Upcoming Classes

If you are in the Northern Virginia/ DC area, we have 2 classes coming up in May, both at ArtSpace Herndon in Fairfax County.  ArtSpace Herndon is a gallery and performance venue that offers opportunities for local artists to exhibit their work, teach classes and offer workshops, and also showcases performers.

On May 6, we are offering a workshop for kids from 2-4 pm:  Indigo T-Shirt Dyeing.  Kids ages 8-14 will blend art and science by learning to fold a white t- shirt for dyeing in indigo dye; when removed from the dye bath, items change from green to blue.  More info and registration here.

On May 8, we will lead a Design and Wine event from 7-9 pm to learn Thermofax Screen Printing.  Get some friends together to socialize while you learn this basic printing technique.  You will use our original design screens to print a tote bag and learn how this technique can be used to print yardage, scarves, t-shirts, on paper, and clay.  One fee covers all supplies as well as wine and snacks.  More info and registration here.

Hope to see some of you (or your kids) at one of these events!

Virginia Quilt Museum Current Exhibits

After the class last week with Hollis, Sue made a stop at the Virginia Quilt Museum on the way home - especially to see a group of Hollis' quilts that are on exhibit.  The main exhibit is a group of African American quilts "Stitching Our Stories in New and Traditional Expressions".  The exhibit, curated by Wilma Gerald of Norfolk, ranges from quilts with a strong African influence, to traditional quilts, art quilts, and dramatic story quilts.

"Mother" is by Katherine Wilson of District Heights, MD.  Her piece represents mankind's connection to the African continent as the common root of human ancestry.

"Slave Chain Quilt" is by Sisters of the Yam African American Quilters of Richmond, VA.  This was a group project made by the members of the guild.

This improvisational quilt is by Anna Williams and was loaned for the exhibit by Paula Golden.  Anna (1927-2010) was from Baton Rouge, LA, and was perhaps the first African American quilter whose improv quilts were recognized as art.

In conjunction with this exhibit is "Stories of West Africa", a collection of 12 quilts by Hollis Chatelain based on her educational coloring book of the same name.  Hollis spent 12 years in Africa living in Togo, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Benin.  These quilts are all based on photos she took, each one showing the strength of family and community.

"Beautiful Wanderer" depicts a Fulani girl carrying goods on her head.  These nomadic shepherds wander the area south of the Sahara Desert.

"Whistle Blower" depicts a child on her mother's back blowing a whistle.  Children often make their own toys because manufactured ones are unavailable.  Click on these quilts for a larger view and a better look at the quilting.

The picture on the front of the coloring book is also one of the quilts.  "Fabrics for Sale" depicts a woman selling her textiles in the market.  The African fabrics are sold in 2 yard pieces and women usually buy 3.  One is used to make a top, one is worn as a skirt, and the third is used to create a sling to carry a baby.

The third exhibit features Virginia Quilts in the Jenny and David Powers Collection.  These quilts are representative of quilts made in the Shenandoah Valley.

Made about 1840, this pieced center medallion quilt is made of thousands of half square triangles.

This Wreath and Compass quilt was made about 1850.  It has a folk art quality and soft circular motion.

"Fanny Jane's Delight" was made about 1880.  It is an unquilted top.  Fanny designed this complex pattern which contains many half square triangles that had to be cut with scissors.  The museum is in the process of publishing this pattern.

Take a day trip this spring to Harrisonburg and visit the museum.  This exhibit runs through May 12.  

Dye Painting with Hollis Chatelain

Sue was fortunate last week to take a 3 day workshop with Hollis Chatelain, learning to paint with thickened dyes and her method of quilting that brings her amazing images to life.  Hollis spent 12 years in Africa with the Peace Corps, so much of her work features the people of Africa; do go to her website to view the galleries of her work, it is absolutely incredible!

We had a very intense 3 days of instruction, painting, discussion, and more instruction.  Most of us painted two 18 x 20 inch images; a few finished just one.  The intention was for us to begin the quilting on one of them, but we only got as far as discussing and beginning to draw the quilting lines. It is a multi-step process and our brains were so busy digesting new information.

Sue's friend Paula works on painting her crab.

Sue's first piece was this photo of a day-lily.

This is the finished day-lily before washing.  After painting, the dyes need to "cure" for 12-24 hours.

This is the after-washing photo; as you can see, quite a bit of the dye washes out, though the lighting may make it appear more faded than it really is.  Thread will add additional color and dimension.

This is the start of image number 2. Painting a person was a bit more intimidating.

The painted image, before washing.

And after washing.  The colors here are more true to life.

Here Hollis is discussing quilting lines, which are drawn on a tissue paper overlay, and possible thread color choices.

Auditioning threads by laying a strand out on the fabric is the best way to determine the appropriate selection.  Hollis often uses unexpected colors to achieve her effects.

At some point in the future there will be another post about the quilting on these pieces, but no promises as to when that will be!