Showing posts with label Maria Shell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maria Shell. Show all posts

Monday, July 15, 2024

Improv for Everyone :: On the Grid

When I saw Maria Shell @mariashellquilts post about her Improv for Everyone workshop on Saturday, I joined right up. Having taken a previous class with her, and exploring several improv techniques in her book, Improv Patchwork, I knew it would be worth my time. Plus, last year, I'd seen her On the Grid exhibit locally. I was definitely interested in hearing what she had to say.

In preparation for the workshop, we were to pull a full range of solid fabrics representing the color wheel (purple, blue, turquoise, green, yellow, orange, red, and pink) and neutrals (black, white, brown, and grey). I remembered that Maria encouraged us to create a non-traditional - not the traditional brights - so I kept that in mind. In retrospect, the brown I chose (left fabric on bottom) looks pretty close to the red (second from right on the top). So I probably won't use both.


"On the Grid" was primarily about making improv plaid blocks, but Maria included so much more. I made the blocks in the left and center columns below during the workshop - plaid, quarter log cabins, and tiny crosses. The 'track' on the right, I couldn't resist trying once class was over. Not quite sure where all this is headed, so I'll let it marinate for a bit. I'll definitely be adding more to the quarter log cabins.


At any rate, I'm so glad I was able to attend the workshop, and am looking forward to the next Improv for Everyone workshop in January 2025.

Friday, May 19, 2023

On the Grid: Structure as Visual Aesthetic

When my friend, Chandra, asked if I'd like to road-trip it with her to see Maria Shell's @mariashellart exhibit at the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum in La Connor, WA, I was happy to say, "Yes, please!" The exhibit was titled, "On the Grid: Structure as Visual Aesthetic," and we were surprised and happy to see there were 43(!) of Maria's quilts on display. I didn't get photos of all of them, but thought you might enjoy seeing a selection of them. Read Maria's Artist Statement, if you'd like a little insight into her body of work. Enjoy!




































































Hope you enjoyed seeing a portion of the exhibit! Chandra and I really enjoyed seeing Maria's work up close and personal... the quilting, her use of prints, the wonderful mix of colors. It really was a delight to see.

Photo by Chandra Wu, Used with permission.