Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Portland Pod Picnic July 20

Our July Portland pod meeting will be at Mary Ann McCammon’s house in Sherwood, on Wed, July 20, 11-2PM.  Mary Ann will supply garden greens and drinks, so we need to bring the toppings- chicken, vegetables, cheese, olives etc.  Also will need a few dressings, some bread, rolls and of course, appetizers and desserts.  Will we also do an outdoor quilt show, so bring something to share and Mary Ann will do a garden tour.  Please RSVP to me and let me know what you might bring.  Mary Ann would appreciate a head count one week before.  Please email me for directions.

Annette
annettemcfar@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Central Oregon Pod Meeting Highlights

The results are amazing when SAQA members respond to the word "Doors."

"Cuba" by Linda Saukkonen
Photo by Marion Shimoda

Central Oregon SAQA members explored doors as portals, thresholds, entrances, passageways, and as frames to new experiences and memories in 18" by 40".  Individually the quilts are wonderfully unique, together they make a strong show that will premier at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show July 9 in the gardens of the Open Door restaurant on Hood Ave. in Sisters.

 "The Back Alley" by Judy Beaver
Photo by Marion Shimoda

The quilts were revealed at the group's June meeting.  It was fun to hear the quilt "creation" stories.  The plan was to see the quilts where they will hang during the quilt show.  The weather did not cooperate so we were cozy inside during social hour and show and tell.  Look for an article about the exhibit in the Sisters supplement to the Bend Bulletin.

 "Between Every Two Trees" by Betty Gientke
Photo by Marion Shimoda 

Volunteers are needed to staff the exhibit during the quilt show.  Please contact Jan at jmtathome@hotmail.com if you are able to commit to a couple of hours hostessing in the garden where the quilts will hang.

No meeting in July.  Next Central Oregon SAQA meeting will be Thursday, August 18 from 3-4:30pm at the Stitchin' Port.  We will have a panel discussion about writing a book and getting it published.

Central Oregon Pod Meeting Highlights

The results are amazing when SAQA members respond to the word "Doors."

Central Oregon SAQA members explored doors as portals, thresholds, entrances, passageways, and as frames to new experiences and memories in 18" by 40".  Individually the quilts are wonderfully unique, together they make a strong show that will premier at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show July 9 in the gardens of the Open Door restaurant on Hood Ave. in Sisters. The quilts were revealed at the group's June meeting.  It was fun to hear the quilt "creation" stories.  The plan was to see the quilts where they will hang during the quilt show.  The weather did not cooperate so we were cozy inside during social hour and show and tell.  Look for an article about the exhibit in the Sisters supplement to the Bend Bulletin.

Volunteers are needed to staff the exhibit during the quilt show.  Please contact Jan at jmtathome@hotmail.com if you are able to commit to a couple of hours hostessing in the garden where the quilts will hang.

No meeting in July.  Next Central Oregon SAQA meeting will be Thursday, August 18 from 3-4:30pm at the Stitchin' Port.  We will have a panel discussion about writing a book and getting it published.

Blending Poetry and Cloth Opening - Rogue Gallery, Medford

The opening reception for Blending Poetry and Cloth took place last Friday night at The Rogue Gallery in Medford. Ten or more Oregon SAQA members were in attendance. The museum staff did a great job hanging the show. The art works looked absolutely stunning. Leotie attended the opening and shares these photos.






Sunday, June 19, 2016

"Mastery: Sustaining Momentum" Opens at Dairy Barn Arts Center

Mastery: Sustaining Momentum, an exhibit curated by Nancy Crow, opened at the Dairy Barn Arts Center in Athens, Ohio on May 27th.  The exhibit runs through November 27, 2016.  Twelve artist are represented by three major works each.  The work is consistently stunning.  In addition, each artist has several small works which present some of the processes of designing the larger works. SAQA Oregon member Bonnie Bucknam is one of the artists in this exhibit.



1000 Palms Oasis
copyright 2016 Bonnie M. Bucknam
80" x 80"
Photo by Mark Frey

 Sea Ice - Cook Inlet
copyright 2016 Bonnie M. Bucknam
80" x 80"
Photo by Mark Frey
 Forest Trail
copyright 2016 Bonnie M. Bucknam
80" x 80"
Photo by Mark Frey

Here are some views of the gallery.

