Stitch Meditations... Ohm My!

I grew up in a household where we never stopped working (on something… anything!) until bedtime. Therefore, to this day… I cannot just “sit” and attempt to relax. My mind continues to keep going and going and going… and not necessarily in a productive manner.

But then I found out Liz Kettle taught a class called Stitch Meditation, which was a method of relaxation and hand sewing; working small. It reminded me of watching my grandmother embroider a kitchen towel, only free form style, using exotic threads and fabrics.

Because of the workshop’s Zen-like popularity, Liz then developed a Stitch Meditation Kit that had everything you need to begin the journey. It included a curated collection of enough complimentary fabrics and threads to keep you relaxed and engaged for 30 days. I purchased one and my life has changed! My mind now has a creative purpose, and the incessant late night chit chatter has quieted down. Ahhhhhh, peace.

You see... I love getting creative and enjoy activities like painting, but I find that I will not take the time to set up the space unless I know I can dedicate a number of hours to the project. With Stitch Meditation, I can pull out fabric, thread and needle and begin the tactile relaxation instantaneously. It’s small…. in a good way. A large project would overwhelm me. So this is just the right size to work with wherever I am, it keeps my busy mind occupied and I am so thrilled to be creating daily! Thanks, Liz!!

To find out more about Liz Kettle and see her detailed video on Stitch Meditation, visit her website www.textileevolution.com. And for more information on her Stitch Meditation Kit and the fabulous fabrics and goodies included, check out her online shop. Whatever you do, make some time for play today... and every day!

Glenny
xoxo

Great Opportunities For Fiber & Fabric Artists!

Hello my little frenzied fiber and fabric fans! We came across some unique opportunities and wanted to pass them on to you. Fiber Art Now — one of the magazines we advertise our events in — has a bunch of ways you can get your work featured in magazines and exhibits and win some valuable prizes. So check out what they've got going on...

The Emerging Artist Showcase is an opportunity for emerging artists to get their work shown in the fall issue of Fiber Art Now. We are eager to see  the latest techniques and ideas from emerging fiber artists and show them to the world. Find out more here.   
Deadline is August 1, 2016

The 20th Biennial of Quilt National!

All artists who submit their work will receive thank-you gifts worth $75! As a thank you for submitting your work to this historic event, the Dairy Barn Arts Center & Quilt National have partnered with Fiber Art Now magazine to give:

• Free membership to the Dairy Barn Arts Center
• Discounted subscription to Fiber Art Now
• Free Eco Dye eBook Resource (Eco Dye: Traditional Dye Work through a Contemporary Lens)

Find out more about the Quilt National here. 
Deadline is September 1, 2016


 

Yes, Excellence in Fibers is a juried exhibition in print, but this year we're also having a full exhibition! Selected works will be shown at the New Bedford Art Museum, New Bedford, Massachusetts, from 1/25/17-3/19/17.

FIVE CATEGORIES:
Wall/Floor Works | Sculptural Works | Vessel Forms/Basketry | Installation Works | Wearables

NEW FOR 2016
• Twice as many works will be selected and shown
• There will be five categories, a prize in each category ($300), and a Best in Show prize ($600)
• Selected works will be shown at the New Bedford Art Museum

Find out more about the Excellence in Fibers Exhibiiton here.
Deadline is October 1, 2016

And, Fiber Art Now has generously set up a DEEP discount on subscriptions! Click here for the New Subscriber Discount, and if you're already a subscriber, check out their Renewal Discount! And be sure and check out Art & Soul's ad while you're perusing their amazing publication.

Good luck and let us know if you get published or exhibited... we'll do a feature about you on our blog!

Art & Soul Radio... Tune in for China Marks: Making Her Mark in Fabric, July 16th

Come along with Leslie Riley as she chats with China Marks, who was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She earned a B.F.A. in Sculpture from the Kansas City Art Institute and an M.F.A. in Sculpture from Washington University in St. Louis. In 1976, she moved to New York City and now lives and creates in a converted Long Island City factory.

China uses an industrial sewing machine to make process-directed drawings and books out of fabric and thread. Her work has been shown in galleries and museums in the United States and Europe.

She has received numerous grants and fellowships, including a 2005 NY fellowship for her sewn drawings. Her work has appeared in Surface Design Journal, Fiberarts, Art in America magazines as well as numerous solo and group shows.

She was trained and worked for many years as a sculptor, using all kinds of hand and power tools. Familiar with acrylic, pencil, cement, wood, metal, resin & bone as a sculptor & painter, When China began work on her sewn drawings, she had no experience with fabric. To her, the industrial sewing machine she creates with is just another power tool - one that she draws with.

Leslie and China will be talking about this and so much more in her interview. So please join us for an inspirational chat...

Art & Soul Radio featuring China Marks
with Lesley Riley
Monday, July 16th
7:00pm EST
blogtalkradio.com/art-and-soul-radio




And don't forget, Art & Soul Radio's interviews are also available on demand, to listen to at your leisure. Check out what other mixed-media artists are doing and how they're living their lives with passion any time!

Art & Soul Radio... Tune in for Wen Redmond: Art Quilter & Fiber Artist on April 9th

Come along with Leslie Riley as she chats with Wen Redmond, who has been creating art quilts since the 70s, a time when art quilting was in its infancy. Over the years it has morphed and grown to incorporate digital imagery and processes that have garnered her quilts attention for her unique vision and techniques.

Her work has appeared in numerous publications and shows, including 500 Art Quilts by Lark Books, Quilting Arts magazine and TV show, exhibits throughout the US and most recently, the mecca of all art quilting, Quilt National 2011. Wen’s current work explores digital imagery and combining fabric with a variety of mixed media and surface design.

Leslie and Wen will be talking about this and so much more in her interview. So please join us for an inspirational chat...

Art & Soul Radio featuring Wen Redmond
with Lesley Riley
Monday, April 9th
7:00pm EST
blogtalkradio.com/art-and-soul-radio




And don't forget, Art & Soul Radio's interviews are also available on demand, to listen to at your leisure. Check out what other mixed-media artists are doing and how they're living their lives with passion any time!