Karen Kamenetzky Fiber Art

I just passed the 100 post mark on this blog. When I started it 2 1/2 years ago, I was skeptical of its value- to me OR to others. In my initial post I said:

” I’m hoping this blog will be a way for me to be more reflective about my own creative process and to start dialogues with other art makers and appreciators.”

Surprisingly, I feel maintaining this blog has helped me be more self-reflective about my twisty creative path and what outside influences come onto play. Though posting regularly is always a challenge.

And I’ve certainly heard from lots of folks and appreciate their comments!. I’d love more back and forth discussions to be happening though. I need to get better at directly asking for feedback!
Any suggestions about what you’d like to hear more (or less!) about in this blog??

2011 Brattleboro West Arts Studio Tour
Saturday,September 24 – Sunday September 25
10-5
I will have newly framed small works as well as professionally printed luscious giclee prints ready for framing and my newest piece (just finished!).

I look forward to your questions and comments and will have short demos throughout the days.
Please come and support the arts! For more info:

http://www.brattleboro-west-arts.com/brattleboro-west-arts/2011_studio_Tour.html

I will be launching the Spring 2010 newsletter in a few days. Sign up to join my mailing list by clicking on the link in the right column. I will only send you an email newsletter 2-3 times a year and will never share your contact info.

I have been a member of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) for several years. Lots of very talented folks! I subscribe to their member yahoo group and often get pearls of wisdom from other fiber artists “in the trenches” so to speak.

This year they have begun to choose 2-3 artists a month to be  “Featured Artists” on the website. I was surprised and happy to be notified that I’ve been chosen to be the featured artist during one month of 2010. I’m deciding which images to send them today.

I just returned from a two week visit with my daughter in Hawaii. It was my first time there and I’m still digesting all that gorgeous visual richness of colors and textures. Tropical fish, rain forests, sensuous warm sand, wild lava rock formations and sea turtles! Lots of ‘em!

This one (about 2 or so feet long) was resting on  rocks near a fairly busy beach but didn’t seem to mind me sitting close by to draw a portrait. I loved drawing the patterns on the shell and limbs.

I was also fascinated by the lines and textures in the volcanic rock.  Some formations looked like thick black cake batter that had hardened while flowing.

How all this visual input will effect my art remains to be seen but I trust it’s all percolating in me somewhere.

Since I’m still machine-less,  I’ll post about the piece stalled on my design wall.

Here’s the sketch I started with:

I extended the design (in my head) to make it a square and decided to use a palette of grays, blue, greens and reddish purple. I also constructed it so the “between” space is flatter and the other parts are raised slightly 3-D by using  two more layers of batting. It gives it more of a sculpted look which I’m liking!

I’m putting the finishing touches on my (late) Fall email newsletter. If you’re not already on my mailing list, please click on the link in the top right column, sign up and I’ll make sure you receive it. I only send it out four times a year and will never share your email address with anyone else.