Attached is a photo of my newest and of course - my favorite piece of art.  It seems my newest is always my favorite.   This piece incorporates silk lap which is essentially a discard from looms.  It comes as a blanket like piece.  Like all silk, it's tough.  A bit like a spider web when you pull it apart.  And--- who doesn't love poppies!!   I really must use this technique again.     

Also need to let you know that I will be at the Third Ward Art Festival in Milwaukee on the 4th and 5th of September.  I have been tentative about entering into large crowds again so this is only my second art fair of the year.  My first went very well.  It seems that all of you are missing the opportunity to view local artist's work.  

 Continuing to create and apply techniques that I learned in Moy Mackay's workshop.   These new pieces will all be framed to 14 x 18.    Have the mats and the frames.   I am now adding glass to my work.  It's been a long time coming but I finally have decided that although it detracts a bit from the textural element the glass will also protect my work so that buyers can have it for the future.    I learned to go a little bolder with my skies.  Liking it but don't want to go overboard either.   The first is from Devil's Lake Park and the second from a photo along the Snake River.  

 Another of my favorites from the class.   All totaled I created 4 pieces of art over a 3 month period.  I have many hours invested in each one.   The birches have quite a bit of machine stitching to add small branches.   I am finally moving toward framing under glass.   I know that many of you like the textural element of seeing the felt without glass but the glass will keep the art clean, protected from insects and UV.    I have resisted this move for a long time but as my art progresses and prices increase it seems to be a wise move.  Hoping that you all agree.  

 I have been taking a course from Moy Mackay, a Scottish felt landscaper whose work I have admired forever.   She allowed us develop our own projects with very little input from her.   She really taught me to be more intentional about my art, take more time planning before I start creating, follow a process and finally to consider using some machine stitching to accentuate some aspects of my art.   This is one my favorites 

Blue Bar Quilt Show-Madison Area Felter's Guild

The Madison Felter's Guild put up a display at Blue Bar Quilts 6333 University Ave, Madison today. There is a wide variety of techniques and styles on display.  I was really impressed with how the display turned out.  It's a great blend of wearables, art, 3 D creatures and displays, vases, and items that are simply fun.   There will be a reception on March 8th from 2-4.     The display is up until April 2nd.   I also entered two pieces in the WRAP exhibit at the Pyle center.  This is a show with artists from many different mediums.  That show will also be up until April 4th.  

I finished this piece yesterday.   The top photo is the piece wet but not felted.  I struggled a bit with design as I started without an end in mind.  In

the middle I almost gave up and started over but I find that if you persevere the messiest pieces can turn out to be your most creative.    I purchased some really unusual fiber at the Jefferson Sheep and Wool Show this year.   It is a 2-3 inch thick mat of fibers similar to silk hankies.  It is really shiny and stretches like a silk hankie.   I decided to stretch it across the fields in the foreground and hoped that it wouldn't be excessively glossy.   It was variegated from dark greens to bright yellows.   I crossed my fingers and hoped that it would felt in as some fibers just lay on the surface.  As you can see from the before felting photos it was pretty bright and glossy.  The after felting is much more muted.   It's perfect.  I wish I had it in other colors but then again a landscape artist will probably use mostly green and yellow greens anyway.   This piece finished to 13 x 18.   Next step is finding the perfect fame.

Art Fair Application Season

It's time..  probably my least favorite time of the year.  I pick through various art fairs, listen to recommendations from my friends, look at my family calendar and other commitments and select several art fairs.  I always apply for more than my inventory will support because I know the inevitable rejections are only a month or two down the road.  My goal.. Be admitted to at least three solid fine art shows with good attendance.  I am trying to branch out because the Madison area audience is becoming familiar-- perhaps too familiar-- with my work.  You begin to get comments similar to --oh it's you again.   Traveling means added expenses and requires that I have good sales so I am shooting for the moon and trying for some really great art fairs in the Midwest.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!    I will be making many new pieces and will have many on exhibit in the mean time,