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Letter From Our President,
Susan Allen
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Whew! With January behind us, many of us are aware that we are now geared up for an exciting year ahead! There seems to be excitement in the air about new workshops, hand stitching, and exhibiting our work.
After being isolated during the pandemic, I realized I was ready to get “out of the house” and renew “socializing”.
Taking bridge lessons has opened me to new friendships, fun and laughter! Stimulating brain activity has also re-stimulated my creative practice.
What’s your goal for the year? Allowing ourselves to open to the possibilities not yet explored is a creative way to build strength in our practices. When I was young I remember hanging my head off the sofa and looking at the world before me, upside down. It looked so different! A new perspective can be ours whenever we decide to seek it!
Wishing you new adventures in your art practice!
Susan Allen, President
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Please click on the boxes below to read these documents | |
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From President Elect, Jane Wolfe
Tips for Prepping Fabric for Painting
Fabric Type
Purists say the best fabric for painting on is 100% cotton with a tight weave (an off-white or cream fabric will dull the paint slightly). But good results can be obtained with rayons and silks too. The best thing is to try a sample square to check the results.
Tight is Bright
If a fabric is loosely woven, paint tends to seep through the threads before it's dry. This tends to reduce the intensity of the colors. A finely woven fabric is also easier to paint detail on than a loosely woven one.
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To Prewash or Not to Prewash?
The reason for prewashing fabric before painting on it is to remove any sizing added during manufacture which may prevent the paint from adhering to the surface. It also gives it a chance to shrink, if it's going to. To test whether a piece of fabric really needs prewashing, drop a little bit of water on it. If it beads up on the surface, it needs washing. If it sinks in, so should paint.
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Get Rid of Wrinkles
Take the time to iron the fabric well.
Wrinkles can create havoc on a design.
Next time tips on painting on fabric....
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Walker Bags Update
Providence St. Vincent volunteer services has given CFG Outreach an order for 50 Walker bags for their outpatient rehabilitation services. Unfortunately I have not received any walker bags from members since our last push for 40 bags for Calaroga Terrace Assisted Living in Portland that we made for December.
Outreach needs donations of fabric: interior (furnishing) fabric holds its shape and is washable so this type of fabric is ideal.
Please bring donations of fabric or completed walker bags to the March CFG meeting, Creative Wearables meetings, Surface Design meetings, drop off on my door step, or I will pick up happily.
Follow the simple bag pattern, which is here on the CFG website (scroll down), and create a masterpiece of a bag.
Thank you,
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News From Our Program Committee | |
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Quarterly Membership Meeting
March 8, 10am in person at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Ln, Portland, OR 97239. We’re asking that you please not bring food or drink into the chapel where we meet.
Carol Anne Grotrian will present to our gathering Shibori & Me: From Ancient Techniques to Contemporary Quilts. In addition she will share samples of her work.
Workshop: March 9 & 10, Ms. Grotrian will lead a workshop entitled Slow Stitch Inspiration: Boro & Kantha. The workshop is filled and there is a short waitlist. To join the waitlist or drop the class, contact Lottie or Emily.
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There Is Nothing You Can See
by Carol Grotrian
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Haiku Quartet
by Carol Grotrian
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In the Works - Additional Zoom Lectures (free to members)
May 20 (Saturday), 10am PDT: Shannon Conley will address us with Going 3-D - Adding a New Dimension to Your Art Quilts.
Shannon Conley is an art quilter and fiber artist in Moore, OK, whose work is informed by her experience as a biologist. She runs a biomedical research lab at a large university and ideas from her pieces often arise from scientific research. She has used art quilts and fiber art as her primary medium since 2009, and much of her recent work has focused on interpreting the diversity and interconnectedness of various ecosystems using fabric and stitching. She grew up in southern New Mexico, and retains a strong connection to the dry mountains and high desert, areas that frequently appear in her ecology and nature-inspired pieces. Though her practice originates with traditional techniques familiar from quilt making, these approaches are expanded to include the use of non-traditional fibers and fiber-like materials, as well as other media/design approaches including painting, dyeing, screen printing, sculpting, and openwork.
