Where's Jack?

I had fun with this challenge and in the end trying to come up with a title for my quilt, with the family helping was a fun event too!

Where's Jack

Artist statement: News Flash- Giant Bean Stalk Discovered in Jungle. 
Explorers have discovered a Giant Bean Stalk, thought to have been extinct, deep in the heart of the jungle. We are unable to reveal the exact location for fear of thief of this rare specimen. Botanical researchers are trying to contact Jack as his expert opinion on the authenticity of the discovery is needed.

Materials: Cotton fabric, dye, fabric paint, tulle, metallic and cotton threads.

Techniques: Dyeing, printing with foliage, created fantasy bean stalk, painted wadding, machine applique, machine quilting.

 Thank you to my fellow Viewpoint 9ers for taking the time to come up with these amazing challenges, pushing us out of our comfort zones, extending our skills and knowledge and forming friendships across the seas. It has been marvellous and I look forward with anticipation to a new, exciting round beginning on September 1!

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.

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.