commentary

Weird Fabric Finds A Home from The Snarky Quilter

Several years ago I snapped up a yard of odd mottled rose/gray fabric because it was just $5. Ever since it’s been hanging with my yardage, being passed over each time I look for a new quilt palette. Finally I … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 20 hours, 34 minutes ago. under art quilts , brutalist architecture , commentary , fabric , fabric bowls , in process (Comments)

How Are Show Award Winners Picked? from The Snarky Quilter

If you’ve ever attended an art quilt show or any art show, you may have wondered how the winners were chosen. You can get the perspective of one judge, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, who summarized her experiences as a show judge … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 1 week ago. under commentary , exhibits , julie fei-fan balzer , show judging (Comments)

Vacation Inspiration from The Snarky Quilter

I just got back from a visit with my brother in southeastern Pennsylvania, and we packed a lot into six days. If you want to see photos of quilts, go back to last week’s post. This one is quiltless, though … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 4 weeks ago. under barnes foundation , brandywine river museum of art , commentary , grounds for sculpture , inspiration , longwood gardens , newtown , southeast pennsylvania (Comments)

Victoria Findlay Wolfe’s “Playing With Purpose” from The Snarky Quilter

I’ve been aware of Wolfe’s work ever since she won first place at an early QuiltCon for her deconstructed double wedding ring quilt. She began her career as an artist, but branched into quilting. Over the past several years she … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 3 months, 2 weeks ago. under "playing with purpose" , books , commentary , modern quilts , scrap quilts , victoria findlay wolfe (Comments)

Nick Cave – Treasures From Tchotkes from The Snarky Quilter

I caught the recent Nick Cave exhibit (Nick Cave: Feat.) at the Akron Art Museum on its next to last day. Much to my surprise, I was won over by his sparkly, glittery, tawdry junk shop filled pieces. It’s too … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 4 months ago. under akron art museum , commentary , exhibits , inspiration , nick cave , sound suits (Comments)

Next, Please from The Snarky Quilter

After many years of making quilts I find myself in a strange position. Right now I have only two unquilted tops, and one of those I may change, so that leaves just one. As for UFOs, none come to mind … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 4 months, 3 weeks ago. under applique bias tape , art quilts , commentary , in process , inspiration , latifah saafir , project ideas , rex ray (Comments)

Geisha Quilt and My Thoughts On Politics-and-Religion from caledonia quilter

This lovely geisha quilt was made using a center panel and co-ordinating fabrics.

As per my normal process, this got s.i.d. along the border, around the outside of the kimono shape, and outlining of the geishas. In the kimono I used an Asian-style design with flowers and flowing lines. The geishas have some quilting along the design lines - enough to keep them hanging nice and flat once this goes on the maker's wall.

The burgundy area was quilted with hanging diamonds, and there's a floral border design in the outer border.

Ok, here we go with ...

added by helen-mary 5 months ago. under bitchin' , commentary , longarm quilting , politics , quilt , quilting , rant

Missing Gwen from The Snarky Quilter

Not many quilt artists span the quilting world from traditional to modern and minimalist in their work. Gwen Marston did. She took her cues from the traditional folk art quilts she studied, but breathed new life into the form. Two … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 5 months, 4 weeks ago. under "a common thread" , books , commentary , gwen marston , inspiration (Comments)

Staying Relevant – Afghan War Rugs from The Snarky Quilter

I was shocked to see how current events have been incorporated in the ancient female rug weaving traditions of Afghanistan. Planes, tanks, guns, and helicopters show up as handwoven rug motifs. I gather this style began during the Soviet invasion, … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 6 months, 1 week ago. under afghan war rugs , commentary , handwoven rugs (Comments)

The Square Deal Falls Apart from The Snarky Quilter

I think the term square deal gained popularity thanks to Teddy Roosevelt who said, ” When I say that I am for the square deal, I mean not merely that I stand for fair play under the present rules of … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 7 months ago. under commentary , completed projects , scrap quilts , teddy roosevelt , the square deal falls apart (Comments)

Two Come Home, Another Goes Out from The Snarky Quilter

Forgive me if I treat my quilts as my children. I like to send them out into the world, to be viewed (and enjoyed I hope) by others. Last week “In The Clouds” came back to me after three years … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 7 months, 4 weeks ago. under commentary , completed projects , exhibits , in the clouds , mid-atlantic quilt festival , rococo , sur la table (Comments)

Immersive Art from The Snarky Quilter

The typical art museum or gallery experience involves walking the perimeter of a room, looking at 2D objects on the walls. Occasionally, there may be a 3D piece, placed so you can walk around it. But what if you were … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 8 months ago. under antony gormley , chihara shiota , commentary , exhibits , garden of cosmic speculation , jaume plensa , yayoi kusama (Comments)

Why Didn’t I Think Of That from The Snarky Quilter

The gullibility of sophisticates in NYC never ceases to amaze me. The NY Times‘ Sunday Styles Section had a writeup about Naomi Mishkin, an artist and “budding fashion designer whose work frequently takes everyday objects and subverts them with a … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 8 months, 2 weeks ago. under commentary , naomi mishkin , ny times , scorched shirt (Comments)

The Old Becomes New from The Snarky Quilter

I have continued to revisit old work that I wasn’t satisfied with, and revised two pieces, “Z Is For Zoom” and “7 Years of Bad Luck.” Z was just too plain before, so I painted broad white stripes over the … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 9 months ago. under 7 years of bad luck , art quilts , commentary , completed projects , revising quilts , z is for zoom (Comments)

Inspiration From Illustrations from The Snarky Quilter

I’m not doing artistic endeavors this year, but I can’t help passing along goodies that appeal to me. Case in point, magazine covers by Ryo Takemasa. Here are covers he did for NON Magazine that I thought could translate well … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 9 months ago. under art quilts , commentary , graphic design , illustrations , inspiration , ryo takemasa (Comments)

Begin Again from The Snarky Quilter

2019 will be my year of intent rather than goals. I want to: push my designs (go bold or go home) use the fabrics and materials I’ve been saving steel myself to take the hard way (at times) rather than … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 9 months, 2 weeks ago. under 2019 intent , commentary , deep purple (Comments)

My Work In 2018 from The Snarky Quilter

If the proof is in the pudding, then my quilt pudding reflects my love of color. In 2018 improv continued to be my default way to start a piece, though three pieces – Rococo, Sunset on Main, and Ohio-Erie Canal … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 9 months, 3 weeks ago. under 2018 quilts , commentary , completed projects (Comments)

2018 – It Seems We Just Got Started from The Snarky Quilter

In five more days 2018 will be no more. It’s time for me to reckon with what I’ve done, and what I will move forward to 2019. Rather than tally up the number of quilts I’ve made I want to … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 9 months, 3 weeks ago. under 2018 goals , art quilts , commentary , review of goals (Comments)

Artistic Endeavors – Opinions from The Snarky Quilter

Skirting the issue that what IS art is a matter of opinion all by itself, I’ll close my year of artistic endeavors with opinions on art related issues. First, the question of who owns rights to a quilt has vexed … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 9 months, 3 weeks ago. under art and fear , commentary , copyright , gee's bend , joe cunningham , julie fei-fan balzer , snark (Comments)

Artistic Endeavors – Advice from The Snarky Quilter

There’s no shortage of advice about being an artist. All jesting comments such as “get a day job” aside, I’ve found a few sites helpful as I get up the nerve to call myself an artist. Jerry Saltz has written … Continue reading →

added by snarkyquilter 10 months ago. under art advice , art podcasts , commentary , vermeer (Comments)

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