SAQA Benefit Auction

This small study started as a sample for one of my workshops called The Expressive Map see below). After completion I decided to donate it to a worthy cause, the SAQA Benefit Auction

Another study is already in the works...........

Creative Force 2010

I was proud to learn that my quilt City Grid V was among the works of art chosen for Creative Force 2010. This exhibit showcases the art work created by artists that are members of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA).

A list of chosen artists follows:

Abrams Linda
Allen Pamela
Attinger Geneviève
Baker Roberta
Barton Elizabeth
Bessmertnaya
Bornemisza Eszter
Brewster Eliza
Brown Peggy
Chung Paula
Davies Fenella
de Vos Ruth .
Errea Grace
Gilbert Monique
Goodwin Valerie
Harwell Ann
Hawkins Patty
Helmericks-Louder Annie
Herman Jean
Jenison Leslie Tucker
Kovarik Paula
Kroth Pat
Krueger Susan
Larzelere Judith
McKie Barbara
McQuaid Salli
Nash Dominie
Nida Kathy
Pasquini Masopust
Pauly Pat
Pet-Jacobs Mirjam
Pfaff Julia
Pressma C.J
Randol Melody
Sargeant Dinah
Smith Lura Schwarz
Spiegel Virginia
Stuart-Head Averill
Timm Catherine
Tunnell Karen
Valya Valya C
Watler Barbara
Williamson Marianne
Willoughby Scott Jayne
Woock Sandra Blue
Wright Diane

Map Haiku Workshop - Visions Art Gallery

The Visions Art Gallery, beautiful San Diego and the wonderful, creative women that attended my "Map Haiku" workshop......these were the ingredients for a memorable times! And to top it off I got to spend time with my dear college friend Gwen!



The exhibit entitled "3 Voices" was excellent. The work of my fellow artists Katherine Allen and Kent Williams was stunning. Each of us had a room of our own and the Visions staff did a great job of promoting and creating an engaging atmosphere for the opening. It was held in conjunction with the 1st Friday art events taking place on the same night.



My workshop was held the next day. Everyone had the challenge of creating a mixed media map of an imaginary place. The inspiration was haiku especially written to conjure up poetic images of a place seen from above.



When I returned home I heard from Jo and Suanne who were kind enough to provide feedback on their experience with the class. As you can see they both chose the same haiku as inspiration.

"Valerie, wanted to thank you for a wonderful class at Visions last week. I thoroughly enjoyed it and got a lot out of it. I will keep track of your class schedule and hope to take a longer class someday. Here is my finished Map Haiku."

tracings on the land /

grace monochromatic spaces /

and serene dark places.

And I heard from part Suanne as well:

"Valerie:

I had a wonderful time in your class and learned so much. I have a much better

understanding of using paint on quilts without feeling I have to paint the whole

thing......

Attached is a finished picture of my quilt. I plan to name it "Haiku Harmony"

and mention on the back how 3 of your Haiku's inspired the quilt.

It was a joy to learn from you and I am inspired by your work."

tracings on the land /

grace monochromatic spaces /

and serene dark places.

I will post more images of work done by other students later this week..................

Sunday Morning Reading

Enjoyed my Sunday morning coffee while reading an article about me in the Arts section of our local paper:

Florida A&M Professor, Students Craft Quilts with a Solid Foundation

Great way to start the week I'd say!

Maze vs. Labyrinth

[Images: From "Labyrinths, Mazes and the Spaces Inbetween" by Sam McElhinney].

I love mazes and labyrinths!

Here is a link to a post about a study by architecture student and researcher Sam McElhinney on mazes and labyrinths and how they may impact architectural and urban design.

Fascinating, a little dense but the gist of the proposition is that mazes have branches and dead-ends designed for confusion. The labyrinth has paths that twist and turn, but still stay consistent --- therefore yielding a more pleasant experience.

The site has many beautiful images of both.......enjoy:

http://www.bldgblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/switching-labyrinth.html

3 Voices: Art Quilts

by Katherine K. Allen, Valerie S.Goodwin and Kent Williams
May 7th- July 25th
Visions Art Quilt Gallery
2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92106
619-546-4872
www.quiltvisions.org























Tale of Two Campuses by Valerie S. Goodwin











Tangle by Katherine K. Allen



















Hip to be Square by Kent Williams
Three master artists, three distinct voices, three unique concepts. Katherine K. Allen incorporates the flowers and foliage from her Florida garden in quilts that reflect her love of nature. Architect Valerie S. Goodwin combines city grids, maps, and structures in quilted maps evoking a place - imaginary or real. Kent Williams uses geometric patterns inspired by Op Art and Japanese woodcuts in vibrant, large format quilts.

Join us for the opening reception on May 7th from 5-8 p.m. at the Visions Art Quilt Gallery. It is also Friday Night Liberty at the NTC Promenade in Liberty Station when all the galleries and artist studios open their doors free to the public.

The Jacksonville Workshop

GOOD TIMES!





















The ladies and I had a good 2 day workshop on the 7 Principles of Design. The members of the Fiber Artists Network (FAN) in Jacksonville invited me to join them for the week-end.



One of the participants, Jayne Gaskins was kind enough to write the following:

I just returned from an outstanding workshop on the elements and principles of design by Valerie Goodwin and anybody who thinks these are dry boring concepts hasn't had Valerie's class. She gave them life I haven't seen since my freshman year of college (I DID have some good teachers!). She taught the concepts and then did everything Sara said above to create an atmosphere where it was safe to relax and explore a myriad of ways to employ them. Some things worked; some didn't. But it was all OK and we learned as much from what did work as what didn't. Teachers like Valarie and my freshman professor are woefully under-appreciated by our society. When they open the door to artistic creativity they also open the door to free thinking that extends to all aspects of life. What a wonderful gift!

Jayne Bentley Gaskins

http://jaynegaskins.com

Here are some examples of the mixed media (fabric, paint thread) compositions done during the workshop: