Friday, January 29, 2016

January 2016 - Our Urban landscapes are taking shape

Our Portland urban pieces are starting to take shape.  Here are a few works in progress ...

Annette's


Betty's

Hilde's

Kathy's

Melanie's

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

December 2015 - Our show Opens in Newberg

A SENSE OF PLACE: The Allison INN
Exhibit

December 22, 2015 - February 27, 2016
at the Chehalem Cultural Center in Newberg, OR

Thursday, November 12, 2015

November 2015 - Upcoming shows: Newberg and more

We got right down to business this month discussing the details of our upcoming show at the Chehalem Cultural Center in Newberg, Oregon. The show will hang from December 22, 2015 to February 27, 2016, with an opening reception on Friday, February 5, 2016 from 7 to 9. That opening will coincide with Newberg’s Art Walk which should give viewers lots to see in and around the CCC.

We are also making plans for our show at the Chessman Gallery in Lincoln City in October 2016. The group is excited to be including 3-D pieces along with the art quilts that will hang on the wall. Group members have several types of 3-D works in mind so this should result in a show with strength of variety as well as creativity.

Some concrete design ideas are emerging for our April 2016 show on the subject of Urban Landscapes. An exact title is still a little up in the air, but the subject matter is firm, and Portland is providing change in spades to inspire us!

Several people brought in "Show and Tell"to share with the group.
Elaine showed many pieces that she discharge-dyed at the last SAQA meeting, held at OCAC:







Valri shared a fiber bowl and samples from a recent paper making class:




Kathy shared two interesting books:



Here is a peek at Annette's new work ... ready for submission to a show:



Betty is having fun with color:




Tuesday, October 27, 2015

October 2015 - Starting to formalize ideas

After some show-and-tell, there was more in-depth discussion of next year’s project. A couple people have begun to formalize some ideas and are beginning to do sketches. We once again revisited the theme itself, asking if the pieces needed to show both “old” and “new”. Most seem to think we had broadened it by using the title “Urban Landscapes” so that this specific contrast is not necessary.

There was a reminder about the use of #2 lead pencil yellow in all pieces.

Melanie has been interested in Valerie Goodwin’s work, in particular her book Art Quilt Maps and is considering doing an aerial view of a section of the city, possibly the Pearl District. She talked about the use of crinoline as a backing right against the front base to give stability and a slightly stiffer surface.
Elaine would like to work with the bridges, possibly the St. John’s and the Tillicum Crossing to contrast old and new.
Kathy has been interested by building reflections in other building windows and to that end has taken a lot of photos which she shared with us.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

September 2015 - busy summer

MIX members were busy over the summer - both working on fiber pieces and
traveling for new experiences and inspirations. We shared several works that
others had not seen previously and when asked, commented on design issues
that the artist wanted to discuss. The group can often help one of us get the
distance and perspective needed to find an elusive solution!

It was exciting to see a variety of styles, from completely abstract to somewhat
representational. There were aspects of one quilt that became three-
dimensional, as well as two bowls by the same artist with very different design
approaches. It was also fun to see a pink sky in one piece and yellow in another
- always good to shake things up a bit!

Having finalized the subject and size for next year’s joint show, we are all now
ready to begin the design process for these pieces. It will be good to tackle
something urban after our peaceful country sojourn with the theme of the Allison
Resort from last year.
New bowl by Melanie

New work by Valri

The Pearl by Valri

Shanghai by Betty

NOW by Betty

Thursday, August 27, 2015

August 2015 - Continuing discussions regarding our next theme...

We are in the midst of fine tuning the theme for our April, 2016 Show.  As mentioned in our June post, having reveled in the countryside surrounding the Allison Inn and Spa this year, we decided to turn to city life for next year's theme.  Portland is undergoing a huge amount of change and renovation, some of it welcomed (new bridges and public works) and some of it controversial ("gentrification").  We are proposing a possible title of "Urban Landscapes" to allow enough freedom for this subject.  Several photo shoots have taken place and others are planned.  In addition, we are submitting proposals for shows in other regional galleries.

Here are some more pictures taken by Kathy and Hilde during our urban discovery outings and possible inspiration for 2016 show ...