Tuesday, March 30, 2010

SAQA's 2010 Benefit Auction

SAQA's Benefit Auction is one of the organization's biggest fundraiser. Last year they had donations from 235 members and raised $47,325!!! SAQA is again asking for your donation - an art quilt approximately 12" square. Your artwork will have both a thumbnail and full-screen version, with a description and a link to your website. This is also a great way to promote your art work.
If you can't or would prefer not to send in a donation art quilt, then do think about purchasing one of the pieces when the auction goes live on September 2oth! Either way, it's a great way to support SAQA's programs and exhibitions.

So here's a peak at a few donation quilts sent in by our Michigan SAQA members. To see more of the quilts already received for the auction, head to the SAQA web site here.

Carol Tamasiunas

Karen Kiley Olson

Kathie Briggs

Mary Andrews


Robbie Payne

Thursday, March 18, 2010

To save time, I'm copying an email we rec'd from Pat Gold as was sent. Please read.

Dear Reps:
The following opportunity was sent to me by new NJ Rep, Jessie Hudson. She only just received it today and asked me to forward on to all reps - it is very short notice but if you announce it to all your members, there may be some who have work already made they might be willing to donate. It is certainly a good cause and easy way for you to help with the efforts to rebuild Haiti.
Patricia Gould
Assistant Executive DirectorStudio Art Quilt Associates, www.saqa.compatriciacgould@gmail.com
505.670.6364
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Fowarded from Jessie:
I apologize for the late notice, but I just found out about this opportunity today. Art quilts are eligible for this benefit auction and would be displayed and sold in a traditional art auction setting along with other works of fine art including watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings. I spoke with Heather Goldstein, Vice President of Artist Resources at Jerry's Artarama today, and she would love it if we could put together donations of art quilts for this very worthy cause.All proceeds from the auction sales will go to Habitat for Humanity International's relief efforts in Haiti. The works in the live auction will be featured in their Auction Booklet with a color photo, artist's name, title of the work, Web site, and a short statement about the artist. Silent auction donators will be credited with their name, the title of the work, and their Web site as well. The deadline for the silent auction is officially March 28, although we can stretch it by a few days to April 1.

Silent Auction Criteria:
Silent auction work is usually smaller (no larger than 20x30). Pieces must be 2D and have no moving parts. Wet paintings will not be accepted and they suggest (but do not require) that work be prewired and ready to hang. All unframed works on paper will be displayed with clips.
Call For Artists Information
They are looking for donations of 2D art (all media) for both their live and silent auction. Silent auction donations must be received by April 1, 2010. To be considered for their live auction, work must be received by March 20, 2010. These are not post-mark dates. They highly recommend dropping off work at their Art-A-Thon for Haition March 20 to give all attendees a taste of what they will see at the auction.Auction donations may also be sent to:
Jerry's Artarama
Attn: Heather Goldstein
6104 Maddry Oaks Ct
Raleigh, NC 27616
Deadlines:March 20, 2010 – Deadline to be considered for live auctionMarch 28, 2010 – Deadline for silent auction donationsAlthough, again, we may can get them the quilts by April 1.For additional information, please go to: http://www.jerrysartarama.com/community/Art-Auction-and-Gala/Call-For-Artists.html or e-mail heather@jerrysartarama.com.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Artist Profile for March


Our Michigan SAQA profile this month is:


Sidney Savage Inch
Lake Orion, MI
http://www.savagefiberarts.com/

How long have you been sewing and when did you begin making art quilts?I first started sewing in high school. I spent much of my high school art hours dyeing silk in a gutta resist style. When I had made my (what felt like) 100th scarf, I decided there had to be more I could do with this technique. I designed a pattern for a quilted jacket with the signs of the zodiac on it. The trouble began when I tried to construct the actual jacket. I did not have much experience with a sewing machine and after the tenth time I destroyed the tension and my poor mother had to step in and finish the construction in order to save her sewing machine! The good news is that over the years my sewing skills improved and now that same machine is my trusty friend (I mean machine!)

Describe your art and its inspiration
I tend to work in a whole cloth method and appliqué and embellish from there. Sometimes I work with realistic figures but more often I work in the abstract. I see the fabric as a canvas and the stitching (machine or hand), beadwork and embellishments as the message. I like to take inspiration from the relationships we are surrounded by. Relationships with others, our relationships with ourselves and our relationship with the natural world are a never-ending fountain from which to draw inspiration.

Where do you do most of your artwork?
I have a wonderful walkout basement studio that is next to my daughters’ playroom. That way we can all play at the same time! The room was bare studs when we bought the house and I was able to design the layout in a way that best suited my working style.

What are your goals?
I do not enter competitive shows. My art quilts are sometimes in exhibitions and exhibits, but I make art quilts for myself. They are the way that I confront and deal with the turmoil and/or the joy inside and around me. My goal is to continue down the path I have found for my art. I want to continue to find my voice and create artwork that I am proud of. This past November I also put on my first art bazaar with the help of my friends from the Running with Scissors fiber art group. We had a wonderful time and a successful show. I hope to continue this show as an annual tradition.

Do you teach, lecture, curate or have a business of your artwork?
While my art quilts are made for myself; I do have a business selling my other passion. I create jewelry from unconventional and repurposed items. I use quite a bit of fiber in my jewelry but I also use items like dominos, hardware store washers and paper. Many of those unconventional items can be found in my art quilts as well! I find that there is crossover everywhere. Anytime I am inspired by a new technique I try to use a version of that technique in all of my creative outlets.

Where can your work be seen?
I always take part in Lynn Krawczyk’s “Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit.” She finds the most wonderful causes to support each year. This year it is Art Now for Autism. With my jewelry I do a number of outdoor art festivals and I sell them at galleries throughout the year. A list of all the places that I am exhibiting and /or selling is available on my website www.savagefiberarts.com.

What are your interests outside of art?
Running my own business, raising my two daughters and trying to find time to spend in my studio creating keeps me pretty busy, but when I have some spare time I like to get outdoors. As a family we enjoy camping, hiking, swimming and letter boxing. My girls and I spend as much of the summer as we possibly can in the lake!

You can see more of Sidney's artwork on her web site at http://www.savagefiberarts.com/




'Sacred Spaces: Dead River Falls'
18” x 22”

I went to college at Northern Michigan University and I will always remember those days fondly. Deep in the woods of the Upper Peninsula I fell in love, had my heart broken, made friends for a lifetime and took the first steps on the path to growing from a girl into a woman.

Materials: cotton batiks, hand-dyed cheese cloth, glass, bone and resin beads.
Techniques: hand beading, matte medium photo transfer, machine and hand quilting.


 
'My Muse; I Must Wait While She Grows'
40” x 30”

My muse starts as an nucleus of an idea. I must be careful, take my time and nurture that tiny nucleus of an idea into fruition.
Materials: batik cotton fabric, hardware store washers (brass & steel), yarns, fibers and assorted beads.
Techniques: machine quilting, hand embroidery and hand beading.