Meeting Brenda Smith

Today I had the great good fortune to meet Brenda Smith in person. I've known Brenda online for some time, admire her work, and read her blog regularly. I also follow the 12 x 12 collaborative art project that Brenda is part of, along with Gerrie and Terry, who I met in Oregon earlier this year. When I learned that Brenda was in the country and coming to Lancaster, I rearranged my schedule so I could meet her, and her equally charming travelling companions, for lunch today at the Iron Hill Brewery. We raised a glass and had a chance to chat about art and life and connections, and a good time was had by all. I love the way the blogosphere and Facebook facilitate these types of encounters. Thanks, Brenda, and best wishes for the remainder of your travels.

Watt & Shand #10 Underway

Watt & Shand #10 is underway. It features images from May of 2008, when the facade of the original building was still supported by an elaborate scaffolding, and the framework of the Marriott was rising up behind. I was interested in one of the intersections of the old construction and the new, a corner that jutted out on King Street and gave a glimpse into the interior.

This one features cyanotypes and digital prints, and the color scheme is rather bold, in a good and exciting way that really sets off the prints. Right now it looks a bit stark, but the quilting will calm and unify it.

It's time to take a break from creating tops--as addictive and engaging as that is-- and focus on quilting and finishing the ones I have stacked up and waiting. I am well on track towards having the series done in time for the exhibition at the Arts Hotel Gallery in March 2010.

If you are new here, you can track back this project by clicking on Watt & Shand under Labels in the right sidebar.

And a Happy Solstice to one and all! More daylight will be a very good thing.

Number Nine, Number Nine, Number Nine....

I've finished the design and put together the top for Watt & Shand #9. It uses images from photos I took in February of this year. It's unique in the series so far because the pictures are from the South Queen Street side of the project, around the corner from King Street where the rest were taken. Above you see the original Watt & Shand building facade, with the new Marriott Hotel rising up behind it. (If you are new here, you can track back the series and the project by clicking on Watt & Shand under Labels in the right sidebar.)

In between the old Watt & Shand building and the new convention center on Vine Street is the
William Montgomery House, seen above, a historic Federalist building that was restored and incorporated into the project--it's a prominent and very cool feature inside the lobby of the new hotel. The interior of the house awaits further renovation as funds permit.

I've got #10 up on the design wall right now, and am contemplating what comes next. I'm winding down this series of works, at least in terms of design--I have lot of intensive quilting ahead of me to get all the pieces finished and ready for the exhibit in March. There's one rebellious corner of my mind where I'm chomping at the bit to do a botanical piece, with lots of bright colors and swooping organic shapes, but for now I'm really enjoying exploring the grids and architectural lines, and celebrating the beauty of this glorious Beaux Arts building.