Focus on Fibers 2014 ... the last days.

(Above:  The Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna, Florida.)

The last day of Mary McBride's Focus on Fibers 2014 at the Atlantic Center for the Arts is over.  I'm typing this blog post from my comfortable room, a quiet place with its own bathroom and mini-fridge and without the distraction of a television.  It is just down a wooden boardwalk from the various art buildings:  a dance studio, sculpture space, painting studio, and a music enclosure.  There's also an exhibition space, an auditorium/theater, and a dining facility ... all nestled nicely into the lush Florida vegetation ... a special place of seclusion for focused artistic pursuits.  For the first three days, I taught my "HOT" workshop.  Then came a week retreat ... time for independent fiber art work in the company of other talented artists who came from all over the country (and even Canada) to share inspirations, new ideas, gossip, and know-how knowledge.  It has been a wonderful opportunity ... which come to an end after breakfast in the morning. 

 

Over the past few days I've taken scores of photos.  I'm not going to try identifying all the people and projects in these images.  I'm just posting them as a way to remember, a way to share, and especially a way to showcase the joys of participating in this program.  Next year will likely be even more enchanting because this program continues to grow and touch more an more fiber artists every year.  Thus, enjoy these special moments!

 

Working in the sculpture area ...

...stitching in the music enclosure ...

 

... the famous Pamela Allen surrounded by her unique art quilts ...

... the acclaimed Susan Shie ... painting detailed stories of fascinating figures ...


.... batiking with hot wax ... and embellished with inks ...


... Bonnie from Miami who sat at the table just behind me ...


... the fabulous Mary McBride and her table full of art ...


... hand stitching appliques for thread painted work created on a water soluble base ...


... rinsing and hanging out acid dyed fabric ...


... and the beautiful details of fiber arts like jars of safety pins ...


... the piles of the most vibrantly colors materials ...

 
.... tied up black cotton t-shirts purchased from local thrift shops ...


... being discharged for an exotic "tie dye" like effect ...

 
... and set out to dry in the sunshine ...


.... near various buckets for ice dyeing, a process that creates an entirely different coloration ...


... and yet dyeing isn't the only way to add color!  There's always PAINT ! ...

 

... and plenty of brushes ...

 
..... or simply time to chat/network/gossip/laugh in the "dance studio" ...


.... or in the painting studio ...


... (another photo from the painting studio) ...


... or the sculpture space ...


... (another photo from the sculpture space) ...

.... just look at all these beautiful, hand dyed fabrics!

 

Of course, we did take a few side trips ... like to The Hub in New Smyrna!  What a fantastic space!

 
It was especially nice to see Fran Gardner's solo show in the exhibition area ...

 
... and to see artists working in their individual studios.

 
Plus ... I got to witness two sunrises from Canaveral Beach.  This was just this morning as the sun rose above the ocean ....

 
... dipping behind a bank of opaque clouds before rising again just above them ...

 
... until fully lighting the morning sky ...

 
... and changing darkness into soft yellow light.

 

Here's the waves splashing onto the sea shell encrusted beach ...

... and a few palms in the midst over the dune's vegetation ...


... and the moon before it slipped away ...


... which brought me into today.  Though tomorrow's sunrise will be undoubtedly just as gorgeous, I'll be packing my bags and heading back to South Carolina.  Hopefully next year will bring me back to Focus on Fibers!