Kentucky Tennessee SAQA

Check Out Some of the Websites Our Members Have!

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 15:00:00 +0000

Lots of SAQA members have their own website and blogs where they share their thoughts, works in progress, successes and failures. Its fun to read about what they are doing. Here are a few from our region that you might enjoy checking out!
http://www.janeburchcochran.com/

Here is one of Jane's works, "Shroud for a Colorful Soul."

Look at Nysha's great site: http://studionysha.com/

He is doing fascinating work with zentangles and trapunto!
Here is Shelly Zegart's great website:
http://www.shellyquilts.com/go/welcome/
She is a passionate collector of quilts and has so many amazing accomplishments, you will just have to go to the website to see them all.

You are invited to visit my website anytime too, I love to hear from you!
www.sharonbuckart.weebly.com

Write me about your website and I will publish it here next!

Regional Show Dialogues with Marie Webster

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 14:04:00 +0000

Dialogues: Contemporary Responses to Marie Webster Quilts - Bret Waller Gallery, Indianapolis Museum of Art
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA • June 23, 2016 - September 4, 2016

Images from Dialogues exhibition at IMA

SAQA members from 8 Midwestern states are included in this juried exhibition coordinated by Kate Lenkowsky. Artists were invited to submit work that is inspired by and responds to the early 20th century quilts designed and made by Indiana native, Marie Daugherty Webster (1859-1956). Niloo Paydar, Curator of Textiles and Fashion Arts at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, was the juror for this exhibition, organized in conjunction with the IMA's exhibition of "A Joy Forever: Marie Webster Quilts."

The exhibition opening also included a panel discussion "When Artists Step Out of Their Comfort Zone", moderated by Gail Gayer Hail. Panelists included SAQA members (l-r): Pamela Burns – Indiana; Terry Pate – Indiana; Barbara J. Schneider – Illinois; Kathleen Loomis – Kentucky.

2016 Benefit Auction

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Sun, 01 May 2016 13:48:00 +0000

I love the Benefit Auction! I wish I had unlimited funds and unlimited wall space, I would buy a bunch of the quilts and display them. Look at my "show" from the Benefit quilts on my blog at sharonbuckart.weebly.com

Just wanted to share a couple of my favorites with you here:

Why don't you pick out your own favorites? Or better yet, you still have time to create that little masterpiece and send it in! I'll be watching for it!

Necktie Quilts Reinvented by Christine Copenhaver

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 20:36:00 +0000

I was having an interesting email discussion with one of our members in TN, Christine Copenhaver. We were discussing the Marie Webster quilt challenge and how we went about answering it. She casually wrote something about her book that she had recently published and went on to tell me more about travel plans, etc. Whoa, your book? I was so excited when I looked it up on Amazon.com. Its entitled, Necktie Quilts Reinvented and it is so innovative. I have a terrible problem getting rid of a necktie, they are so beautiful and silky. And now I have a copy of the book!

Let me tell you a little about it. Christine elevates necktie quilts to a place where you have something you can really be proud of.. There are 16 projects in the book and it includes lap quilts, wallhangings, runners, a table topper and a pillow. She covers cleaning the ties, how to cut them the easy way with no templates, and how to stabilize slippery fabrics so that rotary cutting is easy. She has the projects classified as to skill level also. I love her explanations, they are simple and straight forward and really outline what to do. Check it out for yourself!

Write me with your happenings too. We love to know what all of KY and TN are doing in the art quilt world!

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 02:37:00 +0000

New Book from one of Our Own KY-TN Region SAQA Members:

I put out a call for what you all are doing, even asking about books and articles you may have written, and Kathy Loomis wrote me back, "Well I have a book!" I was so thrilled! Kathy is always busy and does fantastic work. This is a breakout book that takes us away from the bondage of a traditional pattern and lets us work pattern free. Here is some information about it from Amazon's createspace and also a link to purchase it if you are interested.

