October 2015 SAQA Oregon Newsletter

Thank you to Elizabeth Bamberger and Leotie Richards, our previous SAQA Oregon Regional Co-Representatives.

In this newsletter:
1. SAQA Oregon Blog and Facebook Group
2. Announcing SAQA Oregon Member Profiles
3. SAQA Oregon Regional Exhibit, Blending Poetry and Cloth, Update
4. 2016 SAQA Oregon Regional Conference Update
5. SAQA Oregon Pod Meeting Information

We look forward to serving as your Regional Co-Representatives.

Marion Shimoda and Sherri Culver
SAQA Oregon Regional Co-Representatives
marion.shimoda@gmail.com and sherriculverquilts@gmail.com

1. SAQA Oregon Blog and SAQA Oregon Facebook Group

The SAQA Oregon Blog, www.saqaoregon.blogspot.com, is where public SAQA Oregon Regional information is posted.  It is the place to go for up to date information on SAQA Oregon Pod meetings, SAQA Oregon Regional Exhibits and SAQA Oregon Regional Conferences.  Resources, calls for entry and other regional news is also available on the blog.  The blog also provides links to SAQA Oregon Member websites and blogs.  To submit news for the blog, please follow the instructions in the bottom right corner of any blog page.

If you’d like to receive SAQA Oregon Blog posts by email, sign up to “Follow By Email” from any page on the blog.

The SAQA Oregon Facebook Group is a closed group.  Information that may be of interest to SAQA Oregon members is posted to the group.  Any SAQA member can join the group by going to the Facebook group and requesting to join. Membership is approved within a day.

2. Announcing Oregon Member Profiles on Our SAQA Oregon Blog by BlogMaster Bonnie Bucknam

We are going to borrow a great idea from SAQA Southern California, and post profiles of SAQA Oregon members on our blog at http://saqaoregon.blogspot.com/p/saqa-oregon-member-profiles.html.  We have almost 200 members in Oregon now, so this could be a very interesting project!

If you go to our blog you will see a notice about this project.  We have compiled eight questions for you to answer, and we encourage you to "illustrate" your profile with photos, too.  Details are in the post on the blog.  Send your profile to Bonnie Bucknam at bonniebucknam@gmail.com.  Bonnie will post the profile in a new section on our blog titled "REGIONAL MEMBER PROFILES."  We can't wait to "meet" you!

3. SAQA Oregon Regional Exhibit – Blending Poetry and Cloth by Curator Leotie Richards
The SAQA Oregon regional exhibit Blending Poetry and Cloth just finished an exhibition at the NW Quilting Expo in Portland. Several people mentioned that they thought it was the best work in the show. The curators, Leotie Richards, Karen Spencer and Jean Wells are working to secure a spring date at Pioneer Place Gallery in Portland. Right now the quilts are in secure storage while we're fabricating rods that will be suitable for all gallery venues.
Upcoming dates for gallery venues are:
The Rogue Gallery in Medford, June 3rd - July 28, 2016
Willamette Heritage Center in Salem, Sept. 22 - Dec. 24, 2016
Chehalem Cultural Center in Newberg, Spring 2017
Crossroads Carnegie Center in Baker City, Summer 2017

4. 2016 SAQA Oregon Regional Conference – September 22, 2016 by Elizabeth Bamberger
Save the Date! Planning is underway for our next SAQA Oregon Regional Conference! The Conference will be held at the beautiful, historic Willamette Heritage Center in Salem on Thursday September 22nd, followed in the evening by an Artists Reception for a three-month appearance of our current exhibit "Blending Poetry and Cloth" at the Center.
Our Planning Committee is now working on developing a Conference theme and program, finding speakers, sponsors and caterers, and working on the budget and logistics; but as many of you already know, it takes a village to make a conference happen, and we will be calling on you to help in whatever way your time and abilities permit. We'll update you regularly on what is happening and what we need, but if you would like to join us now, give us your input, and take an early part in conference preparations, please email Elizabeth Bamberger at elizabethbamberger@gmail.com, and I'll connect you with the right person. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

5. SAQA Oregon Pod Meetings
All SAQA members are invited to attend any of our Oregon Pod meetings.  Oregon has four Pods, local groups that meet in Ashland, Central Oregon, Portland and Valley South.  Following is general information about Pod meetings and how Pod meeting information is communicated.  Please contact the identified people below for specific Pod meeting information.

