Fabrications: Cutting Edge Fiber Arts at Studios on the Park, March 3, 2012

 

 

I just got home from Studios on the Park, where an amazing exhibit of fabric arts was on display. I’m going to show you some of the highlights and let the pictures do most of the talking. First I saw the window as I was about to enter. It’s quite different that the usual window decor. You can look past the display into the studio itself.

 

 

Next, as you walk in, you can see the buzz of activity.

 

As you walk through the door, this is the first quilt you see, to your right. It’s by Jeanne Aird and is called “Entangled I. ” This will be followed by a picture of Jeanne standing by another of her quilts — “Petalicious.” You can see more of Jeanne’s work on her Flicker Page.

Another highlight was meeting and seeing the work of Andi Perejda, an award-winning quilter, an NQA certified quilt judge, and teacher. Some of the other quilt artists at this show said they learned quilting techniques from her. She has an impressive resume and a gallery of her work on the Andi Perejda website.   She is pictured here with “Saturn II.”

I have not been able to find a website for Rene Jennings, but she had some bold, attention-getting pieces on  display. One of the greatest hits seemed to be her “Hibiscus Reborn.”  She is pictured with it.  Another of her flower-inspired designs is “Bachelor Button on Steroids.” Her diversity shows in “Lost and Found.”  Would you believe that most of the quilts she creates go as gifts to her lucky family members, like her children? How awesome is that?

 

 

Kathy Howard created her art quilt “Rain.” She says she lets the piece tell her where to go with it, rather than starting with a definite plan of what the finished quilt will look like. Unfortunately, I can’t locate the picture I thought I took of Kathy with her picture, so I’ll just have to show you the quilt without her beside it.

Sharon Emerson is shown with her more abstract design art quilt, “Tectonic Trysts.”

 

Xandra Shaw allowed me to take her picture with her “Ode to Albers.” She was inspired by a silk sample book, and used it well, combined with hand-dyed ribbon and other materials.

 

Last, but certainly not least, is the work of Leslie Coe, whom I could not seem to locate in the crowd to meet. I loved her art quilt, “Flutter III.” The leaves were not all fastened down, so they did flutter in the breeze. She also had another piece of work in the exhibit: “Vineyards All Around.” They are shown below.

 

 

As we walked around looking at the display of quilts on the walls, we were also hearing the gentle background music played and sung by Michael Swanberg, pictures below. He played near the front. Behind him, bending over the car, is Sasha Irving, who keeps Studios on the Park running smoothly. If you look straight behind Michael, you will see the open doorway of the Earthsea Pottery Studio and some of the work done by Peggy Vrana and Michael Miller. They are the first studio you see to the right as you come into Studios on the Park, so come in for a closer look at their wonderful wares.

Sooner or later, almost everyone made their way to the back of the studios to the buffet tables where some delicious food was being served. Wine was also provided, but I was the designated driver, so I refrained from the liquid refreshment. Before the show started, someone suggested I take a picture of the buffet table. It took two pictures to get it all.

These were only some of the highlights of the exhibit, which lasts until April 1, 2012. You’ve still got time to get in and see it if you haven’t. I have only scratched the surface. You will also want to see “The Written Word” exhibit of literature inspired art in the Paso Robles Art Association Gallery at the back of the Studios building. It runs until March 25, and is in the new and expanded gallery which shows off the paintings very well. Don’t miss is.