Author: Sue Lewis textiles

“Forest Walk” (see above) is using painted dryer sheets, gelli printing, and organza with lots of hand stitching and machine quilting on fusible batting.  It’s a very filmy piece with uneven edges.  I recently read about “forest bathing” and this is a reference to total immersion in the forest experience.

“Submerged” (below) shows lots of texture and the viewer can see what lies underwater in my fantasy microcosm.  I have used painted Tyvek, cheesecloth, sun printed fabric and hand painted fabric along with some coral and a sea shell.

Just received notice that 2 quilts have been juried into “Evolving Perceptions” to be held at the Foothills Art Center in Golden, CO.  This is a regional Studio Art Quilts Association show with medium to large wall hangings and installations included.  Below, see “Lichen with Branches” which is painted silk, hand beading and felted wool.  I have included natural painted branches from a birch tree.  It has hand and machine stitching with lace added along with painted heat distressed Tyvek, rimmed with black lava.  The show runs from June 28th through October 6th.

Below is a detail shot of the above quilt.

I also have a quilt called “Fragile Within” in this exhibit.  It is a 2 sided quilt hanging from the ceiling.

Here is a detail of “Fragile Within”.  This is painted cotton with organza, linen thread, Lunaria seed pods and excelsior.  I have attached painted twigs at the bottom, as you see above to symbolize the brittle bones of osteoporosis.

Yay!  I have been selected to exhibit two art quilts in Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum’s Evolutions 2019 Exhibit, which runs from July 22 to October 19th.  This is a biennial exhibit featuring international quilt artists with their best interpretation of either personal or global evolution.  It’s a “celebration of yesterday’s traditions, as well as tomorrow’s innovations”.

Below is “Awakening” which is a small wall hanging created with gelli prints, painted used dryer sheets and spun polyester stitched and fused to batting.  I have printed a personal photo onto organza and used hand and machine stitching to enhance the surface.

Below is “Breakthrough” which used painted organza, shredded paper and cording as a reference to the Japanese tradition of filling cracks in china or pottery with gold.  I have added hand and machine stitching and couched decorative thread to embellish the surface.

This is a detail shot of my quilt destined for the art auction held by the Wild Animal Sanctuary sometime this fall.  I have used my own embellished photo printed on organza and layered on top of a painted background.  Then I added raw edge appliqued leaves and machine quilted it.  My DH had to take the quilting machine apart because I broke 2 needles that lodged themselves into the bobbin area.  We “re-timed” it (well, I held the flashlight), cleaned the area and it now works great!

Here is a photo of a snowstorm visitor who found shelter under our juniper bush.

I’ve been experimenting with Photoshop Elements 2019 and found out how to “improve” my photo.  I’m ok with my first attempt!

I have been accepted into Portfolio 2019, an online exhibit at artquilters.org.  The quilts  will be available for viewing next week.  Yay!  It is quite an honor to be included into this group of art quilters.  The quilt below is called “Breakthrough”.  I have used painted packing paper and organza with hand and machine quilting.

I have another quilt in this exhibit called “Seeing Through”, which has painted organza and dryer sheets with hand stitching added to fusible batting, with transparent layering.

The photo on the left is the full quilt with a black background to show off the irregular edge.  The square photo on the right is a detail shot to show the hand stitching.

Found a new park to explore with my phone camera:  Ralston Valley Park and Ralston Creek Trail.  We are so enjoying our Indian summer-type Autumn this year! Only one snow fall so far.

Getting ready to sell items at the Apex Senior Center on Wadsworth, November 2 and 3.  I will have quilts, pillows, fiber bowls and lots more to sell.

This is the title of the next book written by Andra Stanton about artists making art to express extremes of emotions.  I have submitted 3 quilts for her consideration.

Above is “Tracings”, expressing losing my short term memory.  I went for a walk in my neighborhood and became disoriented.  I told myself to just keep walking till something looked familiar.  The quilting here shows some definite meandering and getting nowhere!  It is an expression of fear and loss.

Above is “Solace” as a way of dealing with grief in the loss of a family member.  I have used rice paper, organza, hand-dyed fabric and commercial fabric.  I have melted the organza to symbolize my hope of her survival melting away and leaving holes.

“Grandfather’s Poems” shows regret in not getting to know my grandfather, who was a published poet.  Some of his poems make my cry and I am reminded of simpler times.  I have added some of my own poems to this quilt.  I like to think I am honoring him by creating a poetic quilt!

My art quilt sold.  It has been traveling in New Mexico and I was notified that my quilt was sold.  It’s traveling days are over!