Ashland SAQA Pod:  The Ashland SAQA Pod meets at Sew Creative in Ashland on the third Tuesday of the month.
Meeting information is posted to the SAQA Oregon blog and SAQA Rogue Art Quilters Facebook Group and is sent to the Ashland SAQA Pod email list.
Please contact Lynne Goulette, lynnegoul@gmail.com, for meeting information.

Central Oregon SAQA Pod:  The Central Oregon SAQA Pod meets at The Stitchin’ Post in Sisters on the third Thursday of the month.  No meetings in December and July.
Meeting information is posted to the SAQA Oregon blog and SAQA Oregon Facebook Group and is sent to the Central Oregon SAQA Pod email list.
Please contact Jan Tetzlaff, jmtathome@hotmail.com, for meeting information.

Portland SAQA Pod:  The Portland SAQA Pod meets at various locations in the Portland area on the third Wednesday of each month.
Meeting information is posted to the SAQA Oregon blog, Portland SAQA Yahoo Group and SAQA Oregon Facebook Group.
Please contact Annette McFarlane, mcfaror@gmail.com, for meeting information.

Valley South SAQA Pod:  The Valley South SAQA Pod meets at the Eugene Textile Center in Eugene on the third Friday of each month.
Meeting information is posted to the SAQA Oregon blog and the Valley South SAQA Oregon Facebook Group.
Please contact Lynda Christiansen, ericandlynda2@comcast.net,  for meeting information.

Please remember to send any questions or comments direcetly to one of the reps .
Thank you!
Marion Shimoda and Sherri Culver
SAQA Oregon Regional Co-Representatives
marion.shimoda@gmail.com and sherriculverquilts@gmail.com

Portland Pod Update

Our October meeting at OCAC was great fun with about 22 participants! Many thanks to Jan Duke for doing an introduction into dying and Gerrie Congdon for her discharge workshop. And thanks to OCAC for letting us use their surface design studio.

Our next meeting is changing venues since the community room at Cedars Hills Shopping Center is under construction. We will do a field trip to the Portland Art Museum to see Paul Allen's "Seeing Nature" exhibit with a docent, on Wednesday, November 18 at 10 AM. Members will be free, non members $19.99, Seniors, 62 and up, $16.99. Please email me if you wish to attend. Annette McFarlane mcfaror@gmail.com

Central Oregon Pod Update

Tierney Davis-Hogan gave a funny and informative presentation on blogging and the quilt world at our October Central Oregon SAQA meeting. You can contact her if you would like a PDF of the presentation. Ideas for the 2016 challenge quilts were collected, voting will be at the November 19 meeting. Additional 8 by 10 quilts for display and sale in December at Twiggs Gallery will be collected.

Quilt show winners, judging and competition experiences will be discussed at the Central Oregon SAQA group's next meeting Thursday, Nov. 19 from 3 to 4:30 pm at the Stitchin' Post in Sisters.

A theme for 2016 challenge quilt will be chosen and commitments made to participate.  Additional 8 by 10 quilts will be accepted for display and sale in December at Twiggs Gallery, adjacent to the Stitchin' Post in Sisters.
 

Bucknam Displays Work in Two Exhibits

 

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.

SAQA Oregon Member Profile Project

Please introduce yourself to your fellow SAQA Oregon members.  We are almost 200 strong, and we have a wonderful wealth of talent and diversity here.  Please answer the following eight questions, and "illustrate" your profile with up to four photos and a headshot, no more than 2 MG each in file size.  Make a note in your answers where the photos are to be inserted, wherever you think they fit, depending upon what you choose to show.  Perhaps a picture of your studio?  Perhaps your four latest works?  It is up to you, but please include a headshot.

Send your text and photos to Bonnie Bucknam at bonniebucknam@gmail.com.  Bonnie will post your profile here on our blog.

VERY IMPORTANT:  Please send your profile information IN THE BODY OF AN EMAIL.  Cut and paste the questions and fill in your answers after each question, inserting notes where you wish photos to appear.  Send your photos as attachments to the email. Please do not send a separate word document or similar file with the answers to your questions.  Your writing should be in the body of your email.  Finally, be sure to tell us your name, where you live, and about how long you've been a SAQA member.  Also include links to your website and/or blog.

