Spring has been beautiful in Texas and I'm savoring the cool temperatures, new growth and extended daylight. It seems so obvious to be inspired by the season and by wildflowers, and yet it feels fresh for me this year. I hope you'll enjoy these three highlights related to wild flowers. This newsletter also includes info about an Etsy shop update, exhibition opening, new work and a few fun recommendations. Thanks you so much for subscribing, reading and connecting with me and my art. I appreciate it so much. |
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- Texas The wildflowers in Texas have been particularly beautiful this spring. Or maybe I'm just paying more attention. There are lots of highways, over passes and strip malls in the Dallas area where I live, but many of them are surrounded by narrow grassy strips, hillsides and fields full of wild flowers. I took the picture above on a walk near my home. Google Lens tells me it's meadow garlic. We really can find inspiration anywhere including close to home and in the midst of other distractions (like highways!).
- Sarah Cain I'm drawn to the work of painter, Sarah Cain. The New York Times says she “redefines seriousness.” I love that. Serious can also be wild, loose, colorful, bold and dynamic! She had a solo show in London called “Wild Flower" which included a site-specific piece also titled Wild Flower that included a chair on the floor in front of the work painted to blend in with the composition. I often use chairs in my work, but never real chairs!
- Mandalas Many artists create mandalas with flowers and other plant materials. This is such a great project that can be as simple or as complex as you want. Mayumi Nakabayashi's Instagram is full of inspiring examples. Next time I'm out on a neighborhood walk, I just may create something quick and fun. Maybe I'll use the meadow garlic. (Check my IG to see what I find and create.)
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Now Available: Small Art Quilt Collages Upholding Series #1 to 4 • 7x5" mounted to 10x8" • Ready to Frame • $85 "I love this word “upholding” but I also love “up” and “holding.” |
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Broad Blue Outlook Series #1 to 6 • 7x5" mounted to 10x8" • Ready to Frame • $85 “I'm looking out at the cool, icy, blue view and the suggestion of a distant horizon.” |
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Form Not Function International Exhibition I'm delighted my art quilt collage, Boundless and Bare, was juried into Form Not Function at the Carnegie Center for Art and History in New Albany, Indiana on view from May 11 to July 22. View all the artwork online. |
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Boundless and Bare, 40x40" |
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Booking Workshops for 2023 and 2024 |
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I have a few available dates in 2023 for virtual lectures and workshops! Ask your quilt guild program chair to email me. Or gather a group of friends and I'll customize something for you. Here's my list of programs and workshops to choose from. Looking ahead to 2024? Let's talk! |
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Plus, I've got these two in-person events coming up! Will I see you there? The Minnesota Quilt Show • St. Cloud, Minnesota • June 15 to 17, 2023 • Register Quilters Affair • Sisters, Oregon • July 3 to 7, 2023 • Register |
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This and That - I loved watching this tour of Ashley Johnson's art-filled home.
- I got my daughter this fun stack of fish glasses for her birthday.
- Shrinking on Apple TV was a delight.
- Did you know I have a list of recommended products?
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New Work I'm working on a series of 20x20" art quilt collages where I'm really pushing myself to explore more layers and further abstraction. I shared some additional thoughts and images on my IG here, here and here. |
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Use the code WILDFLOWERS for 15% off anything in my Etsy shop through May 31. |
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What's your favorite wild flower? Tell me about it. |
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