View of the gallery, including work by (left to right), Arturo Alonzo Sandoval, Heide Stoll-Weber, Judy Kirpich, and Kit Vincent.

View of the gallery, including work by (left to right) Helen McBride Richter, Bonnie Bucknam, Arturo Alonzo Sandoval.

View of the gallery, including work by (left to right) Coleen Kole, Margaret Boys Wolf, and Marina Kamenskaya.

View of the gallery, including work by (left to right), Marina Kamenskaya, Nancy Crow, and Leslie Joan Riley.

View of the gallery, including work by (left to right), Marina Kamenskaya, Gerri Spilka, and Nancy Crow.

Small works by Marina Kamenskaya.

Small works by Judy Kirpich.

The artists in the exhibit are:
 Margaret Boys Wolf
Bonnie Bucknam
Nancy Crow
Marina Kamenskaya
Judy Kirpich
Colleen Kole
Helen McBride Richter
Leslie Joan Riley
Gerri Spilka
Heide Stoll-Weber
Kit Vincent

Friday, June 10, 2016

SAQA Oregon Conference Registration Now Open

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION. Registration for our Oregon SAQA Conference on September 22 is now open! Register early to be sure of your place. Click the following link for all details and to use the quick and easy registration form.
http://www.saqa.com/calendar-detail.php?ID=5135

HOTEL INFORMATION. Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn, located near the intersection of I-5 and Rte 22, about 2 miles from the Willamette Heritage Center (also known as the Mission Mill), has offered us a block of 30 rooms at a special rate of $119 per night, including breakfast at Denny's, for the nights of Sept 21 and 22, for bookings made before August 21, 2016. Click on this link to reserve a room http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/groupSearch.do?groupId=3B7HZ5Q6. This link seems to work best from a computer, rather than from an IPad or a phone. If you have a problem using the link, please call the hotel directly at (503) 585 3332, and tell them you are part of the SAQA group.  To reserve rooms at other hotels, please make your reservations directly.

CONFERENCE SPONSORS.  If you would like to help sponsor the conference, the following options are available:
$75 for a half page ad, $50 for a quarter page ad for non-SAQA members, $25 for a quarter page ad for SAQA members, and any amount to make a contribution to the conference without placing an ad.
Please contact Elizabeth Bamberger, elizabethbamberger@gmail.com, if you are interested in being a sponsor.

We're looking forward to seeing you all at the Conference!

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Portland Pod Meets June 15 at the Portland Art Museum

Our June Portland Pod meeting will be a trip to the Portland Art Museum, on Wed, June 15, 10:00 AM, for a docent tour of the exhibit “Native Fashion Now”.  Museum members are free, non-members $15.99. If you haven’t signed up yet, please contact me by June 8.  If you need to pay your entry, I will need it by June 8.

Also, a couple of reminders, please be thinking about bringing a 3-D entry to the SAQA conference on Sept 22.  This is not a juried show, so just have some fun and try 3-D.  

Jane Dunnewold’s lecture and trunk show is Saturday, August 7, at the Willamette Heritage Center, $10.00.  Register thru SAQA, non-members are welcome.  Please read this blog for more information for both of these events.

Our July meeting, July 20, will be a picnic at Mary Ann McCammon’s house.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Valley South Pod Meets June 17

The Valley South pod meets the third Friday of each month at Eugene Textile Center, 1510 Jacobs Dr., Eugene 97402 at 2 p.m., and members can meet for lunch at 12:30 p.m. at New Day Bakery, 449 Blair Blvd.  The next meeting is June 17th
Notes
Valley South members took a “Road Trip” to participate in the Opening Reception of “Concrete and Grassland” exhibit at the Grants Pass Art Museum on Friday, June 3rd – with a trip to Medford that afternoon to visit the “Blending Poetry and Cloth” Exhibit at the Medford Art Museum. 

Inspirational Artist Amrita Dutia (amritadutia.com) was a guest at the May meeting, offering a lively exchange of her artistic process and a review of the inspired pieces created by Valley South members.  Inspirational Artist for June is Gunther Gerzso. 

