2015 Wonderful New Year.

Kathleen, I answered your comments, but then decided to post, also... This is the entry to Road to Calif. Special exhibit, " Personal App",  It will be traveling for about 2 years. Will probably forget it is on the road.  This is named, Vivian's Journey..  Lots of hand dyes, applique, photo of my painted tennis shoes, photography, and stamping of words on the roadway.  It was fun, about 36 X 36". Showing this month at Road to Calif Quilt Show, week end of 23rd..

I am hoping some friends get photos of the show, not just my piece, I know what it looks like.
Lets, get together soon, weather now seems like summer,

Hugs, to all vivian

Dear Sisters in Spirit. . .

. . . I have been thinking of you and wondering how you all are and if you ever look at our Sisters blog. Just wanted to say hello and that I think of you often and wonder how the months and years can be going so fast. I'm loving almost every moment at my studio/gallery/classroom--still!--and finding it to be a very productive place for me to be. I'm less interested in teaching classes than I am in painting and creating there, which is an interesting revelation. I'm currently involved in a "30 Paintings in 30 Days" Challenge for the month of January, agonizing a bit regarding taxes (NOT one of my favorite things!), and currently acting as President of the Sanger Downtown Business Association. Surprising, eh? I'm enjoying that role also. Just lost my favorite kitty to a fast car and my  not-so-fast car to a possible dead transmission--today. :( Life does go on. Other than those 2 not so good things, we are well and busy--new swimming pool surfacing and finishing off the garage (as a garage, not a room) are our current projects--more Roy's than mine, with the gallery taking much of my time and energy. Pop in and say hello, if you can--either at the gallery, or HERE, if need be. Allyson's name brings back good memories of our times together, each time I come across her book or her name on one of her "tweets" on my phone or iPad. More soon, I hope--trying to get back to blogging with more regularity!

Love,

Kathleen

Flash Mob Sierra Artists

Well, I think our little blog has been quiet long enough... We are all running around on tangents.. creating art, and trying to keep up with daily agenda's.. Our group of seven is now 6. But we are still Sisters to the Seventh Power... although Kathleen could explain that better than I.

Several of us that belong to Timberline Gallery were chatting and sharing ideas.. How, to encourage people to come by the Oakhurst Artists Gallery Row , share in the fun.. Enjoy a good laugh!... We had been tossing ideas out from 2 pm on, about 4:45, when we were all planning to leave at 4, some one hit on the idea of the Flash Mob. Kathleen had participated in one in Fresno, and it was a fun time, with a variety of artists.

Now we are trying to get the word out in the mountains and the valley.. This is not just a mountain gathering, but a gathering for all the arts, and art lovers...As the flier above reads.. for every one.. Thank you Joyce for putting the flier together.. This is a free gathering for everyone, bring your art to work on, photographers, bring your camera, or... Come and enjoy! Pass this on, gather your friends.. come early if you wish,, tour the galleries.. munch on some food, chat with neighbors, artist, dancers, musicians.

Fabric Dyeing Class 2011

Friday June 10th and Sat. June 11 th... are fabric dyeing class days at Vivian's Studio... Let me know if you are able to come, email at vivianhelena@sti.net... This is a fun day, with jars of dyed, bright colors of fabric to take home and create something wonderful.. Still some openings available.. We have a wonderful salad luncheon and get to know what projects we have in mind. Sharing the excitement.

Sierra Mountain Quilt Show.

It has been a wild month.. I had an opportunity to visit the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah.. and no we did not get flooded out. It was amazing, and I go into detail more on my Creates Blog, so will not bore you. here.

Sierra Mountain Quilters had their quilt show last week, and Julie and I shared a booth.. We would have loved to see more attendance, but between the threat of rain we did very well, enjoyed chatting about our art... And I heard later that many went by Timberline Gallery in Oakhurst to view more of our art pieces.

I was showing and selling English Paper Pieces and also had sign ups for the Fabric Dyeing and an English Paper Piecing class ( later in the month) that will be held at my studio on June 10th or 11th. You have a choice of days. So if you are in the area and would like to attend, please contact me at my email.

The quilts on the right are the design that my friend Kathy and I did for the Adult Ed.. Patterns are available.

January Gathering

Julie, Anita, and I gathered at Vivian's house last Wednesday. We talked about 1 chapter of the book (Secret 5, "Committing to Self-Focus") we are reading together. The book is called "12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women" by Gail McMeekin.

Secret 5 talks about the critical skill of Self-focus which is necessary for creative women to be able to indulge in our inspirations and devote the time necessary for innovation. The topics covered in the chapter were:

•Confronting Fears of Selfishness
•Putting Yourself on Top of the Priority List
•Honoring Your Holistic Style
•Setting Boundaries
•Creating Solitude
•Supporting Self-focus in Other Women


We had a good discussion about the chapter and a nice salad lunch.Vivian showed us all how to make "fabric paper", a combination of fabrics and papers bonded together with a diluted mixture of white glue. The embellished fabric paper can be painted, sewn, woven etc. into books, mixed media works, spirit figures etc. It was fun to experiment with a new technique and to spend time together.

We will meet again the 3rd Wednesday in February to visit Gallery Central in Fresno, have lunch together at a restaurant, and discuss Secret 6 (Conquering Saboteurs) from the book.

  

Anita isn't in the photos because she took them. 

Thank you, Anita!

A New Year, a New Book, New Goals, and New Accomplishments! And maybe the year we get all our ducks in a row! :)

We meet to discuss the book on Wednesday and I have been reading it carefully but taking notes much LESS carefully. I know that I've gotten a lot from what I read but I can't remember many details. We plan to meet and instead of starting at the beginning, we will start with the second part of the book, around page 73. One of us will photograph the cover so you can find it easily at the book store or on Amazon if you are interested in reading it along with us. It would make a great book for any group of artists to use as a book study. I'll tell you more in the next couple of days and certainly after we meet on Wednesday.