This should be easy for me after all these years. It’s not. Every time I travel to teach I reorganize, revamp the lesson plans and double check the weather in far away places. Memphis is in the temperate zone right now, perfect 70 degree days and 60 degree nights. This itinerary includes upstate New York then west to Lake Tahoe to teach at ArtQuilt Tahoe. I think I will need to pack some jackets.
Meanwhile I have been preparing work for shows here in Memphis. Escape is showing at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Bloat is showing at the Shapeshifter Art Gallery holiday show and my artist group 6points is about to launch our 10th anniversary show at the Studiohouse on Malvern in which I will be showing a number of experimental stitch pieces.
I’m sending up some pleas to the airline gods that all this travel will be smooth.
First stop: my solo show at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn NY. It’s been in the planning stages for over 4 years and encompasses both old and new work. Some of the pieces traveled to the Visions Museum of Textile Art in San Diego, CA, others to the International Quilt museum in Lincoln, NE. This will be the first time (and probably the last) that all of the pieces are together in one place. I’ll be teaching a 3 day workshop there showing people how to make their own herd beasts. In addition we will be raffling off some of the beasts that will populate the show. A BIG bonus for me is that the annual Quilts=Art=Quilts show will be opening on the same evening at the Schweinfurth. I was a jury member last year. It was a challenging and exciting opportunity. I can’t wait to see the works that are chosen this year.
This large beast was made with my piece entitled Redacted
Part of the challenge in preparing for this two week jaunt is that I am constantly distracted by projects I am planning, fabric that I want to work on and things I need to do to make those ideas a reality. I am eager to start a new series, some new 3D ideas and some reworking of old pieces. I am completely committed to reusing pieces that are done and have had their day in the spotlight. If they don’t sell they are raw material. So much raw material……. That beast shown above? I have some ideas about him. Stay tuned.
Hope to see you on the road or in class or in the comments. Work harder, be happy, stay healthy.
Life really is a bowl of cherries. (cue music)
