Learning Deeper, Expressing Canada

I'm self taught at pretty-much everything.  That is my lifelong goal.  I've never gone to art school... or sewing school for that matter.  But I'm always learning.  And I am always looking.  Yesterday, we were at the library.  Here are some books I picked up instead of quilting books.  There's some great creativity boosters in that pile!

A quilter's trip to the library.

One thing that strikes me is the style of art & quilts & art quilts from around the world.  Australians have a definite style all to their own.  They stand out.  And the works of Norwegian and Welsch artists and sewists really catch my eye.  Some day I need to go there and see if I can feel it in the air.

incidentally, my first fibre art set was purchased by a stained glass artist.
 

 

I was asked the other day, "what is Canadian Style?" in a rather pessimistic tone... like we have none.  I stopped to think.  I'm not sure.  I think you see Canada when you see bold colors, definite lines, rugged nature, red & white, humanness, and humor.

from : The Art of Tile

Our land is so diverse - glaciers, igloos, lighthouses, grainfields, rivers, mountain ranges, giant ancient forests, cottage country, three distinctly differing coastlines, tundra, sand dunes, hoodoos, vineyards, rocky cliffs, and the Okanagan.  

Then there's the skies - sun up, sun down, the moon, and the astronomical  

Aurora Borealis or The Northern Lights.  

(CLICK - these are REAL).  

Our place on the earth gives us four distinct seasons as well.  Those I cannot live without.  Add to that the fact that any Canadian child's classroom will be filled with faces and freckles of every color imaginable... Not many people in Canada are from Canada.

from the book: The McMichael Canadian Art Collection

So, what is our style?  We are like a loaded pizza.  Actually, we are more like the entire smorgasbord!  As for me - who knows.  There are several people down my family line who were adopted, so the bloodlines are unknown.  All I know is that I was born here and my heart is tied to the land.

My goal with my fibre art is to express what I love about the land and sky here.  I love Canada.  I have this gorgeous image brewing in my head of how I feel about the 'true north', and the depths of life force if you look deep into life here.  First, I'm enjoying these books.  I love the inspiration they offer.  Then I will start expressing that piece in my head/heart with my fabric & fibres and glass beads.

THAT is my favorite tip.

Here's to a creative weekend!  

~Monika K.

Jack Frost & Mourning Joy

I love mornings.  Today I rolled out of bed waaaay too tired from blogging late into the night.  I opened the blinds and look!

I considered taking an early morning paper route for extra fabric-cash, but you know me.  I'd get distracted and take photos instead.  Maybe something in the gallery will sell soon.

The ice fog was gorgeous.  I could smell coffee brewing and sausages sizzling from the kitchen, but I couldn't leave the upstairs windows!  The morning air was so mesmerizing.  It's interesting that I have recently added all this muslin, greys, and soft yellows.  Those colors are all here in the photos.  And it's the first time I noticed that most of my neighbors have yellow chimneys.  Look how that color stands out in the fog!

This next one has the contrast tweaked a bit.  It's all so droopy isn't it!?  It's the neighbor's tree.   They are moving today.  The big truck is parked out front.  We'll miss them. 

It's truly magical to watch one season transition into the next.  People get all down when summer ends, but winter brings many joys.  Endings always make way for new, don't they?  Maybe I'll drive out to the country today and get some good icy prairie photos. 

And then I went to check my email with morning coffee in hand.  And can you believe it!?  One of my higher priced fibre art pieces have sold!  I priced it higher, assuming no one would touch it.  I secretly wanted to keep it.   I'm not done loving it.  Now it's gone.  I cried!  I was in shock and tears were streaming down my face.  I hardly had time to be with it and enjoy it.  I really loved that piece.  

The Moon One Morning (Flickr link)

Has that ever happened to you?

I told myself to smarten up.  I mean really.  I made it to sell to make money to buy more supplies to make more stuff to sell... and on and on.  So with joyful tears in my eyes, I wrote a note of gratitude to the couple purchasing it, and then clicked 'send'.  It means so much to me that they admire the piece too.  : )  It's all so good.

~Monika

beginning and ending and beginning again

Fibre Arts (and Crafts!!)

This is not original, but with Halloween in just a few days (yippeeee!!) I had to share this super easy craft I discovered while shopping.  Sweet fibre ghosts!!

All you need is this:

And this:

Set up some 'molds'.  

You are supposed to set up your sculpture first and then spray it.  I found it easier to do it the other way around.  The cheesecloth is so light that the force of the spray pushes your design around!  So, cut your cheesecloth to the size you want, lay it on a surface and spray it all over until thoroughly moist.  Square pieces are great because they make long raggy points.  Then you pick it up and set it onto the mold.  While wet with the spray, it's really easy to manipulate.  And then it stays put!  

This takes an hour to dry.  I tied threads around the necks to help shape it.  Just pulling the string sets the cheesecloth into position and it stays.  (I find this so remarkable!) 

It's apparently non-toxic.  My hands feel all powerdery now, so I'm sure it's just starch & water.  You could do this on a towel, or wipe up the floor after like I did.

FUN!!  Once dry, string them up and let them float in the wind!  wooooooooooooooooooooooo!

~Monika

stitchin' & witchin'

Fabric Postcard Workshop Fall 2010

This fall, I'll be running a Fabric Postcard Workshop at Sew & Home in downtown Saskatoon!  

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UPDATE: There is one class left.  

It will be Wednesday November 1oth, 2010 from 6pm to 9pm.  

Call Sew & Home 306.373.2332 to register.

Thanks!

~Monika~

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On Saturday September 18, 2010, Sew and Home will be having an open house at 1 pm.  Their address is 601 1st Avenue N.  That is where you can learn more about their classes, meet the instructors, and sign up.  Parking is free!  

In this workshop you will learn basic postcard construction, machine applique, piecing, fusing, how to finish edges with a satin stitch, and embellishment options including hand stitching.  Even if you don't consider yourself an artist, it's a great idea for home-made holiday greetings!  Information will also be given about joining online swaps.  All you need is a sewing machine, thread, and a very small amount of fabric.

I will run this 3 hr workshop twice.  The tentative dates are Tuesday October 12, 2010 at 9:30 am or Wednesday November 10th at 6 pm.  Pass it on! Maybe I'll see you there. Until then, happy stitching! ; )