Melfort in May

For the month of May, The Shervin Smith Gallery in the Kerry Vickar Centre will be exhibiting the work of Ceramic Artist Ken Wilkinson alongside my Embroideries & Prairie Threadpaintings (linked to SCC pages).  I had been on the lookout for a different area of fine craft that would compliment my own pieces.  Last year I spied teapots and mugs with prairie grasses painted up the sides of them.

"Who made these!?" I asked.
Ken answered, "Those are mine."
"Want to do a show together?" I asked, to which he replied, "Sure!"

And that was that.  

I was already booked for a May exhibition there, but was feeling the crunch of filling a gallery on my own.  I thought it might be smart (and interesting) to share the space with another prairie artisan who specializes in a completely different craft from my own.  This was perfect!  We've met several times at his studio and have come up with some cool ideas, but not much to show for it yet.  We hope for some collaborative pieces and have our imaginations spinning on that.  : )  I'll let you know how things come along as we near the date.  I'll be photographing pieces for a show poster very soon.

In the mean time, I will be offering workshops to the Melfort Quilt Guild where they meet in that same building.  VERY CONVENIENT.  So, the plan is this:

 * * * Melfort 2015 * * * 

Thursday April 30, 1 pm - 4 pm

Creative Quilted Postcards Challenge

* 4 spots left (large group)

*

Friday May 1, 7pm

Gallery Reception for the duo Exhibit

Stitchery & Ceramics 

by

Monika Kinner-Whalen & Ken Wilkinson

Open! : )  Please come say hello.

*

Saturday May 2, 1pm -5pm

Threadpainting Class

2 spots left (small group)

Please let me know if you are interested by emailing me directly.  Monika@MySweetPrairie.ca
There will be April classes in my home studio for those of you who are waiting.  No worries there.  I will be heading back to Melfort to take the show down during the last week of May if anyone is interested in coordinating another workshop at that time.

Off to prep for the Silk Ribbon Floral class.  I can't wait to show you photos of that!  Stay tuned...

and HAPPY SPRING !

The Bestest Most Funnest Stitching Day EVER

November 15th was my day as Visiting Artist at the Childrens Discovery Museum, funded by the Saskatchewan Arts Board.  I'm on cloud nine - I had such a great time.  There were women, men, girls, and boys of all ages doing fibre art.  Inspired by Tibetan Prayer Flags, everyone made a flag to either keep, or add to the long banner that will hang at the museum.  For many, it was their first time stitching.  People were pretty proud of their new found skills.  Just look at these beauties!

We used Yarn Darners and floss to collage felt, big buttons, and paper to the flags.  Even with all the works of art that people took home, we still ended up with a 6 metre long line of flags!

There were four classes throughout the day, three of which were very full.  We had wonderful volunteer helpers.  Everyone was so invented.  It reminded me of postcards workshops where everyone is given a blank fabric to do whatever their heart desires.

And then the fun really began!  I brought my bicycle in and did a little talk about "yarn bombing" but added fabric strips to the mix.  Oh did they EVER have fun with this!

This was something all ages could enjoy.  And seriously - check out my bike now!  I am so very proud of this, even though you can't actually ride it.  The front wheel will not move at all.  : )  So, I had to carry it out of the mall.  Several folks gave me the strangest looks in the hallway.  As I passed each one, I simply said, "I let a bunch of children decorate my bike!"  and each passerby burst out laughing with approval.  : )

my new pride and joy

But wait.  There's more.  Since the bike was loaded full with fabric and there was still another class coming... I had to come up with something.  This room I held the workshops in was in a shopping centre.  So I took one of the nearby shopping carts and announced, "This cart is so ugly.  Please decorate it."

They had a BLAST.  They wrapped that cart until there was no more yarn left in the room.  No worries - it was all removed before we left the building.

It was a good day indeed.  Creative.  Experimental.  Tactile.  And therapeutic too.  ; )

Thanks everyone for coming out, and thank you to the CDM for having me.

Roller Coasters & Bouncy Houses

In preparation for my travel & stay in Winnipeg for the upcoming show, I tried to apply for some kind of arts funding to help cover my costs.  I have good news, bad news, more bad news, and finally good news.  (ie: roller coaster ride!)  The first grant was approved.  It was a doozie.  YAY!  But they ran out of funding.  Aaawe. 

Confused?

Yeah.  So was I!  That's twice now.  The next travel grant I found was all good.  I met all the requirements.  YAY!  Then it was pointed out that my show is not a curated one.  That made my request completely ineligible.  Aaawe.  So here I am, with only a few months to go.  I was quick on my feet and took up some teaching to be able to pay my own way.  That makes perfect sense.  My mom always taught me that if I can't find what I need, then I can always make it myself. 

Here's for the good news.  I'm doing four classes at Creative House locally, and am getting booked to run some in Winnipeg while I'm there!  YAY! 

Did you know you can buy a class online now?!  That's convenient. 

* * * I should clarify - these are not online classes.  They are in-house classes that you can pay for online to ensure a spot in the class.  There a loads of classes from a variety of teachers too!

I suppose now the bad new is that I need to put on the brakes again, find some balance between teaching and my rare moments alone to create & ensure I can get all my art done in time for the deadlines.  I'm not booked for Judy's Studio On 9th - but she also has a whole host of wonderful classes & teachers to check out as well (see HERE). 

My schedule is in the new tab above called "2013 Schedule of Events".  I think everything is there except for details on the classes in Winnipeg.  I will get back to you on that.  I know I'm booked to speak.  They call it 'lectures', but as a mom with three little kids, I get a completely different vision of giving a lecture to a group of 150 women.  lol  THAT would get me into trouble.  : )  Instead, I'll be sharing my story and doing trunk shows.  That sounds much friendlier, doesn't it?

Speaking of friendly, wow Winnipeg!  I have to say a preliminary thank you to the people I've contacted so far: bloggers and art lovers and guilds alike.  You've been all so very accomodating!  It's like you are all blowing up a big bouncy house and inviting me to jump in!  I'm looking forward to it for sure.