Tuesday, November 15, 2011

International Quilt Festival in Houston 2011

I recently attended the International Quilt Festival in Houston for the second year in a row. Not that I have even the remotest interest in quilting, but because I go to meet up with Shirley and any other acquaintances from blogland that attend. This year I also met Melanie Testa, Ricë Freeman-Zachery, and Jane LaFazio. I also made new friends: Roz (not Stendahl, but I somehow didn't get her card so I don't have a link!), Cheryl Sleboda and Judy Coates Perez. I loved being around so many creative people!

Our first stop was the vendor section. I began perusing all the gadgetry and baubles and knickknacky-type stuff so popular with mixed-media artists. I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of it and by the crowd of people around me. And then I learned a big lesson from Shirley. I glanced over to where I had seen her last and there she was, already sketching. She had pulled this old lock out of a basket and wasted no time getting down to business. So I joined her. I added the paint and the border later at home.


It is quickly becoming a tradition with us to head over to the art-dolls for some sketching time. The above doll is called "Allergic to Dogs" and is by Neva Waldt. It was among the most popular of the exhibit. And as I stood in front of this one sketching, getting jostled about by others trying to get a better look, I felt a bit of annoyance with me for taking the best viewing spot. I stood my ground though, sketched quickly, so I could get out of the way.

I was worried about adding the paint to this. I've been working in a giant sketchbook with drawing paper in it which turns everything grayish. I was beginning to believe that I had forgotten how to paint with cleaner colors. But all fears were laid to rest with this. Though the scanner hardly does any justice to it at all, the colors are rich. I'm very happy with this one; I wish you could see it in person!



This was another very popular doll. Everyone's first response was to laugh, and then lean in to appreciate the wonderful face, which is made of cloth by the way. I sketched this one from a photo. It was only when I started writing in the information on the page that I realized it was also by Neva Waldt. This one is titled 'Myrtle Hits the Beach'. Isn't that t-shirt she's wearing a riot? I've seen them around and wondered who would wear such a thing, but somehow it seems perfect for her. I went back through my photos and realized that of the five taken of the dolls, three of them were from this artist. What talent!
I'm really disliking my scanner. I had to go in and darken the blue background and the gray of her hair just to get the colors to show. I liked it better before, but I'm still happy enough. I'm thinking about making the background darker so she pops out better. Think I should do it?



This one was done in that big sketchbook that turns everything gray. I never intended it to be the sketch of this doll that I post, but liked the way she turned out. It is called "Fine Feathered Friends" and is by Nancie Roach. The doll had such a pretty face!

And here we are! I think if I smiled any harder my cheeks would burst! I had such a great time, I hope even more of you can make it next year!


22 comments:

  1. Oh what fun! And I looove your drawings of the dolls!! The drawings are terrific and the dolls are a hoot! What a great idea to sketch at these types of functions...it probably would help me with that overwhelming feeling. Super post!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a TREAT!!! Now where can I see these bigger? Have you posted them on Flickr too.. I hope so. Quilt festival... I'd have never guessed such things existed. Learn something new every day.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great blog Raena, and I love the Myrtle sketch!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such a cool post! And I love looking at posts like this because Shirley posted it, and I was waiting and waiting for your version and finally here it is! =) Seeing things from different perspective, that's probably the most intriguing thing about art, and I just love it! Your versions are a lot more bright and bold, like making a grand statement. =) beautiful!
    Thanks for your comments Raena..and yeah, I do get homesick every once in a while. Skype does help a lot

    ReplyDelete
  5. Those are great and fun drawings, love the dolls and Myrtel sure won my heart. She reminds me of my great aunt who was a real spark. Great work Raena!!!

    Mari from Colourblob

    ReplyDelete
  6. I knew I'd seen something like this before, then I read Alex's comment! They are all wonderfully sketched. Myrtle is fantastic and I'm in Love with your 'Fine Feathered Friends'. Thank you for sharing Raena.
    Maybe you could name your new page something which suggests it's content as a warning???

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love your sketches, Raena ! So glad to see your new post :) And your bright smile :)) I'm fan of the "Allergic to Dogs" ! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Brilliant sketches! And Myrtle is precious. It's so fun seeing these and hearing about your meet-up with fellow EDMers. Looks like a great time!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a wonderfully delightful post! (No I don't talk like that - but I comment like that. Besides, we are talking about dolls.) The drawings are great - I especially like the drawing of the old lady and that of the exotic (I think she's Russian) woman with the bird. The painting of the towels of the old lady is masterful!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nice post Raena - looks like you had a brilliant time :D
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your sketches are wonderful and how I wish I could have seen all those spectacular dolls! I'm so glad you're back. I'm still catching up with all the posts I've missed - you've had a bunch of great ones! nancy

    ReplyDelete
  12. Excellent sketches Raena, even if you don't like quilting you look as if you enjoyed the day!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Glad to see you again on the 'net, Raena! Sounds like a great event, and with Shirley joining you as well. It's great that you both got some quality sketching time in while there. As far as your scanner, have you tried taking photos with a digital camera instead? I ditched my scanner for the same reason you're having problems. I take a photo in natural daylight, close to a window, and then can adjust the colors to what they should be in my computer's photo editing software.

    ReplyDelete
  14. These sketches are SO delightful!! And I DO talk like that, especially when there's no better word to describe them :-) Myrtle just knocked my socks off!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Raena, I was also waiting for your post on the quilt festival. Love your drawings. Thanks for the comments.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great sketches and I like your descriptions. Myrtle is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the, "Allergic to dogs," sketch. Nice style. I hope that you are well.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Raena, Well done! I wish I'd known there were other sketchers there. I went with my daughter (http://thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk/blog/) to the quilt market and felt overwhelmed. It didn't occur to me to try sketching the items or dolls. But it was beautiful wasn't it? Maybe another market we can create a sketchcrawl.

    ReplyDelete
  19. lovely sketches Raena! I was wondering why they looked so familiar! :D my in laws have a shirt like Myrtle's! Oh what a great experience it must have been!

    ReplyDelete
  20. The lock drawing is neat! And the page looks very cool, too. Those dolls are special! Love your fun drawings of them - my favorite is the last one, less funny, but very pretty and original. Must have been wonderful being there and meeting blog people for real!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your drawings are AMAZING!!! I'm super inspired by the art dolls and am excited to browse your blog for more :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great sketches of the dolls, really wonderful - wish I could have seen them!

    ReplyDelete