Women of the West

Another Quilt Festival has come and gone.  This year was especially exciting for me as I was part of a special exhibit titled Women of the West.  The exhibit consists of three quilt artists:  Ginny Eckley, Susan Ennis, and Kim Ritter; a bead artist: Kay Hendricks; and me with my art dolls.  

This is the first doll I made for the exhibit.  She is inspired by my ancestors who lived in Texas when it was still part of Mexico.  This is a replica of an authentic flag used during the Texas Revolution.

Come and Take It!

This piece was sold and is going to live with a collector near the town of Gonzales, which holds a Come and Take It Festival every year.

Winona and Pearl

Two cowgirl pals.

Miss Maybelle

A saloon girl

Maria Elena, Cantina Girl

Inspired by the cowboy song "El Paso" by Marty Robbins:  "Out in the west Texas town of El Paso, I fell in love with a Mexican girl.  Night time would find me in Rose's cantina.  Music would play and Felina would whirl."  

Bronco Bustin' Betty

Little Sure Shot

Little Sure Shot was Annie Oakley's nickname.  She's wearing some of the many medals she won in sharp shooting contests.  

Shenoah and Tehya

Native American mother and daughter.  Shenoah means White Dove, Tehya means Precious One.  

The gorgeous quilts and bead work can be seen on our website:  www.womenofthewestgallery.com

The icing on the cake is the book which describes each piece and the history behind them.

Books can be purchased here:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/kim-ritter-and-ginny-eckley/women-of-the-west/paperback/product-24276245.html

September Shows

Fall is always a busy time of year with lots of shows and events.  The Galveston Art League Fall Juried Show runs through September 29.  I have two pieces in this show: "Faith, Hope & Charity" and "White Angel", which won an honorable mention.

TAODA has a joint show with the Bee Wild Fiber Artists at the Brazosport Center for Arts and Sciences:  Wild @ Art 2, which runs through October 13.

This is such a beautiful (and large!) facility.  I have six pieces in this show.  The opening reception was September 14.  

Earth Song

Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Hannah (who is also on the postcard)

Contemplation

Forgiven

Zenya 

The opening was so well attended!  Thanks to everyone who came out!

Last, but most definitely not least, I'm so honored to have a new permanent home for my Storybook Dolls at St. Luke's Day School.  They will be on display once a year in the church and this is their debut in that venue.  I could not be more pleased!

As a thank you for the donation, the Day School administration team sent me these beautiful flowers!

Doll Exhibits - International Quilt Festival

It's that time again!  The International Quilt Market and Festival in Houston is happening now.  We (the Material Girls Cloth Doll Club) set up the doll exhibits last week.  There are 4 parts to the doll exhibit:  the Material Girls of Houston Cloth Doll exhibit, the Texas Association of Original Doll Artists exhibit, In Celebration of the Doll (the invitational portion), and the Gypsy Challenge.   

These are dolls from the Material Girls.

The Dolls on the left side are part of the "white on white" challenge.

This is my piece for the white challenge:  "Forgiven", based on Psalm 51:7 which reads

Purge me with hyssop,

and I shall be clean:

wash me, and I shall be

whiter than snow.

She is entirely cloth, soft sculpture. Her lower torso is felted wool with angelina and various fibers, beads and sequins.  Her top is made of silk and cotton lace.  The base is crackle glazed.  The hyssop in her hands is made of felted merino wool.  

The Texas Association of Original Doll Artists exhibit is titled "Time On Our Hands".  

My piece for the TAODA exhibit is titled "Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer Fall"

Again, these are entirely cloth, soft sculpted dolls.  Their bodies are made of felted merino wool, which has been hand embroidered, with silk blouses and a silk ribbon which links the seasons.

In Celebration of the Doll is an invitational exhibit and I am honored to be included again this year.

My piece is titled "Contemplation"

Her lower torso is felted with merino wool and various silk and wool fibers and beaded.  Her costume is made with brocades, silk, velvet and various trims and beads.

Later I will post photos of the Gypsy Challenge and other exhibits including the amazing quilts!

Contemporary Handweavers of Houston Sale!

This will be my first year to participate in the Contemporary Handweavers of Houston sale.  I'm bringing my eco printed scarves and one eco printed art doll.

"Amity"

Eucalyptus eco printed on felted wool

Some of my scarves:

Silk charmeuse printed with vitex, eucalyptus and pink coral vine

Silk charmeuse, cochineal dye, printed with vitex, golden rain tree and red bud

Silk satin printed with red bud and Japanese maple

Silk charmeuse, annatto dye, printed with strawberry, hydrangea and casuarina

Silk charneuse printed with hypericum, vitex and red bud

The sale will be this weekend, Friday October 26 and Saturday October 27, 10-5 both days.

2327 Commerce Street #106

Houston, TX  77002