More retreat photos

We've all agreed that this was the best retreat yet, but we did struggle with setting up the timer on 3 different cameras to capture this silliness Friday night.  Sitting the camera on a stack of books on a countertop was less than ideal, but you get the idea.

Front row from left: Marilyn, Betty, SuZEE, Mary Ann, Ann, Jouce, Vicky.
Back row: Leila, Dede, Laura (looking like that ship's captain), Holly, Deanna.

Retreat 2012

Here we are, all 13 of us, on the deck of the house we rented for this year's retreat. We arrived Thursday and Mary Ann was able to join us for a day and night on Friday. We accomplished much, but enjoyed just as much the food, raucous laughter, walks on the beach, wine and did I say food? companionship and more walks on the beach, and of course the beginnings of our quilts about ARTIFACTS.

From the left, front row: Vicky Groom, Marilyn Simpson, Mary Ann Michelsen, Renee Gannon.
2nd Row: Ann Horton, Deanna Apfel, Holly Brackman, SuZEE Kerr, Joyce Paterson, Dede Ledford,
Laura Fogg, Leila Kazimi and Betty Lacy.

This was our fabulous view from the house we rented on our beautiful Mendocino Coast. This beach is called Seaside, which is north of Ten Mile Beach.

Quilt Retreat

MQA is getting packed for their upcoming annual retreat next week. Last year we were “on the edge” (as seen in our retro prom photo) and this year the theme is ........drum roll......we'll tell you later.

Do we have fun or what??

Out of the Comfort Zone: New Directions in Quilting

We are part of an exciting art quilt exhibit at the Grace Hudson Museum, 431 South Main Street, in Ukiah, CA, 120 miles north of San Francisco. "Out of the Comfort Zone: New Directions in Quilting" features 41 art quilts by 23 art quilters from Mendocino County, juried by Robin Cowley, Diane Perin Hock, and Carol Larson. Come see these vibrant art quilts between now and July 29, 2012. More information is available at www.gracehudsonmuseum.org.

Eleven quilters from MQA are represented in the show, including all three prizewinners. Here are those three:

The Messenger by Leila Kazimi - 1st Place

                     



 Captivating One by Betty Lacy - 2nd Place                                               Raw & Jagged by Vicky Groom - 3rd Place

                                         

Ancient Weaver

“Ancient Weaver”, by Ann Horton, has been receiving attention in the show arena.  A winner at AQS, IQA Houston and the Canadian National last year, it received a 1st place Innovative at Road to California in January.  Made with Guatemalan textiles and embroidered and appliqued symbols of the culture, it is a celebration of the weaving traditions of the Mayan people.

Love Shack

Here's a small quilt of Deanna's which she will donate to a silent auction to the Mendocino Coast Jewish Community annual benefit dinner.  The photo was taken at the site of a picturesque falling down shack in Yorkville.  See the larger quilt below the small one.  Deanna manipulates photos in Photoshop, then prints on fabric adding other fabrics to complete the design.  They are both machine quilted.

This shack in Yorkville has resulted in numerous quilts from photos taken there.  She had the permission of the owner to explore the property.  No doubt this building is one of the more photographed sites in Yorkville!

YORKVILLE SHACK  2011

Catherine's Report on AQE III

Hello Everyone,

Anne Beckett, quilter and former screenwriter, demonstrated her critique method using a beautiful quilt by Ruth McDowell.  Art quilt analysis usually contains 3 elements: technique (coming from the craft roots of quilting); idea (coming from the art roots of quilting); and design, which is essential to both art and craft.

Anne led the group through an analysis of design elements including color, movement, scale, focal points and flow.  She continued with the stories of the quilt, Ruth McDowell's story and Anne’s own story, which revealed a surprising overlap in their lives.  She then emphasized the ideas behind the quilt.  Anne suggested that most observers would get the same message from a successful art quilt; that the art quilter’s goal is not only to express an idea, but also to communicate that idea.

During the critique process it is essential to be honest, truthful, accurate, brave and helpful. Comments must be kept confidential.

Following the presentation, Anne and other members gave many suggestions to those who requested input on their quilts.  We attempted to apply the design suggestions to our own work.

Anne also supplied copies of several articles giving different methods for art quilt critique, which I have on hand.

Thanks to Anne for her presentation, and to everyone who helped out.  The next Art Quilt Explorations will be held in about 6 months.  If you have any suggestions for topics, send them to Catherine or Betty.
*****

Call for work:

Art Quilts at Grace Hudson Museum

The show title is: Out of the Comfort Zone: New Directions in Quilting

Juried show of quilts between 8'' x 10" and 30" x 40" at the Grace Hudson Museum, Ukiah.
The size range is from 8x10 up to 30x40 inches.
Open to residents of Mendocino and Lake Counties.
Important dates:
January 6, 2012 — entry deadline
March 2, 2012 — exhibit opens
July 29, 2012 — exhibit ends
Quilts are defined as having three layers.

We should be getting more information on this show soon.
****

Art Center Ukiah

Reminder: Art Center Ukiah needs help during the economic slump. It’s becoming difficult to keep the doors open and the lights on.

1. Any donations are welcome. The Art Center is also seeking sugar mamas and papas to pledge $100 per month. Contact Marilyn Zensen for details, or just send a check.

2. Any other ideas which would bring in publicity and/or money are welcome, such as meetings, workshops and events which the Art Center could host. Urge your wealthy friends to help out.

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Rag Tag Notes:

We admired the crystal dye fabrics made at the workshop. Most people turned in their letters, which Marge will make into an interesting and beautiful banner for the group.

Rag Tag Future Meetings. We meet at the Art Center Ukiah at Church and State Streets in Ukiah.
November 3, Thursday, 6 pm. Challenge: polka dots
December 1, Thursday, 6 pm. Holiday gift-giving and swap.
January 6, 2012, Thursday, 6 pm. Challenge: Quilted post card (inspired by Daphne’s canyonlands postcards, or choose your own). The cards we make will be quilted, not mailable.

Suggestions for future meetings (from the signup sheet)

1. A collective quilt—all do a 12 x 12 piece. Put it together and give it away or raffle it.
2. Personal favorite quilt to bring and share.
3. Spirals.

Best wishes, Catherine