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Right: Glycocalyx
by Shannon Conley
48” x 48” x 18”
Shannon's statement: "The glycocalyx is a spiky layer of long carbohydrates, proteins, and proteoglycans attached to the inside of blood vessels. It helps protects the vessel cells from physical and chemical insults. Though the spikes may feel stand-offish, I think of them as an enfolding layer of protection, buffering their precious interior cargo from the vagaries and stresses of the outside."
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October 11 (Wednesday) 10am PDT: Ellen Lindner - Confessions of a Fabric Whisperer - tentative - awaiting signed contract. Additional information at a later date.
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Committee Member Needed for Online Gallery
The Exhibits Committee is looking for a CFG member who can join the team to help facilitate the twice-yearly exhibits. Most of the time and effort is concentrated in a two week period just after the call closes. If you are interested or have questions, please email Jill Hoddick at hoddick@up.edu
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Hand Stitching Online Gallery on the CFG Website
Check out the Winter 2023 Gallery of works featuring Hand Stitching on the website. Find it by clicking on the Exhibits title near the top of the page. This is an exciting show with so many approaches to fiber art featuring hand stitching. The Jury was pleased to have over 40 entries with a variety of methods and themes. Stay tuned for information on the next online gallery call.
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News from Joanne Carpenter | |
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Joanne writes, "In November, McMinnville resident Carla Fox came to our meeting and brought her fantastic neck pieces. She inspired me to make one of my own. I used my tiger pin, yoyos, beads, silk flowers and leaves on a base of upholstery fabric.
"Now I'm obsessed with making neck pieces of my own and have made several more."
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News from Glenda Mah
Glenda writes, "My piece titled Periculum Avian (Birds in Peril) received the NACQJ Merit Award from Judge Kathy Kerler. My piece attempts to reflect the loss of habitat for migratory birds using wetland and marshes. I used hand dyed indigo and stitch resist shibori to design the representational bird and the hand painted tree and water background with jute twine to represent the loss of plant life. A traditional sashiko pattern was quilted to represent the water.
"Embrace was accepted into the Spiritual Visions exhibit at Fontbonne University Fine Arts Gallery in St. Louis, MO, January 27 - February 25.
"I am heading for Japan May 23 - June 12, on a Shibori dream trip with Yoshiko Wada, of the World Shibori Network. This 21 day trip includes a 5 day arashi workshop with the only Japanese arashi artist left in the world, Mr Kaei Hayakawa, and a visit to the annual Shibori festival in Aramatsu, Kyoto and Tokyo."
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Periculum Avian (Birds in Peril)
by Glenda Mah
52" x 52"
Photo credit: Benma Photo
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Embrace
by Glenda Mah
32" x 24"
Photo credit: Benma Photo
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Tightwire Exhibit News
High Fiber Diet members shared their Tightwire art at a reception on February 2. Thanks to all who attended. Below are a few photos from the reception.
Tightwire will open at Alberta Street Gallery in late March. Watch for more information here.
The next High Fiber Diet meeting is April 11 at Grant Park Church in NE Portland.
From Pam Pilcher, pilcherpam@gmail.com
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New Installation!
The Creative Wearables Group has a new installation at the Fiber Arts Gallery in Lincoln City Cultural Center. This exhibit runs through March 19 and is open Thurs-Sun 10-4. It features our newest collection, Upcycle, plus previous collections, Metaphors on Marriage and Dare to Lead.
Creative Wearables was featured in Oregon Arts Watch recently: oregonarts
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Surface Design is a group of fiber artists focused on all facets of applied design, where members inspire creativity and innovation in textile art through workshops, demonstrations, speakers, and field trips along with sharing of each other's work and problem-solving techniques. | |
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The Handstitching Group is going strong, meeting monthly to share works in progress, tips and inspiration.
On February 17 join us for a short demonstration of Drawn Threadwork with Jeri Oswalt (see example on right). Bring a pair of scissors if you want to participate.
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Our March 17 meeting will feature a demonstration of Simple Stitches Made Fancy by Cheri Jolivette (see example on right).
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The Handstitching Group meets the third Friday of every month, from 10am to noon at the West Linn Library in the Community Room (off the lobby entrance), 1595 Burns Street, West Linn. Updates can be found on our private Facebook group.
Contact our facilitators, Terri Wanke, terri.wanke@yahoo.com and Nanci Tangeman, nanci@nancitangeman.com for more information.