If you have any questions, contact Georgia French or Bonnie Bucknam.

Georgia: gfrench1946@gmail.com

Bonnie: bonniebucknam@gmail.com

Profile Questions:

1.  How would you describe the work that you make? Do you have an elevator speech? Have you found your "artistic voice"?

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"?

3.  Describe the steps involved in your art-making process.

4.  What is your one favorite or most common source of inspiration?

5.  Do you enter your work in shows? What would you say have been your top three exhibits?

6.  Describe your studio space.

7.  How much time do you spend on your art? How do you balance your life between art, family, friends, day job, etc.?

8.  Do you work in other mediums or use unusual materials in your work?

Meet Oregon SAQA Co-Rep Marion Shimoda

Marion Shimoda of Aloha, Oregon
mshimoda.blogspot.com
 
SAQA Member Since 2010

 How would you describe the work that you make? Do you have an “elevator speech”? Have you found your artistic voice?

My work is improvisational.  It is playful and whimsical.

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 have enjoyed making things with my hands since I was a child.  My mother introduced me to sewing and all sorts of crafts.  I made my first "art quilt" about five years ago.

Red Bloom by Marion Shimoda

Describe the steps involved in your art-making process.

When I begin working on a quilt I write down guiding words, collect and draw images, and give myself some general guidelines.  In my work I incorporate hand and machine piecing, hand applique, and hand and machine quilting.

What is your one favorite or most common source of inspiration?

My favorite source of inspiration is my everyday life.

Do you enter your work in shows? What would you say have been your top three exhibits?

Yes.  My top three exhibits were at QuiltCon 2015, 

Bias Petal Play by Marion Shimoda

Fabrications 2013

Whispering Curves by Marion Shimoda

and the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.  

Abstract Grid by Marion Shimoda

I also exhibit work  with the Sisters Journeys Art Quilt group at venues in Oregon.

Describe your studio space.

I have dedicated rooms to work in and storage space.  In one location I have a sewing machine and ironing area permanently set up.  In a second location I have a loft studio and attic storage.  

How much time do you spend on your art? How do you balance your life between art, family, friends, day job, etc.?

On occasion I spend up to ten to twelve hours a day.  Often I spend just a few minutes a day.  Because my art is intriguing and fulfilling, I endeavor to make art a part of my everyday life. 

Do you work in other mediums or use unusual materials in your work?

I also do papercrafting and create sculptures with wire and found objects.  Spools, knitting needles, and other tools and materials from my craft rooms are integrated into my work.  Sculptures include people, animals, trees, flowers and vessels.

Meet Oregon SAQA Co-Rep SHERRI CULVER - Focus on Portraiture

SHERRI CULVER of Portland, Oregon
FOCUS ON PORTRAITURE
http://sherriquilts.com/

SAQA member since 2013

Self-Portrait

Sherri Culver

How would you describe the work that you make? Do you have an “elevator speech”? Have you found your artistic voice?

For the past many years I have been focusing my work on quilt portraits.  I have always been fascinated by faces and have grown even more so as I laser in on the subtle differences that make people unique.  While I admire the painting and thread-work of other portrait quilters, I feel my best work utilizes commercial fabrics to create the entire portrait.  I believe I have found my artistic voice in portraiture and am challenged anew with every piece I create.

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 never had any intention of sewing or becoming an artist of any kind.  No interest in it whatsoever.  I became hooked, literally, into quilting by my step-daughter, who insisted I make her a quilt as a wedding gift.  I hated the process, but I had bought lots of supplies and felt I needed to use them.  Then cascade of wedding quilts and baby quilts came tumbling down upon me. In 2005, I made a quilt to commemorate my parents’ 50th anniversary/ three-generation family reunion in Colorado.  I loved the challenge of figuring out how to create the pieces and parts of the quilt.  That same love of “figuring    things out” carries into my portrait work.

Describe the steps involved in your art-making process.

Charlie, Keith, Mick and Ronnie

Sherri Culver

I begin with a photo.  When I first started, I needed a very high resolution image, but I have gotten to the place where I can fill in the pieces to a degree. This is always the challenge when I do a portrait of a person from a low resolution Internet image.  When I use an image from the Internet, I credit the photographer, when I can determine who it was, not always the case.  

