Leaves and Water

Some new work, using dyes and dye paste

for a FibreArt Network show, opening in January at Van Dusen Gardens

Details of the quilting. Silk overleaf on cotton background. Wool batting in this one. On 12" x 24" canvas frame.

Stolen Quilts

Karen and I hung our quilts at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver on Monday, October 17. When we arrived there on Sunday for our opening reception, we discovered that many of the quilts had been stolen. Five of hers and four of mine. They liked pretty landscapes, it appears, as some of mine in the same room were not taken.

I do mourn the loss of these quilts:

Alouette Stump, winner of an award at LaConner Quilt Festival in 2015.

detail:

And Canoes en haut:

and Two Paddles

and Three Canoes

I am disappointed mostly that my work is not available for others to see.

A little one

3 Paddles

A little one this time. 8" x 20"

again oil stick rubbing from stencils, to a batik and solid color background.


Yes, this is part of my art show opening next week at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver, 49th and Oak St. Artists Reception is Sunday, Oct 23, 3 -5 pm.

More paddles

Two Paddles

More play with improvisational piecing, plus oil stick stencilling.

Of course, more paddles. That's how I get to my happy place.

More peeks...

Here's the other hand stitched piece in my show. Well, only  a peek into it. Come to the show to see the whole thing!

It's about 42" long, so this is only maybe 6" of it...

Sneak peeks...

I have been asked, "What quilts are in your show?" and "Put them on your blog!"

So I will post a few pics of what to expect...
All of my pieces are outdoors and or paddling related, as that is my way to nirvana...
Here is a shot of "The Red Paddle," on display right now in the LaConner Quilt Festival.

 18" x 45"

It is completely hand stitched, over hand drawn India ink paddle outlines. The red is paint!

A real live show!

My friend Karen Johnson and I are putting together a textile art show.
October 18 to November 13, at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver,
at 49th Ave and Oak St, Vancouver.

The Artists' Reception is Sunday, Oct 23, 3 to 5 pm. I hope you can come!

Soul Journey Artist Statement

For much of my life I have heard a call to adventure, an invitation to try new things, a need to move beyond my comfort zone. When I was younger it was whitewater canoeing, with some physical risk, and much canoe camping and guiding wilderness trips in French. I have been led into the Unitarian ministry by this call and have consequently moved from coast to coast and abroad to work with a variety of congregations. Three years ago, after retiring from the ministry, I was called to participate in the Yukon River Quest, a 715 kilometer ultra-marathon canoe race, as part of a eight person voyageur canoe team. I have subsequently organized similar teams for that race for the following two years.

I realize now that this quest is a spiritual journey, a quest for spiritual completion. This journey takes me through fear, through the trials and tribulations of a difficult challenge, and leads to me that ephemeral focus of mind that is at least part of the spiritual experience of finding and knowing what some people know as god, or completion.

Yukon River Quest--in textile art

Last summer was busy, what with the Yukon River Quest and more. Now to show some pieces inspired by the ultra-marathon canoe race...

Day at the Race

Glimpses of other canoes are all you see once the race has started....

Some details













And in contrast, A Day on the Lake







and a detail

In a voyageur canoe, a team is really stretched out, front to back. The world you paddle in depends on where you sit in the canoe.

Fractured Team

Adapted from the photo on the cover of the Whitehorse Star in June.