Donna Funnell Offers Art From the Heart

I had a most pleasant afternoon, on Saturday, April 4, attending the Opening of  Fibre Art from the Heart, the current show at Greenwood Quiltery. It features the work of Donna Funnell, whose art quilts are recognized for their intense colour and creative embellishment with paint, threads and beads. We were so sophisticated, dahling, imbibing wine, nibbling on crackers and cheese, and discussing our creative endeavors while enjoying the display of Donna’s. The show runs until  April 30, 2009.

Donna’s work can be seen online at Fiber Arts/Mixed Media and FibreJournal, where she has added photos of the entire show. This woman is organized!

Donna and I have come to know each other through various shows we’ve both entered. Donna has a quiet, modest way about her but she has a great deal of experience and expertise that becomes evident as you converse with her. I feel confident saying that taking a class taught by her would be well worth the investment.

My favorite piece in the show was “Another Door Opens.” This solo show should prove to be a door opener for further Funnell happenings.

A Tribute to Intuition

I’ve been working on this piece for quite some time: I had hoped to finish it for show at Greenwood Quiltery. However, it was one of those pieces that offers an array of challenges. I totally ruined the bottom section, and had to cut it off and begin again. I’m actually glad I did, because I like this one better than the original! You may recognize the new bottom, except for the heart that appeared on it (a Beryl Taylor influence, no doubt). If you read the words that accompany the piece, you will see why the heart is important (read right across the spaces). This piece has handmade tassels as well: it just seemed the proper thing to do for the subject matter.

Intuition

Chaska Peacock has a very perceptive discussion of “human” angels, at Art Alchemy Studio, called Beings of Light.

Quilts Incarnate: Artist in Attendance Today

I will be at Greenwood Quiltery today from 2 to 4 pm. Drop in to take a look at my art, and chat a while. I really look forward to hearing your thoughts and impressions!

Let the Show Begin!

I just visited Greenwood Quiltery this morning, and am very pleased with the configuration of my pieces on the walls. Christine is a master of arrangement! If you read this post, and are planning to come to the opening tomorrow, between 2 and 4 pm, there is parking available in the two lots around Greenwood: I was told both attached businesses are not open on Saturday.

I would be thrilled to talk to you tomorrow!

By the way, here are a few pieces that somehow never made it into my blog, but will be in the show:

Ancient Rhythms

Small Winged God

Blue Moon

You are all invited!

Quilts Incarnate: a Solo Show

It’s official!

I will have a solo show in the gallery at Greenwood Quiltery October 3-31, 2008. The opening is on Saturday, October 4th, and I’ll be there from 2 until 4 pm. I named the show Quilts Incarnate, and being a writer and teacher, I felt the need to include a subtitle, explaining what my title meant (sigh). So, are you ready for this? Quilts Incarnate: celebrating the evolvement from conception to manifestation. It will include a range of mixed media art quilts.

I am captivated by that process of conceptualizing, imagining, and where it comes from. A gift from the universe? God? the angels? My own brain? A combination? A mystery? But once that concept has been conceived, ah, then comes that totally absorbing, joyful, crazy, wonderful process of bringing it into manifestation. One could say manifeastation, because it is much like preparing a feast, for the eyes, mind, and spirit. But process doesn’t quite cover it; there are so many! Art processes, in mixed media, cannot be explained in a moment, and then there are all those delicious things happening in your body as you manifest the piece. Hands are working their magic, so many gestures, so many moves, but the whole body is involved. And the mind! The mind is sending off synapses like firecrackers, and the spirit is glowing like a sun, or at least a moon.

As I said, process really isn’t adequate, and evolution provided another word ending in “ion,” which is good in terms of forming a trinity (one of my favorite symbols) but rather awkward to say (All those sh sounds at once probably give away the fact that I’m also a librarian). Hence, I chose evolvement. It’s a word that makes you think, and slow down. E-v  o  l  v  e-ment.

I have now employed three paragraphs to further clarify a title that may already be too long.

My main point is, you are invited! Celebrate with me! Celebrate creativity (which is evolvement from conception to manifestation). Clever, eh? (I’m Canadian). I snuck it in again; snuck it in like a woman with a suitcase-sized handbag who comes down a narrow aisle in an airplane, with the weighty weapon swinging from her shoulder on your side.  

I shall stop and change the subject. In reference to the little bags I used to make, here is an example:

Amulet bag, cotton, embroidered, beaded, crocheted, clay element

Revelation

Here is a new piece. I think it’s finished, but I’m still glancing at it, so who knows! I actually have a number of things in the works, because I have a solo show coming up in the beginning of October at the dynamic quilting store and gallery, Greenwood Quiltery. (I did end up changing this quilt. Here is the result, after those changes.)

Revelation

Revelation is a paper/cloth art quilt, 23.5″(w) x 25.5″(l).

Obviously, I am still smitten with paper quilts, especially shaped paper quilts.

You Are Invited to FUSION at Greenwood Quiltery

I am pleased to announce that two of my mixed media art quilts have been accepted into a group show called FUSION at a dynamic quilt shop and gallery in Guelph, Ontario. Please take the opportunity to view this show (see info below). I have seen many shows at Greenwood Quiltery and they are always outstanding: I come away inspired!

Contemplation

7.5” (w) x 19.5” (l)

Presence

8.5” (w) x 29.5” (l)

Here is the info:

Greenwood Quiltery
275 Woolwich Street
Guelph, Ontario
N1H 3V8
parking at back via London Rd.
519-822-2790 or
1-866-364-2790 toll free

Store hours:
Monday to Wednesday and Saturday
10:00 – 5:00
Thursday and Friday
10:00 – 6:00