Thursday, October 1, 2009

Susan’s space featured in Studios magazine


by Susan Brubaker Knapp

My studio is featured in the Fall 2009 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors’ Studios magazine!

There’s lots to love about this issue:
  • a feature about a converted factory that is now an artists’ enclave in Pennsylvania
  • tips on hosting an Open Studios event
  • photos of more than 20 artists’ studios to inspire your own space
  • fun projects, tips, tricks, and storage solutions
Get your copy at a local newsstand, or order one at the Interweave online store. The price is $7.99.

Monday, September 28, 2009

New Work

A few weeks ago I joined the SAQA Visioning project. This is a step by step, year long project that participating SAQA members will use to define one long term goal to help them move forward in their art careers.

My goal is to to define my artistic voice, to work towards narrowing down a couple of processes/techniques I want to use consistently in my work. From time to time I will report my progress.

This week I finished quilting 2 new pieces. The small red work below has been sitting waiting for some quilting. I find I enjoy the linear look of evenly spaced quilting lines and, of course, these colours always intrigue me.

The 2nd quilt is a definitely a departure from the warm colours I usually gravitate towards. For this piece I did a little experimentation with discharge paste. I cut circles in a freezer paper stencil and ironed it on to the quilt top, making sure the inner edges of the circles were completely sealed.


I find this is a much easier way to discharge fabric than using liquid or gel bleach. The paste (from Dharma Trading Co) is a gel medium consistency that I brushed over the stencil with a foam brush, waited for it to dry, gave it a good steaming then washed it out.

I will experiment with this some more to see if I get any different results that would vary the amount of discharge. Even though I prefer not to use the noxious bleach I will still do more comparisons with that tool as well.

~ Grace ~