Salon Sixty: The Artwork

Well, maybe the new 40!--Jan B.: Julie is Turning Sixty!: Liquid soap resist and serendipitous couching..hidden star and JB initials

Here are the fabulous pieces created by my students (and now, friends) for the art show at Salon Sixty...my 60th birthday celebration held at Artistic Artifacts. I was just astounded! Thank you all... for making my celebration so special!

Jan B.: Jan said she was inspired by Christina Kim's amulets from the Scraps! exhibit. There is a little hidden surprise...

Jan B.: SURPRISE!! Love it!

Alice A.: I fell in love with this little bull motif when Alice designed it in the Story Cloth Memories class.

Alice A.: The perfectly stitched back side!

Alice H.: Waves and Ripples: Alice is known for her beautiful stitch-resist shibori. So pleased to have a piece!

Ann L.: This lovely portrait is hand stitched on a sheer fabric. The shadows are wonderful!

Ann Z.: Fantasy Garden: Tiny stitched details and reverse applique on hand painted fabrics...just yummy!

Cheryl C. : Just a Number: Cheryl writes, I tried to blur the figure/ground relationship of the numbers and the background. Is the number figure or ground? This felt appropriate as a representation of a new decade, full of potential and meaning as yet unknown. Such a stitching feat and so like Cheryl...producing the design using architectural software and then hand stitching.

Chris V. : Hand dyed wool and silk with stitched and crocheted elements. I love the richness of colors in this piece and the sense of a gathering of friends.

 Erika C.: Charmed Circle: The Sisterhood of Women. Erika writes, This is about our small group of women--the mastermind, but also about all women, especially the community of fiber artists who support each other. Thank you Erika for your support in both communities...especially the Mastermind...I cherish that!

Grace M.: Not My Mother's Hand-Stitching: Grace writes, I focus on one stitch, and then the next. Movement, staccato, a pattern emerges. I find myself pleasantly surprised as it comes together. I love the progression of more and more dense stitches.

Imani R: Luscious colors and Boro stitching. So soft to the touch!

Jessica B.: Moonlight: Jessica writes, Moonlight is a riff on looking out a window late at night while working on an art piece. Spirals and vectors or navigational marks seemed inevitable. I anchored them with black beads (stars perhaps) to guide you. Jessica also did a bit of recycling/reusing... using the plastic backing from Velcro strips as interfacing...adding a sound element to the piece! So inventive and wonderful!

Jodie F.: I would know Jodie's work anywhere! I love how she builds up her patterns from tiny stitched elements.

Judith K-P: Abstract Color Puzzle: Judith writes, Based on a original hooked rug design, I rescaled the pattern for stitching. Organic shapes, warm colors and playful stitches were inspirational. This piece reminds me of Judith...the traveler...inspired by the colors and textures of faraway places!

Judy G.: It began with an Elephant, Julies' Elephant... and it grew! Hand printed (with some of the wonderful blocks Judy sells at Artistic Artifacts), collaged and free-style stitched! Loving all that texture!

Judy M.: Tapawingo Nature. Gelatin printing, collage and stitching. Judy has a knack for jumping off from her hand printed and painted fabrics to create stitched stories and memories.

Karen M.: Karen writes, Stitch meditation inspired by Hazel Monte! It might be inspired by Hazel, but the colors and exuberance are all you, Karen!

Laurie T.: Everything from Here. This precious little book is full of pages that are marks and meditations on the number 60. Thank you for this and your lovely letter!

Linda M. 60 for Julie: Linda designed this as a two-sided piece. Can you find the hidden number 60s in it? So richly stitched..LOVE!

Linda M.: The other side is revealed through a window...ingenious!

Maria S.: Storm. Love how the stitches are embedded in the cheesecloth and the movement of the stitches. Waiting to hear the story behind this piece.

Mary Louise M.: pop-up flower pods, puffy lily pads, bubbling circles, and spinning dancers. Mary's work often features organic forms and natural marks. She made this piece in my Hand Stitching Continued class this past spring...just love it!

Susan G.: Susan's been making a series of family portraits using the symbolism of the circle. I am honored to now have my own joyful portrait!

Susan P.: I love this special little black and white piece, jumping off from the hand printed background. Enjoying all the little details, such as the variegated thread couching down the ribbon on the left.

Susan S.: Wishing Star for Julie. Susan writes, This is my wishing start for Julie's 60th Salon Party--so all her wishes will come true. Add sparkles, because everyone 60 plus needs a few. She can also swing on a few small stars! So excited to own one of Susan's wishing stars!

Susan S.: Here is the back side of the piece. And inside the envelope a written card with beautiful thoughts and wishes!

Willa D.: Flower Study. A beautiful collage ...I'm reminded of lotus flowers blooming in water and the reflections.

Some other gifts too...

Susan Sh.: Susan took photos of me stitching and created this amazing pencil drawing..a real treasure!

Marine W. : Marine designed and created this lovely clutch just for me!

Peggy G.: Peggy gifted me this bundle of fabrics and fibers straight from her trip to Japan! I was drooling!

Salon Sixty: My 60th Birthday Celebration

The sign that greeted me!

When contemplating turning sixty this year, I realized that I really only wanted one thing. The question was...could I give myself permission to ask. I decided to run my request by one of my students (and friend), Ann Z. I told her...what I really want is work by my students...works that represent them. She thought it was a fabulous idea and suggested we throw a party too! Things began to take shape...a party with an art show of stitched works! I even came up with a name, Salon Sixty. I wanted the party to be an event where students/friends could meet and mingle and look at art works. We decided to have the party at Artistic Artifacts...really just the perfect spot (and thanks to owner, Judy Gula...we were able to shop too!). I sent the request out to my students. Jodie F. stepped forward and offered to help out with the party. She was the wiz with the spread sheet! I really have Ann and Jodie to thank for all the organization and special touches that made this party so great!

Hugs upon my arrival.

Putting together my name tag (I think everyone knew who I was!).

Hanging out with my colorful buds!

Friends catching up with each other.

Enjoying the art show and having a laugh!

Hanging out and having fun!

The beautiful book that Jodie F. put together. Party-goers were asked to write something about stitching, art, life etc.

Even hubby was there!

Goodies!

Some of the stitched art works.

More art works.

And even more!

The cake!!

A toast to 60!

Blowing out the candles (and making a wish!).

Speech! Speech!

I am so blessed to be part of this wonderful creative community. Salon Sixty was such a beautiful event. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for your beautiful works of art. Thank you, friends for ushering me into the next decade!

Party favors...hand painted cheesecloth.

Ann Z summed it up so well...
It was a lovely night, Julie. It was like being in a river of kindness and creativity. And color.

Next blog post...the art works!