CHRISTINA BARNES celebrates 8 x 8 x 52 project completion with her Solo Exhibition June 18-29th.

When an artist makes a serious commitment to create a finished piece of art once a week for 52 consecutive weeks in one year, we all have to take notice. This is one artist that can certainly make great art and is sharing!

 

Area friend to many on this list and Kingston Fibre Artists Group member, CHRISTINA BARNES, did just that! To celebrate her 52nd birthday, Tina vowed to keep her commitment and purchased 52+ canvases from Wallack's and got started. Each week she experimented with a technique she was familiar with, or experimented, finding many new ways to express her art in a focused, small piece that was mounted to the canvas. Each piece is different and beautifully executed.

 

In celebration of the completion of the project, Tina extends an invitation to friends and area arts enthusiasts to visit her Solo Exhibition between June 18-29th at the WINDOW ART GALLERY in Kingston. Please plan to visit the Exhibition during the Opening Reception and meet the artist.

 

Congratulations Tina, enjoy the celebration of your journey and seeing the work all together for the first time for everyone to enjoy!

 

AN ARTIST'S JOURNEY

8 x 8 x 52 by Tina Barnes

 

WINDOW ART GALLERY

June 18-29, 2014

647A Princess St. at Victoria St.

Kingston, ON

613-549-1528

 

OPENING RECEPTION

June 22, 2014   1-4 pm

 

tinabarnesartist@hotmail.com

PENNY BERENS brings our FIBREWORKS students four amazing days of design and discharge play....

Detail, Penny's magical stitch techniques

Spring 2014 has proven to be a magical time, when friends old and new gather to share the love of fabric, print and stitch. We welcomed renowned Textile Artist, PENNY BERENS  to Kingston on the evening of May 16th and what an evening it was. So many thanks to Penny and all of the Lecture guests and our great FW Workshop students who helped make her visit to Kingston great fun! 

 

St. Lawrence College was the location of the evening Lecture and Trunk Show shared by our Nova Scotia friend and mentor. Many of us follow Penny's Tanglewood Threads blog and her delicious handwork as devoted fans. The opportunity to see and touch her beautiful work was a real treat. For those who had never met Penny, but admired her from afar, the opportunity to relax and enjoy time together as she walked us through her inspiration, her favourite influences and subject matter, and shared the work she is devoted to though both photographs and real time.

 

Penny after the Lecture sharing with friends

 

The tables were filled with many luscious and colourful pieces of Penny's handwork - the hand laid stitch taking each piece to a rich and textural finish. Penny loves dyeing and colouring her cloth with natural processes which creates very special fabrics. Her carefully executed colouration underlies the stitches that tell the story of each piece.

 

After many years of developing her favourite methods for making each piece special, the journey moves to her viewers as the work travels in many exhibitions, is shared in area and distant gatherings and is posted for her followers at Tanglewood Threads HERE

 

A quickstart exercise in design with Penny

 

Our DESIGNING FROM NATURE workshop days were filled with Penny's shared exercises, developed to inspire and take the students on short, experimental visits with line, shape, technique and colour play. Students sketched in their notebooks, tried a number of challenges that Penny set out to lead them to a new confidence, or at least the chance to try their hand at creating original plans for a possible new piece. Using what they had at hand - pencils, crayons, watercolours or inks... the small drawings evolved. Penny walked the classroom, stopping to share and inspire, listening carefully as the students questioned and responding with years of practice and knowledge. A great two days - starting points for new work, or finishing pieces already underway with new enthusiasm.

 

And yes, Penny does use her machine (evidence below), though handwork is her passion. Penny's devotion and success certainly is evident in the stunning pieces we all had the chance to enjoy first hand during the workshop.

 

detail, Penny Berens  - a beach

 

In the second day, students had the opportunity to sit with Penny as she stitched and shared her favourite embellishment and textural techniques. The sharing of ideas, all new stitches and Penny's taking the time to talk with each student made this a very special weekend for all of the participants.

THEN ON TO WORKSHOP #5... Discharge Play

 

Samples of Penny's discharge work

 

After a day off, a ride through the Ontario countryside with Hilary and Patrick, and sharing time with new best friends and her billet hosts, Peta and Gauvin, Penny was right at it again on Tuesday morning. She is quite amazing you know, as her energy and wonderful smile become infectious even at 9:30 am. It is clear that Penny loves what she does and we all benefited from her willingness to just GET STARTED! We all knew this was going to be FUN!

