Sue Lewis Art

To see examples search IG or Facebook for #unidentifiedmeaningfullobject. I have used dyed linen, embedded paper, roving, stitches with perle cotton, vintage thread and vintage buttons.

To make your own UMO, follow the steps below:

1. Choose a small smooth rock and write a word on it (keyword for you)

2. Write a poem about this word on paper big enough to cover the rock after kneading it (momigami)

3. Wrap the stone in the momigami paper with your poem written on it.

4. Wrap the stone with yarn or thread.

5. Wrap ball in wool roving, fiberfill or whatever you wish.

6. Wrap ball with fabric strips, lace, cording, ribbon etc

7. Stitches  to secure

8. Embellish with whatever you wish, buttons, charms  

Voila! It’s meaningful because you made it so!

Combining photo images of pix from my phone. Having fun with Duralar (an inkjet acetate printable sheet). You can paint, print or draw on the acetate and then layer it over your image in PSE or make a copy of the overlay and your original to create a new image from an old one. Some samples are below where I have used heat pressed originals and added the clear acetate sheet when copying or taking a new phone image. The one directly below is an indigo-dyed piece of paper, a piece of embedded paper with painted cattail seeds and the acetate overlay on top.

Had to add an item that I consider to be an award “of sorts”. I was selected by jurors Linda Colsh, Nancy Bavor and Alice Beasley to exhibit in the published international SAQA Journal 2024. I was one of 40 chosen art quilters out of over 500 submissions! Feels like such an honor to be included.

My statement: “Once I’d received a diagnosis of osteoporosis, I couldn’t get the idea of brittle bones out of my head. I felt fragile inside. This quilt gave me solace in creating something beautiful and delicate. When I see lunaria seed pods, I enjoy the translucence of the pod and seeing the protected seed inside as something enduring. Creating artwork is a healing process for me, allowing the expression of my feelings in a tangible way.”

I was one of the textile artists to be published in the SAQA Journal in 2024. They had 500 entries and had to narrow it down for an exhibit of 40 artists. The jurors were Nancy Bavor, Alice Beasley and Linda Colsh. “Before us were more than 500 children of the best artists of the Studio Art Quilt Associates, each submission the artist’s incantation to inspire a moment of magic and wonder.” Wow, I felt a huge “atta a girl” with this statement!

A detail shot of “Fragile Within II” showing fragile twigs and lunaria seeds made with organza and florist wire hanging by a thread.

This is the full quilt as published with my statement about the healing process in making this quilt after a diagnosis of osteoporosis and “brittle bones”. It is titled II because the original was a 2-sided quilt that could hang from the ceiling. This one was placed on a stretched canvas.

These are so much fun to make! It only takes about 5 minutes in the sun, rinse, dry and you’ve got some unique cards. The bird print has a bird mask and rice placed on it.

Bin Art in Watercolor

I will have 10 items available in matted artwork at the Arvada Center, as well as spirit dolls, vases and wall hangings. The Market begins November 29th and runs till December 15th. Hope you will stop by and do some holiday shopping. The hours are 11:00 am till 7:00 on weekdays, Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00, Sunday 12:00 to 4:00.

Art of the State 2025

Just sent my submissions off to the Arvada Art Center for the Art of the State 2025 exhibit, running from January 16, 2025 to March 30th. This exhibit runs every 3 years and they are looking for original work that has not been shown at the Arvada Center before. I just finished these 3 up in 2024 and this is my first attempt to participate in this exhibit. Below on the left is a sisal bowl with skeleton leaves, “Dream Weaving” and the one on the right is “Paper Pulp with Pods and Leaves”.

Had fun at the Arvada Center yesterday. There were 300 mugs to enjoy. Great turnout of visitors. The exhibit runs till November 12th. You don’t want to miss this one!

“Collage and Decollage” class at Ethan’s Gallery and Studio. We had paper and glue sticks flying around and some of them stopped here! Join us on August 18th 1:30 to 3:30 in Olde Town Arvada for more fun with “Handmade Books and Paper Making”! Sign up for “Sue’s Workshop” on the home page: http://www.ethangalleryandstudio.com.

“As Forgiveness Ebbs and Flows” and “Cadence of Leaves” will be exhibited at the new gallery space at Red Rocks Community College, located at 13300 W 6th Ave. Lakewood, CO. The exhibit runs August 9-October 4. Opening Reception will be held August 22, 4-6:00 pm.