Link:
https://www.createspace.com/5403666

Make one-of-a-kind quilts without a pattern!
Break free from cookie-cutter designs! Quilt artist Kathleen Loomis walks you step by step through the process of creating a truly original quilt from scratch. With Pattern-Free Quilts, You'll learn how to:
* Choose colors and fabrics with confidence
* Sew first, plan second
* Hone your eye for design
* Improvise without fear
Start by sewing simple rail-fence blocks, then unleash your inner artist! With this versatile method, you can create:
* Quilts of any size
* Super simple beginner projects to intricately complex art quilts
* New quilts from the fabric in your stash
The book's gallery includes 26 photos of finished quilts to inspire you. Copy and paste this link to see inside the book and read reviews: http://artwithaneedle.blogspot.com/p/read-what-other-bloggers-have-to-say.html
Kathleen Loomis, whose quilts appear in national exhibits, bring warmth to beds and welcome new babies, believes that designing is the most joyous part of quilt making. With Pattern-Free Quilts, Kathy inspires every quilter, from novice to expert, to dare to design.

Remember we want to see what you are working on! Send me some pictures!

Look at the Sky for Inspiration!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 14:00:00 +0000

Just wanted to share these awe inspiring clouds - they look so textile!!!!!!!!

Also this old quilt top displayed at a swap meet. The vendor added a frame with chicken wire stretched within and a vintage photo clipped in it. Wild!

Well January is more than half way gone and we have lots of events coming up. The auction at the 2016 Conference in Philadelphia is one we can all participate in, even if we are not there! Make an art quilt, just 6 x 8" and donate it for the SAQA conference... in fact in the words of SAQA:

The Inspire - Connect - Engage (ICE) Spotlight Auction is an opportunity for all SAQA members to have their work showcased at the 2016 SAQA Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
We are looking for pieces 6” x 8” (portrait or landscape orientation), which we will display in mats with a 4.5" x 6.5” opening and place in clear cellophane sleeves. These pieces will be sold through a silent auction at the Conference Banquet. All proceeds of the sales will benefit SAQA's exhibition programs. Please note that unsold pieces will not be returned.
This size of artwork can be quick to make, showcasing your voice and raising funds for the organization which helps us all. Plus, it’s your opportunity to collect work made by fellow SAQA members. What a win-win!

Notice that the mat is going to fit over a part of the work, so the featured quilting you need to do is even smaller than 6x8. So easy, yet you will be exhibited in Pennsylvania! I'm going to do it! just follow this link to see how to get started and register:
http://www.saqa.com/about.php?ID=3120

And lets all make some ATC's, artist trading cards. In case you missed the newsletter about that, its an inspirational thing and a sharing thing that will help us meet the members in our area. The cards are all little, 2.5x3.5 like a business card, and then we can share them or just photo them and get some new inspirations. Like tiny art quilts! I already have some coming in! Its very informal, contact me if you want to mail one or send me a pix of what you are working on!

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 19:58:00 +0000

Happy New Year!!!
Its 2016!!!

Just wanted to share the ATC's I mentioned in my last post. I made mine the really easy way, by taking a piece of sample work and cutting it up into business sized cards, finished the edges, added some embellishments and signing the back.

The ones I got in trade were a fabulous sampling of styles, some were all fabric, others were paper and some were mixed media.

I have heard from one person so far that would like to trade some ATC's. Anyone else interested? Let's get some things going in TN and KY in 2016!

Sharon Buck
buckhotelcarsonsprings@gmail.com
sharonbuckart.weebly.com

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:47:00 +0000

Happy New Year to Everyone!

I still haven't made any resolutions but I plan to make more art quilts and loosen up and have more fun doing it. Sometimes I think we get so focused we forget how much fun it is to play. I recently got a chance to go to a regional SAQA meeting in FL and they asked us to bring a dozen or so ATC's. I barely know what those are: Artist's trading cards. So I asked and yes make them from textiles, size of a regular business card, 2.5 x 3.5 or paper, or mixed media. Just enjoy the process. One good piece of advice is to make a larger quilt sample and then slice it up to the smaller sizes and bind the edges as desired. That's quicker than one on one for each one, especially since I made them all the night before. It was such a freeing exercise! We could set up an ATC trade via snail mail here in TN/KY. Is anyone interested?

If you can get to the area northwest of Knoxville, TN, Clinton to be exact, a well established quilt shop is going out of business due to the death of one of the partners. I just found out, the sale starts 12/31, but they want to sell off everything as quickly as possible.

726 Clinch Avenue, Clinton, TN

Sale at Quick Qut Quilts – 50% off all fabric, patterns and notions in the Sale Room and 40% off all regular price fabric, patterns and notions. Thursday, December 31, 10 AM – 4 PM, and Saturday January 1, 10 AM – 4 PM. Due to the current situation, all payments must be made in cash or by check.

This is an opportunity to stock up on a lot of fine fabrics.
I also thought I would mention there are a LOT of fabric shops in this area, so if you come, check out these. Times and distances are calculated from Morristown, TN courtesy of SAQA member Tina Sams.

Stitch ‘N Time Fabric Outlet

2223 Broadway Dr, Bean Station TN

865-993-2357

12 min, 8 miles

The Cherry Pit

115 Bruce St, Sevierville TN

865-453-4062

55 min, 37 miles

Holloway’s Country Home

3892 Cosby Hwy, Cosby TN

423-487-3866

45 min, 40 miles

Garden Quilts

215 Rivers Edge Ln, Sevierville TN

865-365-1436

60 min, 40 miles

The Pattern Hutch

926 Centerview, Pigeon Forge, TN

865-428-1361

65 min, 45 mils

Tennessee Quilts

114 Boone St, Jonesborough TN

423-753-6644

65 min, 54 miles

Mountain Stitches by Susan

601 Glades Road, Gatlinburg TN

865-436-0077

70 min, 56 miles

Sewing Machines Etc

8419 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN

865-690-7770

57 min, 57 miles

Gina’s Sewing Center

10816 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN

865-966-5941

62 min, 62 miles

Discount Fabrics

2030 Old Hwy 25 E, Tazewell, TN

423-492-0422

43 min, 34 miles

Iva’s

1020 Old Knoxville Hwy, Sevierville TN

865-428-8008

51 min, 36 miles

The Sewing Center

716 Parkway, Sevierville, TN

865-365-1408

59 min, 38 miles

Dizzy Divas Fabric Shop

5404 Millertown Pike, Knoxville, TN

865-474-9921

44 min, 44 miles

Magic Cat Quilt Shop

206 Clovefield Ln, Knoxville TN

865-579-4402

55 min, 48 miles

Mammaw’s Thimble

4319 Papermill Dr, Knoxville TN

865-588-8818

53 min, 51 miles

Sewing Bee

107 E Jackson Blvd, Jonesborough TN

423-753-7399

66 min, 55 miles

MidSouth Sewing Center

7240 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN

865-249-6381

57 min, 56 miles

Pappy’s Quilting Place

3426 Sevierville Rd, Maryville TN

865-980-0950

85 min, 60 miles

Don't forget to contact me with all your quilt news for TN/KY and show us what you are working on, we would love to see it! Also, remember our regional call go to saqa.com for the Regional Response to Marie Webster Quilts due January 6. Also, are you a JAM? Apply to be a juried artist member by January 1, 2016.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Sharon Buck
buckhotelcarsonsprings@gmail.com
sharonbuckart.weebly.com

Fall Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 01:10:00 +0000

Back in the olden days, once the harvest was in it gave the ladies more of a chance to gather together and quilt. Today I stopped by a hand quilting group and participated for a while. I am not much of a hand quilter but what a great social occasion that afforded our ancestors. Plus they were creating much needed bed coverings and expressing some of their inner artist.

Hope you are having a productive fall! I would love to see what you are working on. Please email me about your projects and we can post them here.

Wasn't the SAQA auction the greatest? You can still participate!!

Do you have a special pet? Maybe we should do little pet art quilt! This is Cocky Doodle Doo and he is oh so cocky!

Hope to hear from you all soon!

Sharon Buck
www.sharonbuckart.weebly.com
KY-TN Regional Representative SAQA

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 15:29:00 +0000

Isn't that gorgeous? Read on for some summertime news from our fellow member and JAM Nysha Nelson. Its some of his Zentangle.

My Zentangle® Experience

I first heard about Zentangle from other quilters who saw me stitching and suggested I might like it. Then, rooting around the internet looking for inspiration for continuous line quilting patterns I saw various things related to Zentangle. I was intrigued.

In the Fall of 2013 I went to Road Island to become a Certified Zentangle Teacher. At the time I thought I was using loads of patterns in quilting and in mixed media work. One thing I learned at my certification was that I had not been doing things in the Zentangle Method.

Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, founders of Zentangle talk about the “method” that is Zentangle. A method of creating pattern that is easy and can be meditative… I am a calm person and thought I ‘got’ that part of the experience. When it was explained however and I experienced it first hand I was blown away. I had to share it! Something that is creative, that anyone can do, that requires almost no tools and takes only a few minutes. PERFECT!

Then I started practicing Zentangle almost daily. Just fifteen minutes at the beginning of a work day and I found I was able to concentrate longer, was more focused and I was able to do work that was more accurate. Partly because I had left behind things that weren’t work after my fifteen minutes tangling and partly because I was conscious of my breathing.

While the method of Zentangle needs to be tweaked into continuous line quilting it’s spirit is quite simple to add to my quilting practice. I consciously breathe at the beginning of a quilting movement. I focus only on the mark I am currently making, not the last one or the next one — the one I am making now! My work has improved as a result of just fifteen minutes a day.

Above you see more of Nysha's beautiful work. He is featured in the April/May edition of Quilting Arts Magazine and also has three segments in the current Quilting Arts TV Series 1600.

Let me know what YOU are doing too! We love to read about what folks in the KY-TENN Region are working on and creating!

Wonderful Opportunities in Chattanooga

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 17:45:00 +0000

Mark your calendar, September 16-19 2015. That's American Quilt Society week in Chattanooga! Can't wait to check out all those beauties. Looking for some volunteers to man a table for SAQA to tell everyone about our great group. Please contact me at buckhotelcarsonsprings@gmail.com if you can come and help for a few hours.
David Taylor's swan with babies quilt is just so awesome. Look at this video where he tells us some about his process:
I have to admit I have been too intimidated to try entering an AQS show but what the heck? I think I will try....
Maybe this video will give you the inspiration you need too!
Sharon Buck
KY-TENN Regional Rep SAQA
sharonbuckart.weebly..com
etsy.com/worldinaraindrop

2015 Benefit Quilts

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 14:26:00 +0000

Hi All,
Its that time of year again, time to make a 12" x 12" benefit quilt for the SAQA Benefit Auction. This is my third year and I have really enjoyed the process. I hope you all will consider trying it this year; you really do get more out of it than you put into it. Here is the quilt I did for 2013:

Its called "The Story of the Mustard Seed."

This one from 2014 is "Life In Our Family."

And for 2015 I have "Beach Conversations - Newport."

You can read more about the process on my blog sharonbuckart.weebly.com I would like to put up art quilts from all over the KY-TN region so send me your pictures and your news and lets liven up our blog!

Happy Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:06:00 +0000

Hope this great red and pink themed day is inspiring your creativity. Here is a cute heart from member Kathy Loomis. She says, "I make abstract art -- usually with a needle but sometimes with a pen, brush or camera, scissors and glue, pliers and wire cutters, whatever is there. I have a husband, two sons, seven sewing machines, a big messy studio and lots of other people's art. Life is good!" She has more information about making these hearts and a tutorial on her blog at artwithaneedle.blogspot.com

I will be gone for a week to a hubby themed event involving tractors and fly wheel engines and no internet or cell phone service so if you email me, it will be after the 22nd before I will answer back.

Here are some inrpirational reds to celebrate Valentine's from the garden.

This Lobster Claw Heliconia usually blooms in the summer; its a thrill to see it in February for Valentine's.

Silk Tree Blossom is so beautiful!

Berries on one of the Butterfly Bushes

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 00:02:00 +0000

Happy New Year! by now you know how its going to go with those New Year's Resolutions or revelations or wishful thoughts or maybe you have already lost 10 pounds!! I mean who doesn't resolve to eat healthy, work out, lose weight, oh blah blah blah!!
Well I am excited because I just finished my entry for Southern Accents and its signed, sealed and delivered. If you are anything like me, you have a tizzy fit when it comes time to get that artist's statement ready to go and have mercy on me, getting that perfect photo... so its done now! for good or evil! Oh, maybe I am not supposed to admit this!
Seriously, there are a lot of great shows coming up. Southern Accents is open to TN and to all of us in the southeastern region and the deadline is coming up fast, its Thursday, January 15. The only reason I am not my usual 11th hour self is because I am going to a Flywheeler event and will be without technology for a week. More shows include Wild Fabrications with a deadline at the end of this month, PAQA South on February 20, Balancing Act on February 28 (this is a big SAQA show open to all) and Sacred Threads due March 9. And here is a tip on a show that is not listed on SAQA, if you are a member of DAR they have a big show coming up with textiles having a deadline of February 1 and other arts and crafts deadlining on February 15. You can read all about it on their website, DAR.org and if you cannot find it email me and I will help.
Let's have another great artist review like the one on Jane Burch Cochran. Please send me your info or pictures of some of your current work and we can all inspire each other.
Blessings on 2015 and all of you!
Sharon Buck

