Watercolour Commission Complete

Sue hiking Thompson Mtn Lookout

As I am so fond of hiking, this picture was a joy to paint. This commissioned painting is complete and it will be heading to it's new home soon. As with most reference photos, there were some elements that had to be changed for composition reasons. Also I tried to evoke a feeling that the hiker had likely climbed a ways but only required one more push to reach the top for a spectacular view. Oh yes, the sky can be that blue so high up in the mountains.

 

 

Another little journal watercolour sketch. Just as in the above painting, this one also required mixing a variety of greens. Viridian green is transparent so I like to start with that for a lot of my greens. Alone, viridian looks garish and very unnatural but if you add some yellow or gold it creates a realistic green. To darken the green, I add it's complement which can be from red to red-purple.

Machine quilting on a Home Machine

First off, if you haven't emailed me for a chance to win an original dye painted fat quarter, there is still time to do so as the draw is Feb 15. Just send me an email as egidman@kootenay.com for your name to be put in the draw.

Machine Quilting on a Sewing Machine

This week I machine quilted my first full sized quilt on my home machine. Proud? Yes I am!

Why did I quilt it myself when a long arm machine quilter, could have done a fancier job? When I was discussing this with another quilter who is machine sewing her own quilt top, we decided our reasons were twofold. One, the type of quilt we were sewing perhaps didn't warrant the cost of a custom quilting job and two, we are people who just like to create the whole thing ourselves. Please note though, that I support those long arm quilters for their beautiful custom work.

My Mechanical Bernina and it's Walking Foot

Thank you to my sewing machine repair man, who refurbished this 40+ year old mechanical Bernina for my second sewing machine. It is the one I cart around and it is a workhorse. I am so glad he insisted I needed to purchase the walking foot accessory. It worked beautifully. I had only one pucker on the back when I was done the quilting and that was easily repairable. Although my other sewing machine is not  a Bernina, I enjoyed going to this site recently to look at their new machines. Bernina Machines

When I get the binding on I will photograph the quilt in it's entirety and talk about fabric stash evaluation.

Watercolour painting from an online course plus Quilted things

'Lemon'
Watercolour by Eileen Gidman
completed for
Jane LaFazio's online class



 

'Design Strip'
Watercolour by Eileen Gidman
completed for
Jane LaFazio's online class

'Cut Lemon'
Watercolour by Eileen Gidman
completed for
Jane LaFazio's online class



As I mentioned last post, I am taking an online Sketching and Watercolour Course. I work best to deadlines so taking this online course is perfect for my goal of getting more sketching time in this Jan and Feb. Click here to check out the course, and other lovely textile and watercolor things Jane LaFazio does http://janeville.blogspot.com/

 

The following quilted pieces are by members of my Winter Quilt Group. I always love the 'Show and Tell' part of the  weekly program.

Fayetta's Crazy Quilted Jacket

The back is as pretty and fun as the front!

 

 

The center paper pieced portion of Joanne's quilt was to be a wall hanging but it is perfectly suited as the 'center of interest' in a large quilt. That center piece is very eye catching!

Sharon made a bed runner for her daughter's Christmas present as something different. Over the past years she has made her several Christmas wall hangings. When she told her daughter what it was, Sharon's daughter said no, she wanted it as a wall hanging! Lovely hand embroidered 'Red Work'.

 

Sketching and Watercolour Course online by Jane LaFazio

Lesson 1 of my first on-line course from Jane LaFazio



 



I am so stoked with completing my first lesson from Jane LaFazio's online course. Click here Jane LaFazio  to see the online course: Sketching and Watercolor Journal Style.   

Sometimes you just need a commitment to reach the goals you want to achieve. This is going to be a lot of fun while I focus on sketching regularly. My ultimate goal is to create some new designs for fabric painting. I have an idea of what direction I want to head in but having the commitment of weekly lessons will help me to focus.  Have you ever taken an online course? Jane LaFazio gives clear directions with this course and so far it seems like it will be motivating and fun. Check it out.

Fruit Still Life with Strong Directional Light

Dye Painted Chickadee Panel to it's new Home

'Chickadee and Red Berries', a dye painted panel has gone to it's new home where it will be sewn into something wonderful. It is to grace a heritage home that is 100 years old this year. How special is that!

