Tuesday's Tile - Adding Beads

Quilter's Tile - Red Leaves with Beads

8" x 8"

©2012 Sharon V. Rotz

I am in awe of the exquisite beaded works of Sharon L. Wright exhibited at the Form and Function gallery exhibit at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI.

After seeing her work, I knew I wanted to try adding beads to my own art projects. My attempts would be a far cry from her level of expertise but you learn by doing and I was ready "to do".

I had a finished quilter's tile that I felt could use additional interest and adding beads would provide it.  Out came a small container of mixed red beads that I was saving. (No, I didn't know when I purchased the beads that I needed it for this project, but it is so apparent now.)

I randomly added beads to the corner, building out to more scattered beads. 

Between and around the beads, I added french knots using embroidery floss. I had never combined beads and embroidery before. Again, thanks to Sharon, for the inspiration.

I used six strands for the heavier knots and three strands for the finer knots.

I'm happy with the combination of beads, knots, and the row of dots on the printed fabric.

Who inspired you today?

"Form and Function" Art Exhibit

You are invited to the Gala Opening of

Form and Function

November 16, 5-7 p.m.

at the 

Center for the Visual Arts

427 N 4th Street

Wausau, WI  54403

Many artists stand on the edge of form and function. Has function met form? Has form followed function? Artists working in textiles, jewellery, pewter, wood, and other mediums walk this fine line making utilitarian beautiful and bringing a functionality to the decorative. 

 Featured Artists:  Nathan Hatch, Rebecca Hungerford, Paul Jensen, Paul Klein, Char TerBeest-Kudia, Erika Mock, Timothy O'Neill, Sharon Rotz, TJ Roovers, Mariella TerBeest-Schladweiler, Richard Schneider, Louise Schotz, Laura Wasilowski and Sharon Wright.

WVAG Art Opening

Ready for guests to arrive at the

Wisconsin Visual Artists' Guild Opening Reception 

at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. 

The exhibit runs through July 31, 2011.

For the past few years, I have had the opportunity to be a member of the Wisconsin Visual Artists' Guild. While I treasure my quilting friends and learn so much from them, I've also found I've learned a great deal from artists who work in different mediums.

The basic principles of art are the same no matter if you have a brush, a camera, or a needle and thread in your hand. These new friends come from different backgrounds and have different ideas to share. Ideas that stretch me out into thinking of my quilting projects in a different light.

As the days of summer roll along, take a moment to look for opportunities to broaden your ideas. What things spur your creativity? Perhaps a stroll through an art museum, a botanical garden, a trip to the zoo or splashing at a water park.

Midwest Seasons Exhibit

Dappled

40"x 24"

Sharon V. Rotz

I am so pleased that one of my pieces will be included in the "21st Annual Midwest Seasons" exhibit at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. This juried competition showcases entries from America and occasionally international artists and celebrates the beauty and power of the Midwest seasons.

If you live near or are traveling through the area, you are invited to stop and view the artwork. The Opening Reception and Awards Presentation is Friday, January 21, 2011 from 5-7 pm. The exhibit will open on Friday, January 21 and will remain in the Gallery through March 6, 2011.

"Where We Live"

Square Foot Garden Series

© Nancy Laliberte

Between moments of stitching on my blocks, I visited a new exhibit at the Center for the Visual Arts in downtown Wausau, WI. Three of my favorite artists have combined their work into an eye-catching display. "Where We Live" features the paintings of Valerie Berkely, and Nancy Laliberte and the furniture of Chis Mosse. The exhibit runs from September 24 - November 7, 2010.

We all draw inspiration from our surroundings. I was delighted by Nancy's grouping of 12" canvases depicting garden flowers and vegetables. (You may notice the LACK of garden inspiration in my work, thanks to the bunnies and chipmunks, deer and turkeys in my surroundings. Or at least, I'll blame them for my not-so-green thumb.)

Great subject matter comes from many sources. Study the patterns, the colors, or the textures of the things in your life. Enjoy the work of other artists and learn from them. Capture your world and translate it into your next project.

From Inspiration to Completion 7

The final step to completing my art project is to wrap it over a 12" canvas and secure it to the back. The corners are very important because I want this to be as professional as possible. A little extra manipulating , tucking and folding accomplishes the task and the artwork is ready to go.

Capturing the Sun - 2010 - Sharon V. Rotz

If you would like to bid on this or other 12" artworks, mark May 14th on your calendars. This is the date of the "Art by the Foot" fund raiser for the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. See you there!

From Inspiration to Completion 6

Capturing the
Sun - Beading

2010
Sharon V. Rotz

Small touches can often push an artwork to the next level. I love to add small details that may not be immediately noticed. In this case, I chose to add glass beads trailing across the surface.

Perhaps these are drops of dew or rain drops glistening after a sudden shower. Where does your imagination lead you?

From Inspiration to Completion 5

The quilting is completed. It seems like my design is too small for the background, but remember this project is to be mounted on a gallery wrap canvas. I wanted to have enough surrounding fabric to wrap around the edges and staple onto the back.

With each step along the way, I get more excited about the finished result. This is the joy of creating.

From Inspiration to Completion 4

I am continuing the quilting on the leaves. The tiny circles are completed on the silk portions of each leaf. Veins were added to the center of the leaves and down the stems.

The background was enhanced with echo- quilting, outlining and popping out each leaf. Additional leaves were quilted in the "empty" sections of the background. This serves two purposes. First, to add extra detail (that may be only seen upon close inspection) and second, to keep the texture continuous over the quilt (helping the quilt to lay flat).

From Inspiration to Completion 3

Capturing
the Sun

2010
Sharon V. Rotz








I have cut and fused the leaves to the background. The wonderful color change of the hand-dyed silk creates the look of shading across the leaf surface.

To add additional texture to the leaf, I am free-motion quilting small circles.

From Inspiration to Completion 2

Fabrics for Capturing the Sun
2010 Sharon V. Rotz



Choosing the colors and fabrics is always a high point of working on a project. This is the magical moment for me. What choices will fulfill my mental picture? Or will I change that mental picture based on a fabric that I have found?

For this project, I chose an over-dyed print created by my friend, Suzanne, for the background. I love the graphics of the print and how this will play against the leaves I will put on it. The leaves will be made from other fabrics in my collection. The green was also dyed by Suzanne and the yellow/red/purple is a fabulous piece of silk hand-dyed by Frieda Anderson. Who needs to be able to dye their own fabric when they have friends who do such a marvelous job?

At times, it takes a minute to cut into a luscious fabric. It has to be admired for its beauty. Then the scissors call and with a few snips it becomes a new creation.

From Inspiration to Completion 1

Inspiration for Capturing the Sun

2010 Sharon V. Rotz





How does a artwork progress from inspiration to completion?

I am participating in a unique fund-raiser for the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. It is "Just for the Art of It- Art by the Foot". Artists participating in this silent auction are given a 12" x 12" canvas on which to create an artwork. These uniformly shaped canvases are displayed together in a grid formation at the event. Each canvas is then sold to the highest bidder.

This year I have chosen a simplified leaf design for my subject. I will keep you updated on the progress of my artwork.