 I use Photoshop Elements to crop the image and separate it into values.  The primary challenge is finding fabrics that read as solids and represent the range of values I require.  In early days I tried to find fabrics that were as close to the skin tones of my subject as I could.  Quite a challenge!  Many of my choices were never right and, as a result, I have a huge “pound of flesh” that will never be in a quilt.  The transition from fabric shop to portrait is a rugged one for sure.  Currently, I am doing a lot of work in grey-scale.

 I back all of my fabric with Trans Web, the best fusible, in my opinion.  Once the portrait is assembled on a teflon appliqué sheet, I raw edge appliqué.

What is your one favorite or most common source of inspiration?

My family.

Do you enter your work in shows? What would you say have been your top three exhibits?

I had a solo show and was invited to participate in two invitational shows while I lived in Ohio. And I have had four quilts in Houston, winning a third place in portraits in 2013.  

Describe your studio space.

After enjoying the entire third floor of our house in Ohio for my studio, I have adapted to a decent sized bedroom here in Portland.  And I had to incorporate my office into the space as well.  It works amazingly well.  At the moment, only a person with a great sense of balance and tolerance for pins can walk across  the room without injury, but it keeps the snoopers out!

How much time do you spend on your art? How do you balance your life between art, family, friends, day job, etc.?

One of the beauties of being old is that my kids have moved out and I don’t have a job.  I work on my quilts almost exclusively from 8 to 11 PM every night.  I rarely miss, unless I have an evening event.  And I rarely quilt during the day,  unless I have a deadline, and I avoid them, if possible.  This leaves my days free for friends, family and the work of living.  And just in case my quilting schedule hasn’t made your jaws drop, I read for an hour or so after I finish in the studio.  That is why I don’t like to schedule early morning meetings!

Do you work in other mediums or use unusual materials in your work?

I am not an explorer or a dabbler.  I have chosen my process and use other materials and processes only to take my portraits to a different place.  There is plenty of opportunity to grow within my love of portraiture.

Central Oregon Pod meets October 15

Blogging...it is a part of the quilt world.  At Thursday's Central Oregon SAQA meeting Tierney Davis Hogan will present on blogs...what they are, how to create and how blogs can be used for art quilt professional purposes.  I've seen some of the presentation.  It is fun and informative.

Bring a quilt or work in progress to share.

See you Thursday at 3 pm at the Stitchin Post,   Jan

Valley South Pod Meets October 16

Valley South will meet at Eugene Textile Center, October 16th at 2pm and hope all can meet for lunch at 1pm at Burrito Amigo
Demonstration this month by Mandy Miller, WORKING IN A SERIES

Central Oregon Pod Meets October 15

Thursday, Oct. 15 Central Oregon SAQA will hear quilter and blogger Tierney Davis-Hogan speak on how to write and promote a blog, as well as blogging etiquette.  The meeting will be from 3-4:30 pm at the Stitchin' Post in Sisters.  As quilters we often work in isolation.  Find out why the Internet and blogging can be part of making connections in the creative world.

Central Oregon Members Host Valerie Goodwin

SAQA board member Valerie Goodwin was guest of honor at a reception hosted in September by  SAQA Central Oregon.  Forty members and guests enjoyed a perfect autumn afternoon of conversation and fellowship with a view of the Cascades in the background.  Valerie was touched to see some of the previous year's challenge quilts with a theme of View from Above.  Many of the quilts were inspired by Valerie's work and her book Art Quilt Maps.

Portland Pod Meets October 21

Our next Portland Pod meeting is on Oct 21, 2015, 10AM-1PM, at the Oregon College of Art and Craft, 8245 SW Barnes Rd, Portland.  We’ll meet in the Dye and Surface Design Studios. Park in the upper lot, head towards the cafe, walk thru the courtyard on the right and the studios are right there.  Go to  the OCAC website for a map.

Jan Duke is doing a beginning dye class, please contact her to reserve a spot.  Everyone is welcome, even if your not taking the class.  The studios have huge, plastic covered tables and big sinks so bring your own supplies, come and play.  Gerry Congdon is doing a discharge demo - any other members are welcome to share their talents.