Jane Burch Cochran - Art Quilter

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 18:42:00 +0000

Hi KY and TN SAQA! In case you don't know her and her work, let me introduce you to one of our artists, Jane Burch Cochran. Jane lives in Rabbit Hash, KY. That is in the north of KY on the Ohio River and if you look across it you are looking at Rising Sun, Indiana. She was trained as a painter and started making small bead and fabric collages in 1978. She made her first large quilt in 1985 and says she has been “completely obsessed with making art quilts since then –quilts both large and small but always for the wall." Cochran's distinctive, heavily embellished quilts are represented in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery, the University of Kentucky Art Museum, the Kentucky History Center, and the National Quilt Museum as well as in numerous corporate and private collections. She completed her largest quilt to date, Crossing to Freedom—a 7 foot high x 10 foot wide commission for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati—in June 2004.

Crossing To Freedom 7'x10'

As with many of her quilts, Jane incorporated a personal item in this quilt: a button she wore when she marched along with 10,000 other people and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Frankfurt, KY in 1964. She worked almost daily for ninth months to complete this quilt.

Jane says,"Once I had more time to spend on my work, instead of making more quilts, I made quilts that took more time. I love doing labor-intensive artwork –it is an odyssey. In my art quilts, I try to combine my art training in painting, my love of fabric, and the tradition of American quilting. I unconsciously combine the loose, free feeling of abstract painting with the time consuming and controlled techniques of sewing and beading."

Jane may work for months on a quilt and if she feels it is not working, she does not give up on it. Rather than taking it apart, she "fixes it." Her patience and vision keep her going and also lots of embellishments and paint. Her work owes a lot to the style of Victorian crazy quilts and Native American beadwork. She also uses cast off gloves in her quilts. This trend began when people started giving her gloves and she could not resist incorporating them into her work.

One of her very moving and intriguing quilts is entitled, "Last Suppers."

She says, "In most prisons in the United States, a prisoner who is about to be executed is allowed to make a final meal request. The meal is usually served the night before the execution. This is a strange and haunting ritual but perhaps these people are the only ones who know what their last meal will be. I have selected twelve meals that were requested."

Last Suppers 66"x 69"

Last Suppers Detail

On her process, Jane says, "I use strip piecing to make my patchwork. I do not measure but just start cutting and sewing strips usually in combinations of three strips. I then cut these apart into smaller pieces and just keep sewing and adding until it grows into large enough patches to use. I love to create the patchwork. It's like making lots of small paintings. I then appliqué the patchwork and other pieces to a background using bugle beads or seed beads." Jane summers in Montana and due to limited space there, she has started making smaller works too. Her new series, "Faces" can be seen on Bob Shaw's website www.artofthequilt.com

Jane is currently putting together a one woman show and she also has a quilt in a show in Oulu, Finland next summer. You can see more of her work at her website www.janeburchcochran.com.

And in case you missed the SAQA Journal for Winter 2013, go to saqa.com and check out the great featured artist section they had on Jane in there.

21st Annual Rose Center Quilt Show

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:46:00 +0000

The Rose Center Quilt Show is still going until the end of this week in Morristown, TN and it is a great show. This is a show that is open to all and it has cash prizes. So put it on your calendar for next year. You can read about the Rose Center Quilt Guild at rosecenter.org
I really enjoyed this quilt entitled "Midnight" by Susie Hunter.She has incorporated some interesting decorative machine stitches.

Another interesting quilt was Barbara Wood's "American Pride." The colors are bright and slightly different in that its a clear departure from the traditional red, white and blue but you feel no less patriotic.

The next quilt from Barbara Webster is a real departure from her usual large "photo print" quilts with their ultra realism and she says it took quite a while for her to finish it. Sorry the picture is not the best, that's my fault.


Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

I love the color combinations in Carol Snapp's "Snappy Squares."

