I'm not much into the quilting arts or knitting arts, or really, anything to do with sewing unless it is necessary in the scheme of things. (ie adjusting hems, making journal covers) I only went to the quilt festival because Shirley Levine was there and I wanted to meet her. But, I have to tell you...these aren't your grandmother's quilts! I was amazed at how far they've taken quilting. Some pieces were truly 'fine art'. I walked around for an hour and a half before Shirley and I were to meet, and still, I did not make it down every aisle. 
We had a great time, talking almost nonstop, except while we were sketching. This was the first time I've ever had a crowd build around me. It was a bit nerve-wracking and all I could think about was how unfortunate that I let myself get out of practice! Yep, I did that again! But, I had all compliments and they were very nice, even though I was blocking the path a little! I wasn't watching Shirley, she was behind me somewhere, but I'm sure they made their way over to her too. This was a great experience for me. I don't think I would have had the nerve to pull out my sketchbook if I hadn't had a companion with me. Safety in numbers!!
So, where have I been? After we finished siding the garage, we repainted the exterior of the house. This is no small feat since we are in a tudor style home with very tall peaks! Picture me, teetering on a 32' ladder, stretching as far as I could without falling off, with a paintbrush! It took 20 gallons of paint and several weeks (because we had to replace a lot of wood along the way...completely rebuilding a bay window). Each night when I came in, I cooked dinner, and then collapsed in front of the television. I made a sketch here and there, but they were doodles really. And not very good ones. It looks like this completes our list of projects for this year. We only have two or three more, which we plan to wait until next spring to begin. Thank goodness! I'm really feeling my age at the moment!
Sounds like the quilt festival was a good one. I'm glad you didn't get overwhelmed by the crowd watching you.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly did a good job in your journal.
xoxo
Hi thanks for visiting my blog. I think next week I'll start doing blind contour in ink. That should show up better, but thanks for the offer. I sew the same as you and just discovered how far quilting has come since the days my mother and grandmother made them. If you have a moment google Teesha Moore's quilted pillows. I started a few and 'hope' to make them into a journal cover.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like fun! I've only sketched out in public a few times, but every time people were kind of tickled by it, and seemed to enjoy that there was a sketcher in their midst. What is your favorite micron pen brand?
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great photo of you two EDM sketchers! Sounds like you both had a great time—what fun! Great journal spread.
ReplyDeleteI had seen the account of your meeting at Shirley's blog - it is neat to have read your account of it, especially on the page itself which is awfully good for someone out of practice! I have no clue, really, how to do a decent journal page despite the many wonderful pages I've seen online and no one would be able to read my writing! Anyway, its a great spread. Good photo too!
ReplyDeleteRe all that work - I admire your ambition! Projects don't get done like that at my home (my fault, I guess) though I did paint the house. If it were a tutor house, only the lower half would have been painted! :) And I've been meaning to e-mail you, but I still have been crazy busy myself, just to say - as you always do - no worries, no rush. Someday, who knows, both of us will finish fast - and we won't know what to make of it! (And I'm with you - we need an EDM convention!)
Hi Raena, I like your fun doll, colorful and great expression! I applaud your courage to draw in public. Festive art page too!
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing your final journal spread - and reliving our "all too brief" visit. Look forward to seeing you again next year in Houston. I started quilting when I lived in Texas - and today will join the Empire Quilters here in Manhattan for a fun day of play. It is truly a worldwide art form these days as you realized.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, Raena! I love your journal pages! Sounds like you had a great experience at the quilt show. I'm sure the house painting was an experience too! :)
ReplyDeletelove this sketch!so cartoon style! ^-^
ReplyDeleteLike the sketch - it's great -sounds like you had a really good day.
ReplyDeleteLove the sketchbook spread!
ReplyDelete20 gallons of paint - just reading that makes me want a nap.
I would just love to sit down with a cup of coffee and one of your sketch journals! :0)
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely sketch, I'm not surprised you had good comments!
ReplyDeleteRaena, I found your journal spread really interesting considering the fact that I am a mere male! I'd be interested to know if you make an entry similar to this every day or just the interesting days? Anyway, you've made me think about doing something like this myself. Lovely blog, oh and lovely pic of you.
