How to Get Some Action in Your Art Work

Betty's Bloomers #7

Are you looking for a little action? Want to shake things up in your art work? When making pictorial art work the artist wants to draw the audience closer, to engage the viewer.

Betty's Bloomers #20

Here are several ways to capture the viewer's attention.

• Tilt an object in the design. Defying gravity always adds tension to a piece.
• Vary the height of elements in the picture. Elements on an even plain are static.
• Repeat colors and shapes so we look for that next hit of red or yellow square.This adds movement to the picture.

 Try these few suggestions and see if it doesn't make your art more engaging. A little action is a great way to seduce the viewer. And we all know viewers are easy!

Madeline School of the Arts

 It's such a pleasure to be invited to teach at this new venue, the Madeline School of the Arts. I can hardly wait! Imagine being at this wonderful place in early summer. I can smell the fresh air already.

Seedpods #1 detail

If you are longing for some fresh air, please join me at the  Madeline Island School of the Arts where my workshop Translating Ideas into Fabrics takes place June 4 - 8, 2012. The famous Apostle Islands are lovely and really enticing. And we'll be in the heart of it all on Madeline Island. Don't you just want to get away, relax, and make art? I know I do!

Reason #5 to Love Quilting

Joyful Heart #21

Reason #5 to Love the World of Quilt Art: Quilters give comfort to others. Quilt makers are generous people. They make quilts for friends, co-workers, and people in need from premature babies to elderly  veterans. Quilt makers give to charities.

And because you are a generous quilt maker you support Virginia Spiegel's Fiber Art for a Cause fundraiser. Many of you know that Virginia is a fundraising dynamo who has raised over $215,000 for the American Cancer Society. All this through sales and donations of work by fiber artists!

So if you are a fiber artist, a lover of fiber art, or a fiber artist lover, please check out the Fiber Art for a Cause website and see how you can help in fighting cancer today.

 Happy Valentine's Day!

Reason #4 to Love Quilting

Reason #4 to Love Quilt Art: It is an amazing art form. Quilt makers around the world know the pleasure of working with color and texture and fabric. Creating with cloth is so very satisfying!

Quilt making is a way to express yourself, to make something that gives comfort, to provide something of beauty to the world.  I highly recommend it to everyone. You have to love this art form!

Reason #3 to Love Quilting

Joyful Heart #6

Reason #3 to Love Quilt Art: Quilting is the foundation of many small businesses. If you're feeling entrepreneurial and want to start a small business, consider the world of quilting. You'll soon find that you are dealing with other people with a passion for fabric and thread too.

Joyful Heart#7

Your fellow quilt business friends are generous and will help you along the way with your business. As a vendor for many years, I can attest to the kindness of my fellow traveling vendors. And another benefit to being in the quilting biz? Your customers are happy people. They love what they do and pass that love of the art of quilting on to you!

Reason #2 to Love Quilting

Joyful Heart #17

Reason #2 to Love Quilt Art: Quilts take you around the world. No matter where you go in the world you soon discover a connection to quilt making.

Tokyo Quilt Show 2007

Whether viewing a quilt show, teaching at a quilt symposium, or visiting a friend, quilts have given me the gift of travel. Travel to wonderful places like Japan and Spain. These trips have opened my eyes to other cultures and customs. I may not speak the language, but I do speak quilt.

Festival of Patchwork in Sitges, Spain, 2009

Want to broaden your horizons? Become a quilt maker. Through quilt making you can travel the world and never be alone. You'll see exciting places and meet local quilt makers who will welcome you with open arms. You'll love it!

Reason #1 to Love Quilting

Joyful Heart #4

There is so much to love about the fine art of quilt making. As we prepare to celebrate Valentine's Day, lets remember how quilting brings out the love in all of us.

Reason #1 to Love Quilting: It's a great way to make friends. The world of quilt making is made up of this vast network of friends. People may first meet each other while admiring the same quilt at a show and are soon swapping recipes for white chile.

Quilting buddies: Trish, Frieda, and Emily

We make fast friends because we have so much in common with others who love quilts. So go make a quilt friend today. You'll love it!