New Drawing and More Stole Photos

Hello again! I'm starting to get the hang of updating my blog again. Not so hard once you get started. I haven't drawn anything in months (since starting my job) and finally felt the urge a few days ago and picked up my pen and paper. Here is one of my recent ones. I'm sometimes asked how long it takes me to do one of my drawings. Since I draw so many little lines, they are usually from about 1 to 3 hours for a 9 x 12 such as this. Depends on the pen size. This one used a smaller pen than usual so it took about 3 hours. It still needs a little bit of work on the shadowing. I used to steal ideas (or be inspired by) from my son. Now it's my 4 year old inspiring me. I drew a circle and then gave it to her to add to and she added butterfly wings and asked "Can butterflies be circles in the middle?". I said "Why not?" and then decided to draw my own. If you are looking for inspiration, especially for something new and exciting, don't forget to look at the world through a child's eyes.

Also, I have the full length photos of the stole I just finished. Unfortunately I took photos with me wearing it and they are not my best! Nor does my clothing do anything to show off the work. Anyway, here it is. :)

And, I have to brag a bit on my 8 year old son. If any of you know what Accelerated Reader is (a program offered in many elementary schools), well, my soon reached the goal of 100 points only 6 weeks into school!! I'm sooo proud of him! The 100 point goal is an end of the year goal! He is actually at 117 and just about to take a test on another book, worth 44 points, so it won't be long until he reaches 200 points. The kids read books with certain point values and then take a test to receive the points. The program has it's good and bad issues, but he loves reading and loves reaching these goals. Way to go Miller!!!

Some photos of my latest project

Hello again! It feels so good to be back in the world of blogging and talking about art!! Here are a few photos of the liturgical stole I recently completed. I hand-dyed, hand-painted, screened, stamped a lot of the fabrics. The symbols the owner wanted included a cross, a yin-yang, a seated Buddha, a star of David, a pentacle, a goddess symbol, a Hindu Om, a Islamic crescent and moon, a chalice and I think that is it for religious symbols. There were also symbols representing personal interests including Reiki and music. I only took a few photos before passing it on. The ones of the whole stole are on my husband's camera so I'll have to wait until he downloads them onto the computer to post those. The photo colors are a bit off as I used a flash up close. I usually try to photograph my work outside but it was a rainy day. Sorry some are sideways, I didn't take the time to turn them before uploading to the blog page.

This is my fourth stole and I find this work very fulfilling. It is so personal. I become very involved in the stories behind the stole and the stories it will be a part of in the future. It's hard for me to describe in words, but it is somewhat magical. I look forward to doing more in the future.


On a different note, if you live in the Atlanta area, you should take some time to visit the Fiber Art Fusion's yearly exhibit at The Art Place gallery in Marietta, GA. I went to the opening last night and, first, it was great to see friends and second, but not last or least, the work was stunning. If you enjoy quilts or fiber work you will love this exhibit.

I'm back!!!!!!

Wow, I've never been away from blogging for so long! I guess you know from previous posts (if anyone out there actually reads this-lol) that I started a job back in April/May. Well, life definitely got a lot busier than I expected. Don't get me wrong, I like my job. And, I couldn't ask for a much more flexible schedule. I was able to find part time work as a statistician. Not the usual for my field so it's working out pretty great so far. The downside, well, less time with my kids and my art. So, kids have taken priority. I have to say I do cherish the time with them more now and sometimes there just isn't enough of it. So, anyway, my art, my blogging, those kinds of things are taking a bit of a back seat for now. I haven't completely stopped making art of course but I have stopped taking on new work, trying to reach deadlines on exhibits, entering art/craft shows. There will be time again for those, when my kids are older (they are 4 and 8 at the present).

I'm trying to figure out a way to just enjoy my art making again without it feeling like something I have to do. Get back to the fun of just playing and discovering. The only problem then is that I'm left with more stuff I don't know what to do with. If one of the goals is not to eventually sell it, enter it somewhere, give it as a gift, I'm finding it hard to justify the time to just play. I did fill that need some with teaching classes, where I was able to demonstrate and play along with everyone else. I'll just have to keep figuring it out. Life is always changing and I'm in a new chapter of mine.

Well, you probably don't read my blog to hear about my statistical job or my kids, so want to do what I have actually accomplished the past few months. Let's see, I entered a couple of pieces in a show, and now I can't even remember which one, I'll have to go back and look. I was rejected from a few. I completed a piece for the SDA conference for the members exhibit. And, most recently, I completed a liturgical stole and an article for Quilting Arts magazine. So despite feeling like I'm not doing any art, I'm still plugging along. I didn't enter my fiber art groups yearly exhibition, a bit sad about that and I haven't made the meetings for that in many months, also sad. But, once I get this whole working and running a family thing under my belt hopefully that will change.

