Page 17 - the NOISE November 2012

Nautilus N by Wendy Garrison is an example the artist’s free motion quilting at Z House Gallery.
der it, only it is complicated by the need to also coordinate the speed of stitching at the same time. Designs can be stitched in open flowing curves or very intricate designs. The decorative design possibilities are limitless with various types of fabric colors and textures combined with blending or contrasting threads.”
Originally from Minnesota, Ms. Garrison has now lived in Flagstaff for more than 26 years. “I have a full-time career I love, but quilting art is one of my favorite creative pursuits,” she says. “I have fond memories of sitting with my mother on the kitchen floor in the farmhouse arrang- ing blocks of scrap fabric for quilt tops when I was 5 or 6 years old. After she machine-pieced the patchwork top, my mother put the quilt layers on a frame and hand-tied the layers to- gether with yarn. One of my first machine sew- ing projects was a quilt for our kittens.
“I’ve been sewing all kinds of things includ- ing an occasional quilt, for almost 50 years. About 5 years ago I learned about the art of free-motion quilting and was totally hooked! From there it took a couple of years of hard work and perseverance before I could create what I considered to be an acceptable free- motion stitched design. There’s something al- most mesmerizing to me about the hum of the machine stitching as designs emerge in fabric and thread.”
I ask Ms. Garrison about the process for de- signing and creating one of her free-motion quilted pieces of art. “My pieces either start out with an idea or technique I’d like to devel- op, or with the desire to create a piece to suit a particular purpose. Some pieces are purely for beauty, others more functional. I spend quite a bit of time sketching ideas, drafting patterns, and developing designs for stitching before I begin a new piece. Then the search begins for fabrics and thread to give the piece the look I am envisioning. Many of the fabrics I’m using are commercially produced, but I am currently also dyeing some of my own fabrics to get to- tally unique colors and patterns.
naturally think of quilts. I look for ways to incor- porate quilting into other things as well. Right now I’m finishing up a series of ‘O’Tannenbaum,’ wall hangings for Christmas using metallic threads to give them some sparkle. I’m also working on several smaller items including some iPad cases, cell phone cases and some other small gift items for the holidays.”
At Z House Gallery, 2330 East Route 66, you can find an assortment of pieces by Ms. Garri- son throughout the month of November. The Z House Gallery is open for the First Friday ArtWalk on November 2, from 6PM to 9PM. ZhouseGallery.com, 928/380-2292
LAYERS OF COLOR
Photographs don’t do justice to the new paintings by Frank Balaam that have recently arrived at Gallery One13. In person, the thick layers of paint rise from the canvas in captivat- ing relief and texture. Lake Pines One leads me to imagine I am driving down Woody Moun- tain Road in the fall as the leaves are changing
— yellows, reds and so many shades of green catch the sun.
Often, the rich and vast palette of nature is overlooked and Mr. Balaam brings those colors into focus, spotlighting the vibrant show na- ture puts on each day.
This November Gallery One13 highlights new works by past featured artists, Barry Car- penter and Simon Kirk.
Spurred on by creativity, Mr. Kirk continues to send, all the way from across the ocean in England, new pieces to add to his ever-expand- ing series of miniatures. His entertaining piec- es combine collage and paint and found words clipped from books and magazines.
Mr. Carpenter has brought in new pieces of pottery to adorn the pedestals of the gallery. Tea canisters, pitchers, mugs and many other earthy designs will be on display. Gallery- One13.com
SWEENEY TODD IN FLAGSTAFF
“When most people think of quilting, they
This November the Flagstaff Light Opera
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thenoise.us • the NOISE arts & news • NOVEMBER 2012 • 17