the works is 5 x 7 inches or smaller and were mounted (or sewn) on heavy 8 x 10 watercolor paper. One will be for sale and one will be for exhibition. The rest will go to other artists.
I plan on adding all of them to the site but I am trying to figure out a new organization for the gallery. In the meantime, here are a couple…
As promised, I did some more flags. I did one a while back for Dale’s world peace calendar. That particular one included a plastic soldier. For this series of four, I used some interesting fabrics to explore patriotism as the country faces the decision of who would be the next president.
This one is called Reflection although I think I should have gone with Red Reflection instead.
I am still a beginner with the quilting skills. The sewing machine and I are still negotiating our relationship. I do my best not to curse at it, and it tries not to ruin my art. I did well when I just did straight lines in the flag pieces but really struggled with the free-motion quilting on the other pieces. Looking back, I think I prefer the invisible thread I used in the flags verses the silver in these two works. Ah, yes… does an artist ever really feel completely satisfied with a work? I feel I am always reworking my work in my head even if it has been sold and moved to a new home!
Stay tuned! The 10th International Collage Exchange will be available for viewing (and buying) on April 1st on the Virtual Tart site.
Meanwhile, I am amused by tracking my package of collages as it travels to New Zealand. It would be fun if I could mail myself!
