Foam Prints for Quilting Arts Magazine

I'm working on an article about foam printing on fabric, which will be featured in the August/September issue of QA. One of the pieces I've completed for this project is a work inspired by the architecture in Santa Fe. We've been there often, since we live only a five hour drive away, and have lots of great pictures of the old cathedrals, including the oldest one in the U.S., dating back to the 1600's.

"Women, Peace, and Security" Exhibit

Here it is! The finished art quilt for the U.N. traveling exhibit "Women, Peace, and Security", which will bring support to women in war torn countries. I am happy to be a part of that cause. This will get shipped tomorrow.

Welcome to My World!

Here's another element for the U.N. art quilt. Since the subject is women in war torn countries, I thought I'd add a global image.

First, I printed a map image on my photocopier. Next, I cut out the continents and used a glue stick to stick them down onto some batik I felt had an organic feel. I then drew around them with reddish colored pencil, a blue water-soluble crayon. Then I splattered blueish green acrylic paint over the whole thing, spraying with clear water to soften, then blow dried to keep things from spreading too much, as can happen with paint on fabric.

I'll go over the continent shapes with dark thread to bring them more into focus.

Our view towards Sheep Mountain

Today is December 23, Christmas Eve Eve. It's a pleasant 40 degree day here in the Central mountains of Colorado. There's a snow storm expected, but we find in our little area we often don't get the huge dumps at the ski resorts only half an hour away. It's all topography here. We're lucky we have this beautiful mountain to see out our window. In the mornings as we sip our coffee and wake up slowly, warm pastels of peach and fuchsia creep over our much loved mountain.

Art Quilt in Progress

Latest project is an art quilt for the United Nations Quilt challenge. The theme is "Women, Peace and Security" to bring attention to the hardships of women in war torn countries. My approach is to portray a woman who is in a turbulent situation but dreams of a better life. Elements of both strife and serenity will be in this piece, symbolized by a bare tree, a bird, etc. In the background I'm drawing words freehand and I'll add more layers of color. The face is complete and will have a burka appliqued on to it.

My Contribution to the Sketchbook Challenge

My "sketch" for the day is really more of a zentangle. Which I guess means it's really a glorified doodle, since that's what a zentangle is!

The Sketchbook Challenge: Sketchbook profile : Jill Berry

The Sketchbook Challenge: Sketchbook profile : Jill Berry: "We'll be posting sketchbook profiles of the Sketchbook Challenge Artists over the next couple of weeks so you can get to know us a little be..."

Winter Aspens

Can't-miss, no-fail tree sketching exercise:
Use deep-toned colored pencils and get into a zen state drawing enough branches to get a pretty composition. Then fill in the spaces between with brights - you want to get a stained glass window effect.

October Surface Design Demo

This from the Summit Quilters Newsletter:
"Fiber artist Rose Legge provided our October program. We all gathered around and watched Rose create her own prints on muslin, using stencils cut from freezer paper, and stamps made from thin foam and other materials. She even convinced us that you don't have to draw to create art. Rose also brought several books on art quilts, and some of her own creations to inspire us. Thank you, Rose!"

Child's Face

Kids are the hardest portraits to do. Why? Because you need to use such a light hand. They're very easy to overdo! They don't have much in the way of lines, shadows, etc.