Oh What Fun!

This years  Painted Quilt Art retreat was nothing short of spectacular... So many wonderful, talented people who enjoyed being and growing together. This event has become an annual getaway for many!
So we picked a great weekend... ! The Wine and Balloon Festival was on with some dozen balloons directly surrounding our venue. The sounds of fire breathing dragons were everywhere.  I must also admit we had our own wine and cheese event  on the covered patio.   So sweet!

Atop that, we had a great visit from a local friend  Jan who brought in 2  seven week old Eurasier puppies.  Were they not already spoken for (and soon to leave the 'nest'), there would have been some checkbooks opened and drained.  These are a highly protected European breed.

 One of the BOYS!

                                                I think TEDDY BEAR!!  Don't you?!


Sooo much great work created... I captured  only a few as I am usually on the move working around the room.  I related to the following cartooned work about corporate restruct. I've been through it  and so have many I know.   "Dawn does follow the dark!" 
                                                              SITTING DUCK

      

 LAME DUCK

                                                 

     LUCKY DUCK! 

More serious work was done as well  but I needed to get something fun out here now.

Gettin' ready for my Annual Retreat in Beautiful Temecula, Ca

My once a year Painted Quilt Art Retreat begins this Friday and for fun... I have created  another optional drawing for attendees.  Most students bring something of their own to paint and yet sometimes... some want to pick up something NEW of mine. ( I have about 8 drawings options I bring)   So this year... I've been collected bird images for a while.... and decided to place them atop a 30s quilt fabric . . Of three birds... I love this little one the most.... He's sort of exclaiming.... Look at MEEE!!!!

This is fun to paint...   the birds are easier than one might think.... and the quilt even easier as the 30s fabric patterns were simple and fun... I made up a few NEW old 30s fabrics ' just for fun. ' Markers made the fabric patterns a near cinch.  I'll quilt it eventually  but painted is plenty good for class.  Next years retreat dates are posted at pattsretreats.blogspot.com( see the link on the sidebar)  and reservations can be made by contacting me (patt@pattsart.com).

A house for someone in transition

I'm not strictly an art quilter... One of my friendship groups ( The Wanabe Quilters.. a bit of a joke as they've been together quilting  for over 25 years.. I've been with them about 15) sometimes takes on a philantropy project... this time ... 'house' quilts for several transitioning to "new to them" places to live.  Last weekend I put together several finishing kits for 3 house quilts  beyond what you see here.  I got this first one quilted and bound and on its way.  Others in the group will be participating but for now I must give KUDOs to our leader/instigator  Phyllis Reddish,  plus Hilary Field, Carol Pankow ( house-block builder extraordinaire), and Mary Lou Ripper.

What goes on In Auburn... Stays in Auburn(Ca)

What fun we had at a 4 day Painted Quilt Art retreat hosted by Whistle Stop Quilt Shop of Auburn , Ca.     There were no wall flowers at this event.  Some were scared of this art thing on day 1.... but look at them by day 4... party animals!

So many great works I apologize I didn't catch them all....   I was a kinda busy teacher!

Shiela Lindquist  is working on a yet second piece... each one done with precision and quiet confidence...    She just DID it! Impressive!

 Lynn is a kayak enthusiast . This image done from a photo from one of her Kayak trips. BTW.. Lynn is the smiling/ posing gal on the floor pic above.

 Nancy Cremarosa  approached her ink painting somewhat like a china painting...   Gorgeous!

 Laura Vogel had never painted but captured this bird spot on.  Her secret... she did a practice first as a learning opportunity... then the real deal followed!

Leslie Rodrick tackled this 'cousin' to a violet combining reference photo knowledge with her own drawing.She had this quilted before class was done ( no pic sorry) and it looked spectacular with  even simple monofilament quilting.

Ruth Shields had to keep an eye on me as I loved / coveted this rooster. So cool!  

 Are these not cute birds? ...  I feel their soft feathers. Karin Polli did this one plus 2 more of which  I missed the photo op! :-(

Joyce Smith  has a granddaughter with incredible , fun curly hair.  

 Sharon Morris and I met awhile back  in Modesto. She is a serious art quilter and is using inks to create a hard stone/brick archway  for a mixed media quilt yet to  come.  NICE!!!!   Lots of patience in this lady!

 This beauty painting belongs to Lynda Lasich. The Kitty named "Sally Ride" got her name the very week Lynda adopted her... the astronaut name came with the kitty's first week LEAP downward from the second floor. Sally Ride survived that leap and another 21 years.

Now... My hostess Candy Brown has quite an appreciation of the Sons of Anarchy.  She tackled a most difficult monochromatic piece that I'd say is looking GOOD.  We all sure had fun kidding around about this BAD BOY HUNK !  Congrats and thanks Candy... and special thanks to Suzanne   ( owner- WhistleStop Quilt Shop) 

I LOVE CABO!

Two of my closest friends live in Southern California.... within 40 miles of me.  The strange thing..... we all had to be on vacation in the same place ( Cabo San Lucas) to plan and have dinner together.  Life is just too fast!  L-R Karon Cornell, Laurie Lyon, Larry Lyon, muah,  my hubby Ray Hughes , and behind the camera Will Cornell.  Such a sweet time!

Empty Spools 2016 was FULL of talent

I was lucky to teach at session 2 of Empty Spools On the beautiful Pacific Coast at Asilomar. Here are but a few of student works, most from never before painters on fabric.... Some projects are not shown because they are planned for a later unveiling by the  specific painter. SOOO many nice pieces.  Whaddaya think of this?.. a first time ever  portrait. Quilting yet to come and will  nicely compliment work already done.

This piece was painted and quilted in class ( plus 2 more... what a wiz!) 

This is one of my drawings taken a whole new and exciting direction!!!!  WOW! 

This was such a rewarding project to watch come to life... A "never give up" mentality kept this student working hard to achieve success.  I would have fun quilting this piece!! 

I know this beautiful animal and his owner Anne. He was all painted and mostly quilted by the end of class. I hope I get to see the finished work.  ;-D

Another adorable animal. Don't you feel the bright sun hitting the head?

This adobale portarit began at Houston International In Nov. last year and completed here at Empty Spools Seminars.  Yep... those eyes are BLUE!!!!! 

                                           A nice portrait started and finished ...

 I'm loving the use of rubbing plates with Inks!!!  Amazon.com search rubbing plates and you'll find dozens of options! This texture achieved with Fabric Textures by ShadeTex

I Love this barn...  The painting is a pretty good size. Quilting will do great things for this beautifully painted image. 

This piece is still on a foam board and yet to be pressed so it is misleading as it DOES have a smooth finish. This was such a great piece to come forth as the brides Mom painted for the first time.  Patience is definitely a virtue. It's a challenge working with so much light values.  But Mom did great!  Such a beautiful daughter bride. 

This set of tiger always always comes out great.  I wouldn't want to make this cat mad! 

KUDOS to all who attended. Wish I could've posted all pieces... but be certain... everything done was great!   

Where in The World?

YIKES! I've been traveling back to back weeks since mid April. Finally home for a few and want to give out some student KUDOS!
One of my students( Keats Scott)  from Quilting In The Desert used her personal photo as reference to create a fabric painting of a small village in Alaska.  It's quilted and she has shared it with me.
Can you not feel the calm of the water!  Keats did a great job. She definitely allows herself to slow down and study her subject. I routinely say and truly mean... "SUCCESS is ABOUT SEEING!"

Keats has also used inks to create a cabin in a mixed media project. Yeah Keats!