The next quilt was hard to photograph too, as it was deep in the interior of the "quilt forest" and it is sunshine and shade also. In fact, this quilt by Donna Japp is called "Sunshine and Shadows," and I love the subtle watercolor effects.

"Garden Stepping Stones," also caught my eye with its bright, clean colors. It is by Fay Andrews.

Hope you enjoy this quick tour of the show. I would love to hear from you about what you are working on and any events happening in your area.

September Happenings

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 23:55:00 +0000

If you are near Dandridge, TN, don't miss the Taste of Nations event in downtown Dandridge on Friday September 12 from 5 - 9 pm. Its a crazy annual event and I will be at the Steamer Trunk at 103 West Meeting Street talking about SAQA and showing some art quilts from 5 - 7. There will be beverages, cuisine and music, at least some of which will represent countries around the globe.

Foothills Quilters Guild is having their 13th annual quilt show on September 19 from 10 - 5 and September 20 from 10 - 4 at the New Providence Presbyterian Church in Maryville, TN located at 703 W. Broadway. They have a gift boutique, door prizes, demonstrations, antique quilts and admission is just $5. For more information visit them at www.foothillsquiltersguildsite.com

The Rose Center Quilt Guild has its annual show starting today September 7 through Friday October 17 at 442 West 2nd North Street in Morristown, TN. The Rose Center itself is a beautiful old building, a historical treasure. They are open M-F, 9-5 and Sat. 10-2. The show is great and you will enjoy seeing the Rose Center also.

And of course there is the fabulous AQS show in Chattanooga this month! Don't miss it!

I hope to hear from you concerning events, shows, happenings or whatever in your area of KY or TN and I want to see what you are working on so we can post it on the blogsite. I am working on a couple of quilts right now and doing some practice doodles on squares of fabrics and so I'll share one with you here. Have a great week!

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 18:36:00 +0000

2014 Benefit Auction

SAQA’s signature fundraising event starts Sept 15!

This is your chance to own beautiful, unique art quilts by some of the world’s finest artists. Plus, your purchases help increase the recognition for art quilts and the artists who make them while supporting SAQA’s exhibitions, publications, and education outreach. Thanks to our donors and bidders in 2013, the Benefit Auction raised over $65,000.
See the Benefit Quilts

SAQA members were invited to select 6 of their favorite benefit quilts an curate them as "dream collections." The selections are really beautiful.
See The Dream Collections

Look at your own benefit quilt or quilts sent in by friends at this link:
Artist List and Quilt Details

Let us share our KY and TN quilts in the Benefit Auction. Let me know about your benefit quilt and I will post it here on our blog so we can all enjoy it and see our region's work.

"Life in Our Family" by Sharon Buck

News From West TN

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 22:29:00 +0000

I think it will be fun and help us get to know each other a little in our wide spaced region if we can share some of what we are doing. I hope to get lots more information from you all soon so we can share our stories here on our blog spot. I am excited to share with you Paula Kovarik's beautiful quilt images from the SAQA "Earth Stories" show. She is a JAM of SAQA and lives in Memphis. These are her quilts "Stream of Consequences" both of which were created for this show.

Here is the summary from the SAQA site:

Juror: Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, Managing curator: Leni Levenson Wiener

There are many stories of hope across the globe. Both individuals and small groups are working on projects that, when added together, make a positive impact on increasing the quality of life on this planet. Earth Stories celebrates the stories of people or projects that enhance the planet, make a significant difference in restoring and/or protecting the environment, increase sustainability and otherwise improve the earth we all occupy. Twenty-four artists from around the world were chosen to interpret a "story" of their choice, in two quilts each (72x72 and 12x14 inches).

Here is Paula's artist statement: It comes from the country, courses through the suburbs, and wraps around the city of Memphis. The Wolf River, a small spring fed river of 90 miles, is one of the great arterial systems of the Mississippi River and all the life that it nurtures. As it flows, it filters, it floods, it captures and distributes. It is a filament that takes everything that flows downhill and sends it forward. It is the meandering collector of last resort for runoff, sprawl, industry and agriculture. Efforts to control it, channel it, or deny its value nearly led to its ruin—until it gained an advocate. Since 1985, The Wolf River Conservancy has protected and defended the river in the face of development and abuse. The group has cast the Wolf as a community treasure that physically weaves the region together. They know full well its vital function and spectacular potential. They understand it is a pattern that connects.

