Website updated today. Excited to see a new show coming around the corner in March at the Old Rock School in Valdese. Joining me are two other Fiber artists, Beth Bailey and Katherine Lee. Our show is titled Complex Cloth--Explorations in Fiber Art and will begin with our opening reception on March 8th from 2-4pm and will last through April 17th, 2014. We hope you'll join us for a delightful showing!
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CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO I JUST CAME ACROSS WITH INDIA FLINT, A GREAT INSPIRATION TO ME Definitely worth a look. 
Our Artist Collective Show has begun at the Burke Arts Council!! In this post, I am sharing the eight pieces that are mine from the show. We have a reception planned for Thursday, July 18th from 5-8pm, and you're all invited! Our show will remain in the gallery until August 2nd, so come on in and 
"Healing" scriptures on the tree are all about healing. The goal of this piece is to inspire hope in those who struggle with mental or physical illnesses.
"Leafing Through" is an eco-printed piece with a handmade ceramic button in the middle of the three. The nature quote reads, "Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in Springtime,"--Martin Luther.
"Overflowing Joy" contains scriptures about joy, happiness and dancing in praise. It is designed to lift spirits and inspire a feeling of great joy!
"Meander" is an Eco-print collage with wooden buttons and torn antique book squares. Named for the printed leaves collected on a meandering walk through the woods.
"Rusted Leaf," is an Eco-printed piece that was slowly developed between two pieces of rusted metal after a long soak in a red wine mordant. Copper thread forms an organic grid through which to view the rusted/printed fibers.
"Skyward" is a "marriage" piece of my two favorite forms of work, scriptural art quilts (though scriptures are actually not used on this piece) and Eco-printing. The inspiration for this piece is that ethereal feeling you get when you look up at the sky through a canopy of tree limbs. This piece was Eco-printed first, then nature and leaf quotes are added with silk organza on the branches and finally the watercolor background is painted sky blue.
"Strength II" is the second art quilt with scriptures about strength. Several people have requested to buy Strength, the first one, but it is my "baby," the first ever and it is so meaningful to me and my life, that I cannot part with it. So, I created a similar one to sell with the same powerful message of hope. My strength quilt still proves to be a wonderful help to me in my life!
"Vintage Leaf" is so special to me! This beautiful antique handkerchief caught my eye in an antique store I visited with a friend. I love the vintage fabric, the shine and luster is unparalleled, and paired with the Eco-print technique produced this dreamy effect that I just love!
My latest framed piece, which is hanging now in the Upstairs Downtown Studio Gallery in Morganton, NC. This piece is another in the exploration of the Eco-printing technique. I am thrilled when I am able to be patient enough for the fabrics to dry once I remove them from the dye pot (waiting is not easy in this case!). I never tire of the organic prints that are left behind by the leaves, petals and stems of plants found close by! Whatever comes out is embraced. This piece was hung above the fireplace in this lovely studio space, and I confess I did not have my tripod with me to take better shots of this one. Please, pardon the prints, as I was not able to really "line up" this photo the way I wanted to. This original piece and seven other fiber art pieces will be on display beginning July 9th with the other artists of Artist Collective, the art group of which I am a new member. The show will be displayed at the Burke Arts Council's Jailhouse Gallery from July 9th through August 2nd, 2013. Please, join us on July 18th from 5-8pm at the Jailhouse Gallery for a reception and the opportunity to meet all of the members of Artist Collective. We are a fun loving group of emerging artists coming together to encourage, support and enhance each others' presence in the art community, as well as in our individual endeavors. 
"Meander" Eco-printed linen with rose leaves, alum mordant, machine pieced linen with antique book pieces and wooden buttons for accent.
"Meander" detail.
James and Jenny Tarpley have studied various mediums and techniques to create their art. However, they feel most comfortable behind the camera. It is the union of their artistic eye, technical ability, and love for photography that produces variety in their work. The college years were a formative time for James and Jenny’s artistic expression. While teaching at a grass-roots art program in Georgia, they quickly discovered common passions... art, travel, and education. Traveling extensively throughout the Americas, Europe, and Africa has given the couple a respect for other cultures and landscapes. They enjoy sharing these far-off and sometimes, around-the-corner locations from a fresh perspective.
Whether on their recent “7 National Parks in 7 Days” excursion to Utah or an afternoon drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, James and Jenny’s love for travel and God’s creation fits well into their passion for photography. In 2004, James and Jenny started VISIO photography, a boutique studio specializing in destination weddings, and fine art portrait photography. This is where their training, zeal for people, and travel intersect. To see some of their wedding and portrait commissions, please visit www.visiophotography.com To view more of James and Jenny’s fine art work, please visit www.jt-FINEart.com James VISIO photography 828.659.7861 Studio Hours: Mon-Thurs, 10am-5pm To learn more about the workshop and the time we had, visit this page. Wonderful day! Thank you, Ladies for a wonderful time of creativity with kindred spirits! The next Shibori workshop will be held July 17th, 2013 from 12-4pm. Call Burke Arts Council to register at 828-433-7282 or visit their website HERE. 
Click the picture to see the Carolina Mountain Life magazine ad for my workshop under the Burke Arts Council heading on page 21. They give the details of tomorrow's Shibori workshop here. Hope to see you there!! The magazine is pictured here with a couple of the sample scarves for the class. Each student will choose between a luxurious silk scarf or a baby soft rayon scarf with fringe. Pictured here are part of the silk samples.
Click on this picture to visit the facebook page of Mary Marcia Salsbury's studio, "Upstairs Downtown--A Creative Space," where the workshop will be held. Mary Marcia creates beautiful loom woven pieces, felting and nuno felted pieces, such as the woven 3-D pieces shown here above the fireplace flanking my art quilt "Overflowing Joy." Mary Marcia's space is bright, sunny and absolutely charming, just like her! I can't think of a lovelier space to be in to teach and create!!
A view from the other side of the room, notice Mary Marcia's lovely felted beach scene with the lighthouse in the distance on the upper right side of this photo. Absolutely beautiful!
This banner hangs above the stairs of the studio's entrance. Seen behind the banner is a wonderful outdoor veranda overlooking downtown Morganton in such a special way! Love this space! Thank you Mary Marcia for being such a gracious host!
This past week, I had the honor of being asked to join a group of professional artists, called "Artists Collective," here in Morganton, NC. I admire very much the work of the women in this group, and feel extremely fortunate to count myself among them! Thank you so much, Ladies! Here are a few of the artist's links, so that you may view their beautiful work! Beth Bailey-Fiber Artist Julie Cioffoletti-Jewelry Designer Courtney Long-Potter & Educator Jenny Mastin-Ceramic Sculptor Denise Riddle-Ceramic Sculptor & Painter Kristin Steiner-Mixed Media Artist & Quilter **This list is not exhaustive, there are several other very talented artists in this group, and they are not listed only because of my lack of information about their sites, etc. They will be featured at a later time, when I have more information.** Eco-printing is Addictive!! I absolutely love exploring the new technique I'm learning called eco-printing! In a nutshell it means using leaves, bark, blooms and anything else you fancy from nature to make a print onto fabric. No dyes are used, but by combining the leaves and water along with a mordant (binders or fixatives) and heat, the natural dyes in the leaves themselves will imprint onto the fabric. The muted colors are my absolute favorite colors, with the fabric looking worn, weathered and antique-- completely natural and organic--this technique is absolutely my favorite!!
A sampling of prints that will likely be turning into art quilts of some kind eventually. To learn more about this technique, see India Flint's book HERE.
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kimberly ollis
Forty something artistic soul finding her way through life discovering new insights almost every day through the gift of "making." View my Work
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