With many members traveling, some post surgery,  and others caring for family members, we had five members present for the July meeting.  We did not have food nor did we exchange Christmas gifts in July as expected, but we had a great artistic time.  We had one of the longest meetings on record.  We started with Brooke's "in progress" pieces for her exhibit at the Emerson in Bozeman this fall.  Since she had shared the beginnings last month, these pieces have morphed in her special way although they are not near finishing.  Have you ever seen hand pieced tea bags before?  We played with placement of a movie set prairie dress that will be included along with repurposed fabric and tattered quilts.

Members also volunteered to cut hexies from Brooke's deconstructed cloth to help with the interactive portion of the Emerson exhibit.   This interactive portion led to a discussion of heritage, family beginnings, our nation's melting pot influences in art, and how all of this affects our art and our artistic bucket lists.

Cheryl Wittmayer shared a few (haha) of her new tops and discussed her objectives with each one.  The objectives that came after "just having fun sewing", of course.

There was more discussion on this year's art challenge.  It was decided in February, we would explore Neutral Colors.  For some this will develop into a series; for others, it will be a continuation of the Neutral Colors design shown earlier this year.  While not a locked in challenge, taking your earlier neutral colored design idea or just continuing your neutral colors theme, this is the challenge.  (1)  Define your parameters.  This is a thing that won't change as your design develops.  Consider your technique, size, colors.  Your choice on what you wish to focus upon. Pick something that will not change from the last piece.  (2) How did you use color, shape, texture and/or line?  How important or dominant part of the work are they?  What three things did you love about your design or use of neutrals?  What three things did you think you could do better?

The idea is to share this continuing challenge in the next meetings with a grand show and tell at the December meeting.  You can work on one piece or have many in this group/idea.  

See you August 16th. !!

April 19, 2015
There was more discussion on how we would like to approach this year's art challenges.  It was decided in February, we would explore Neutral Colors.  For some this will develop into a series; for others, it will be a continuation of the Neutral Colors design shown earlier this year.  While not a locked in challenge, members decided they would like a "nudge".  A different idea or Nudge will be posted each month.

Taking your earlier design idea or just continuing your neutral colors theme, this is the Nudge possibility for next meeting.  (1)  Define your parameters.  This is a thing that won't change as your design develops.  Consider your technique, size, colors.  Your choice on what you wish to focus upon. Pick something that will not change from the last piece.  (2) How did you use color, shape, texture and/or line?  How important or dominant part of the work are they?  What three things did you love about your design or use of neutrals?  What three things did you think you could do better?

In our April meeting, Cynthia St Charles showed two new creations in her wind farm series.  No pictures were taken as these will be sent to an invitational show soon.  She asked for our input on which one to send in, but no consensus was reached.  They were both beautifully different.  Cheryl shared three new quilt tops she recently finished, playing with designs formed from cutting up and reforming basic blocks.  I apologize for not taking pictures of these.  We discussed recent calls from our regional SAQA representative who is proposing a regional show at a gallery in Idaho.  More on this as it develops.  There was a lot of discussion on the Big Sky Quilt Retreat.  Thanks again to the Wyoming and Billings members who helped share wonderful art quilts with the attendees.

March 2015

While we didn't have a formal WAV meeting this month, we did get together at the Big Sky Quilt Retreat and Show in Billings. 

Women of Artistic Vision's (WAV) Stretching Boundaries exhibit looked wonderful on the stage at the Shriners' Auditorium in Billings.  Thank you to Linda J and her helpers for hanging and taking down the quilts.

The stage was shared with the Textile Artists of Greater Yellowstone (TAGY) group. Their challenge quilts filled a good portion of the stage.  

From the Big Sky Quilt Retreat and Show, the quilts were moved to the Plaza Diane Gallery in Powell, WY.  Below are some photos of the beautiful display.

The Stretching Boundaries exhibit was hung behind glass, and the TAGY exhibits were displayed throughout the gallery.