Category: News and Events

Ready for the Show….well, almost.

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke
Sunset on the Swan, 32'' x 16''
Sunset on the Swan, 32” x 16”

Brand new work ready to hang in the booth?  Check.

New teaching brochure?  Check.

Sleeves on the new class samples?  Check.

Falling for You, 20'' x 15''
Falling for You, 20” x 15”

Gorgeous new Shibori Chic clothing stitched, discharged, and dyed?  Check.

 

This Shibori Chic camisole was stitched, discharged, and overdyed and is a great project for a 4 hour class.
This Shibori Chic camisole was stitched, discharged, and overdyed and is a great project for a 4 hour class.

E-newsletter sent?  Check.

There is lots to do to get ready for the quilt show.  I still have to quilt a few small pieces, and tag and package the merchandise, but I am almost ready for the big show this weekend.  The quilt show is always so much fun.  I am so looking forward to hanging out with my friend Patricia Hasting-Sargent and talking to people about my work.  Will I see you there?

Join Me for the Tucson Open Studio Tour

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

I will temporarily move my studio to St. Gregory’s School at 3231 N. Craycroft for the 2013 Open Studio Tour this weekend.  Janet Windsor and Patricia Hastings-Sargent and Joanne Krawchuk and I will all be in one convenient place.  We’ll will demonstrate some of our techniques, from design processes to quilting.  Hope to see you there (11 am – 5 pm this Saturday and Sunday).

Come join us for some fun, friends, and fiber art. The event is free and open to the public.

UNBOUND Fiber Art Exhibition opens Saturday….

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

The Fiber Artists of Southern Arizona’s show UNBOUND opens at The Drawing Studio in Tucson on Saturday.  The show looks amazing, and the works include my 8′ skyscraper Channeling Gehry and Trish Hastings-Sargent’s new work, a sculptural Desert Tree that ‘floats’ along the wall.  My artist talk Confessions of a Subversive Stitcher begins at 5 pm Saturday.  The artists’ reception follows at 6 pm.  Patricia Hastings-Sargent will host a talk about how she creates her landscapes on Saturday, April 13 at 5 pm.

Click here for info on how to get to The Drawing Studio.  Events are free and open to the public.  The show runs through April 27, hope you can stop by and see it.

Here is a sneak peak of the show….

UNBOUND show 1

 

UNBOUND show 2

 

UNBOUND show 3

Behind the Screen – A Demonstration of the Thermofax Screen Printing Technique

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

BEHIND THE SCREEN – A FREE DEMONSTRATION

OF THE 

THERMOFAX SCREEN PRINTING TECHNIQUE

Did you ever wonder how a thermofax screen works?  How to make one from your own photo?  How to incorporate them into your art quilts?  What is the difference between thermofax and silkscreens?  Where can you get them locally? Get answers to all your questions and try the technique for yourself.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

1:00 -2:00 pm and 2:00-3:00

Seating is limited.  Please RSVP to

mary@maryvaneecke.com or 520-444-7149

At my studio, 2000 S. Hermosa, near Starr Pass and I-10.  Go west on 22nd St., left on Greasewood, right on San Juan Terrace, left on Hermosa.  Follow the path through the gate to studio in back of the house.

detail, 'Off the Wall' showing images printed with the thermofax screen.
detail, ‘Off the Wall’ showing images printed with the thermofax screen.
Prepping for the Tucson Open Studios Tour

Prepping for the Tucson Open Studios Tour

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

The studio is humming as I prep my Shibori Chic clothing and some small works for both the Tucson Open Studios Tour and the Tubac Holiday Artisans Market this week.  I will have my discharged rayon scarves and t-shirts in addition to some new rayon/silk burnout scarves I am trying for the first time.  These are dyed in some beautiful colors–an elegant and unique way to keep the chill off.  Some photos are below.  I also got some great results with a different binding technique this year…..check out the black and white scarf in the top left hand corner.

