Judy's Update

2012-01-22T04:10:00.000-08:00

What is the Manitoulin Circle Project?

Judy made a 7 minute presentation to the regional United Church presbytery on Saturday January 21 about the circle project. Clergy came from the Sudbury area and from along the highway 17 corridor along the north shore.

It was one of about a dozen other 'show and tell' presentations.

Shown is the top half of the third panel, Precious Water, displayed as an alter cloth in the Espanola United Church.

The fire pot was lit during one of the presentations.
We held our breath.

2012-01-20T07:43:00.000-08:00

New Biography

For nearly thirty years, Judy Martin has participated in over one hundred group shows in Canada, the USA, Europe, and Japan and has produced twenty-four solo exhibitions. Her wall piece, Cross My Heart, was the only Canadian entry juried into the prestigious Quilt National 2011 exhibition. Despite these achievements, Martin is not part of the urban art world network. Her entire life has been spent in the relative isolation and peaceful beauty of Northern Ontario, Canada. This self-imposed retreat has had a marked effect on her work with stitch and cloth. The artist resides with her husband on Manitoulin Island, the furthest south she has ever lived. Her Finnish father and intellectual mother raised their family on a large property ten miles from the North Western Ontario town of Fort Frances. All her life Martin has studied art and by June 2012, she will possess her second fine art degree acquired through distance education. Her work is grounded in the phenomenological idea that the sense of touch is the most effective way to connect emotionally with others. Her repetitive stitches communicate directly to our inner world. The Finnish characteristic, SISU, (courage, optimism, indomitable will) sets Judy Martin's work apart.

2011-11-23T21:53:00.001-08:00

ONTARIO CRAFT '11

Clockwise from top left: Carolynn Bloomer, Judy Martin, Christopher Reid Flock, Elizabete Ludviks, Cali Balles

November 24 – December 30, 2011
Opening Reception Thursday, November 24, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Ontario Crafts Council Gallery
990 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario

Since 1975 the Ontario Crafts Council has supported the development of contemporary craft through a biennial juried exhibition showing the best of member work. Special thanks to Susan Card, Peter Fleming and Don Stuart for their support of the exhibition as jurors.

click here for the pdf catalogue

2011-11-19T23:04:00.000-08:00

A tender mode (detail)
watercolour

part of a local art show at the
Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands Library

Meredith Street
Little Current
November 22 2011- January 20 2012
library hours

Judy will be showing two works on paper.
See the other piece by clicking here.

2011-10-27T20:44:00.001-07:00

INSTALLED

October 30, 10 am
Little Current United Church

Judy will give a short presentation about this meditation panel, the first of four, as part of the morning service.

2011-09-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

Quiet Simplicity ,
A Trunk Show

Pomegranate Quilt Guild
September 21 8 pm
Shaarei Shomayim synagogue
470 Glencarin Ave Toronto

Judy will speak about her thirty year career of making art quilts and cloth books.

Time has been main subject in her work. Time is a material.

pictured: Mother Daughter wildflower book 1999

A cloth book. Pressed wildflowers from daily walks with her 6 year old daughter when the family first moved to Manitoulin Island encased in mylar and stitch. Embroidered personal journal text by the artist. Pencil drawings by April, (her daughter 6 years old then, Concordia art student today) transferred to fabric. Silk and rayon, 30 pages.

2011-07-23T04:57:00.000-07:00

Craft Currents: Contemporary Craft in Northern Ontario

Touring exhibition sponsered by the Ontario Craft Council July 2011 - March 2012

Sun Wise

Judy Martin
hand stitch,
couched fabric
dyed and felted wool
(Jan Korteweg hand weave)
45 cm w x 136 cm h

34 artists were selected by jury

jurors: John Ferris,
Linda Finn
Laurent Vailancourt

The exhibition began its tour in the Fort Frances museum.
The Ontario Craft Council has been showcasing work from the regions of Ontario, recently touring Masterworks East and Masterworks Southwest.

I still don't understand why this show of Northern craft artists is not named Masterworks North.

2011-07-16T06:08:00.000-07:00

Manitoulin Art Tour
Judy will be displaying three of the four panels of the Manitoulin Circle Project during this year's art tour. As well, she is giving a sneak peek at Not to Know but to Go On, one year of stitching (so far) an installation that will be displayed Janurary 2012 in the Art Gallery of Sudbury.

Shown above Earth Ark,the first of the panels which will ultimately hang in public places on Manitoulin Island after touring in exhibition.

Manitoulin Art Tour July 15, 16, 17, 11 am to 4 pm
80 artists all across Manitoulin Island
Judy's studio is above the post office in downtown Little Current
14 Water Street

2011-06-15T05:37:00.001-07:00

World of Threads Interview
Judy Martin's interview with Dawne Rudman and Gareth Bates went up on the World of Threads Website for the week of June 12, 2011.

76 Hemlock Wraps
hemlock twigs and
dyed fabric and thread
size varies,
they can be held in the hand

2011

The interview gives an overview
of Judy's long career and how
she works.

Love's Illusions

Painted and photo printed
papers, painted fabric
stitched construction

1998

There were many questions about influences, and Judy speaks about several important women artists who have been pivotal.

Two Wrapped Forms
Size varies but they can be held in the arms

quilt batt,
variety of fabrics
linen and suede cords

2007

2011-06-07T07:59:00.001-07:00

Cross My Heart

in QUILT NATIONAL 2011
The Dairy Barn Arts Center Athens Ohio
May 28 - Sept 5, 2011
Silk, Linen, velvet, silk thread,
dye, paint;
layered, pieced,
hand embroidered,
hand quilted 33 " x 35"

Hand stitching adds the power of repeted human touch.
The small marks are each unique yet all the same.
Covering a surface with hand stitches gives me time to meditate.
The "work" of the work also seems to open up a contemplative place for the viewer.

Tiime is taken to make the work.
Time is needed to understand it.
The time that I put into the work is a gift.
Time is a material.

2011-05-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Self With Moon

Perivale Gallery Opens
For the Season

May 22 1 pm

Weekends in May and June
Every day from July 1 until
Labour Day

Spring Bay
Manitoulin Island
705 377 4847

2011-05-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

Trinity

Installed as the antependium for
Little Current United Church
Manitoulin Island Ontario
Canada

completely hand stitched from
re-purposed damask table linen
and silk

Early Christain churches used
three intertwined circles to
represent the trinity.

2011-02-22T09:52:00.000-08:00

Memory of Wikwemikong

Laura's Choice
Contemporary Quilt Exhibition
A-frame Gallery
Sioux Lookout
Ontario
February 28 - March 30
2011

Curator:
Laura Kurytnik
funded by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage

2011-01-19T21:19:00.000-08:00

Manitoulin Community Circle Project Continues in 2011

This is an open community event that takes place every Thursday in the United Church Hall in Little Current. Four 90-inch square panels are under construction, made mostly from re-purposed table linens with hand stitch. It is hoped that these panels will eventually hang in permanent installation in churches on Manitoulin. The project is under the leadership of Manitoulin textile artist Judy Martin and the sponsorship of Little Current United Church.

In January 2011, the techniques are: machine string and foundation piecing for the second panel, hand embroidered french knots on wool squares for the fourth panel and the use of “texture magic” with hand stitch for the third panel. Please feel welcome to come and learn, practice or help teach others these techniques. The first panel was hand quilted on the frame last summer and fall. There is currently no quilt on the frame.

Also, please feel welcome to bring your own handwork if preferred.
Fellowship and advice are free.

The hours of the circle project have changed for the winter. The new hours are every Thursday, 9 am until 4 pm, United Church Hall, Robinson Street, Little Current.
Schedule for January
January 6 noon till 8 pm
January 13 1 pm till 4 pm
January 20 9 am till 4 pm
January 27 9 am till 4 pm

Phone or email Judy Martin for more information. 705 368 3819 njmartin@vianet.ca

2010-12-15T16:39:00.000-08:00

When Asked: She Replied
Permanent Collection, Art Gallery of Sudbury
Wool quilt: recycled children's t-shirts and jeans, yarn, covered buttons, 1997-1999

When asked how she managed to have children and make art, she replied: 'What's the Difference?'

2010-12-12T13:05:00.000-08:00

Manitoulin Circle Project

On December 12, 2010, Judy spoke about the Manitoulin Circle Project during the Advent service at Little Current United Church.

Earth Ark was displayed.

The first of four meditation panels that are being made by Judy and the local community every Thursday in the church hall.

2010-12-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

Christmas Show of
Local Art

North Eastern Manitoulin
Public Library
Merideth Street
Little Current

December 2 2010
until January 2011

Judy is showing these two
paintings in this group
exhibit.

Vulnerable
encaustic with sequins

2010-11-27T07:16:00.001-08:00

Cardinal Flower
watercolour
stitch

part of
Le Nouveau Louvre

La Galerie Du Nouvel Ontario
November 27 - December 18
174 Elgin Street
Sudbury, Ontario

1 877 358 6615 to
reserve work

Every art work sells for $150
$50 for the gallery
$100 for the artist
An annual fundraising exhibition

Purchase at the gallery or ONLINE
at www.gn-o.org starting 2 pm Nov 27

2010-11-26T09:22:00.001-08:00

Flesh and Blood

overdyed fabrics,
hand applique
100 inches square

Published in this week's Manitoulin Expositor
(November 24 2010) with the following text:

NOVEMBER IS WOMAN ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
It is every woman's fundamental right to live in safety and security in her home and community.

Special thank you to Judy Martin for sharing her work in support of woman Abuse Prevention Month, sponsored by Manitoulin Family Resources (MFR) and the M,Nidoo Minissing Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

MFR Crisis Support and Information
1 800 465 6788
705 377 5160
emergency 911

2010-10-02T07:17:00.001-07:00

Moisture and Greenness
part of the exhibition
COMFORTABLE QUILTS
co-curated by Suzann Greenaway
and Mary Rashleigh

October 1 2010 until
January 3 2011

The Canada Summit Centre
20 Park Drive
Huntsville Ontario

A second quilt by Judy, Emily Carr Visited Me, will also be part of this exhibition.

2010-10-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

Manitoulin Circle Project

Judy spoke about the
circle project and led a
workshop to participants. This was part of the regional conference
WORSHIP MATTERS, held in Little Current, Ontario September 27 - 30, 2010.

2010-09-22T21:09:00.001-07:00

Heart to Heart
blanket stitch embroidery
over three layers of
stitched linen

included in
Fibreworks 2010
juried national exhibition

Cambridge Galleries
Cambridge Ontario

September 11 to October 31

I stitch until the surface is completely covered. The marks are made slowly, one at a time. The needle pierces and then mends the cloth.

I can’t control the world around me, but I can control this. The process is not rushed, the fabric is caressed, the time taken is visible. The cloth becomes stronger because of the amount of thread I add.

red thread,blanket stitch
metaphors for protection

Seen here on the lower right, Mother Canada, the reverse side of Heart to Heart. (Not shown in the exhibition - but it is still there)

2010-07-18T15:37:00.000-07:00

Creation
acrylic with collage

Manitoulin Art Tour
July 16, 17, 18, 2010
11 am to 4 pm

Judy Martin Studio
14 Water Street
Little Current

Judy welcomes you to her studio above the post office in downtown Little Current. Her thought provoking yet tender paintngs and quilts demonstrate her concern for the environment and the inner self.

www.manitoulinart.com

2010-07-09T03:42:00.000-07:00

Self: Black Dress
hand stitch on wool flannel

Awards Exhibition
Ontario Craft Council
990 Queen street West
Toronto Ontario
June 2 - July 25 2010

Judy was awarded a
scholarship to continue
her studies with the
Julia Caprara School of
Textile Arts, accredited
for a B.A. degree in embroidered textiles and mixed media through Middlesex University in England.

She's been studying part time through distance education since 2006 - and will graduate in 2012.

2010-05-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

Perivale Gallery
Opens for the Season

May 22 2010

The gallery will be open weekends in June - and then from 10 to 6 every single day until the week after Labour day.

This is Judy's only commerical outlet.

Shield for my Open Heart
block print with couched metal

contact Shiela McMullan
705 377 4847

2010-05-18T14:42:00.001-07:00

Slow Art

Workshop April 24, 25
St Lawrence College
Kingston

Through Fibreworks Kingston

The ideals and simplicity of
modernism combined with the
slowness of handstitch.

2010-04-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

Where is the centre of the universe?

digital presentation and trunk show

Friday, April 23 at 7 pm
St. Lawrence College
Kingston, Ontario

room 12050 2nd floor (entrance E 12)
$5.00

Fibreworks Kingston 'Slow Art' workshop participants no charge

613 544 7324
fibreworks@cogeco.ca

2010-03-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

like the moon
stitched art

solo exhibition
April 2 - April 26 2010

EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 27 !!

Cornerstone Gallery

255 Ontario Street
Kingston Ontario
613 546 7967

image shown:
from moon to sun
felted wool with couched fabric
2010

2010-03-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

be safe my love

solo exhibition
Greenwood Quiltery and Gallery
April 15 - May 29 2010

275 Woolwich Street
Guelph Ontario
519 822 2790

image shown
Ceremony for innocence
wax, stitch, photo
2009

2010-02-02T21:31:00.000-08:00

Valentine For Jack
watercolour over acrylic over gesso on cotton muslin

this is one of the methods introduced in
Creative Painting in Water Based Media

First class was Feb 2
These classes are offered through
Cambrian College
Little Current Campus

They are held in Judy's studio above the post office in Little Current

The next class will
Friday February 26

2009-12-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

Gathering Myself
silk thread,
vintage bed linen

Part of
CONVERGENCE 2010
47th annual juried Exhibition of Fine Art

Jan 22 - Feb 28 2010
Opening Jan 22, 7 pm

Tom Thomson Art Gallery
Owen Sound Ontario

2009-11-16T09:42:00.000-08:00

Metaphor and Moi

trunk show

November 19, 2009
7 pm

Mindemoya Community Centre
Manitoulin Island Canada

Here are some highlights from the article that Jackie White sent to the Expositor to promote Judy's talk.

Why does Judy quilt? "I love to stitch. I love the look and power of old quilts. I love the story telling and the many layers of meaning. I love the connection to the bed and all of life's major and minor rituals and passages. I feel that quilts are a woman artist's most honest medium."

At the national level, two of her quilts won top awards at the Canadian Quilters Association's National Juried quilt show in Saskatoon last May. "Twenty Four Hour Care" won first place in the traditional wall quilt category and "Memory of Wikwemikong" won second place in abstract wall quilt.

If quilting doesn't keep her busy enough, Judy is working on a second BA. She already has an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts from Lakehead University (1993). And the current degree is an Honours BA in Embroidered Textiles. Middlesex University in the UK gives creditation to the courses that she is studying with the Julia Caprara School of Textile Art. She participates in this study by email and phone tutorials and sends her work in for assessment every four months. She has been doing this for three years and has three more left.

After quilting for four decades, it is amazing she is still motivated to pursue this hobby. What keeps Judy going? "The next one. I just love to do it. I'm passionate about art and about cloth and about communicating with others through visual means."
Judy Martin's new work reflects her current passion for hand stitching. She's used embroidery before in her quilts, but the new work takes it further to a more powerful level. Judy says that she "has become much simpler in the designs I like to use in my work. Circles predominate, and grids of dots are the favourites. I want to affect people at an emotional level."

If you want to meet this remarkable woman and see her outstanding quilts, please come to the Mindemoya Community Centre on November 19th at 7 pm. Guest admission is $3.00.

2009-10-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Manitoulin Community Circles
Starts Thursday October 29
noon - 8 pm
Little Current United Church

Article by Jim Moodie in the Manitoulin Expositor - October 14 2009

There's a time to rend, and a time to sew. This is one of the latter: On October 29, local fabric artist Judy Martin will be holding the first of many weekly stitching bees for an ambitious new undertaking that will involve the creation of four large tapestries to enhance the contemplative timbre of religious services at Little Current United Church. To realize the liturgical wall hangings - each will measure 90" square - Ms. Martin is counting on the help of many hands.

"It's a little daunting, because it is a very large project," she said. "This is partly why, if the community is willing to help, it will be good for me. And I love the idea of making something for the community, by the community."

The idea grew out of an assignment Ms. Martin had to fulfill for a fine art degree in embroidered textiles that she's taking through the Julia Caprara School, accredited by Middlesex University in England. "Liturgical embroidery is one of my courses, and I asked Reverend Faye Stevens to help me out," she said. "I did a presentation for the congregation and they were excited, so it got me excited, and it's grown much larger than it actually needed to be."

The artist has already completed the designs for each of the four pieces - there will actually be five, as she's also creating a smaller work, known as a 'fall' to decorate the pulpit - by rendering the images in acrylic, ink and watercolour on 24" square pieces of paper.

Each of the bigger wall fabrics will be distinct in appearance, yet follow the same design motif of a circle within a square. Ms Martin explained that the symbol goes back many centuries, reaching further back even than Christianity," yet lends itself to a holy purpose as well as reflect the local landscape.

With the circle representing the sky or firmament, and the square a building, the two together suggest a church - a place in which heaven is brought down to earth and embraced. In two of her designs, the circle is bisected by a lateral line, which suggests a horizon with sky above and water below. "That seemed like a really good thing to have for an island setting,: she said. Three of the pieces will contain a cross symbol.

Along with the minimalist designs, the colours will be relatively simple - white and cream, connoting purity and celebration, will dominate, with some splashes of blue and gold.

The fabrics include recycled damask tablecloths, linen handkerchiefs, wool blankets, and silk, and all of this material will need to be hand-stitched. "We'll be re purposing all these beautiful, domestic textiles into lustrous, meditative, mainly white wall hangings," Ms Martin enthused.

Anyone is welcome to don a thimble and lend a few fingers. "It will involve a lot of embroidery stitching as well as foundation piecing and reverse applique," said the artist. Later, once the tops are done, I want them hand quilted, and some people might like to come for the quilting part." she added.

While the focus will be on completing this time-consuming installation, Ms Martin said the experience should also allow for an exchange of ideas and techniques. "I'll teach some skills as needed, and I hope that during lunch breaks I can also look at other people's work and give feedback," she noted. "I'm sure everyone will have a lot of ideas, and there are a lot of women in Little Current and the surrounding area who are technically better than me, so they will teach me something too."

Helpers need not be sewing pros or even United Church parishioners, although many of the latter will likely be the most inspired to take part. "It can be experts or beginners, and it's open to anyone in the congregation as well as the wider community," said Ms Martin.

Stitching sessions will be held each Thursday, beginning October 29, from noon until 8 pm at the United Church hall, although it isn't essential that volunteers ply a needle and thread for that whole eight hour period. "I'm committed to be there for that time, but I'm just asking people to spend an hour or an hour and a half, whatever they can" said Ms Martin.

The artist feels the collaborative process will be a new adventure for her. "I work alone, so this will be different for me," she said. "It actually may be a break through for me personally. As much as creating a product, this will be a process of being together and the labour we all put into it."

The realization of these spiritual art pieces will not occur overnight. Hand stitching is a painstaking process, as is hand-quilting, and the works are anything but small. Accordingly, Ms Martin expects that it will be June of 2011 before the hangings are complete.

Her thought, subject to input from the church, would be to install the finished work at Little Current United for the summer and early fall of 2011, then exhibit them at a gallery in Thunder Bay and possibly at other galleries through 2012. Ultimately, she expects they would find a permanent place on the walls of the local church that inspired their creation and for which they have been conceived.

Those interested in contributing to this project are encouraged to contact Faye Stevens at 704 368 0835, Julia McCutcheon at 705 368 3101, or Ms Martin herself at 368 3819.

2009-09-20T21:55:00.001-07:00

A Common Thread
World of Threads Festival
Oakville Ontario

Sept 19 - Oct 4

There are three
venues for this
juried exhibition.

Memory Of Wikwemikong
will be showing at
the Towne Square
Gallery

2009-09-15T07:40:00.001-07:00

Manitoulin Community Circle Project

On September 13, I made a presentation about this project to the Little Current United Church congregation during the Sunday service.

The project is to make four large square pieced
and embroidered textiles, each
with a large circle contained
within a large square.

These are to be liturgical pieces to aid with meditation during a formal religious service. They will be made over a period of nearly two years by Judy and members of the community of Manitoulin.

Most materials will be recycled domestic textiles such as damask tablecloths, wool blankets, linen handkerciefs. New silk will also be used. The method of construction will be hand stitching.

Every Thursday
noon till 8 pm
Little Current United Church Hall
Begins October 29, 2009
Continues until 2011.

Phone Judy, Faye Stevens or Julia McCutcheon for further information.

2009-09-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

ART QUILTING

We will spend four hours together, once a month.
We will produce our own painted and dyed fabrics.
We will study contemporary quilt artists.
We will use journals and sketchbooks to find our personal voice.
We will bring our work to the group and receive feedback.
We will do hand work.

Tuesday during the day 11 am to 3 pm (bring snack)
Tuesday during the evening 5 pm to 9 pm (bring snack
Six sessions: September, October, November 2009
January, February, March 2010

The classes will take place in Judy’s studio above the Post Office in Little Current

Tentative outline for the first three months:

September 22
Introduction to wax batik with procion dye (single colour)
Introduction to reverse appliqué (single colour)
Canadian artist, Dorothy Caldwell
Overview of art quilting.

October 20
Block printing
Hand embroidery: Blanket stitch, stem stitch, running stitch
Canadian artist, Anna Torma
Using a design wall.

November 24
Metal techniques including gold leaf
Cloth books
Canadian artist, Joyce Wieland
Finding a personal voice.

Please bring the following to the first class:
A piece of your own creative work
A blank book or journal, pen or pencil.
Two different 12-inch squares of cloth for reverse appliqué
Needle and sewing thread to match.

The cost of $50.00 for each four-hour session includes materials.
Classes are limited to five participants each.

2009-08-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

Fresh Water Art Show
Last night I judged the
paintings and photographs
in this art show
sponsored by Manitoulin Streams.

There were forty five artworks
and the quality in every single
one of them was very high.

Mary Nelder and Moira Elsley
were the other judges.
On view for the last two weeks of August at the Providence Bay Interpretive Centre.

2009-08-16T21:26:00.000-07:00

Perivale Gallery

New Work by Judy Martin
can be seen at the Perivale
Gallery in Spring Bay.

705 377 4847

perivalegallery@gmail.com

Open 10 to 5 seven days a week
until mid September

Trillium Boat 2009
SOLD

2009-08-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

Heritage Alive Art Show
The Centennial Museum
at Sheguiandah

August 6 - Sept 9

I was one of the judges for
this exhibition of local art.
There were over a hundred pieces,
and the quality is very high.

The other two jurors were
Peter Bering and Patti Johnstone.

2009-07-17T06:06:00.001-07:00

Manitoulin Art Tour
Friday - Sunday
July 17 - 19
11 am to 4 pm

60 artists in 32 studios
all over the island

Judy will be exhibiting
in her studio along
with 4 elements artists
(room 200)

12 water street
room 203
Little Current

705 968 0115

2009-07-17T05:57:00.000-07:00

The LaCloche Art Show 2009

Here are relevent excerpts from the Manitoulin Expositor Article by Jim Moodie (editor)

This year's distinguished artist was Sheguiandah's own Judy Martin, whose intricately crafted and emotionally stirring works of fabric art have captivated viewers in galleries near and far.

"The textiles that Judy produces are beautiful, labour-intensive and complex," said committee member Jon Butler in introducing Ms Martin, adding that she brings a passion about "the family and our environment" to her painstaking creations, notable for the amount of hand-stitching that goes into them. For her part, Ms Martin said it was an honour to be chosen as the 2009 artist of distinction, and encouraged her fellow artists to heed the advice of author Stephen King, who recommends, in a non fiction book about the creative process, that one must go into the studio every day and close the door. "It's like when you have to go to bed at a certain time, and can then access the dream world, because your body and soul know to relax and let that happen," Ms Martin analogized. "An artist who goes every day to the studio can get the body and mind ready to access the awake dream world."

As part of her distinguished artist role, Ms Martin was required to donate a work as a raffle item; she chose a piece that combines watercolour painting with wild flowers and thread titled The Soul is a Bird on the Wing. The artwork had hung in her own living room for three years, she shaid, and she felt comfortable with it becoming the raffle prize, not to mention the image to grace the poster for this year's show.

Several stunning new Martin works - a couple of them so new that she completed the final touches "just hours before they were hung up" had pride of place along the back wall of the hall's upper floor; and reeled in show-goers with their seductive hues and organic textures.Particularly arresting was a large work of painted canvas combined with paper and stitching, titled The Light of the Moon, while a smaller work of collage called I Think About Their Mothers provocatively pieced together excerpts of Globe stories about Afghanistan fatalities into a shape reminiscent of a swaddling blanket or papoose. Ms Martin noted that she has often entered artwork in the LaCloche show, even though her preferred mediums and the types of imagery she favours are not typical of the exhibitions, which ends to emphasize landscape painting. "I've been in the show lots, and it's always been something strange" she noted, recalling that "the first one I had in here was a photograph stitched to cloth".

Such works don't lend themselves to easy categorization - the grab-all mixed media label will usually apply, for lack of a more precise term - nor will they provoke as immediate a feeling of recognition in viewers as would, say, a pine tree on a rocky shore.

Given the unconventional nature of her creative work - and a general reluctance among the broader art world to rank pieces of fabric based art on the same level as oils and watercolours - Ms Martin was pleased, and proud, to have been chosen by her peers as this year's LaCloche notable.

"It's wonderful to be recognized as a textile artist in a show of mostly paintings," she said. "It raises the status of quilts as legitimate art and helps bring this medium into the mainstream of fine arts."

2009-07-04T22:50:00.000-07:00

LaCloche talk 7:30 p.m. July 3 2009.

Last spring I read Stephen King’s autobiography/ how-to book On Writing. Although he was speaking about writing, his advice applies to visual art.

“Go into your studio at a set time every day.”

Go into your studio, shut the door and do your work. Think of it as a ritual. Compare it to going to the bedroom each evening each night in order to get ready for bed. Our body and mind become accustomed to the custom of falling asleep and thus accessing the dream world.

“The rational mind relaxes and ordinary events suddenly appear beautiful or emotionally charged” (Stephen King).

When you go to the studio at a set time each day your body and mind become accustomed to accessing the awake dream world. It's easier to create artwork if you go to a place every day where the muse will know where to find you.

Also, here are truisms from recent journals.

1. Be orderly in your life. Be violently original in your work.
2. Be solitary. Read literature. Return to “otherness”. Know yourself better.
3. Try it. Try the new method or technique, the new subject, the new friend.
4. Do what you LOVE.
5. Ask "What are my concerns?" and "What do I want to do all day?"

2009-06-26T22:13:00.000-07:00

32nd LA CLOCHE ART SHOW
Whitefish Falls Community Center
A Juried Art Show containing acrylic, watercolour, oil, mixed media, drawing, sculpture and photographs.
Pictured is Judy Martin's eleven piece distinguished artist exhibition installed on the back wall of the building.
The LaCloche Art show is
open to the public
July 4 - 12
noon till six every day

2009-06-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

The Stars Above My Head
mixed media 2009

On Monday June 22, I was a juror for the LaCloche Art Show. Heidi Ferguson and Nancy Gareh were my co-jurors for the fine arts. It was humbling and exhausting to examine the nearly three hundred pieces of art. Krista Talenko and Greg Taylor juried the photography.

The show opens
to the public on July 4.

Because I am the LaCloche Art Show's distinguished artist for 2009 there will also be a small solo exhibition of my newest work.

2009-05-15T06:22:00.000-07:00

Memory of Wikwemikong
dyed rayon and linen
quilted with hand embroidery

Awarded second place
Abstract wall quilts

NATIONAL JURIED SHOW 2009Canadian Quilters' Association
annual exhibition
May 26-30
TCU Place
Saskatoon, SK
Twenty Four Hour Care
over dyed cottons
velveteen with
hand embroidery
hand quilted

Awarded FIRST PLACE
traditional wall quilts category

2009-05-12T22:21:00.000-07:00

GRANDMOTHER TO GRANDMOTHER

This wonderful embroidery by a grandmother from Africa is the focal point of one of Judy's quilts that will be showing at
the Perivale Gallery this season.

A percentage of the sale of this quilt will be forwarded to Stephen Lewis's Grandmother to grandmother campaign.

The Perivale Gallery opens for the season on the long weekend in May (May 16) and closes shortly after Labour Day. Judith Martin will have eight artworks in the gallery this season - several graphite and thread drawings, a framed embroidery, two watercolours and the grandmother to grandmother quilt. Other artists at the gallery this year are Ivan Wheale, Linda Finn, Ralph Engleton, and many more.

perivalegallery@gmail.com
705 377 4847

2009-04-04T22:08:00.000-07:00

Safe and Quiet
(detail) Pencil

2009 Distinguished Artist
LaCloche Art Show
Whitefish Falls, Ontario

The distinguished artist is invited to present
a solo exhibition within the LaCloche art show.

July 4 - 12 2009

2009-01-13T20:28:00.000-08:00

Smoke Flower

watercolour, cotton, thread

included in
LOCAL COLOUR

An exhibition of the
work in the art gallery of
Sudbury's art rental program.

January 17 - March 2 2009

Art Gallery of Sudbury
251 John Street
Sudbury, Ontario

2009-01-03T21:37:00.001-08:00

More Vulnerable

wax, ink, sequin

Convergence

46th Annual Tom Thomson Art Gallery
juried exhibition

January 23 to March 1 2009

Tom Thomson Art Gallery
840 First Avenue West
Owen Sound ON
Canada n4k 4k4
510-376-1932

2008-11-09T20:40:00.000-08:00

Flag Series: Spiral
mixed media with
stitch

2005

Flag Series : Heart
mixed media
with stitch

2005

Both pieces will be
exhibited in

Le Nouveau Louvre
La Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario
174 Elgin Street
Sudbury Ontario
Sunday November 30 -
December 20, 2008
phone 705 673 4927

a fundraiser
All work will be on
sale for $150

2008-10-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

Moon over Wikwemikiong
Dyed fabrics,
hand embroidery
Hand quilted.

My Small Gallery Space
Judith Martin Artist
Little Current

Hours
Mon, Thurs, Most Fridays
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m
Room 203
12 Water Street
Little Current
Ontario
Canada

These pieces
are on display for
the month of
November

Emily Carr Visited Me
Embroidered, painted quilt
2005

2008-09-18T07:39:00.001-07:00

Spider Plant
Watercolour
on view at:

Judith Martin Artist
room 203
Open for visitors
Mondays and Thursdays
11 am to 6 pm
plus occasional
Fridays and Saturdays

until November 1
Paintings from the Perivale
Gallery 2008 season
Moisture and Greenness quilt
and Judy's constantly changing
works in progress

12 Water Street
Little Current Ontario

2008-08-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

Grandmother's Garden Basket

couched fabric, watercolour
on paper, stitched
SOLD

Perivale Gallery
Spring Bay
Manitoulin Island

open every day
until September 15.

2008-08-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

Somewhere There are Heirlooms

stitched mixed media on canvas

Artist Talk
August 10
at the Gore Bay Museum

The Red Thread exhibition
at the Gore Bay
Museum

Last day: August 10

2008-07-17T04:03:00.000-07:00

Husband and Wife
quilt (detail)

The Manitoulin Art Tour
July 18, 19, 20
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Judith Martin
studio
room 203
12 Water Street
Little Current
Manitoulin Island
Ontario

While on the tour also
see Judy's work
at the Perivale Gallery
in Spring Bay
and at the Gore Bay Museum
in Gore Bay
You Find Only the
Shape you already
Are - mixed media

2008-07-02T21:19:00.000-07:00

You Probably Won't Remember Me
detail, Watercolour and mixed media
Collage 2008

Four and Friends Art Sale
Bruce Mines Community Hall

July 4, 5, 6

2008-06-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

Moi
mixed media collage

I was a juror today
for the LaCloche
Art Exhibition
July 4 to July 14
Whitefish Falls
Ontario. Linda
Finn and Beth
Bouffard were co-
jurors. We looked
at over 200 pieces
of art and decided
on 26 awards.

Beth is this year's
LaCloche
distinguished artist.

2008-06-19T21:12:00.000-07:00

Self

I was a judge for the President's
Challenge of the Island Quilters
Guild. The awards presentation was
June 19, 2008 at their
year end dinner meeting.

I made decisions for three
awards which were hand
made by president
Myrna Ferguson. Her
challenge was to make
something new out of
something old.

All eleven participants received
an honourable mention.
Beauty
Colour
Meaning
Originality, etc.
The work on a whole
was very creative.

2008-06-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Red Thread
graphite, thread
on paper

Red Thread
solo exhibition
Gore Bay Heritage
Museum and Gallery

Gore Bay,
Manitoulin Island

Opens June 14, 2008
Closes August 10

Artist talk
August 10

2008-05-31T23:05:00.000-07:00

My Light Green Heart
Lecture during the Summer
School of the Canadian
Embroider's Guild
in London Ontario

7 p.m.,
University
of Western Ontario
June 5, 2008

2008-05-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

One Thing is Certain

Donated on this day to the
Manitoulin Centennial
Manor in memory of my mother,
Pauline Johnson
who died one year ago today.

She was 80.

watercolour, silk thread,
bind weed

2008-05-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

The Power and Beauty of Hand Stitched Textiles
Summer Workshop
Canadian Embroider's Guild
London, Ontario

June 2 - 6, 2008
The other teacher at this event
is Jane Dunnewold, a role model.

2008-04-18T08:21:00.001-07:00

Grandmother's Garden Basket
Watercolour, paper, thread, fabric
2008
Showing at the Perivale
Gallery, Spring Bay,
Manitoulin Island
From the long weekend
in May Mid Sept 2008

Phone Sheila McMullan
705 377 4847 for more
information

2008-04-03T12:24:00.001-07:00

If Only I could go Back to the
Beginning, Where it all Began (detail)
part of Northern Exposure
Art Gallery of Sudbury
fund raising auction
Friday April 4

2008-03-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

Embroidered with Wildness (detail)

Part of the auction at
More Than Just Desserts
2008 fundraising event
Friday March 28, 2008

Caruso Club
Sudbury, Ontario

for more information visit
www.arthritus.ca/justdesserts

2008-03-25T07:07:00.000-07:00

Guest Writer for Great Lakes Town Hall

Daily postings during the week of
March 24 - March 28, 2008

This forum is part of
The biodiversity project

2008-03-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

My Light Green Heart

Lecture proceeding
two day workshop
The Power and Beauty of
Hand Stitched Textiles

Friday March 7
St Lawrence College
Kingston, Ontario
7:00 p.m.

2008-02-20T22:07:00.000-08:00

The Power and Beauty of
Hand Stitched Textiles

Workshop
Kingston Ontario
March 7 - 9 2008
Fibreworks

Pre-workshop homework
A ) Make a timeline of your life/art so far. Include the details of your own birth, location of that, your birth order within your family, and where you grew up. What are two key memories between age of 6 and 20? When did you first know you wanted to be an artist? Put in the practical dates like marriages, births of children and when you received various degrees. Give your exhibition history.

B) Research a textile artist that you admire. Describe her process and her work in words. Sketch some of it into your journal. List some of her titles. Underline those things about her work or herself that are the SAME as you.

2008-02-18T16:16:00.001-08:00

Christmas Cactus
watercolour
22" x 30" 2007

Available through the
Sudbury Art Gallery
Art Rental Program.

2008-01-10T07:23:00.001-08:00

POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Batik class
Saturday Feb 9
Saturday Feb 16
Little Current Campus
Cambrian College
phone 705 368 3194 to register

I studied with Gasali Adeyemo, a talented Nigerian at the Surface Design Association conference in Kansas City during May 2007. Gasali used indigo dyes but I will be using Procion MX dyes in my class. A $15.00 supply fee payable to the instructor will provide all the supplies needed. Included will be cotton and silk fabric, wax, dye, raffia, threads, easy-carve block printing material and more.

