Melbourne Show with Zoneone Arts

Woman in Blue Round
Leaves

Woman in Gum Tree
Leaves & Flowers

Woman in
Golden Leaves

Woman of Sea
and Sky

White Leaf
Tree Woman

During May of 2012, I was honored to have a show in Melbourne, Australia, coordinated by Deborah Blakely of Zoneone Arts.  I had been in a previous fiber invitational in 2009 which she had coordinated, FABRICATE 09, for the Embroiders' Guild there which included five other artists from around the world (Karoliina Arvilommi of Finland, Lucille Crighton of Canada, Rowland Ricketts III of USA, Rosie James of the UK, and Jenni Kemarre Martiniello from Australia).  My work included handprinted jackets, my production dolls, three of my one-of-a-kind freestanding pieces, as well as patterns.

Last year's show was entirely from my series of Square Headed Women emphasizing organic leaf forms.  My "Leaves of Change" theme was changed slightly to "Leaf Change" with Deborah's suggestion to use the Australian term for baby boomers who were at a point of changing their lives to retirement.  I was delighted when Deborah also suggested using the Australian gum tree, a eucalyptus, and its leaf shape and flower.  Of course, as soon as I really got on a roll with the leaves and all of the many techniques employed (discharge, freeform machine embroidery, hand printed/painted fabric and more), especially in using the gum tree leaf shape, it was time to send them off.  I have continued to have leaves as an important part of the visual intent and inspiration for my work.  Now that spring is finally on its way here in West Michigan, new leaf buds are forming (almost another 2 months until real leaves...) but the excitement is growing.

Do check out www.ZoneoneArts.com, especially Deborah Blakeley's Global Conversations--- I think mine is the first!  There are so many exciting writers, artists and galleries from all over the world that she's "discovered" and interviewed.  Enjoy!

City Woman in
Gold Leaves

City Woman in
Beech Leaves

Green Woman in
Gum Leaves