New Co-Rep for our Region

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 15:58:00 +0000

Hello from your new co-representative for Kentucky Tennessee SAQA region. My name is Sharon Buck and I live in east TN. I am excited about being your representative but scared to death too hoping that I can do a great job for you. SAQA offers us so many resources, I want us to try to take advantage of as many of them as we can. I will be sending out newsletters and I hope you will email me with all your news about shows in your area, great places you love to find fabric, art you are doing, your blog or website, or anything pertaining to our art quilt world. It will be fun to get to know everyone and find out more about what you are doing. I have not used this blogger page before so I will have to figure things out as I go along. I do have a website and blog myself with weebly, and invite all to stop by for a visit! sharonbuckart.weebly.com

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Sun, 27 May 2012 14:37:00 +0000

News from the Region. "This is a Quilt" Trunk Show was received in the Kentucky Tennessee Region and made it's first debut at UnCommon Threads Quilt Guild in Germantown, TN. About 50 quilters looked at the 30 pieced and went through an exercise designed to increase critical looking. Many members said they like it and found their initial impression was deepened by asking questions and hearing others comments. Next the Trunk Show is going to Jackson with an event at Sew Many Ideas quilt shop. Then on to Knoxville at Smokey Mountain Quilters guild meeting and on to the Regional Meeting in Louisville and an evening art event at Sew Memphis, the new sewing studio in Memphis. Not only a great way to experience looking a terrific way to let artists, quilters and others know about Studio Art Quilt Associates. Regional Meeting in Louisville. There is a lot to look forward to... viewing the trunk show and it's 30 pieces will be the main focus in the morning. After the lunch break we will have an artist panel followed by a time for participants to share their work and ask questions. This event is free and open to anyone, member or non. It is scheduled for Saturday June 9th from 10 - 4 at Mellwood Art Center, Louisville, KY. http://www.mellwoodartcenter.com/directions.html Perhaps you would like to host a parlor meeting in your area? Ask us how! Looking ahead there will be another trunk show in 2014! So we should begin to look for places and events in Kentucky and Tennessee to use it! Any suggestions let us know.

Kentucky Opportunity

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:03:00 +0000

There is a new opportunity for Kentucky Textile Artists... at Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea Exhibit - Call for Entries Due June 30, 2012 The Threads that Bind Textile Works by Kentucky Artisans Sept. 1, 2012 – Feb. 23, 2013 Exhibit Description Using a variety of fibers and techniques, textile artists create a wide range of work including clothing, jewelry, wall art, sculpture, quilts and more. This exhibit will look at a variety of textile expressions by Kentucky artists. Works submitted should be composed primarily of fabric/fiber/thread, with significant use of thread/fiber strands to weave, embellish, construct, shape, quilt or otherwise create the design. Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is a state center that displays and sells the works of over 650 Kentucky artisans and promotes cultural heritage travel in Kentucky. The Center, located just off I-75 at Berea exit 77, annually welcomes over 270,000 visitors. Requirements/ Restrictions Entrants must be residents of Kentucky. Up to three entries may be submitted. Works that are designed to hang on the wall must be prepared for hanging and include any needed rods/hangers. Size of work is limited to 20 pounds in weight and 4 feet in height or width. Works selected can be shipped or hand delivered to the Center. Shipped works must be sent in a re-usable container with return postage provided. Sales Works must be for sale and will be consigned, with the artisan receiving 50% of the retail price when the work sells. Works leave the exhibition when purchased and the Center may ask for replacements if available. Exhibition Calendar June 30 Entry Application and images due at the Center (postmarked date) July 18 Results of jury will be sent to artisans Aug 13-18 Works must arrive at the Center (shipped or delivered) Sept. 1 Exhibit opens Sept. 9 Meet the Artisans Reception (Sunday, 1 - 3 p.m.) Feb. 23, 2013 Exhibit closes March 5-9 Works must be picked up (or return shipped if shipped) How to Enter To enter, submit a completed entry form, an artist biography or statement, images of up to three works, and a short statement about each work. Images must be of the actual works that would be on exhibit if selected. Images should include one overall image per entry and detail images (close ups that show interesting details, and/or craftsmanship) Color photos, slides, or digital images will be accepted. Digital images must be in JPEG format, at least 300 dpi, and submitted on a CD. All images must be numbered to correspond with the number on the entry form. SEND ENTRY TO: Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea ATTN: The Threads That Bind 200 Artisan Way Berea, KY 40403 For more information contact Gwen Heffner Information Specialist gwen.heffner@ky.gov Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 20:32:00 +0000

This just in... Check out our member in a show.