Member demonstration for May was Nancy Bryant presenting the use of “Fun Foam” stamps and freezer paper stencils.  June demonstration will be with Deb Sorem on Finishing with Stretcher Bars and Facings. 

For more information, contact Katie Walwyn, ktwalwyn@comcast.net or Carolyn Walwyn, carolynwalwyn@gmail.com

Central Oregon SAQA Meets June 16

Doors as portals to artistic expression has been our Central Oregon SAQA theme this year. Thursday, June 16 from 3-4:30 we will reveal the 30 artists and their quilts made in response to the challenge.

The meeting/reception will be held at The Open Door restaurant and gallery, 303 W. Hood Ave., Sisters (fitting don’t you think?)  Cost is $5 per person ….and guests are encouraged. The Open Door has a beautiful new garden area where the quilts will be hung during the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.

Central Oregon SAQA will not meet in July.  

Next meeting will be Thursday, Aug. 18 from 3-4:30 pm at The Stitchin’ Post.  Topic will be Writing a Book and Getting it Published.

Hope to see you all Thursday, June 16.  Jan

Monday, June 6, 2016

Meet Kristin La Flamme

Meet Kristin La Flamme
Portland, Oregon
http://kristinlaflamme.com


















 1.  How would you describe the work that you make? Do you have an elevator speech? Have you found your "artistic voice"?
I'm an artist who likes to sew. I describe most of my work as narrative textiles. They are rooted in traditional quiltmaking, but are conceptually bound and open to the use of any technique as the piece requires. I also love a good bed quilt and enjoy making functional (mostly scrappy) quilts.


Photo: Suck it Up by Kristin La Flamme

2.  What brought you to making fiber art? What is your art, sewing, or fiber background? When did you make your first quilt that you considered "art"?
I've been artistic all my life, and learned an appreciation for handcrafts from my family. My formal training is a BFA in graphic design from Otis Art Institute. Marrying into a quilty family and moving overseas gave me the time and the need for a creative outlet that coalesced into short-lived traditional quilt-making and then into making art quilts which then broadened to fiber art in general. Perhaps my first quilt that was obviously more art than practical object was a portrait of my father-in-law's dog, done in the style of Susan Carlson. However, before that, I was already choosing blocks based on their names and conceptual appropriateness.

 3/4.  Describe the steps involved in your art-making process.
I usually journal about things I hear or see, making mental connections that resonate with me. I am inspired by the work of others, my own drawings, current events and commentary, humor, and basically everything around me. I allow ideas to percolate in my head and then I make a few rough sketches. The bulk of the art-making happens as I work directly with the materials, moving, auditioning, experimenting, until it feels right.

5.  Do you enter your work in shows? What would you say have been your top three exhibits?
I do enter my work in shows. My top exhibit is a tie between the solo show of my Army Wife series at McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville, VA and the same show but paired with photographer Hunter Rudd at the Arts Council of Moore County in Southern Pines, NC. Currently, I have a piece in the SAQA/Textile Museum show, Diaspora: Tales of Migration which I consider an honor and a high point. My third most important show is having my piece 'Murica' accepted into Quilt National '15.


Photo: The Army Wife by Kristin La Flamme at McGuffey Art Center

Photo: Home is Where the Army Sends Us by Kristin La Flamme (photo by Mark Frey)

Photo: 'Murica by Kristin La Flamme 
6.  Describe your studio space.
I have a large room all to myself, which contains my fabric stash, painting supplies, a large cutting table, my sewing machine, and my computer. Everything I use is at arm's reach and I can leave it messy if I want. 

7.  How much time do you spend on your art? How do you balance your life between art, family, friends, day job, etc.?
I don't spend enough time on my art, but then again, I don't spend enough time with my family either. Finding the balance between art, family, our fixer-upper house, volunteer work, and a part-time job is less actual balance, and more like a pinging back and forth pinball-style from priority to priority. Hopefully I hit everything within a reasonable amount of time.

8.  Do you work in other mediums or use unusual materials in your work?
I enjoy regular life drawing sessions, but have not been participating since we moved almost a year ago.  I recently tried block printing and quite enjoyed it.  There's always room to try other media as I think it always informs one's primary work in positive ways.