Emerging artist

I am applying for a grant from a foundation that helps emerging artists to grow. A friend called and said she heard about this foundation and all she could think about was calling me. I had to provide pictures of work samples, including works in progress. This is my work in progress right now. It's a painting on muslin that will be a quilt as soon as I quilt it.

I put together the entire grant application in less than a week, as the deadline is very near and I'm leaving town on Wednesday. It will be in the mail Monday. If awarded a grant I will be able to finally take art classes! I have so wanted to learn the 'right' way to do things for so long! I may not actually do it the right way, but at least I'll know what I've been missing all this time. I just know this would help me develop as an artist.

I learned during the past week the value of having great friends. I sent out a group email to several people to ask for a reference letter. I only needed one or two, so that would allow most of them to pass if they were too busy. I got 2 excellent letters of reference. What was so great was most of them replied and gave me encouragement and edification. I went back to those emails several times as I got bogged down and discouraged. I even used some of their words in my resume and proposal statement. Even when they were professing not being able to help, they were helping more than ever! I thank God daily for being surrounded by beautiful friends.

Squares, circles or leaves?

Which do you like? I'll be teaching a color theory class next week. Shapes don't have anything to do with color theory, but they do have something to do with design. After we cover as much color theory as we can stand, everyone will make a small fused quilt interpreting a picture in fabric. My color theory involves being aware of colors, (and shapes) that are pleasing to you, with lots of suggestions on where to look for the color scheme of your next quilt. I came up with this fun class idea about 3 years ago. Mark Lipinski's Quilter's Home magazine has been featuring this same 'theory' for a few issues now. It suggested paint cards and wallpaper samples from the home improvement store, or eyeshadow packs from the drugstore. good ideas. How about you favorite potpourri?

Table settings and camera settings

Oh! Here I am! I have been lost for a couple of weeks. My camera battery is dead and the charger is on vacation. I don't know where, I hope he comes back soon. I finally decided to use Jessie's camera. Her camera is brand new and shiny, my is old and bulky. I am amazed at how easy the new one is to use. It may be time for a new camera for Mom!

This is a piece of fabric I found at Joann's. I bought it to make a bag for Athena. I don't know exactly how it happened, but it's now serving as a tablecloth. Just letting the wrinkles fall out. I really only meant to share one photo. I added all three to see which one I like the most and now I don't know how to remove the other two. Which photo would you pick? They all seem a little dark, but that is to hide the dirt and/or mess in the background.

Notice the stainless steel chair in the background of 1 and 3? I acquired 4 of them on a recent trip to North Carolina for very, very cheap. Just the frames. I made a posterboard pattern and my Dad and I cut the seats out of pressboard. I already had some nice fabrics to choose from. Now the problem. OMG, I had no idea how much foam costs! It would cost me another 25 bucks a chair for just the foam! Am I cheap or does this sound like a reasonable amount?