Parallel Lives : Art from 2 minds, 4 hands
Cooper Young Community Association offices (CYCA)
2298 Young Avenue, Memphis TN 38104

May 20 – June 11, 2011
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: Noon – 5pm, Tuesday: 12:30 – 6pm, Closed Friday.
Call 725-0308 for private showings

Opening reception: 6-9pm, Friday, May 20, 2011

Playful fabrics and edgy toys on display at CYCA
Textures, toys and stories will be on display at the CYCA offices from May to June. Parallel Lives captures the spirit and sense of two Memphis artists. Jean Holmgren and Paula Kovarik have both worked as graphic designers but find art in odd and different directions. The work includes Toys from the Other Side by Jean Holmgren, art quilts from Paula Kovarik and Conversation Piece an installation revealing their collaborative process.
Jean Holmgren, an award winning graphic designer, exercises an “artists with other jobs” pathology in a collection of sculptures and mixed media pieces inspired by Tom Waits lyrics and life’s lessons on how to be a girl.
Paula’s medium is fabric and thread. Her nationally recognized award winning quilts reveal a quirky doodle-strewn DNA. She surfaces what lies beneath in streams of threads, colors, and patterns. In the new medium of art quilts, her work is a storyboard of complex systems: cities, gardens, and global systems.
Both artists have roots in traditional women’s genres, but with all the twists and edges that they have captured in their lives as designers, artists, and women.

 Paula Kovarik
paula@sogray.com
Online gallery: PaulaKovarik.com

Jean Holmgren
jean@pgdg.com

Why Art? Why Bother?

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:04:00 +0000

I often wonder what difference 'this' will make. 'This' being whatever I happen to be engaged in, creating art, doing hair, cooking diner -- what difference will this make in the world, in the bigger picture. I struggle with this as an artist, I struggled with it in my former career as a cosmetologist.
I have found few answers.
Then, wile doing hand work (not my favorite, but the time I catch up on viewing things like TED.com videos) I came across this great talk by JR.

He talks about just that -- making a difference in the world WITH ART! Inspiring and motivating. Give it a look!

noreply@blogger.com (Kentucky Tennessee SAQA) — Sun, 09 May 2010 13:21:00 +0000

The Artist’s Way
Julia Cameron

Having owned The Artist’s Way, (by Julia Cameron) for several years did me no good until last year when I actually ‘did’ the program. The program is a twelve week commitment to your creative growth. During the twelve weeks I did weekly exercises from the text, had weekly ‘Artist’s Dates’ - a short time playing like I did when I was five years old, and did twenty minutes of writing each morning in a practice that Cameron calls ‘Morning pages’.
This process was great on so many levels. First committing to a twelve week process and finishing it was awesome -- I started and finished something! There was also growth through the exercises. Each week there are tasks or writing assignments designed for reflection into your creative past, look for causes of blocks, or reconnect with the sense of play present in childhood.
The ‘Artist’s Dates were particularly challenging for me. I am very serious and not prone to ‘wasteful activities such as “play and recreation”. The act of taking myself out for the purpose of play - just for the fun of it - reconnected me to the wonder of my youth... One thing I did discover is that I always play when my camera is in my hand - though I had never noticed before.
Since the conclusion of the program I have begun to exhibit my work, lecture, have been asked to hold a committee position on my local quilt guild board, have become the regional representative for SAQA and have begun to enter juried competitions. I also continue to take myself too seriously and then stop myself! It is an ongoing process, but Julia Cameron lays out a set of things to consider and practice to express your inner creative genius.
If you were wondering -- The Artist’s Way is not only for artists... it is a program for “discovering and recovering your creative self.” In the book she talks about the many lawyers, teachers, doctors, housewives and such that have benefited from the program in addition to artists, musicians, writers and the like. Pick up a copy, commit and start!

http://www.theartistsway.com/