ReplyDeleteYou lucky girl, you! How exciting to meet Shirley and have a sketch-fest. Love the pic of both of you and good for you for bravely sketching in public.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about house projects getting in the way of art. We're starting that now - getting the house ready for non-stop holiday visitors, so I'm detailing the entire house top to bottom, including closets. Still, art is always forefront in my mind, even if I can't get to it right away.
Good to see you sketching, Raena, looking forward to seeing more when you get to it!
What a great day! Somehow I almost missed your post because my sidebar hadn't updated with you. YIKES!
ReplyDeleteA lovely photo of you and Shirley. I'm glad your home projects are nearing completion. It's a lot of work and I'm sure you feel great about it.
Good to see your post.
Sure looks like a lot of fun, and yeah.... I could only wish that I was there :( I know that TX and MS is not 'THAT' far, but it's much further than TX and LA right?
ReplyDeleteSomeday Raena, we do a sketch crawl someday ^^ Oh yeah, we need to invite Dan and see if he's got the time.
Raena,
ReplyDeleteSounds like the quilt festival was a lot of fun. You are so lucky to have found someone to sketch with. I really like that you documented your day at the festival with a sketch in your journal. Nice work.
- Marisol
Great journal page, sorry I missed the sketches below too...Happy Very belated Birthday...Good to see you went out and sketched in public, must do it one day myself!
ReplyDeleteRaena, You did a beautiul job on the dolls and congratulations for sketching in public. (I find that most people don't really care about "how good" my sketches are, they are just curious and interested to see someone sketching.) I glad you had such a lovely day. Hopefully now that the house is painted you can have more time to sketch!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous page Raena, and well done for sketching with a crowd.
ReplyDeleteGee whizz! You've been VERY busy. I think you should congratulate yourself on the bravery it must have taken to do your sketching in public: it can't have been easy to begin with! Glad you got into it and enjoyed yourself once you'd settled down.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful journal page. I like how you composed it and the type. x
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had some fun time Raena.Congratulations on your public sketch! I hope it didn't scare you while you were there! :) Nice illustration of the Festival..
ReplyDeleteRaena, I love this story behind the whole sketch and the doll is great (her mouth is brilliant)... Sounds like a really neat show to see, its amazing what they can do with quilts these days, and it is what you wrote "fine art". Thanks for stopping by my blog and for all the wonderful comments (Im so behind looking in other blogs and commenting).
ReplyDeleteGreat journal!!!
Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog. I love this spread, the story and the gypsy is so cute (I would love her, wouldn't I?) Glad you continued with you public sketch ..
ReplyDeleteI am very much into the fibre-arts, and yes, it's stuning the work that is being produced. I do a lot of freeform crochet as I cycle on my stationary bike in the gym .. lol .. makes the 40 mins go by so fast. I joined Ravelry.com and the artists there are amazing.
Wonderful journal page! It looks so happy!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend from Texas that was at the same festival and she posted pics on FB. I've seen some of the quiltes at shows, definitely works of art in their own right. Glad you survived your projects and have some time for art now. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful journal page! And lucky you - getting to meet up with Shirley - and that is a great photo of the two of you. House projects - ugh! I bet you're glad to have the painting job over!
ReplyDeleteI just spent a little more time investigating your blog and discovered posemaniacs - thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'd just left Shirley's blog when I popped over to yours and was so surprised to see Shirley's smiling face on yours! That sounds like a wonderful event! And congratulations on the major home renovation! That sounds like a massive undertaking. I'm glad you survived and are back to sketching and posting again! You're always missed when you take your breaks.
ReplyDeleteCool journal pages! You're so right about "safety in numbers" : )! I need to find myself a partner for drawing outside!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your message, it is so awesome that you have these experiences.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with me. I don't get to many return messages for the spiritual stuff.
Thinking it may be alien to many and they just don't know how to take it or reply to it.
I understand this as all this is a suprise to me also.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Like a voice of light sending love!
Loads of love!
Julie