“Viewpoints 9” Starts Tomorrow

I’m nervous and excited to start a new artistic project: a series of 9 art quilts – led by creative challenges from 9 different artists.  The big leap for me: letting go of control.

For the first time I’m agreeing to create 9 different 18” x 24” art quilts, having NO IDEA what the subject matter will be for any of them.  And I’m signing on to create each one in 8 weeks or less.

Here’s a bit more background on the project, from the Viewpoints 9 blog:

Viewpoints 9 is an international collective of fiber artists from 5 countries.
Commencing March 1, 2012, the group will begin a series of challenges exploring sources of inspiration.

Over the following 2 months, each artist will respond to a challenge proposed by one of the members, creating an art quilt, 18"x 24".
Weekly discussions will be posted by members, reflecting on their creative process, sharing their work in progress, or other aspects of the challenge.

On the 26th of April, our first Virtual Gallery Opening will be held, here on our blog.  Each artist will share their creation as well as their reaction to the challenge.

Starting the 1st of the next month, the cycle will begin again, for a total of 9 cycles over the next 18 months.

Readers are welcome to join in the discussion either here or on our Facebook page as we explore what inspires us.

I can’t wait to see what the first challenge will be! 
Wish me luck…

Quick Update: “Morgan’s Flight”

On Saturday, January 28th I was thrilled to hand out the two “Guess What This Is” contest awards in person – at the SAQA CT Regional Meeting in Guilford, CT.  Fiber artists Carol Eaton and Mary Lyn Page guessed correctly, that Morgan’s Flight is inspired by the architecture of Bridgeport Center in Bridgeport, CT.

To give you a bit more background on this piece, it was inspired by an aerial view of Bridgeport at night.  The pilot/photographer/Bridgeport native who took the original photo is Morgan Kaolian.

I was awestruck by Kaolian’s photos in his solo exhibition “City Under Lights”.  So I tracked him down through his company AeroPix and sent him an email.  Mr. Kaolian graciously gave me his blessing to use his photography as inspiration for an art quilt.

I love working on this piece; at the same time I’m nervous about doing justice to Kaolian’s beautiful photography.  The title “Morgan’s Flight” is a reference to the piece’s inspiration and an expression of gratitude to the photographer himself.

I still haven’t worked up the nerve to book a ticket on Sky Rides…

Last Installment: Mystery Picture

No one has guessed the building or the city yet, so I’m going to post one last photo update before the contest ends.   Maybe you can pick out some distinguishing characteristics. And now for a few hints:

The city depicted here is in Connecticut
It is not Hartford
The title of this piece is “Morgan’s Flight”

Good luck everyone!

This will be the last photo update of “Morgan’s Flight” as a work-in-progress.  The next time I post a photo of this piece it will be finished.  Stay tuned

Next Installment of the mystery quilt

 

Well, we have a couple of close guesses so far.  Norma and Carol both guessed that these shapes are buildings.  Correct! 

Carol wins for being the first to guess buildings as seen from above.  Congratulations Carol!

But it’s not over yet, folks! I’m posting another installment to see if anyone can be more specific.  Can you tell me what building is featured, or guess the city?  If you can, I’ll send you a box of cards as well.

HINT: It’s somewhere in New England.

I’ll leave the contest open until January 28th.  Happy guessing, everyone!

Can you guess what this is?

You may have noticed that I haven’t posted any new photos in a while.  That’s because for weeks I couldn’t find the adapter thingy that hooks my camera into my PC to download photos.  Not sure if that is funny or just sad. Anyway…

Found it!  

Let’s start the year off right with a little contest and super-fabulous prize give away, shall we?

CLUES: This is a photo of a work-in-progress.  It is a full view, not a detail.  The finished piece will be about 45in.x 45in.  It has roughly 4 layers of color right now.  By the time it’s finished it may have 12-15 layers.  Any guesses?

CHALLENGE: Add a comment to guess what person/place/thing is the inspiration behind this piece!

If you are the first person to guess correctly, I’ll send you a box of my newest greeting cards.  The box will include 4 cards featuring “Dandelion” and 4 cards featuring “GottaHavaCuppa”, along with 8 envelopes in a lovely gold foil stationery box.

   

If there is no winner by the end of January, I’ll post a new photo or detail a little further along in the process.

Have fun and good luck!

~Kate

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Inspiring New Year

May 2012 be filled with creativity, joy and color!

 (image: “Sunflower” ©2011 Kate Themel)

I’m on the Cover!

… Well, my quilt is, anyway.

I’m very happy to share with you a sneak peak at next month’s MACHINE QUILTING UNLIMITED magazine:

That’s my “Teapot” on the cover!  Now, I know it’s not mature and dignified to say things like super duper, but I am super-duper excited!  I can’t wait until January when this issue hits the news stands.

Inside you’ll find an article about my artistic journey and photos of some of my work.

You can buy MQU magazine at JoAnn Fabrics, select quilt stores, or by subscription.  http://mqumag.com/order-a-subscription/

It was my great pleasure to work with Kit Robinson and Vicki Anderson at MQU.  Thanks Vicki and Kit, for your generosity and patience, and for all the hard work you put into every issue!