Here is a couple of photos of a piece from the last few months and I'll hopefully have some good ones of the stole soon. I'll write more about it and the process when I post the photos.

Happy creating! (and happy working, and playing with kids or gardening or whatever you like or have to do!)

Classes and Upcoming Exhibit of the GA SDA Members

Hi everyone,



Yes, I've started back to work as a statistician and have to cut back a bit on my artistic endeavors but I'm not letting work take over everything. I'm working hard to find a balance as I'm sure many of you have had to do over the years between family, work and your art.



I wanted to let you know that I'll be teaching a few classes very soon.



The first is Needle Felting Basics, May 16 at a fabulous yarn shop in Woodstock called The Whole Nine Yarns. It is a Saturday, 10:30, $35.00. Just a few weeks away! I'll teach you the basics and in the class we'll make a set of coasters and a small case (ipod, cell phone, eyeglasses, whatever you wish it to be for).



The other class is Saturday, June 20th at Intown Quilters, a wonderful quilt shop in the Decatur area. Never been? Oh, you must! I am very excited about this class. It is called Mixed Media Fabric Collage. We will cover as much as possible in one day! We will especially focus on transfer techniques! It is a full day class. I have to check on the times and price.



Other things happening this month are the opening for two exhibits that I have pieces in. One being Focus on Fiber II-Small Art Quilts and the other is local, the member show for the GA SDA (Surface Design Association). It is opening this Sunday at the Defoor Center. I just dropped off my pieces and saw some of the other work and it is simply stunning. Especially unique. The name of the show is Extreme Threads and it "showcases the energy and innovation of diverse professional and emerging artists working in fiber, stitch, surface, textiles.....employing unusual materials, and using timeless and radical techniques."

Collage Mania Preview is Open!

Collage Mania, the wonderful, amazing fundraiser by Virginia Spiegel, is now open for Preview. There are over 30 pages of gorgeous fiber and collage art to be purchased to raise funds for Cancer Research. You may preview now to choose the ones you hope to purchase on opening day, May 5th! Prices start at $80.00, a great deal for unique piece of artwork. For those pieces that don't sell on the first day, price goes down to $40.00 on May 6th and 7th.

Virginia hopes to hit to the $200,000 for all of her fundraising efforts and she can do it with your help!!

My contributions are on page 25 but there are so many to choose from! Something for everyone!

To preview, go to: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/CM2009Collages1.html

Fairies

are always fun. I have a Creativity Party scheduled for this week and I'll be teaching 10 year old girls how to paint fairies, so I painted this one as a demo of what we will be doing. I think she is pretty cute. :)

Collage Mania-more

I received so much positive feedback on my last post. Thanks to everyone who to took the time to look and comment!

I did go ahead and send these in to Collage Mania so they will be available for purchase very soon. If you don't know about Collage Mania, it is part of a fabulous fundraiser put together by Virginia Spiegel. This is the last year and the hope is to hit the $200,000 mark. The funds go to the American Cancer Society. First day of the sale is May 5th.

I thought I'd tell you a bit about the pieces below. The ones with the my original ink drawings include watercolor paper, tissue paper, acrylic paint, alcohol ink, watercolor pencils and pastels and thread. I donated one of them in honor of Eugenia Calle, my friend who worked for the American Cancer Society for 20 years, a prominent epidemiologist in cancer research. She was murdered in February. I donated another in honor Carmen Rodriguez, another prominent cancer epidemiologist who worked at the American Cancer Society for much of her life. She lost her life to adrenal cancer last fall.

Two of the fabric pieces started with monoprinted fabrics as the background. The small pieces of fabric are a combination of painted fabrics and commercial fabrics. Another started with a screened tree background from a photograph. It's hard to see as I decided the orientation was landscape which puts the tree in the background on it's side.

I'll post more details about Collage Mania as it approaches. Preview day is April 29!

I also sent in one other piece; photo is above.

Collage Mania

These are the pieces I've been working on for Collage Mania. These are not the final photos as they are not mounted to 8 x 10 yet, and these are scans not photos. So, the color is a little off and they just don't look quite right. I'm struggling a bit with confidence and not sure I'm in love with these. Maybe the orientation is wrong on some of them. Or maybe it is basic design problems? Or they aren't done? Or they are over done? What do you think?



All artists struggle at times with confidence and maybe with every piece. What are your current struggles with your art?

