Artist in Residence Wrap Up

My experience at Asilomar Conference Grounds has been exciting for so many reasons. Just being at this jewel-in-the-crown California state park is a wonderful experience. Here are just a few reasons why.

This is the sunset view from my room. (Click on photos for a larger view.)

Walking on the boardwalk. . .

Interesting stumps!

Notice the three new plantings that will replace the decaying tree.

Since my last visit to Asilomar in 2010 the kitchen has been remodeled. Can you see that the sign is hanging by wire whisks?

So, back to the primary reason I was there. Because my work area was the first spot with quilts people saw as they entered Merrill Hall, my brother-in-law Marshall commented that I was like a store greeter. Well, not a bad observation. As Artist in Residence I was the only art quilter who wasn’t taking a class, so I had the opportunity to interact with everyone who entered Merrill Hall and there were plenty. Empty Spools Seminars was just one of many conferences scheduled for the same week. (Their 2013 schedule of classes is available now.) And we had many day-tripping folks wandering in to see the Julia Morgan building we were in as well.  I was working on two different projects during my stay so I could demonstrate a variety of techniques that I use often during my creative process. I did not finish the broken ginkgo piece I took, but I got a very good start.

The fact that I used dryer lint as a background for this project always drew a smile. I needle felted the lint directly to a fast2fuse backing, hand-stitched sea grass cotton thread for the outline of the leaf shape and beaded like crazy.

You can see other projects that used dryer lint for needle felting projects here, here, here, here, and here.

My friend Heather Piazza came by to share lunch and the excitement of my week.

And exciting it was! Many of my fabric postcards have found new homes, my book will inspire new projects for others and Precious Metals went home with Carol to Naperville, Illinois.

My experience as an artist in residence for Empty Spools Seminars has been a dream come true. Owners Gayle Wells and Suzanne Cox went out of their to make me feel welcome and comfortable. The warm reception I felt by everyone — students, teachers and general public alike — was truly heart warming. And the genuine interest in my work was, at times, overwhelming.  I felt acceptance as an artist and energized to jump back into work as soon as I unpack. It doesn’t get any better than that in my book.  Unless it is to say that . . . of course . . . Christy finished the socks for Oliver!