Stop by my temporary studio at 3231  N. Craycroft Rd.  (St. Gregory’s School Classroom 1) on Saturday or Sunday between 11 am and 4 pm.  I will be sharing it with five other fiber artists who will be demonstrating some of our techniques.  My plan is to work on a new (to me) process called paper lamination, where paper is glued (laminated) to sheer fabric which can then be layered on other fabric and stitched or felted.  It offers many interesting possibilities for my upcoming work.    I have some small samples I am happy with, so it is time to try it in some actual work.

(A side note:  was hoping to bring my new felting machine for a test drive, but it will not be delivered in time….)

Warning: these photos are quick snapshots.  You need to see them in person to see how great the colors are!

Some scarves and small works that will be available at the Open Studio Tour.
A turquoise ‘Little Gem’ that is hand-dyed, screen-printed with some new images I have been trying, and layered and stitched. 8” x 10” matted.
A ‘Little Gem’ with several discharging media, metal leaf, and stitching. It is 8” x 10” matted.

Open Studio Tour a Fiber Art Extravaganza! November 10th and 11th

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

Join me and five of my fiber artist friends when we move our studios to a convenient location at 3231 N. Craycroft (St. Gregory’s School near River Rd.) for the Tucson Pima Arts Council’s Open Studio Tour 2012.

Meet all 6 artists in one place and see how we work:  thread painting, handwork, machine stitching, dyeing and painting fabric…  The tour is Saturday and Sunday, November 10th and 11th from 11 am—5 pm each day.

I am working on some small, matted pieces suitable for framing, as well as my Shibori Chic clothing line (this time with dyed silk scarves as well as the discharged/painted black ones!)….  Stay tuned for photos as the work progresses….

These wonderful fiber artists will be joining me:

  Trish Hastings-Sargent

Joanne Krawchuk

Aimee Smythe

Peggie Thomas

Kay Wild

‘Samaras Really Do Grow On Trees,’ 29” x 29”

Fiber Artists of Southern Arizona at the SOURCE Salon and Spa–Reception Saturday, Oct. 13

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

See the works of the Fiber Artists of Southern Arizona at the Source Salon and Spa through November 14.  The opening reception is Saturday, October 13 from 6-8 pm.   All are welcome…no RSVP necessary.  The salon is at 3382 East Speedway (across from the Loft Theater).  I am travelling that day and won’t be able to attend, but you can meet some wonderful artists and see some unique work!

Square Peg II, 12” x 12” framed

Ms. October 2012…

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

Wow!  I was delighted when the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame contacted me recently to be their featured quilter of the month.  How cool is that???

The Hall of Fame honors our state’s quilting tradition and history, as well as the work of some great contemporary quilters.  It is truly an honor to be in the company of other featured quilters.

Fortunately, no nudity was required!  Click here for a link to the entry.  Now I am off to tell my husband he is married to a calendar girl…

New Book by Karen Fisher Explores Grid Quilting

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

I just got a copy of Karen Fisher’s new AQS book, Easy Grid Quilts, and it is terrific!  Karen is a prolific local artist who does many different styles of quilts based on grids.  Her Matrix is one of my favorites, but she has been inspired by everything from the Mona Lisa to scientific principles in her grid patterns.  If you think you have ‘seen it all’ when it comes to grid quilts, check this book out.  A link  to her the gallery on her webage is here.

Karen uses commercial fabrics in her work.  Her book is generously loaded with tips and tricks for quilting, embellishing, and even making good color choices.  While the techniques for making these quilts are ‘simple,’ there is nothing simple about the results:  they are sophisticated, elegant and often complex.

Full disclosure:  Karen is a friend of mine and I quilted several quilts in the book.

Tucson, AZ is Home to the World’s First Quilt Bomb

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

You have heard of ‘yarn bombing,’ well now a group I belong to, the Fiber Artists of Southern Arizona, has invented the quilt bomb!   Inspired by Olek’s yarn bombing of the Wall Street bull, we had a blast doing the installation last night. A link to a video of the late-night installation is here.