She Looks So Innocent

I added a new mixed media canvas item to my Etsy shop today. She started as a mixed media background that was my example that I made during one of my Creativity Parties. I added the little girl with my favorite medium, watersoluble wax pastels. I think she turned out really cute. She has a high gloss varnish that doesn't show well in the photos (can see it a little bit as a glare in the first photo), but I think really adds to the piece.

How have you been creative today? Remember, we are all creative. You just have to decide that you are willing to play!!

Creativity Party Projects

Here are a few of the samples I have made for my Creativity Parties. These are for the creative offerings including needle-felted art canvas, mixed media canvas and storyboard canvas (one with a photo of little 'ol me). The heart piece was inspired by an article in Cloth, Paper, Scissors about a year ago. This is the piece my last party used as a jumping off place for their artwork.

I finished! Submission ready, QUEEN BEE

I actually completed something, not the night before, not two days before, but THREE days before the deadline. Well, okay, it is a receive by deadline so I really needed to get it done today. For once though I won't be paying mega fees just to get it there on time.

I submitted this little lady to Focus on Fiber II, Small Art Quilts. Maybe she will bring me luck and make it into the exhibition.



Enjoy your day! Mine is going pretty good right now!

Heidi

Fun with Creativity Party

I had a great time having a creativity party at my sister Mimi's house on Thursday night. We did some creative relaxation exercises and then jumped right into a mixed-media project. Everyone had fun playing with paints and mediums and then adding ephemera from my collection. Above is my step sister Candi having fun with her piece.

Here is my Mom's piece. We all thought it was funny she had a margarita glass to go with "Home Sweet Home". She added a "C" and an "N" for Carole (her name) and Nate (my step Dad). She didn't remember ever having painted. Pretty great results for a first time piece of art, huh?

Here is a photo of Becky's art piece in progress. I think it turned out great! And, Mimi's was great too!!! Most importantly they all seemed to have fun and let their inner children out to play.

Today's Doodle

Just a whimsical little drawing. Top is cut off a bit (her leaf head). Thinking she needs some other fruity friends. Hee-Hee.

The smudges are because I got paint on my scanner from another day. Have to clean that off today.

Why not try drawing your own fruity friends today?

What I've been up to the past few days

I am almost finished with my memorial piece for Jeanne CAlle and thought I'd go ahead and post an image. It still needs binding, some beading (I ran out of a certain kind of bead I had!) and then some stitching on her hair and face.











Here is another one of my Mixed Media Scarves. I think I'm keeping this one for myself. Not quite sure yet.



















The piece I posted yesterday from my monoprint playing became this:

Morning Play Dates

I've been on a better schedule lately (I'm usually a night owl) and getting up for a morning play date with myself. Some days a bit too early (yesterday was 4 am!) but it's nice to find the time when the house is quiet. I no longer seem to have the energy to work late at night as I use too.

This morning I played around with fabric painting, stamping, monoprinting. Here is one of the six small pieces I worked on. Not the best of the bunch just the one that was dry.

Too some it probably looks like a clean up rag (well, in some ways it is as when I work I hate to waste paint so I wipe my brushes on the piece I'm working on, or dry brush them clean on my fabric) but to me it looks like layers waiting to be added to, or cut up or enhanced with colored pencils. Or, maybe it was just a piece to learn more about the process. What happens if I pour water on my plexiglass after layiering on my paints? What happens if I spread by paint on with a spoon instead of a brush or a brayer? What happens if.....? Everytime I work in this free form play kind of way I discover at least one new trick to use or at least to explore more the next time I play.

Do you have a morning creative date with yourself?

Just a doodle-and what to do with grief

I've been struggling the past few days as I recently attended a memorial service for a friend who was murdered. During the service I learned that her (the victim's) best friend had passed away in November. This person was also a good friend of mine (that i had lost touch with). Now I know why emails and phone calls have not been returned. It never even crossed my mind that she was even sick or had passed away! I knew the day would be hard but not for that reason. I've been struggling with what to do with my deep sadness and have been putting my energy into a memorial quilt for the first friend, Jeanne Calle. I wanted to finish it by the day of the funeral but realized it was impossible but I'm very close to done now. It's not perfect or amazing art. But, it has served the purpose of giving my hands and my mind something to do. Mindless stitching and beading while at the same time keeping my friend's memory at the forefront of my mind every minute of the past few days. I'll post a picture when it is finished. I'll be donating it to the American Cancer Society, where she worked for 20 years, and let them choose whether to keep it or send it along to her family.