'Chickadee and Red Berries' - sold
Dye Painted Cotton Panel
by Eileen Gidman

 

Companion strip for 'Chickadee and Red Berries'

 

Close up of Chickadee

Highlights of 2014 and a Chance to Win

This is the Newsletter I sent out to those on my newsletter list. To receive an email Newsletter, send me an email request to:  eileengidman@kootenay.com

 

NEWSLETTER

I have either met you at Quilt Canada, Quilt Shows, Markets in BC and AB, through Quilting Groups or Art Shows. Although I didn't get a newsletter out in the fall, I have been continually working in the studio painting original textile artwork. These fabrics are popular with quilters because the premium cotton material and fibre reactive dyes leave the hand of the fabric soft and washable. Perfect for quilting.

WHAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN CREATING WITH ORIGINAL HAND PAINTED EILEEN GIDMAN FABRICS

 

by Kathleen Little

It is a wonderful surprise to me to see what others create with my hand painted fabrics. Each time I am thrilled to see the sewn, quilted or framed pieces. Thank you to those who have taken the time to send me photos. Send more!




by Marg Moore

by Anne Morrel Robinson



by Joan Cavers

 

 

 

 

 

by Jayne Hisml

 

 

 

 

WIN a hand painted Fat Quarter

 

 In 2013 I had two give-aways of hand painted fabrics. An original hand painted fat quarter will be given to the winner of a the draw on February 15, 2014.  Email me at egidman@kootenay.com for  chance to win.

 

 A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2013 can be found by clicking on these links to my blog:
Color Confidence for Quilters Workshop Summary
Textile Interpretations of European Sketches
Jackie White and I dye one piece of Fabric
Artisan Pillow Series
The Portrait Project
Key City Theatre - Art Show
Skimmerhorn Winery: Kootenay Crush wine label by Eileen Gidman

FROM THE ARTISAN PILLOW SERIES - This new series was popular at the summer markets.

'The Three Roses'

'A Cottage Summer'

 
COMMISSIONS: Several quilters have ordered specific images and it has been rewarding to create something original for them. If you have an image you would like painted on fabric with dyes, send me an email at egidman@kootenay.com

UPCOMING: After listening to people that came to my booth, I am creating sets of blocks for those of you that want to paint or colour fabric yourselves but are unsure of the drawing part. Watch for upcoming sets of blocks on white cotton fabric of wildflowers and birds. Let me know if you have some other ideas.

May 2014 be a year full of inspiration, quilting or otherwise. Don't  forget to reply to this email for a chance to win a hand painted fat quarter.

Thanks,
Eileen Gidman
www.eileengidman.blogspot.com
www.eileengidman.com

'Creston Cherries' hand paint fabric panel



Birds in Textile - large and small

Happy New Year. Let 2014 be full of original artwork including textile art! Isn't quilting becoming very artful. I am excited to think I might be attending a large quilt show in Feb to see the newest trends. I'll share more of that later.

 

What a great few days of textile painting I've had! I hope you found some time to work on your projects with all the other activities that are happening during this wonderful holiday season.

 

Fibre reactive dyes that are thickened with sodium alginate is a favorite medium of mine for painting on cotton. It is what I used in the samples below. The fine black lines are made with the thickened dye too that I dispense in a bottle with a fine nib. As the hand of the cloth stays soft and colourfast after the fabric is washed, the pieces are perfect for sewing as well as framing. My artwork is for sale and although I can't keep up putting all my new work on my website www.eileengidman.com, if you see anything there or on this blog you like, contact me for details at egidman@kootenay.com .

Happy New Year everyone!



'Chickadee'
A small portion of  a larger commissioned hand painted (with dyes) textile panel.

Crows - I haven't decided whether to leave this black and white or over dye it with colour.
Ideas?

Card size - additional details will be free motion stitched.
This size is $10. Canadian or US funds plus shipping.

Card size - Can you see the one silhouetted bird?

Card size - The ducks will need some additional definition in stitching.

Card size - A hummingbird on my feeder.