Here are the rest of my International Collage Exchange pieces…

Family Portrait

So this group of collages are playing on my traditional paper collages. I am trying to experiment with getting the confetti or mosaic like style into fabric. I think I would have pushed all of these collages further if I had more time. Maybe making them into one larger quilt or something.

Mother of Three Boys

Family Portrait 2

Frazzled Lady of the House - She could probably use some wild and crazy hair.

Heart String

Reflection

Reflection 2

Shadow in Red

The Shadow

Together

Click through to the previous entries to see the Flag series done for ICE this year.

(I wish I produced half as much of what I produced in my head!)

Here is the full set of flags done for ICE this year. Stay tuned as I chart the progress of my package and add more photos of my fiber collages.

Here is the original flag art quilt done for Dale’s world peace project.

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!

I originally posted this with photos from the exhibit. After a recent discussion on the SAQA list, I have decided to remove the photos. Although I think it is useful to show all the different art quilts. I wouldn’t want to infringe on another artist’s rights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7Ny5BYc-Fs

Another creature…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2KkGFuRLew

He is working towards making these sculptures self sufficient so that they can live on the beach. If you have time, you can watch a longer video with him explaining his work. http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/162

With a lot of projects on the horizon for the next month, I figured I might do a blog update. This piece is a work in progress. It is for the International Fiber Collaborative. Artist Jennifer Marsh is organizing fiber artists around the globe to create 3 foot by 3 foot pieces to be sewn together to completely cover an abandoned gas station in central New York State. My piece stems from American political decisions that focus more on oil than human rights…. Replacing liberty with oil.

I am actually much further along than this. All I need to do is the binding at this point. I have a long way to go with my quilting skills. This is my first “big” fiber piece so I was really challenged on how to get it quilted with my machine. It is frustrating to not have the skills yet to make the pieces I want. My collage skills have really developed to the point where I feel I could create what I want. Now I am starting from scratch with the fiber art. (Don’t worry — I am still creating collages, too. In fact, I am hoping to get my collages done for Dale’s annual collage exhibition!)

PS - I have blog comments on moderate because of a whole bunch of spam.

One of the more interesting things I have seen lately was a call for entries for a exhibit of identity documentation art. Pieces would be about the size of a passport. I thought this is the beginning of a great idea for a self portrait. All the things that identify us… names, social security numbers, birth dates, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, driver’s license, eye color, hair color, height, weight, etc.  Hmm. Read here for more information.. http://www.maruda.info/

One thing that I really enjoy and learn from is the various online art groups I belong to. The internet has really expanded the abilities of artists to communicate with each other. I learn lots and appreciate the support we give each other.

In more exciting news, I have a new sewing machine! It is official — I have a new fiber addiction to go with my paper addiction. I am quite intimidated by the new sewing machine though and fear touching it. I have a whole series of art quilts in mind — housewife wisdoms — which I hope to start soon.

I hope to add some sketches here soon. It seems like it has been forever since I posted here!

Urge Congress to override autism funding veto
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
By: Carin Yavorcik

President vetoes FY 2008 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations bill

On November 13, President Bush vetoed the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. This bipartisan bill had strong support in both the House and the Senate, but the President objected to the overall funding levels of the bill, which includes modest increases for vital programs - most of which have experienced significant cuts, lost purchasing power or both over the past three years.

This legislation includes significant increases for autism programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration and the National Institutes of Health. These increases represent full funding of the Combating Autism Act, and are critical in improving our ability to diagnose, intervene and develop new therapies for autism. We need this crucial investment!

The House could move to override the President’s veto as early as this week. Contact your Member of Congress and urge them to vote YES on the veto override.

Click here to take action now.