This week has been a real wake up call to cherish your friends and your memories and to try hard to live in the moments that you have. For those old friends who haven't heard from me, rest assured you will soon. I'm making a list and urgently feel the need to know that you are all okay.

My friend who passed in November, Carmen Rodriguez, was also an epidemiologist that I worked with at the American Cancer Society. She was a small, feisty person with a huge heart. She had two boys, 12 and 16. My thoughts go out to her husband and her children. She had adrenal cancer found last April and was gone by November. She was only 50. Hug your kids, hug your spouses and hug your friends today.

Here's a silly bird just to lift the mood after this dark post. What a difference a little color makes.

Watercolor Crayon Classes-Mistake on Posted Date

Just a quick note to say I posted the wrong date for one of my upcoming classes.

Watercolor crayons on fabric will be taught on Saturday, March 14th (NOT Saturday, March 7th as I had previously posted.

So, just to keep it all clear, at Red Hen Fabrics in Marietta, GA during March I'll be teaching the following (call the shop to register):

Watercolor Crayons on Fabric, Tuesday, March 3rd, 10 am to 2 pm
and Saturday, March 14th, 10 am to 2pm

Mixed Media No Knit Scarf, Tuesday, March 24th, 10 am to 1 pm

Sorry for the mix-up.

Classes and Creativity Parties

Mixed Media No Knit Scarf will be taught at Red Hen FAbrics in Marietta on:

Tuesday, March 24th, 10 to 1 pm, $35.00

They are fast and easy, but absolutely stunning. No one will believe it takes only a couple of hours to make these beautiful scarfs.


And, don't forget about Creativity Parties! The first five to book parties are free to the host! I've booked one already, so only 4 spots left to take advantage of this deal!

I've changed the fees a bit and here is how it works:

-Minimum of 3 people (including host) and Maximum of 10 (including host)
-$20 per person, but host is FREE if there are 4 or more guests
-Supplies/kit fees are $8 to $25 depending on chose of creative offering. However, guests are welcome to bring their own supplies instead.

So, for about the price of a movie, popcorn and soda, you can instead have a good time with friends, get in touch with your inner creative child and create something beautiful!

Contact me if you would like more details.

Tragic Loss of Dr. Eugenia Calle

I've been up since the wee hours of the morning (not normal for me, especially on a Saturday), trying to figure out what to do with my grief and anger over the loss of a very special person. Jeanne Calle was my first supervisor (in a "real" job). She was my mentor. She was like a second mother to me when I was alone for the first time in a big city (Atlanta) with no friends or family. She hired me with no experience in the field of epidemiology. Allowed me to take courses at Emory during the day while working full time. She always encouraged me and believed in me. She was my thesis advisor. And, most importantly, my friend. I watched her fall in love with her late husband Rick Letz who died from lymphoma a couple of years ago.

I'm sad I did not keep in touch the last few years, especially as I had moved back to the Atlanta area. Ironically, I had just emailed her a few weeks ago about possible positions with the American Cancer Society (where she and I worked).

She had just retired two weeks ago (I later found out) and was tragically murdered in her condominium in downtown Atlanta. Her condo was for sale as she had found love again and was selling her home to move in with her fiance. A "buyer" came in to see the condo and killed her, stole her credit cards, cash and wedding band (from marriage to Rick).

I am soooooo angry and so sad. I want everyone to know how much I care for and love them. Even if you haven't heard from me in awhile, even if you think I don't, even if you read this and think, she is not talking about me (yes, you!). I may not have called, written or seen you. But, I think about you, I love you and you have made tremendous difference in my life. All of you who are my friends, now and past.

Jeanne was a real gift to this world. She was passionate about her work and her life. The world is a less good place without her in it.

Dates on Upcoming Watercolor Crayons Class

I will be teaching Watercolor Crayons on Fabric at Red Hen FAbrics in Marietta, GA
on

Tuesday, March 3, 10am-2pm, $40.00
and
Saturday, March 7, 10am-2pm., $40.00

No art experience necessary! I show you all the little tricks on using these wonderful little crayons!

Hope to see some of you there!

Heidi

Creativity Parties are Here!!!

I finally completed my preparation for Creativity Play Date Parties! The first five hosts to book parties will be free (not the party, the host, value of $30 to $40!).

Through my own artistic discoveries I have realized that EVERYONE has the ability to be creative. And, I want to share the tremendous joy that finding your inherent creativity can bring.

Each party offers a creative offering and every participant will leave the party with a completed art piece. The projects may be individual or group projects. And, absolutely NO ART EXPERIENCE is necessary!

