Northern National Art Competition

"Suddenly" 35" x 45", by Pam J. Beal has been selected for inclusion in the 27th annual Northern National Art Competition.  The judge, Linda Benedict-Jones, chose 87 images from the 512 that were submitted by 266 artists.  The Northern National Art Competition is a cooperative venture of the Northern Arts Council and the Nicolet College Art Gallery.  The show opens July, 22 and runs through September 12, 2014 at the Nicolet College Art Gallery in Rhinelander, WI.

http://www.nicoletcollege.edu/about/creative-arts-series/art-gallery/northern_national_art_competition/index.html

Suddenly, 35" x 45"
Cotton, Hand Quilted

AQS Press Release

Paducah, Kentucky, USA- Pam J. Beal from Mass City is a semifinalist for the 2014 AQS QuiltWeek-Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 20-23, 2014 at the DeVos Place Convention Center.  Pam J. Beal has been chosen to display the quilt, Playing It, along with 336 others in this AQS contest.  First, Second, and Third place prizes in seven categories will be awarded, along with seven overall awards including Best of Show.  Winners will be announced at the show and posted on the AQS website, QuiltWeek.com.  More than $50,000 will be granted, including $10,000 for the Best of Show and $3,500 each for Best Bed, Best Wall, Best Hand, Best Home, and Best Longarm Workmanship, and Best Modern Quilts.  Regardless of how Playing It places in the final judging, all semifinalists' quilts will be displayed at the show, which is expected to draw more than 15,000 people.

AQS Founder and President Meredith Schroeder says, "Creativity and color are themes that run through the contest quilts this year.  Regardless of whether the attendees enjoy traditional bed quilts or innovative art quilts, there will be quilts for everyone to enjoy.

Quilts were entered in this international contest from 33 U.S. states and 7 other countries.  Come see a wide range of special exhibit quilts including:  Stitch Like an Egyptian; Quilted in Honor; SAQA Masters II; the Modern Quilt Challenge; the Pilgrim/Roy 2016 Invitational Challenge; the Exquisite Quilts of Michigan's own Aileen R. O'Toole Stannis; Quilt of Belonging-a 150 foot collaborative textile art project from Canada; and the AQS Author's Exhibit.

The American Quilter's Society hosts several shows annually, each with its own quilt contest.  Besides the Grand Rapids show, AQS hosts other prestigious shows in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Paducah, Kentucky; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Des Moines, Iowa.
                       For more information, please go to www.americanquilter.com 

More Minimal Quiltmaking

Following up from the earlier post, here are the other quilts published in Minimal Quiltmaking by

Gwen Marston.  "Ontonagon Clay" and "Lilly Pad A La Mode" are related, as are "From the Copper Country" and "Circle Tour".  The smaller quilts served as a study, or the muse, for the larger quilt.  Look for similarities in the pairs of quilts, and notice the differences. Working in a small scale, and working with minimal design, offers appealing challenges, in my opinion.  The aim is to create impact with color, line, and image placement while focusing on the essentials.  Abundance is found in the pleasure of the process.   

From The Copper Country 11" x 17" x 3/4"
Mineral Stained Maple frame by Wayne Walma

Circle Tour 28" X 41"

Ontonagon Clay 9" x 11 1/2"

Lilly Pad A La Mode 24" x 38 1/2"

 The handsome art critic in front of "Lilly Pad" is the famous White Chocolate Mocha Joe.  pjb
                                                                                                                                                 

Minimal Quiltmaking by Gwen Marston

Minimal Quiltmaking by Gwen Marston is newly released by AQS Publishing, Gwen's 27th book. Consider modern art, non-representational painters, and have fun thinking about Hard Edge Quilts.  In Minimal Quiltmaking, Gwen offers process, not pattern, to advance the discussion of design. Twenty-two artists collaborate in the gallery, and I am one of them!  Each artist reveals an individual interpretation and style of minimal design reflecting the appeal of Gwen's Liberated process.  The quilter is encouraged to develop individuality, yes to become liberated.  

Minimal Quiltmaking ends with a "Grand Finale" of 13 small studies with big impact! Imagine Art Nouveau, Amish design, and exuberant Welsh style hand quilting on a small scale.  I notice my thoughts turning to the musical piece, Bolero, with it's quiet and subtle beginning.  The music builds, interest grows, and a grand crescendo is reached ending the piece with an exclamation point.  Perhaps a minimal quilt does the same thing.

Ontonagon Clay, 11" x 9" by Pam J. Beal
One of 4 quilts in the Minimal Quiltmaking gallery

Ontonagon Clay was the start of my interest in minimal design.  I focused on using restraint in line and color.  Exploring ideas first on a small scale is a common practice of artists...well, Gwen covers this in her book.

You can have your own copy of Minimal Quiltmaking by contacting Gwen, or the American Quilter's Society.  www.gwenmarston.com    www.americanquilter.com
      

American Quilter's Society 2014

Break time is the message!

While it is easy to get caught up in a new quilt, especially when a deadline is involved, White Chocolate Mocha Joe makes sure I take a break to go outside.  Playing It, 37" x 48" has been entered into the American Quilter's Society Quilt Week international show in Grand Rapids, MI.  Now it is up to the jury.

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