 

The MAKE IT YOUR OWN WITH DISCHARGE Workshop took off at the Odessa Fairgrounds. Fifteen keen students gathered to walk through the steps to creating original designs on cloth using both the traditional and non-traditional methods for removing colour from fabric. Penny talked awhile, ensuring that her students had all of the safety tips and a great handout and outline for getting started... then we were off and running.

 

More samples, discharged after stitching

 

Many of Penny's beautifully prepared and organized samples were shared as each step of the workshop proceeded. The students took notes, and chose favourite techniques to try... shibori; developing "hand inked" prints with "shiskabob" sticks dipped into straight bleach; bound and painted; tube wrapped and discharged... so many options.

 

The weather cooperated, and the Fairgrounds offered a covered, straw floored outdoor meeting area, with picnic tables for working up new designs. A group of friends made "discharge camp" there and enjoyed being able to have lots of fresh air for accompanying their masks and respirators and safe practices while using bleach. And the area meant fast drying and "drip space" to prevent indoor contamination and a safe haven from the fumes and sun, all the while sharing fun with good friends.

 

Penny and billet hostess, Peta taking a quick break

Indoors, students worked on their own and with Penny's practiced guidance to develop drying racks full of samples, while newspapers and rocks out doors were covered with more new work. Lunch time provided a chance to rest, BREATHE and plan for the next steps. The days passed quickly, and soon enough, it was time for the walk about, visiting each student's cache of newly discharged pieces as the workshop wound down.  Great fun was had by all, and while some pieces were deemed to be "ho-humm" they are perfect candidates for over dyeing or painting, cutting up to include in collage and just as entries into the sketchbooks and sample piles.

 

Denise with a great sampler of discharge play

 

Show and tell with quick tips about how the work evolved as the days quickly passed meant that everyone had a chance to share and ask questions before the end of the workshop...and what is better than a class photo. THANK YOU PENNY FOR AN AWESOME FOUR DAYS with our Fibreworks Kingston Workshop participants. Please do stay in touch with Penny HERE and send her pictures of your favourite pieces, a few notes to tell her how you are doing with what you learned!

 

 

 

So MANY THANKS to each of our students at Fibreworks Kingston Weekend Workshops Series weekends this past year.

 

We continue this journey JUST FOR YOU, ensuring that you have the opportunities to study with and get to know the very best of the best Instructors. They bring you news of the fabric trends, stitching methods, art quilt inspiration, and the chance to try all new techniques and the joy of working with others as you explore your chosen art form... textile.

 

Have a great summer and check back often for news and the line-up for 2014-15.

 

Registration for Maggie Vanderweit's "WRAP AND RUST DYEING" is open... see the sidebar for details and the registration form... it won't be long at all before she arrives for her September 19-21st, 2014 FW Weekend Workshop.

 

And please do write Bethany at fibreworkskingston@gmail.com with comments and ideas for Instructors you would like to study with. Your input and suggestions are always welcome.

 

Bethany Garner

FIBREWORKS Coordinator/Registrar

MAY fast approaches and PENNY BERENS will soon be arriving in KINGSTON - will you be here to greet her?

SHORELINE, Penny Berens

 

Does turning the beautiful photographs and sketches you have taken the time to amass into REAL fibre art present some serious  challenges for you? Well they do challenge me, and I know just the person to bring those art challenges into REAL TIME FUN... and that is our next Guest Instructor, PENNY BERENS from Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia!

 

 

Penny arrives in Kingston for a great evening Lecture at St. Lawrence College on Friday evening, May 16th and everyone should plan to be there. And yes, we know this is the start of the LONG May weekend, but how often to we have the privilege and benefit of welcoming one of the Country's master Textile Artists to our fair city. Hope you will postpone your weekend fun long enough to get into Room 12040 and join us for a fun filled evening with Penny! Her stories and art photos and her smile will bring you joy and start the celebration of this glorious spring we have all been longing for to a great start!!!

 

 

 

 

While the workshop weekend for DESIGNING FROM NATURE is filled, we have a few very focused and sought after seats in the two day workshop "MAKE IT YOUR OWN WITH DISCHARGE" scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 20 and 21st  and this is  one workshop that you will not want to miss. Art is all about experimentation, trying NEW things and creating the cloth that will bring the new work you are destined to create to fruition.

 

 

Thinking about the tools that we all need in our work basket for creating original art, there are few things that bring the mystery and awe to the eyes of the viewer better than the marks that can be made while using the products that allow you to remove colour from cloth. Penny is all about working safely and in a way that will guide you toward great success in the creative pursuit of all original cloth that only YOU can develop using the processes she will share as she guides you through the two days of this terrific workshop!

 

 

 

Gather some black or dark fabrics - natural linen, cotton, raime, rayon or yes, even some silk and make your way to the Odessa Fairgrounds Hall for the Discharge workshop adventure.  Details are under Workshop #5 on the sidebar here at the Blog....

Your friends will be there... come join in on the fun!

Contact Bethany at fibreworkskingston@gmail.com to reserve your seat, and bring a friend.

 

 



PENNY BERENS is coming to Kingston VERY SOON... don't miss this opportunity to study with a Canadian Stitch Icon!!!

Penny's "Fall Berries" nature design, beautifully dyed and stitched

 

 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - Penny will deliver a Lecture/Slide Show and share some of her beautiful work at: 

St. Lawrence College, Portsmouth Ave at King Street

Kingston, ON

 Friday evening, May 16th

7-9 pm

Room 12040, Upper Level in the Link Corridor, Administrative Wing

Enter at Door E12 behind the Technology Building off Country Club Drive

Light refreshments and the chance to meet and talk with Penny

NOTE:

Penny's "DESIGNING FROM NATURE" WORKSHOP HAS ONE SEAT AVAILABLE...

Due to scheduling and family commitments, we have one seat available as a student needs to cancel and commit to the long May weekend with her family. Great opportunity for one lucky student to have this seat and share a design weekend with Penny.

If you can attend this wonderful workshop weekend and are interested in studying with our very talented PENNY BERENS for two lovely days at St. Lawrence College, please alert Bethany Garner at fibreworkskingston@gmail.com  right away.... the seat will go to the first respondent.

And:

A FEW SEATS ARE AVAILABLE for Penny's second workshop "MAKE IT YOUR OWN WITH DISCHARGE" scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 20 and 21st at the Odessa Fairgrounds Hall. Details of the workshop are available at the Workshop #5 listing on the right sidebar here at the Blog...

When we have the opportunity to share time with an artist of Penny's renown and have the chance to learn from the master that she is, why would anyone miss the chance??? Please contact Bethany at the Fibreworks email: fibreworkskingston@gmail.com or mail your printed registration form for Workshop #5 which is available here at the blog on the right sidebar.

Can't wait for Penny's arrival and having the opportunity to spend time with her and all of the participating students.

Hope to see you at Penny's Lecture!

CAROL SODERLUND visited Kingston March 21-23rd and her students had a great time, with many success stories to take away.....

Denise Leduc with her disperse printed collage

The weekend of March 21-23 found 18 enthusiastic students gathered at the Odessa Fairgrounds Hall to share in a three-day dye printing adventure with CAROL SODERLUND from Geneva, NY. Carol was in Kingston for a first visit to Eastern Ontario to share her TRANSFORMATIONS  workshop using Disperse Dyes as the colouring choice for cloth, and sponsored by our FIBREWORKS KINGSTON WEEKEND WORKSHOPS SERIES.

A huge amount of supply baggage was in Carol's car as she arrived at the workshop site, and Instructor host and very important FW team member DIANE HOGAN had made Carol very welcome in her lovely home for the weekend. Diane was a great sport carrying tote after tote and helping to set up all of Carol's supplies.

The workshop got underway with an almost three hour talk about the use of the disperse products and Carol's recommended PRO TRANSPERSE dyes for Synthetics from Pro Chemical and Dye in Massachusetts. Students received a nice overview of the many products Carol uses for her transfer dyeing processes and the tools required for the work. An "iron off" station set up was established in the hall, and much paper painting, design play and "ironing off"work got underway!

Carol in Kingston with a great group of her samples

The weekend included many tips along the way, and while every step was not a perfect experiment, the small lessons learned about the intensity and concentrations of the dyes and the amount of dye added to the papers before printing, using both thickened print paste and the dyes straight from the bottle after dilution was the foundation the students needed to make this type of print work an important part of their fibre work for the future. The students were "dye-hard" in their focus on printing, making marks in the dye painted papers, using stamps, Thermofax screens, and more as they prepared their work for the final reveal. Here are a few more photos:

Work underway... the fun begins

Ann Fales and Linda Coulter hard at work

Debra Krakow created awesome papers and prints

Ann and Linda comparing notes and some samples/ ready for print papers

What an array of work by Shoshana Teitleman

Diane Hogan "ironing off" - respirators required

Kit Vincent - a great sport and very successful Print Maker

All in all, a terrific weekend and so many thanks to the students, many who drove in from LONG distances to participate as Carol brought her skills and techniques to life in this third workshop of our 2013/14 Series of Weekend Workshops. Much commitment and understanding for the unpredictable variables in this type of work were demonstrated by the students. Thanks to Pat Caffery for all of her help she provided to Bethany over the weekend, and for the great job by all of the participants in keeping the torrent of papers and paints/dyes under control (almost all) for the weekend.

Carol shared her machine free motion skills and tips with a group of avid fans

On the third day, the printed pieces were sorted, pressed, selected for inclusion in a few small pieces to be layered and machine quilted as samples from this course with Carol. The intensive machine stitching demonstration was invaluable to the students who participated and the many tips and tricks that Carol uses in creating her own work will stay with her students for a long time.

THANKS CAROL for an inspiring and fun-filled workshop weekend. 

Please follow Carol and her Workshops Calendar at her website "LIVING COLOR" at:

 http://www.carolsoderlund.com/workshops-and-lectures/workshops/

Hope to see many of you at our next workshop series with PENNY BERENS 

 May 16-18 and May 20-21, 2014.

See the Workshops #4 and #5 listings on the sidebar to the right here at the blog.

Registration continues for this very special Workshop with Penny Berens in May 2014

PENNY BERENS

Fibre Artist/Designer/Educator

from Nova Scotia 

MAKE IT YOUR OWN WITH DISCHARGE

May 21 and 22, 2014, Odessa Fairgrounds Hall

Course Fee : $175.00

DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY WITH PENNY - just a few seats left
 

 

Penny is a cherished and renowned Canadian Textile Artist and member of the CONNECTIONS FIBRE ARTISTS Group and brings to FIBREWORKS her more than 30 years of experience.

 

Penny's workshop is certain to excite both new and experienced students. Recognized for her work in both hand and machine stitching, layered and cut collage, dye and paint work, mixed media exploration and surface design, this is one Instructor you will not want to miss.
 

Her teaching career as a studio artist bringing the best of the best courses to students across Canada and beyond is a testament to her long career and the many awards she has been granted in exhibitions both here and abroad.

The magic of discharge for fibre is a skill that many have coveted studying and Penny is a master. Making sure that her students work in a safe and well ventilated area, Penny will guide students through a number of focused techniques sessions. “It’s so important to take the time to play and not take things too seriously… allow accidents to become an opportunity.”

Students will explore discharge on Black Kona Cotton, (or colours/fabrics of your choice) using both traditional bleach and discharge pastes. Stitching options will be shared for Shibori  results. Exploration of brushed and sponged techniques will take your fabrics to a whole new dimension. Spraying the bleach, exploring the new pastes that add colour back and certainly the over-painting and special dye techniques that fibre artists love will all be a part of the adventure over these two great days with Penny.

This is an experimental workshop, and results can never be guaranteed, but FUN can.

You will have a wonderful two days with Penny as she guides you through her favourite processes and as you take steps away from the fear of using standard home based as well as all new supplies to create dynamic designs on your fabrics. Your classroom samples will be the foundation for hand and machine stitching in future projects. 

A detailed supplies list is shared with registrants in plenty of time to gather supplies needed. The facility will allow both indoor and out of doors space for great ventilation and exploration of many diverse experiments with discharge.  Do know that we are committed to the colouration of fabric  in a safe and comfortable environment at this fun filled workshop. Bring a friend and Come Play!!!

Register early as only 18 lucky students will have this time with Penny.

Visit Penny's TANGLEWOOD THREADS blog for all of the inspiration one body could possibly stand! Her archive of blog posts and photos is so very inspirational.

http://tanglewoodthreads.blogspot.ca/

Just a reminder...

AS WINTER DOLDRUMS SET IN - COME PLAY...

FIBRE ARTS RETREAT

 February 21-23, 2014

Join friends at  a three day FIBRE ARTS RETREAT February 21- 23^rd, 2014 for those interested in play time during the Cabin Fever days of late February.  This workshop is sponsored by FIBREWORKS KINGSTON and is open to everyone... come for all three days, or choose one or two of the days that are of most interest to you. The workshop weekend will only be cancelled and re-scheduled with fees carried forward to the new date if a blizzard sets in and travel locally would be dangerous. Car pooling with friends is a great idea... so gather a couple of friends and come play!

 

The Retreat Weekend offers 9:30-5 pm each day instruction and will be held at the Odessa Fairgrounds Hall. Students joining Bethany will have a chance to either “do their own thing” with their own projects and guidance/assistance from Bethany, a seasoned fibre artist and Instructor in the Textile Design Program at St. Lawrence College…. OR take part in the three separate “play day” activities Beth has planned…

 

Friday, Feb. 21^st is “INDIGO: an Introduction, (with opportunity to add to the Indigo vats on Saturday and Sunday but no instruction) spending time with this magical dye solution that will forever endear your love of BLUE! There will be three active vats and lots of time to share in the magic of the indigo adventure. Come prepared with stitched and wrapped fabrics, silk, line, cotton.. your choice.

Saturday, February 22^nd is “FLAT DYEING" - a great way to dye fabric and YES it can be done very safely and with terrific results indoors with some care to manage your work site and carry wet fabrics home in a large container for rinsing at a later date. You can dye 1, 2 or 12 metres of fabric in this one day - just bring your pre-washed fabric, ready for Soda Ash soak and PLAY!

Sunday, February 23^rd   is NOTE CHANGE: HAND STITCHING DAY... MARK MAKING using your favourite threads and a fabric of your choice, you will spend a fun day exploring the art of the handmade stitch. Bethany will share some inspiration, and you can just relax among friends creating small pieces of THREAD ART! A relaxing way to spend a Sunday never hurts and we would love to see you.

Take advantage of all three days Feb. 21-23^rd for $120.00 or choose one or even two days. Each single day is $50.00  if you can only do one.  Dyes will be provided.  Supplies list with paid registration.  Please plan to bring Brown Bag lunch. Coffee, tea and break snacks provided.   

Contact Bethany at fibreworkskingston@gmail.com for a pdf descriptive and registration form or visit see the FIBREWORKS KINGSTON Blog for all of the details.

Bethany Garner, FW Coordinator and Registrar

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of our FIBREWORKS KINGSTON family of friends...

Beautiful digital art by Kathyann White

  

 

Sending many thanks and the very best wishes for a lovely and restful Holiday season from the team at FIBREWORKS KINGSTON.

 

 

To our Instructors this fall, PAMELA ALLEN and KAREN GOETZINGER, many thanks. You brought many hours of fun and artful creativity to our students and we look forward to seeing the finished art pieces created in your workshop weekends in the new year.

 

Our 2014 Workshop Weekends are fast approaching beginning in March with CAROL SODERLUND and in May with PENNY BERENS. We are so pleased to have both of these outstanding artists coming to the Kingston area to share their skills and expertise with our Fibreworks students.

 

A few seats are still available in Penny`s Discharge Workshop May 20 and 21st.

 

 

Feedback and suggestions for workshops and Instructors you would love to see in our 2014-2015 lineup are always welcome.

 

Have a wonderful Holiday break and see you in the New Year.

MAKE ART!!!

CABIN FEVER RETREAT WEEKEND PLANNED by FIBREWORKS KINGSTON... come play!

Red Sky at Night, Bethany Garner
Fabrics "Flat Dyed" by the artist

Bethany Garner presents a three day FIBRE ARTS RETREAT February 21- 23^rd, 2014 for those interested in play time during the Cabin Fever days of late February.  This workshop is sponsored by FIBREWORKS KINGSTON and is open to everyone... come for all three days, or choose one or two of the days that are of most interest to you. The workshop weekend will only be cancelled and re-scheduled with fees carried forward to the new date if a blizzard sets in and travel locally would be dangerous. Car pooling with friends is a great idea... so gather a couple of friends and come play!

 

The Retreat Weekend offers 9:30-5 pm instruction/support each day . The workshop will be held at the Odessa Fairgrounds Hall. Students joining Bethany will have a chance to either “do their own thing” with their own projects and guidance/assistance from Bethany, a seasoned fibre artist and Instructor in the Textile Design Program at St. Lawrence College…. OR take part in the three separate “play day” activities Beth has planned…

 

Friday, Feb. 21^st is “INDIGO: an Introduction, (with opportunity to add to the Indigo vats on Saturday and Sunday but no instruction)

Saturday, February 22^nd is “FLAT DYEING" - a great way to dye fabric and YES it can be done very safely and with terrific results indoors with some care to manage your work site and carry wet fabrics home in a large container for rinsing at a later date

Sunday, February 23^rd is “SCREEN PRINTING with Thickened Dyes”. Beth will demo torn paper, resist based work and free form "deconstructed" screen work. Students would need to have a 10" x 14" screen prepared with taped edges and a squeegee for the workshop.

Take advantage of all three days Feb. 21-23^rd for a special $120.00 or choose one or two days if that works better for you and the projects are of interest. Each single day is $50.00  if you can only do one.  A nice selection of prepared dyes will be provided.   Supplies lists with paid registration.

Please plan to bring Brown Bag lunch. Coffee, tea and break snacks provided. Registration is limited to sixteen students each day to allow for individual work station space.
 

See the registration form listed in the sidebar on the right side of the blog. Copy and print the bottom portion of the form and mail to Bethany Garner.

OR

Contact Bethany at fibreworkskingston@gmail.com for a pdf descriptive and registration form.

Hope you and friends will join us for this great CABIN FEVER-buster weekend.

CAROL SODERLUND Workshop #2 "TRANSFORMATIONS" will run, with only two seats left!

We are pleased to confirm that renowned Fibre Artist and Dye Master, CAROL SODERLUND will join us in Kingston on March 21-23rd, 2014  to share her outstanding workshop "TRANSFORMATIONS".

 

The workshop has secured the requisite number of students to confirm that it is a GO and we encourage you to consider joining us if you have been thinking about it!

 

JUST TWO SEATS LEFT!!

 

The three day workshop will be held at the Odessa Fairgrounds Hall which has lots of room to move around and be creative, enjoy all that Carol has planned for us as we explore Disperse Dyes and a full day of stitching on DAY THREE into compositions of the beautiful fabrics created in Days One and Two. Each student will have her own work station space and design walls are recommended. Supplies list is available with paid registration.

 

Carol is a master Dye Artist/Instructor and brings us many years of experience with the various methods of using Disperse Dye transfers onto multiple types of cloth.

 

Carol says  "With the focus on experimentation and discovery, many small samples and studies will be made. On the third day we will take one or more of our samples into stitch, layering opaque and sheers, both with fine threads and heavier threads in the bobbin. Free motion stitching, working with and without hoops and the use of stabilizers as well as water soluble products will be covered. Design exercises will get you started and applications in mixed media work will be explored." Fun, exciting new techniques and wonderful new stash fabrics are guaranteed.

 

Full workshop details are listed under Workshop #3 on the sidebar to the right of the blog.

 

Please don't wait - send your deposit soon, and a reminder that workshop balances are due January 15th, 2014.

 

Print your copy of the Registration Form from the right sidebar here at the Blog or email Bethany for a pdf copy of the FIBREWORKS KINGSTON Brochure for  Spring 2014. 

 

Bethany Garner, FW Coordinator  email:   garner@kingston.net

 

 

AND - a few seats left in PENNY BERENS Workshop #5

 

"MAKE IT YOUR OWN WITH DISCHARGE"

 

Scheduled for May 20th and 21st at Odessa Fairgrounds Hall

 

See you in the spring...