These parties are perfect for both children and adults, for birthday parties, girls nights out, date night, church groups and even corporate team building exercises.

Some of the offerings include: Doodle to Design, Mixed Media Tote Bags, Watercolor Flowers, Monoprinting, Journal Pillows, Wet Felted Bags, Needle-felted Art and Accessories. I can even help you design a custom offering just for your party.

The great thing about these parties is that it is much less investment than an art course and you will be in a relaxed, fun environment with your friends. I bring all of the supplies to you!

So, if you want to book a party, call me at 404-324-3478 or email me at hmiracle@alum.mit.edu! I can't wait to get started!!! Parties consist of 2 to 3 hours in length with 4 to 10 participants. Cost varies depending on the projects but are either $30 to $40 INCLUDING supplies!

I will list more details on my website very soon.

I live in Woodstock, GA just outside of Atlanta.

Watercolor Crayons Class Coming Soon

I took some time last night to play around with my Neocolor II's on fabric. It had been awhile since I had and my class on them is coming up soon, so I thought it was time to refresh my memory on all of the little details. And, see what I could come up. I was feeling creative but lazy and that is what is great about these crayons! No fuss, no muss. It's just like coloring in a coloring book. Sit down in bed and have some fun. I think she turned out cute. :)

The class will be offered on two dates coming up in March and April at Red Hen FAbrics in Marietta, GA. Hope to see some of you there! I'll post more details soon.

Collage Mania

I finally began work on my Collage Mania pieces last night. They are not complete but I thought I'd post one because I'm looking for some feedback. Despite trying to stay with a more moderate color scheme, I found hot pink just calling out to me! I added a hot pink X and then some hand stitching as well. Now I'm thinking about a whole hot pink border. So, my question is this? Am I going overboard. Would it better without any pink at all? They need some stitching and ironing but wanted to go ahead and post before I take it any further.

The tree is from a photo of my husbands (which I have permission to use), that I edited and changed a bit digitally. Then I created a Thermofax screen from it. I really like it and find myself using this screen often.

Look forward to hearing comments so I can move forward!

Thanks in advance!!!

Round Robin Results are in!!!

Tonight was the reveal of a 12 month (well more like 14 in our case) round robin and I was so excited to receive my piece. What a gift! On the left is how it began and on the right is the final result! Several of us in our Fiber Art Fusion group here in Georgia took turns adding to each other's small art quilt. I absolutely love it!!!! Thanks gals!!!! I hope you are all as thrilled with yours as I am with mine!

The second photo is a 5 x 7 I created for our gift exchange in December. It was nice to see it again and grab a photo, but my memory failed me as I had thought it was better in design. It seems a bit cluttered and unfocused now that I have a chance to really "see" it.

New and Old Doodles and Drawings

I spent some time today cleaning out my art room/play room/dining room and went through stacks of drawings that were laying around. I selected a few, some old and new to post today. The third one down is incomplete but it is similar to many I've worked on the last few months. I get bored before I finish them but I definitely feel drawn to start them again and again.

The bird is actually just the top third of a larger piece. Don't ask me what kind of bird it is because I don't know myself. :)

I was glad to find the mermaid as I drew her with my daughter quite some time ago. She wants her in her bedroom and I was afraid I'd lost her.

Mixed-Media No-Knit Scarf Demo this Saturday at Red Hen FAbrics

This Saturday, February 7th, I'll be doing a demo of a Mixed Media/No-Knit scarf at Red Hen Fabrics in Marietta, GA. So stop on by!




I'm posting some photos of old work-some of my first quilts, my son's 1st birthday cake, one of my professional wedding cakes (okay, my only professional wedding cake) and the cake for my final in my Cake Decorating class at Newbury College (back in 2000 or maybe it was 1999). The finals cake was a bit frilly even for my taste back then but we needed to demonstrate that we could work in a lot of different mediums/techniques (run-outs, gum paste, fondant, royal icing, etc.). I've been trying to very slowly scan old photos so that I have digital access to all photos and just thought I'd share these that are art/craft/creativity/quilt related. The quality of the photos isn't so great because most were in scrapbooks and I couldn't lay them flat on my scanner bed very easily.

The sampler quilt was from one of my first classes in Arlington, MA. It was my fourth quilt I think. It is still a UFO. Not quilted that is. Someday. I can't think of the name of the shop where I took the class now but it was a great shop. I hope it is still there. The flower quilt was from Jan Mullens pattern, Daisiez. I loved working with her patterns and fabrics when I started out. This was my third quilt. My niece is the owner of that quilt so I still get to see it occassionally.