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Event Calendar Submissions
CFG's calendar of events is found on our website, columbiafiberartsguild.org
Submissions for upcoming events such as:
- Small group meeting information and events
- Information for guild / small group meetings, such as guest speaker name, meeting location, etc.
- Art submission dates
may be sent to Terri Wanke, terri.wanke@yahoo.com
To view the calendar, click Events near the top of the homepage of the website (don't select a sub-option, just click Events) and scroll down the page a little way. To view calendar entry details, such as time and location, click the entry.
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Columbia Arts Network Announcement
from Jane Wolfe, CFG President Elect
Jane writes, "This seems like an excellent opportunity for the small groups to show their work".
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Columbia Arts Network Member Call to Action!
Were you aware that as a member in good standing in one of the organizations listed below*, you are automatically a member of Columbia Arts Network?
Columbia Arts Network (CAN) is a community-based alliance of SW Washington art groups, businesses, and individuals. CAN collaborates and partners with local businesses and government to improve opportunities for local artists.
As a CAN member, we are looking for your assistance with the upcoming city-wide Vancouver Music and Art Festival that will be taking place from August 4-6 2023. This is an opportunity for artists in the greater Vancouver area to help create a successful event. We are looking for volunteers to assist with just about every aspect of a festival this size in many ways including:
- Booth layout
- Booth sitters
- Water and snack delivery
- Parking assistance
- Assist with creating artist informational handouts
- Computer skills to create map of artist booth locations
- Jury panel
- Area site director
- Artist application process
- Artist liaison
- Artist placement
Please consider offering your skills to make the Vancouver Music and Art Festival a resounding success. Contact information: email info@columbiaartsnetwork.org
*CAN organizations:
Aurora Gallery, Battle Ground Art Alliance, Mosaic Art Alliance, Vancouver Ballet Folklorico, Kindred Collective at Kindred Homestead Supply, Artisans' Guild of Camas, Society of Washington Artists, SW Washington Watercolor Society, Northwest Oil Painters Guild, Sweet Papaya Art, Columbia FibersArts Guild, and Belle Flower Farm.
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Oregon Quilt Festival Update
from Glenda Mah
Glenda writes, "I want to thank all of the quilters who submitted pieces to the first annual Oregon Quilt Festival. There were some serious bumps along the way, first the website failure. I appreciate all of you being flexible and willing to continue with submissions, despite the difficulties. The second issue was the crowded venue and lack of space for all the quilts submitted. This was so so sad on many different levels. As I wasn't one of the organizers I'm not sure how this happened, but it was unfortunate. Apologies to those of you, if your piece did not get hung or displayed properly. I understand the organizers have reserved the 2nd floor as well for next year's show which should address space issues.
"Discussions are ongoing to address the hanging of the quilts so they are better displayed. Thank you once again - I hope you will continue to support the festival so that art quilts are a prominent feature. Congratulations to all award winners!"
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The Fine Print
Please send items for publication in the newsletter to:
columbiafiberartsnews@gmail.com
The Columbia FiberArts Guild meets quarterly in March, June, September and December. No newsletter is published in those months. The newsletter is published seven times a year: October, November, January, February, April, May, July/August. Deadline for articles is around the 10th of the month of publication and will be detailed in the email reminder for articles.
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2022-2023 Executive Board & Committee Chairs
President: Susan Allen
President Elect: Jane Wolfe
Past President: Cheri Jolivette
Secretary: Linda Dyer
Treasurer: Beth Wells
Online Exhibits: Jill Hoddick
Membership: Carolyn Walwyn
Newsletter: Sue Redhead
Outreach: Karin Graves
Program: Lottie Smith, Emily Stevens, Carol Anderson
Program Elect: Laura Lehroff, Marnie Murray, Sally Trude
Publicity:
Webmaster: Doug Garnett &
Judith Quinn Garnett
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CFG Board Meetings
Meetings are held monthly on the first Monday when there is no quarterly meeting and are open to the membership to attend. Contact the President for more information.
Committees are: Exhibits, Membership, Newsletter, Outreach, Programs, Publicity and Webmaster
Minutes of meetings are posted in the CFG Newsletter.
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Creating with FiberArts together for over 50 years . . . | | | | |
