At the Art Show

Vase, Scarlet Macaw Ara Macao,
and Being Alive is the Magic

Last night's Artist Reception at the Yarmouth Art Show was great fun. So well attended that the aisles were nearly impassable, it was great fun to run into people I knew and strike up conversations with other artists. I forgot my camera, but my friend Anne turned up with hers.  The fiber art--there were only two fiber artists there--really stood out from the paintings and photography. I wish I had brought a camera and taken pictures of the striking hand made paper bird collages by Dot Starkweather, but you can follow the link!

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Yarmouth Art Festival

Looking for something to do this week? Stop by St Bart's church on the road to Cousins Island and check out the 2012 Yarmouth Art Festival. I was pleased to have three pieces accepted for display. October 17 to 19, 10:00 to 7:00 and Oct 20 9:00 to 4:00. Artists reception Thursday, Oct. 18 5:30 to 8:00. Info is at www.yarmouthartfestival.com. Take a break and enjoy some fine art!
Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Round Robin

Have you ever done a round robin exchange? I have not, so this year I was challenged to join our guild's Round Robin Border Exchange. I made a center block--see photos--and will hand it off to another quilter to add a border. That quilter passes it on to someone else until there are 3 borders added, then it will come back to me. Meanwhile, I will work on 3 other quilts, adding a border to each. Confusing? You should see the schematic for passing quilts! But I am assured it all works and it is fun and challenging. I am concerned that my block may be too detailed--I've seen appliqued center blocks before but not like mine, and that it might be too thick. In order to secure all the tiny scraps on this block, I thread painted the whole thing to the muslin backing. On a positive note, it has been fun so far--I had a great time making this block, and it gave me a chance to try out Susan Carlson's collage technique. Plus I really like how it came out, so it will be fun to see it in May when it has border 1, border 2, and border 3 added on! Can't wait to see the block I will be adding a first border to--I'll be getting it Monday!

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Portland Public Library Exhibit

Postcards from Away at
Portland Public Library

Art Quilts Maine's traveling exhibit, "Postcards from Away" is on view at the Portland Public Library's childrens' area, and will be on display until the end of September. The exhibit is composed of 17 small art quilts, each depicting a place the artist has visited or would like to visit, real or imaginary. The exhibit will tour Maine until June 2013, with stops in Skowhegan, Saco, Waterville and Rockland. Keep an eye out for an opportunity to see this exhibit, which features techniques ranging from thread paint to printed and embellished photos. Art Quilts Maine meets every other month in Augusta to support members in their exploration of contemporary quilt art, and includes quilters from all corners of the state. Which one is mine? The Venetian mask in the corner, below. I was interviewed for CTN5 about this exhibit. Here's the link.



Postcards from Away 2012-2013

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Onward to Iowa

Mom and Auntie Jean Play Gin
in process Rana O'Connor 2010

Mom and Auntie Jean sure know how to get around! The quilt is currently in Grand Rapids, Michigan where it will be on display August 22 - 25. Shortly after sending the quilt off, I received notification that it was also accepted at the American Quilters's Society Show October 3-6 in Des Moines, Iowa! Back to back shows. Luckily they are both under the auspices of AQS so I was able to arrange for the quilt to travel from one show to the other without coming back to Maine in between. The quilt hangs on Mom's wall in between shows--I should bring something else to fill the space since Mom won't get it back until mid-October. Very happy to have the quilt out in the world, and at two national shows, no less.

Mom and Auntie Jean Play Gin
in process Rana O'Connor 2010

On a personal note, the agency where I have worked for over 20 years is closing at the end of the year. It's been so long since I have given any thought to job hunting or another line of work, I feel quite at sea about it. Of course friends say, "turn your quilting into a job!" but I have many reservations about whether it would be the right move for me. Those of you that have made the leap from hobbyist to professional--any thoughts, ideas, words of wisdom?

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Mom and Auntie Jean go to Michigan

I've been out of town, on vacation in Hawaii. I know, pretty amazing! Tons of pictures--hopefully a quilt or two in there. Arrived home to one very good bit of mail--Mom and Auntie Jean has been accepted by the American Quilter's Society for exhibit in the Gran Rapids, Michigan show and contest! The Press Release they included reads in part, "Quilts were entered in this international contest from 40 US states and 6 other countries." 357 quilts were selected, so this is pretty terrific. The show runs August 22 through 25. Can't wait to share the good news with Mom!

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Not Til Friday!

I jumped the gun on the voting for applique quilts. Quilting Gallery posts photos for the week's contest every FRIDAY. Voting is open until midnight on Sunday. So give it a few days and check back. If you followed the link early, I hope you took the time to vote for your 6 favorites in the wall hanging contest. Kick off the weekend with a little quilt browsing and enjoy the show!
Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts