Debbie Babin » art work

Fresh Art Work/Fresh Beginning

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 05:00:07 +0000

I am proud to announce that I have just finished creating nineteen new pieces of artwork!

Last month I decided to participate in a jury submission for a local prominent art gallery on Bainbridge Island, Wa. Bainbridge Arts and Crafts located on Winslow Avenue; a totally new experience for me. I was thrilled to be greated with a big hand shake and a “welcome to our gallery” after the review. I hope my smile wasn’t “too” big.

Prior to the review I took a long hard look at my body of work that spanned over eight years and decided that since I am in a new (art) community I should make fresh work. I didn’t actually set out to make so many but once the ball started rolling, I was in full swing and that was the result. Now, most are under five inches; none the less, after matting and framing they look quite sharp and substantial. See for yourself.

Here are a few images

Feedback is welcomed.

Blurred Boundaries

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 05:09:47 +0000

After moving to Washington I have been totally focused on getting our new home in order. There is SO much to do; however, this has proven to be quite exciting and a learning experience in many ways. Also, we are exploring (some) to discover the area and what we have concluded is: this is an endless (fabulous) expedition! There is beauty and awe around every turn here in the North West.

In the midst of all of this, I came across an announcement for an art exhibit titled: Blurred Boundaries

The word boundaries (can) carry quite a negative connotation (for me). This title intrigued me and I stopped long enough to consider entering it. After reading the description I decided I actually did have some work that fit into this arena; okay what the heck, I’ll enter.

The concept is to showcase artists that use unique materials and techniques for fiber art; not staying within the typical boundaries.

The deadline was looming and I began to hesitate because I do not have easy access to my things as I would like (just yet); however, on the last day and the last hour, I decided to enter. I chose three pieces I thought qualified. The entry form asked for a detailed description of each piece, including techniques and materials which was critical to the acceptance. Hmmmm….

Let me think, can I even remember what I did, what I used way back in 2009/or earlier this year? Here is my description of Zen Wreath:

Techniques used: The simple center wreath design is traditional; however the materials used are not. A layer of painted silk organza is placed over the base which is painted and sealed tissue paper. A (circle) of grapevine is stenciled to the base. Additional torn strips of painted organza are layered on all four sides. The flowers are made with painted, sealed and torn tissue paper. The sections of the flowers were torn free hand without a pattern. The bird and branch were cut from painted paper bonded to muslin. French knots are stitched to the center of the flowers. The entire piece is hand stitched with a large scale running stitch. The binding is painted torn tissue paper.

Most shows have a month or so of time that is allowed for the jury to take place. This one was different. I was notified in one week

THAT ALL 3 PIECES WERE ACCEPTED!

Tin Heart

Fragments

Zen Wreath

It is a small show, should I say “selective”. 50 pieces were entered, 20 accepted., 12 artists including me.

Now, that has NEVER happened!

I now had the next challenge: Preparing and packing them to send to Michigan. Ehhem…..

This was truly challenging as NONE of my stuff is unpacked in my studio; as it is still under construction Not only did I have to pack them for shipping (find a box, packing materials, etc) but in addition, two needed sleeves and all needed dowels with eye hooks.

Now, I cannot bear to use just any fabric for sleeves; it must be the same one. HA!

1-Did I even own anymore of these fabrics?And, if so, where in tarnation would it be? Which one of the zillion boxes should I look?

2-The sleeve also needed a dowel. Same problem; I knew I owned some, the kind I like the best. And, where on earth are the screw eyes?

3-The sleeve has to be sewn on and the work is not soft like most fiber art but rather stiff do to the unique techniques.

Ok, the hunt is on!!

Success! I DID find the exact fabric, the dowels, the screw eyes and managed to sew the sleeve on rather awkwardly; but I did it and they are now shipped.

Oops, I left out an integral part of the story…..

While I was scrambling to do all of this……I received a message that

ZEN WREATH had won third place!

Not only was the notification fast but also the judging. This may sound surprising, but I never enter a show to win. I don’t even know if the award includes money. My honor is to be accepted. Winning something is icing on the cake. This is proof that excellent digital images are a must!

And, to think I almost didn’t enter, ha!

I guess I still ‘have it’ after all.

Painterly Machine Embroidery-Richard Box

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:41:57 +0000

Textile artist Richard Box demonstrates his thread painting techniques. What an excellent brief but detailed demo. Worth a look.

Gallery Shop Added-Textile Art to Own

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:35:36 +0000

News: Gallery Shop is now open.

Textile Art to Own

This is an opportunity for you to purchase pieces of mine that are “intimate”.

Qualities:

Intimate journeys-Pieces that have meaning and unique qualities. Journeys are explorations with textiles and mixed media. Intimate defines the size and scale. Most are under 20 inches square.

You are invited to check out the Gallery Shop now.

Sign Up Now-Springtime Course Online

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:27:50 +0000

SPRINGTIME…..time for renewal…..perfect time to learn some new things!

Textile Art with Pizzazz! begins Minimum of 5 people

Scheduled for April 1st (will be extended to April 15th to meet the minimum of 5)

Six lessons, $65 Sign up here

Why not join us? This course is an excellent way to strengthen your skills, learn some new ones as well as open your eyes to knew reveal new experiences with your work.

This course will challenge you and make you “stretch”.

Course design: Flora Rosa Crimson (detail)

Comments from people who took this course in January 2010.

I recommend this for anyone who likes color and wants to learn how make the colors in their works, even flat-pieced quilts, into something spectacular. Wendy

Thanks Debbie for a great workshop! Your ability to challenge and provide honest and constructive feedback made this workshop a very valuable learning forum. This program is great done in the comfort of my own home, not having to travel and rivals any in-person workshops that I have participated in. Well Done!! Joann Dnistransky Textile Art Pizzazz – March 2010

Join me in a chat session tonight-Guest speaker: Debbie Babin

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:47:42 +0000

I have been invited to be the guest speaker in a chat session organized by Quilting Weekly.

Schedule: Monday March 22nd, 2010 8 p.m. CENTRAL TIME ZONE

It is open to the public. To participate all you have to do is go to Quilting Weekly and sign in as a guest.

Quilting Weekly is a site that is owned and operated by Chris Dahl. The focus is on traditionally styled quilting. She offers many things for quilters including a wide variety of courses online. She has been receiving inquiries about fiber art; how to learn more about it. This chat session has been set up to address this topic. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to talk about my favorite subject: Fiber Art.

By the way….a chat session is not actually talking, rather writing to each other in an open chat room. Everyone who participates sees all of the messages that are posted. It is real time allowing anyone to submit and contribute to the chat. I look forward to spending time with everyone this evening.

Directions:

Go to the goodies tab and look for “chat room”, click that and a window opens to allow you to do 1 or 3 things as explained below.

Click “guest” and it will show a box with guest(followed by random number) highlight this and type in your name. You will show up in the room as (name)(guest) name will be replaced with the name you type in.
Click “sign up” and it takes you to chatroll to set up an account.
Type in username and password if you are already a member of chatroll.

Once you log in either as guest or as member you simply type in your conversation in the bottom blue rectangle under the main window and hit enter on the keyboard to send a message.

A few other tips: At the bottom right corner you will see a few icons, here is what they are.

Speaker – turns on and off the sound (not actual conversations, rather a popping sound when a new message is posted) which is handy if you are doing multi-tasking and minimize the screen. (just like the chat screen on Face Book)
Bulls eye – takes you to the chatroll site
Box with arrow – minimizes the chat room so you can browse the web or work elsewhere on the computer.

Hand Stitching with Kimono Silk

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:15:43 +0000

I have been busy working on a new project that is made with silk fabric from vintage kimonos.

This image shows is the current status and I am happy to report that it is almost finished. I only have a bit more stitching to do.

In the beginning this piece looked totally different. Read the details of the evolution on my other blog ZEN CLOTH

In three posts:

Hand Piecing Kimono Silks

Silk Transformation

Successful Transformation

Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival Images

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:29:06 +0000

I am proud to have my piece titled: Fragments included in the traveling SAQA exhibit: Fibrations. The exhibit was included at the Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival held this weekend.

I was not able to attend the show. I was totally delighted today when I received a slide show of photos that a friend had taken at the show. She took pictures of the quilts she admired. The pictures include close ups of some of the work as well as the awards with descriptions and names. My piece is number 141. Thank You, Cathy Tyler! Visit Cathy’s blog

Enjoy!

Many Mini’s

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:44:53 +0000

I have quite a few mini art pieces just waiting to be shared. I am not sure they are complete. A few hand stitches are likely to be added. Sizes are under 4×5″.

Handwork-A New Direction

admin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:53:42 +0000

Slow Spectrum

This is my first attempt with rhythmic large scale hand stithing, sometimes referred to as: Big Stitch. I decided to use a block/composition and use slow stitch in colorful thread. Combining vivid colors together create expressive and dynamic compositions. I want to experiment with slow stitch to learn how to integrate it into my (colorful) work.

Most of the slow cloth I have seen so far is done with natural fabrics and tones; I like this as well. Having very little color or a few colors brings the slow/stitching to the forefront. I have a composition prepared that has natural linen, painted organza, painted lace (in shades of tobacco/eggplant) and a few other accent pieces. I like it already and I haven’t done any stitching yet.

What I like the most about slow stitch is the simplicity of the look. A huge benefit to slow stitch is the ZEN that comes over me. The even pace is rhythmical and akin to meditation. It is very peaceful and pleasant to do.

Spectrum (detail)

I am pleased with the results of this piece. I am thinking about adding some red/pink bugle beads as an accent. Otherwise, it is finished.