Creating Everyday Art

Friday, November 3, 2017

Friday Inspiration - The Warm Fires of Autumn

Mmmm ... few things are better than curling up in front of the fire when the weather outside turns nasty!  By the end of winter, it's gotten a bit old, but now in mid-autumn it feels wonderful.  With the tough summer of wildfires we had here in the West, it's also nice to have fire be for warmth again.  This seems to be a more common inspiration for fiber artists - I found several nice pieces that really capture the magic and comfort of winter fires in the hearth/fire ring.

I've had Terry Grant's campfire themed quilt saved for quite awhile - one can almost hear the crackle of the sparks rising and feel the excitement of being around a fire outdoors!  And I just recently discovered that she's an Oregon fiber artist who actually does not live very far from me.  Small world!  Be sure to look at the other work on her website here.  It's wonderfully composed and detailed.


Next I have two works with the same name!  The first is Fire and Ice by German artist Claudia Pfeil.  I love the motion of the flames in this quilt and the juxtaposition with the snow flakes falling outside.  Perfect day for a fire!  Fire and Ice won many quilting awards and, if it looks familiar, graced the cover of Quilters Newsletter some time back.  Claudia creates beautiful, intricate pieces - her fractal quilts are amazing!  Check out her website here.


The next Fire and Ice is by another Oregon artist, Barbara Walker.  This piece was created using the centuries old technique of ply-split basketry - and she has a wonderful explanation of it on her website here.  This basket is absolutely stunning!  The thin line of blue ice jumps out from its complementary color of orange fire in a way that seems to move - it makes me think of ice melting near fire.  I know it's not really in my theme of hearths/fire rings, but the way it's a contained basket reminds me of the containment of fires we light for warmth.  Barbara teaches workshops in several weaving techniques - the 2018 schedule is not up on her website yet, but I know I'll keep checking to see what it offers!


Okay, time to go put another couple of logs on the fire to stave off the rainy day!

Happy Creating!  Deborah

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1 comment:

  1. JOY @ http://joysjotsshots.blogspot.com/November 4, 2017 at 4:13 PM

    Again, very interesting pieces of work. The vibrant color of the woven basket is spectacular. Love the fire quilt. Speaking of, thank you for leaving a comment on my blog about the Smokies' fire. We traveled the Columbia River and Napa Valley on our trip last year. I just can't imagine the beauty that's gone. Feel bless we timed our trip the right year. Like you, I didn't want to go to Gatlinburg right after the fire last year. I waited until folks said it didn't look too bad. I fear the Napa fire did a lot more harm. Sad.

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