FASA chose the Arizona Historical Society as the site of the world’s first quilt bomb because it is co-hosting the exhibition ‘One Hundred Years, One Hundred Quilts’ with the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame as part of the state centennial celebrations.  A reception for the quilters was held this morning and was virtually a ‘Who’s Who’ of Arizona quilters.  You can see the exhibition through the end of 2012.

The work of  FASA artists has roots in the quilting tradition, and we thought it was a great way to honor our past and celebrate the state of today’s art quilt.  People who come to the exhibition can see that quilts can come off the bed, off the walls, and even onto the trees!

FASA is Barbara Hall, Trisha Hastings-Sargent, Joanne Krawchuk, Sandy Lambert, Sharon Nemirov, Aimee Smythe, Peggie Thomas, Mary Vaneecke and Kay Wild.

UPDATE:  The Arizona Historical Society has offered to make the quilt bomb a part of the exhibition’s history….Needless to say, we are thrilled.  The installation will be removed on Monday, February 27.

Photos follow.  Please share this link with all your quilt/fiber art friends….

World’s First Quilt Bomb, Tucson, AZ, February 18, 2012.
World’s First Quilt Bomb, Tucson, AZ, February 18, 2012.
A long view of the quilt bomb. A total of nine pieces were installed.

 

Aimee Smythe’s colorful piece.
detail of Aimee Smythe's piece.
Viewers are asked to write their own inspirational words and attach them to the work.
Barbara Hall installed prayer flags of quilt blocks she made during her mother’s final illness.
Joanne Krawchuk used several experimental pieces for her installation.
Kay Wild’s festive contribution to the quilt bomb.
I used a hand-dyed, painted piece from my ‘Samaras’ series.
Peggie Thomas’ work includes rust dyeing and some of her ranching family’s brands.
Sandy Lambert’s ‘Bird House’ installation includes a string of charming felt birds.
Bird House, detail
Sharon Nemirov’s piece is 20 feet long, hand-painted and machine stitched with messages like ‘Embellish Our World.”
Trisha Hastings-Sargent’s installation is inspired by the color palette of her stitched landscapes.

Great Open Studio Tour at Flux Gallery

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

Painters Lee Beach and Sheryl Holland and I brought our studios to Flux Gallery for the weekend and had a great time meeting folks and sharing our work.  Lee worked on some of his miniatures–look for them at the Small Works Show at Flux on December 9th and 10th.  Sheryl began work on several paintings.  About a 100 people came out to the gallery (braving the cool rainy weather) and I sold all but one of my Shibori Chic scarves.  A nice way to spend the weekend!

Lee Beach painting miniatures at the Open Studio Tour.

 

Sheryl Holland working at the gallery in front of one of her finished paintings.

Find me at Flux Gallery for the Open Studio Tour

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

I’m packing up some Shibori Chic scarves, t-shirts, and works in process for the Open Studio Tour, Saturday and Sunday, 11-4.  I will also have videos of my 14′ sewing machines for ‘show and tell.’  Last but not least, this week I am framing several new ‘little gems’–small framed pieces starting at $35.  Each one is hand-dyed or discharged, painted, layered and stitched.  Some are embellished with shells, agate, or copper.  Great little gifts of art for the holidays.

This year I will move my studio for the weekend to Flux Gallery in Plaza Palomino at Swan and Ft. Lowell.  Artists Lee Beech and Sheryl Holland will also be there.  It will be lots of fun.  Hope to see you there.

 

Shibori Chic scarves hang in the studio.

