Unnatural

Here we are, completing our first full cycle of nine challenges. A year ago, Martha Wolfe pulled us all together from around the world to participate in a virtual fiber art collective focused on exploring alternative sources of inspiration.  She proposed we borrow from the theory of multiple intelligences (lo and behold, there are nine!) to inspire our work. What a ride it has been, and what innovative work has resulted.  For this final challenge in the first series, we will focus on the area of Naturalistic Intelligence (good at appreciating the world and nature). 

Now, who isn't inspired by the colors of nature - a red rose, a vibrant orange sunset, a vivid turquoise ocean?  However, your challenge is not to mimic but to alter the colors of nature – to create a work of any aspect of nature with unexpected and surprising color substitutions. Be free. Go crazy! Have fun.

Installation in Germany by Rainer Bonk and Bertamaria Reetz,
 designed around the theme of equality, tolerance and solidarity

I leave you with the words of Dylan Thomas, from one of my favorite passages in A Child's Christmas in Wales, where he describes one of the gifts from his list of "useless presents" (always the best kind): 

"...and a painting book in which I could make the grass, the trees, the sea and the animals any colour I pleased, and still the dazzling sky-blue sheep are grazing in the red field under the rainbow-billed and pea-green birds."

Portrait orientation. 

Gallery opens August 26th.

Cognitive Correction

by Lin Hsin-Chen

The quilting world in Asia is mostly under the commercial domination and this problem is particularly serious in Taiwan. There are fewer people in fiber arts that can set up their self-learning goals and accomplish their dreams as a fiber artist like I do. Getting a foothold in Asia is relatively hard. The unwritten rules are just like a rope that ties the freedom of creativity, which not only harms creative quilters but also distorts the true intention of fiber arts. I’m quite envious of the creative environment and atmosphere in the U.S. and Europe. That’s why I set up TAQS (Taiwan Art Quilt Society) and try to find a way out. Hopefully I can see the environment to be changed and improved gradually. Being a part of Viewpoints 9 has helped me to widen my vision and influenced my perspectives in many aspects.

This spring, when I was attending an exhibition in Provence, Nature gave me a “hint” by showing me “black flowers.” It brought me new inspiration for the future and altered my original cognition of Nature colors. The color of Nature is ever changing and beyond our expectation. It helps me to learn to accept something that exceeds the original cognition.

Nature is just like a Master who guides us to renew our knowledge and vision and allows us to see our shortcomings and change our concept. It is always a happy thing to participate in Viewpoints 9.

All the best to everyone!

Naturalistic Meanderings

Saturday I attended a quilt show looking for examples of Naturalistic Intelligence, our current challenge.  It was a fairly traditional show...but it was the only fiber thing going on locally.

(Besides there are always vendors and I knew two of my friends would be there:  Mickey Lawler (Skydyes) and Susan Ball Faeder, who had come from PA. We had fun catching up.)

The show was not very big...but still worth supporting...on the hunt for Naturalistic Intelligence :^)

Pat Ferguson's beautifully machine quilted whole cloth was very interesting...both sides.  You could choose your favorite.

Pat Ferguson's Zen Nosegay detail

Pat Ferguson's Zen Nosegay wholecloth

There were plenty of well executed quilts...many very artfully done.  The group quilt "A River Runs Through "it was noteworthy.

A River Runs Through It group quilt

But "Sexy Pixels: Gibbs Quilt" by Angelina Kendra won my total attention...and a grin.  To quote her: "I converted a low-resolution pixelated photo of Mark Harmon to two-inch squares in eight shades of grey.  Stand back (and maybe even remove your glasses) to really see this quilt.  No, that's not a hot flash you're feeling!"

Her 64"x64" work was my vote for Saturday's Naturalistic Intelligence Award!

Sexy Pixels: The Gibbs Quilt

Nature knows best?

Living in a sub-tropical region, I am very lucky to be able to grow a range of colourful plants in my garden. Seems that nature knows best when it comes to colour combinations?

This is my favourite- the Bird of Paradise, a little past its prime, but what amazing purple beside the orange.

I have some ideas for my design and will get started this week with the printing, going back to tried and true favourite methods but who knows what may result from playing?

 

 

 

Child's Play

I came to art late in life after years of being convinced by teachers and siblings that I lacked talent. A dear friend Cindy was the first to say otherwise. After admiring one of her paintings, Cindy told me it was easy, that I could paint too. I assured her I had no talent for the visual arts. Determined to prove me wrong and encourage me, she took me to a local art store, told me what to buy and took me home for an impromptu watercolor lesson. 

I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!! My first painting was a little crab for my parents who collect all things crab-related. As loving parents, they treasured it as if it were their first child's refrigerator door offering. They even had it framed. I couldn't believe that I could paint something that actually resembled my subject matter! 

Well, sort of. My crab was yellow and pink. Crabs where I live are blue. But no matter, Cindy didn't tell me it had to be realistic, she merely encouraged me to play, experiment and have fun. 

Just like a child would do. 

Woo Hoo! In this challenge, I get to play with nature, I am Captain of the Universe! Flowers can be green, leaves can be pink and sheep can be blue! (And there is no nay-saying teacher to point out that my art "should" look a certain way.)

This challenge resonates with me on many levels:

• The childlike play that should be a part of our art along with the discipline and development,
• The memory of a friend who encouraged me to believe in myself; to open the door to possibility regardless of my preconceptions, and
• The power of art to change lives.

What a great way to end a wonderful cycle of 9 challenges with 9 talented artists. Thank you Mary.