Two Weeks in Wisconsin and finally back to South Carolina

 (Above:  In Box CCCXXXIII. Framed: 25" x 20". Layers of polyester stretch velvet on recycled synthetic packaging felt with hand embroidery and melting techniques.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

I haven't blogged since leaving my two-month art residency with the Osage Arts Community in Belle, Missouri ... but I have been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!  Why? Well, I didn't drive directly back to South Carolina.  Instead, I went to Wisconsin to conduct two workshops.  The first was a three-day experience at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts in Cedarburg.  The second was a five-day experience at Woodland Ridge Retreat in Downsville.

 (Above:  In Box CCCXXXIV. Framed:  25" x 20". $375.)

Both workshops were wonderful. It is always such a pleasure to watch my techniques in the hands of participants who are employing their own sense of design and color.  The results are amazingly diverse.  I've included several images from these great days below.

  (Above:  In Box CCCXXXIV, detail.  Framed:  25" x 20". $375.)

On my last day, Steve flew into the Minneapolis airport to help pack up the materials and supplies ... and to drive me home so that I could stitch along the way.  We had plenty to talk about!  After all, I'd been gone two-and-a-half months.  There was plenty of custom picture framing awaiting my return but it was even more than Steve knew.  I'd created several pieces of my own that also had get framed including In Box CCCXXXIII and In Box CCCXXXIV.  These two pieces were stitched entirely by hand.  One is already sold!

(Above in the back from left to right:  Relic CCXIII, Mini Window, Relic CCXI, and Relic CCXII. Each $100 plus tax and shipping. In front:  In Box Relic CCX, just $60 plus tax and shipping.  There are detail images further below! Just scroll down!)

Every time I conduct a workshop, I finish my demonstration pieces.  It's important that I "work like an artist" ... not just "make another sample".  Why?  Well, I'm encouraging people to MAKE ART, not add to their pile of UFOs (UnFinished Objects).  Everyone goes home with at least two completed project.  In the five-day workshop, everyone goes home with at least one already in a provided frame!  Mine, however, get framed back in Columbia.  I came home with five pieces ... details below.

 
(Above:  Composite photo of the HOT WORKSHOP at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts.)

This was a great group of new friends. Few knew one another before the workshop. Several had never been to the museum! I knew one of the participants from an earlier workshop.  She took me to a Wisconsin Friday fish fry and to the Milwaukee Museum for "First Thursday".  Together we went to a pop concert by the Milwaukee Symphony featuring Denzel Sinclaire and Dee Daniels singing unforgettable tunes by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole.  It was a wonderful time. 
 
(Above:  Workshop participants at the Woodland Ridge Retreat with some of their pieces.)

Woodland Ridge Retreat has guest rooms and 24/7 access to the studio.  Everyone shared a gourmet lunch made on site. Most went together for evening meals. Lots and lots of work was finished ... much more than in the photo above!

(Above: Relic CCXI.  Framed: 14 1/4" x 13 1/4". $100.)

So here are some of the workshop pieces I finished.  Further below are more photos from Woodland Ridge, especially work made by participants who hung pieces on the provided design walls.

(Above: Relic CCXII.  Framed: 13 1/4" x 12 1/4". $100.)

(Above: Relic CCXIII. Framed:  13 1/4" x 12 1/4". $100.)

(Above: In Box Relic CCX. Framed: 11" x 9".  $60.)

(Above:  Mini Window.  Framed:  13" x 11". $100.)

(Above:  Studio space at Woodland Ridge Retreat.)

Below are photos of some of the work that didn't get put into a provide frame and were still hanging on the design wall on the last day.  Earlier, I was too busy to remember photos!