Working in a Series
January - February 2023
Definition: A cohesive body of work that employs the same technique, subject or palette. Artists do this to improve skills and explore a particular theme or style in greater detail. Work includes a range of themes and techniques, from beaded birds to woven ply-split vessels to sculptures and quilts. A varied and colorful display. Most pieces are available for purchase.
Participants: Pat Herkel, Cathie Wier, Deb Olson, Terri Wolf, Eva Kozun, Barbara Houshmand, Jeri Auty, Kathie Cook
Pat Herkel— 3D sculpture and beading
Theme: Birds
Inspiration: I am passionate about birds. I am not a ‘birder’, but I am always aware of birds in my yard, when out walking and when traveling. I use pictures in books, magazines and my photographs to create whimsical interpretations.
I create to fill my life with joy, to discover how to mix colors and textures, to honor the environment and to keep my brain nimble. Whimsy, color and the natural world inspire my work. Mixing fiber, thread, beads, trinkets, shells, stones and found objects - man made and natural - I create jewelry, sculptures, wall hangings, critters and dolls. Most are hand sewn adding one bead at a time. The smaller the bead the better. I have fun making, so when people see my work, I hope it makes them smile.
Cathie wIER — hand woven 3-D
www.cathiewier.com
https://www.instagram.com/cathiewier/
cathie.wier@gmail.com
Theme: Ply-split Vessels
I have been a weaver for twenty years, but discovered the technique of ply-split braiding ten years ago, as I was looking for an off-loom art form. Ply-splitting is an ancient art used to make camel girths and animal regalia in India. I make four-ply cords from my stash of weaving yarns and I explore ply-split interworking following complex weaving patterns and creating 3-dimensional vase and basketry forms. I typically use the technique to explore new shapes and textures, allowing the piece to grow organically, usually not with a final form in mind. I definitely carry over patterns and structural ideas from one piece to the next.
Most of these pieces are “woven” with artist-made 4-ply cords of Tencel.
Deb Olson — 3-D fabric construction
debolson747@yahoo.ca
360 344 2945
http://www.itzadebdesign.com
Theme: Frizzles
For these pieces, my inspiration came from a tool made by a friend to make “fringe”. I’d had it for several years before pulling it off the shelf and setting it on my work table. I also had at the time, a tall box that I had been wanting to take apart and repurpose. Putting the two concepts together I made the first Frizzle! to contribute to a gallery fundraiser. One thing lead to another, and I so enjoyed the process that a series was born. I’ve incorporated some small details to discover, both inside and outside of the box. They all present my love for color and texture and some relate to nature, another favorite theme. I hope they make you pause and smile, and give you a happy “Frizzle” moment!
Terri Wolf — Quilts
Port Ludlow
916-616-1256 (c)
terriwolf@mac.com
Theme: Nursing and Caring
Terri Wolf, a quilter and professional writer changed careers in 2003 and became a nurse. She spent 20 years caring for oncology patients and created a quilted memoir of those experiences. The design inspiration for the series starts with a quilt she made in nursing school (not displayed).
Barbara houshmand — 3-D Quilts
Theme: Women of Substance
EVA Kozun — 3-d Sculptures
Theme: Eagles with Attitude
Eva has been creating and teaching art for over forty years. She and her husband moved from New England to the Olympic Peninsula twelve years ago. She said, “I am truly inspired by the beauty and nature of the Peninsula. I enjoy creating one - of – a kind art in both 2D or 3D using a variety of media.”
This clay series focuses on gesture. The idea was to play with giving the eagles some….Attitude.
Eva enjoys studying eagles, and has been drawing, painting, photographing and observing them in nature for years. “Each study and each encounter helps me better understand the power and grace that is characteristic of such a majestic creature.”
She will attempt to sculpt one from basalt one day. “Subtractive sculpture, especially using stone, can be quite challenging, but with confidence and patience the outcome is extremely satisfying.”
Jeri Auty — Quilts
Port Ludlow
360-390-8170
jeriauty@gmail.com
Theme: Circles, Curves and Lines
I love creating unique art quilts either for myself, for clients or for exhibitions. This is a series of four quilts designed across several Maria Shell workshops, one of my favorite mentors. They are not all the same size, but of the same palette and style, all pieced together in an improv manner.
Kathie cook — Quilts
Theme: Portals
The definition of a portal is: a point or place of entry
I’ve always been fascinated and wondered, if I could look through the window of that house, what would I see inside? If I could look over that wall in the field, what would be there? I think this fascination started when, as a 10 year old, I read The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
I’ve been working on this series over the past 15 years. Here are five of them.
Windows and Doors, Gate, Tomb, Into The Woods and Through The Garden Gate.
The Garden Gate is my most recent one and based on MY secret garden in my back yard.
Through the Garden Gate
Completed December 2022
My newest Portal quilt is the eighth in this series. I challenged myself to go into new territory by doing some raw edge quilting. (Raw edge means the fabric is not sewn under and the raw edges are exposed.) I also focused on depth of view.
The finished quilt is not made up of all flowers, rather the color scheme and hues I actually see. It is not a pictorial representation but an impression.
Like all of my quilts it is 100% hand sewn and hand quilted using cotton commercial fabrics but also many of my hand dyed fabrics.