October 2014

The October challenge theme is Contrast.
Ten members were present for this month’s meeting, and both finished and unfinished pieces were shown for the Contrast theme.  Cheryl also brought some pieces from past month’s themes to catch up.

There are differing definitions to Contrast in art.  In general, Contrast refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.) in a piece so as to create visual interest, excitement and drama.  Contrast in color can be depicted by using colors from opposite sides of the color wheel ie. warm/cold.

Some of us referred to "Contrast" and others researched "Contrast in Color", so we have a variety of styles for the Contrast theme
.


Pegee brought kimono fabric to share, and it will be interesting to see how it is used.
Kathy H brought some of her hand-dyed threads.

Next month's theme is Value.

September 2014

Eleven members met in September to discuss this month's theme of Neural Colors.

Linda MacDonald and Marybeth Richardson returned the WAV members' Gossip Challenge art quilts that have been on display at various venues in Wyoming and Colorado during the past year.

The photo above shows some of the Gossip Challenge art quilts along with the original photograph on the top row.  The second row are this month's Neutral Colors pieces that were discussed at the meeting.

Next month's theme is Contrast.

Other Show and Tell items include Brooke's Butterflies, and Wanda's knitted socks.

Our Stretching Boundaries, canvas exhibit will be shown in Powell at Plaza Diana from March 18 thru April 28th, 2015.  Those who have sold pieces from this exhibit are encouraged to replace them by March.  They will also be shown at the Big Sky Quilt Show March 8-11, 2015.

April - May 2014

The monthly challenge for April was Primary Colors.
Since I missed this meeting, I don't have photos for pieces made with these colors.  Kathy H returned the unsold Canvas Challenge pieces from Thermopolis, WY.


The challenge for May was Muted Colors.

Muted Colors

Muted colors have black or grey added.  If using paint or dye you can also obtain muted colors by adding a bit of the complimentary color.

The photo below shows three pieces made with muted colors.

Following the meeting we were hit with a hail storm.  Linda Mac and Marybeth drove under a bank canopy (drive-up ATM) and waited out the storm there.  Others weren't so lucky and have damage to their vehicles, and I hear Cynthia had broken windows in her home.  Muted colors = dark grey clouds.

Next month's challenge will be Secondary Colors:  green, orange, and purple..  These are the colors formed by mixing the primary colors. We will be meeting early (June 8th) at Cynthia's home, where, hopefully, the iris will be in bloom (providing the hail storm didn't destroy them all.)

March 2014 Meeting

COOL COLORS

This month's challenge was Cool Colors.  Not only did we make art with these colors, but most of us wore cool colored clothing as well.

The meeting opened with a discussion about our canvas exhibit in Thermopolis.  Kathy stated they are willing to keep our art there another month.  Some people have not yet sent their sale prices to Kathy, so this is your reminder to get that information to her.

It was decided that if an art piece sells at one venue, it must be replaced for the next venue.  If that artist doesn't want to replace their piece, another artist can submit a replacement.  Kathy will update the notebook by removing the old information and adding the new.  The notebook will then be ready to accompany the exhibit to the next venue.

We did not decide on an end date for this exhibit.  Linda J is talking to galleries in MT about further showings.


Big Sky Quilt Retreat
Brooke and Linda J talked about the Big Sky event that will take place in Billings the week of March 19, 2015.  Vicki Pignatelli will be one of the teachers.  She was the founder of the Sacred Threads exhibits, which has now been taken over by Lisa Ellis. For more info about Sacred Threads, click here http://www.sacredthreadsquilts.com/ 

Marybeth has reserved the Plaza Diane gallery in Powell for March 2015.  The entire building will be available for WAV and TAGY fiber art groups' displays.

Pegee offered to bring in her silk kimonos next meeting for us to snip and share.  A challenge using the silk pieces was suggested.  Marybeth said she would bring Artist's Tissue (bleeding tissue) paper to share as well.

This month's Cool Color pieces were passed around for critique and comments. Interesting techniques include: needle-felting, thread-painting, stamping and block printing, piecing; and applique.

Next month's challenge is Pure Colors (primary colors).

Brooke's Solar Sojourn

Read about Brooke's solar sewing adventure here:
http://quiltnationalartists.com/brooke-athertons-montana-adventure/
or search Quilt National Artists.com

February 2014

Warm Colors
was our theme for February, and a few of the pieces are shown below.
We all needed warm colors after the cold below zero weather we have had lately.

Present at the February meeting were: Linda J, Lynn, Brooke, Laura, Kathy H, Marybeth, Cheryl, Pegee, Linda M, and Wanda.

We discussed our canvas Stretching Boundaries exhibit which is currently at Thermopolis, WY.  It was decided that we should wait until each show is over before setting up the next show, in case some of the pieces sell.  Brooke provided Kathy with a substitute piece for the show.  Kathy mentioned the small canvas (8" x 10") is difficult to transport, and suggested we make a cloth bag for it and attach it to the back of the frame of the large canvas. Pegee will purchase hanging wire and supplies and will attach to the canvases when they return.

There was a discussion on pricing, and various ways to do this. We agreed to send our sale price to Kathy ASAP.  

Brooke told about a new website of Robert Shaw's which displays artists works:  http://www.artofthequilt.com/index.html

Linda M passed around a copy of the hanging system used on the Beneath the Southern Sky exhibit in Australia.  Since that show will be shown at both quilt shows and galleries, they devised a hanging system that will work for both venues.  In addition to the 4" hanging sleeve, there is also a strip with velcro that can be opened up for hanging at a gallery.  This is something we might consider for future challenges.
See the instructions here:
 http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2012/11/27/hanging-arrangements-for-textile-works/

February was another fun and inspiring meeting.  Next month's challenge is Cool Colors.

January 2014

Eight members and one guest took part in the first WAV meeting for 2014.

We discussed what to do about our Canvas Challenge of last year.  It was decided that we will have a Montana Curator and a Wyoming Curator (by committee) to find venues for this show.  Linda J volunteered to get the info from Phyllis about MT, and Kathy H will work with Linda M and Marybeth regarding WY venues.  Kathy H took the canvases that were there to Thermopolis with her to hang at a new Bookstore/Cafe and be part of an Art Walk.

Linda M will look into showing the exhibit at the Mancuso Show, and Marybeth will find out about the Cody Library, and Plaza Diane in Powell.  Kathy H also will look into further venues in Casper and Laramie.

The January challenge was No Color, or Shades of Grey.
Cynthia provided a handout with Critique Questions for our new format that we will follow for our meetings this year.  We discussed each piece using this new format and it worked out very well.  Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so have no photo of our beautiful pieces to share here.  Anyone wanting to upload a photo of your art, please feel free to do so.

Next month's challenge will be Warm Colors.