You’re Invited: Flux Gallery Anniversary Party

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

Please join us on Friday, October 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. to celebrate the second anniversary of Flux Gallery at Plaza Palomino. Enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres, and new work by artists C.J. Shane, Dragana Skrepnik, Lee Roy Beach, Lynne Yamaguchi, Mary Vaneecke, Peter Eisner, and Sheryl Holland. Flux Gallery is located at Plaza Palomino, 2960 N Swan Rd (at the southeast corner of Swan and Ft Lowell), in Suite 136. For more information, see http://fluxartists.com, email info@fluxartists.com, or call (520) 465-6600.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame…

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

The Tucson Weekly has an article by Mari Herreras in their current edition about my exhibition at Arts Marketplace.  It highlights my upcoming talk, Confessions of a Subversive Stitcher, scheduled for Thursday, September 15 at 6:30 at Arts Marketplace, 403 N 6th Ave (south of 6th Street). Hope to see you there!

You Are Cordially Invited….

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

 

Subversive Stiches Solo Exhibition Invitation

The show is up and here is your invitation to see Subversive Stitches at Arts Marketplace.  The opening reception will conveniently be held Saturday, Sept. 3 from 7-8:30 pm.  That is during the First Saturday Arts Walk in the warehouse district.  It is also Labor Day weekend, but do stop by if you can.  Arts Marketplace is at 403 N. 6th Ave. south of 6th St. across from Miller’s Supply.  No need to RSVP.  All are welcome to attend.

I will also hold an artist lecture Confessions of a Subversive Stitcher on Thursday, September 15 from 6:30-7:30 at Arts Marketplace.  It will be fun.  Hope you can make that, too.

FASA Show at JCC

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

Trish Hastings-Sargent www.ths-studio.com  of Fiber Artists of Southern Arizona www.fasa-art.com is hanging our show today at the Tucson Jewish Community Center.  The gallery is beautiful and will be a terrific venue for our debut exhibition.  The invitation has just a few of the pieces which will be on display:

FASA JCC invitation

FASA is a group of fiber artists that includes:  Nancy Clancy, Barbara Hall, Joanne Krawchuk, Sandy Lambert, Sharon Nemirov, Trish Hastings-Sargent, Aimee Smythe, Peggy Thomas, Mary Vaneecke, and Kay Wild.

The opening reception is this Sunday, August 14 from 1-3 at the JCC (3800 E River Rd.).  Come and see what contemporary art quilts are all about….The exhibition runs through September 14.

SUBVERSIVE STITCHES Solo Exhibition at Arts Marketplace Tucson-Reception September 3, 7-8:30 pm

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke
Almost Symmetrical
Almost Symmetrical, 73'' x 44''

I am thrilled to announce my first solo exhibition will be held from August 20 to September 27 at Arts Marketplace Tucson, on 6th Ave south of 6th Street.  The Opening Reception will be held in conjunction with the First Saturday ARTWALK  on September 3 from7 pm to 8:30 pm.  It is free and open to the public.  Five new pieces will debut, including Almost Symmetrical.  Hope to see you there!

Fiber Artists of Southern Arizona at the JCC-Reception August 14, 1-3 pm

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke
Midnite Swim
Midnite Swim, 31'' x 31''

See this piece at the FASA show at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E River Rd, from August 12 through September 13.  The fine art gallery is open Monday-Thursday from 9 am – 9 pm and Friday and Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm.  Closed Saturdays and all Jewish holidays.  Opening reception on August 14, 1 – 3 pm.  Hope to see you there!  Learn more about our fiber art group FASA at the website www.fasa-art.com.

 

Now a Flux Gallery Artist

Posted on by Mary Vaneecke

Flux Gallery logoAs of July 1, 2011, I have joined artists Peter Eisner, Lynne Yamaguchi, Lee Roy Beach, CJ Shane, and Sheryl Holland at Flux Gallery in Plaza Palomino. Check out this contemporary gallery at 2960 N Swan Rd, Suite 136.  Our summer hours are Wed-Fri 11am – 2pm, Sat. 10am – 1 pm and by appointment.  Stay tuned for upcoming events. More about Flux at the website at www.fluxartists.com.