QBL – mixed media & some reflections
I’m home from Fran Skiles’ five day class at Quilting by the Lake held in upstate NY. I have the start of several pieces, five large, two of which are close to being finished; and four small, three of which are close to being finished.
It was an interesting experience. First, I drove the 5.5 hours by myself, and I totally enjoyed the ride. Next, I roomed with four other people who were complete strangers. By the end of the week, however, we were all fast friends. It was also my first five day class, ever. While I’ve taken various weekend classes at QSDS in the early 1990s, and I’ve done some three day classes, I’ve never done a five day class. I kept wondering if I’d make it. I did. In fact, I wished it were longer because I so much wanted uninterrupted time to continue on with the pieces.
In all, I created five large pieces (in the 36″ wide range) and four smaller pieces (about 14″ or so in height). Two of the five larger and three of the four smaller are an afternoon or so away from completion (oh, who am I kidding? Probably several afternoons).
I met several very talented artists with whom I either had lunch or dinner, exchanged cards and so on. I also was humbled and flattered by the many people who came up to me throughout the week commenting on how they like the book or my work. Who knew? Very cool. I got to spend some time with Jan Krentz and Jane Dunnewold, both of whom were teaching, and chatted a bit with Laura Wasilowski, who was also teaching. I had lunch with Marilyn Belford, whom I think is one of the coolest ladies. And then there was Fran. I so much enjoyed her! After a few meals and our classes, I felt a kindred spirit.
Here’s one of the small pieces I created that’s close to being finished; it’s about 13-14 inches tall. It’s dark. Much of what I did was dark. And brooding. Despite me feeling very upbeat and enjoying the week. I do believe that after listening to Viva La Vida (Death and all his Friends) by Coldplay so many times on the drive up, the mood of the lyrics made their way into my work. This piece puts me in mind of the words from 42 — the lyrics of which I am very drawn to. The work awaits some final touches and a varnish finish.
Death’s Door seems a good title. It is on a base of cotton duck that includes machine stitching and hand embroidery. The work includes acrylic paints, two types of painted Chinese and other papers, painted silk fabric, painted cheesecloth, water soluble crayons, white and black gesso, and India ink.
July 26th, 2009 at 6:46 am
very nice Gloria!
July 26th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Gloria – you are too funny!! Even though we didn’t meet this week – I recognized you right away from your work and book. I thought – Hey I didn’t know Gloria was teaching here this week! I thought it was cool when I found out that you were there as a student. Its hard to miss the pretty blond among all us quilters :)) I’m glad you enjoyed your virgin week at QBL and hope you’ll join us again! Nina-Marie (who was up in Cynthia Corbin’s class sewing all week!)
July 26th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Thanks! :) A few people had that “I didn’t know you were teaching” reaction. I should consider it, as I was happy to help people who cam up to me with Elements- or Photoshop-related questions. Rather, I’ve been wanting to take a class with Fran for over five years. I like her style and wanted to see her processes. Every time I was ready to go, something happened on my in-law side that stopped it. Finally I went, and, no kidding, there was a death on that side (nothing like getting a call during the first night of the first lecture and getting the “get off the phone death looks” tossed at me). I decided to stay at QBL.
How did you like your class with Cynthia?
July 26th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Wow Gloria! Very evocative! Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.
July 27th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Great piece, Gloria! If I had known you’d be up this way, I would have come over to say hello (I live 20 min west of OCC now). I love the moodiness and intrigue in this piece. It also sort of reminds me of an old Ellis Island immigration photo.
July 27th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Gloria – Great title for that piece, it looks fabulous. It was really nice meeting you. I had such a good time in Fran’s class too. Now I am trying to figure out how to finish my pieces.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Thanks. And interesting about the Ellis Island immigration photo. And 20 minutes away. You should have come over, woman!
July 28th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Thanks!
July 28th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Jennifer, thanks, and it was great meeting you! What a fun class. I ended up photographing the bridges piece – the one in which the center was bugging me. I took it into Photoshop and started experimenting. As a result, a lightbulb went off. This evening I ended up changing the middle and then did a bunch of color washes on it. I also added some long, skinny metallic orange stripes – just touches. After it all dries, I may add a bit more color. But then I’ve a square grid design i drew that I’m going to screen on in two sizes. I think that should work. But, we’ll see.
July 28th, 2009 at 10:10 am
This piece is fantastic, Gloria. Very strong. I love the rich color – so different from your soothing color palette. Now I REALLY want to take Fran’s class. I’ve always been drawn to the mystery and layers in her work.
July 28th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Thanks Lesley. She’s good. Early on nothing makes a lot of sense, you just need to trust it (which isn’t easy for me since I’m SO use to working things out on the computer first). Later I got through my head that if I didn’t like something, I could paint over it (which gives it more texture) and change the direction. That is where I believe the mystery and layers come from — the continual changing of direction.
I’ve so many ideas that has popped into my head, and I’ve been jotting everything down in the sketchbook that I started in that class. It’s been an excellent reference thus far as I slowly continue on the pieces that I started in class. I believe a larger piece is getting close to completion (short of varnish, which I need to buy). Additionally, I have a couple ideas that I want to try in a small size to see how things might translate into heavy quilts, but I first want to carry on with some of these pieces.
November 26th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Gloria, I too felt a kindred spirit in Fran when I took a class from her at Nancy Crow’s fantastic facility. She is so encouraging, and quietly supportive. She never directs, only suggests and urges you to follow your own inner prompts. My work was going in a certain direction before her class, and went into overdrive after it! I have acknowledged her influence in quite a number of posts on my own blog.
I love your piece, and appreciate the title. It sounds that, like it did for me, the processes and ideas just keep coming afterwards. That’s exhilarating, and I will be keeping my eyes on this site to see more results of your “Skiles Encounter.”
I would jump at the chance to take a course from you at QBL, especially if it entails how you incorporate the computer in your work. Digital images are integral to mine.
One of my highlights that week at QBL was meeting you! You were as open and gracious in person as your responses are everywhere I encounter them on the Net.
November 28th, 2009 at 3:03 am
Carol, thanks for the kind words! One of my highlights was meeting YOU! Hopefully our paths will cross again soon, and we can share more time together. I’ve no doubt we’ll have a great time!