Day one
Learn about the designs found in Adire cloth from Nigeria as well as other African textiles.
Make your own tool for applying wax.
Demo in how to apply the wax.
Make waxed fabric.
Learn about tie-dye around the world and in Nigeria in particular
Use raffia and beans to make tied designs
Use pleating and stitching
View Judy’s collection of African fabrics
Spend quiet time tying and stitching.

Homework: continue to tie and/or stitch

Day Two
Learn more about designs from Africa including block prints.
Dye yesterday’s waxed cloth
Dye those tied/stitched fabrics that are ready
Remove the wax and rinse out dyes
Dye all remaining cloth
Rinse out fabric

2007-12-23T10:43:00.001-08:00

On the Townline
water colour

Included in the art rental program
Art Gallery of Sudbury
251 John St.
Sudbury,Canada
705)675-4871

2007-12-08T21:16:00.000-08:00

Protection Blanket For Africa
Craft Convergence
December 7, 2007 to January 27, 2008
Tom Thomson Memorial Art gallery
Owen Sound, Ontario

On the reverse side of the quilt
is a wonderful embroidery by Xhosa
artist Nobonie, purchased through
African Threads, in support of
Stephen Lewis' Grandmother to
Grandmother campaign for Aids relief
in Africa.

2007-11-07T20:50:00.000-08:00

Moisture and Greenness
Ontario Craft 07

Nov 15 to Dec 31, 2007
reception Nov 15 5-9 p.m.
990 Queen Street West
Toronto Ontario
Canada

416 925 4222

www.craft.on.ca

2007-11-02T17:21:00.000-07:00

Identity

20th anniversary art auction
and exhibition
November 8 to December 31
Auction gala and birthday
party, November 24

Catalogue available for purchase
Bid online for the artwork
WKP Kennedy gallery, North Bay

2007-11-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

Emily Carr Visited Me

Tactile Architecture 2007
Modern Art Quilts with Architectural Themes

International Quilt Festival
Houston Texas
October 27 - November 4, 2007

2007-10-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

Watercolour and Acrylic Painting for Youth
This class will teach the basics of watercolours and acrylics in an exciting and fresh manner. Instruction in drawing is also included.
Ages 11 - 14 years
Mondays 6 - 8 p.m.
Begins October 15 in Little Current
Register through Cambrian College 705 368 3194

2007-10-09T14:23:00.000-07:00

Discover Watercolours
Friday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Little Current
Friday 2:00 to 5 p.m in Espanola
Eight weeks beginning October 12

This course will introduce the fascinating medium of watercolour. Materials, brush handling, colour mixing and basic drawing are covered. Supplies will be available from the instructor at the first class.

Register through Cambrian College
Little Current 705 368 3194

2007-09-21T07:08:00.000-07:00

Batik class
October 20 and 21
Little Current Campus
Cambrian College
phone 705 368 3194 to register

I studied with Gasali Adeyemo, a talented Nigerian at the Surface Design Association conference in Kansas City during May 2007. Gasali used indigo dyes but I will be using Procion MX dyes in my class. A $15.00 supply fee payable to the instructor will provide all the supplies needed. Included will be cotton and silk fabric, wax, dye, raffia, threads, easy-carve block printing material and more.

Day one
Learn about the designs found in Adire cloth from Nigeria as well as other African textiles.
Make your own tool for applying wax.
Demo in how to apply the wax.
Make waxed fabric.
Learn about tie-dye around the world and in Nigeria in particular
Use raffia and beans to make tied designs
Use pleating and stitching
View Judy’s collection of African fabrics
Spend quiet time tying and stitching.

Homework: continue to tie and/or stitch

Day Two
Learn more about designs from Africa
Learn how to make blocks for printing fabric
Make blocks, and print fabric with resist
Dye yesterday’s waxed cloth
Dye those tied/stitched fabrics that are ready
Remove the wax and rinse out dyes
Dye all remaining cloth
Rinse out fabric

2007-09-10T08:02:00.000-07:00

Art Quilting

Study contemporary artists who are using the quilt as their primary media. Find your own personal voice as an art quilter. Create your own imagery, pattern, design and cloth. Bring a sample of your own work, a sketch book and two meters of washed white cloth to the first class. Other supplies will be available for purchase as needed from the instructor.

The class will occur the first Tuesday of each month for 8 months.
Little Current Campus of Cambrian College.
Time: 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Bring a lunch.
Register through Cambrian 705 368 3194
$143.10 Starts Oct 2

2007-09-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

Hand and Spirit

The exhibition from the conference last June in Elliot Lake was also shown at the Ontario Craft Council's gallery on Queen Street in Toronto during August 2007.

2007-08-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

Hand dyeing fabric with resists

Wax Batik
and
Nigerian tied resist

All supplies available from instructor $15

Saturday and Sunday
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
October 20 and 21
$143.10

Cambrian College
Little Current Campus

phone 705 368 3194

2007-08-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

Hand dyeing fabric with resist techiniques

paste resist
and
japanese shibori
(wrapped resist
and stitched resist)

all supplies available from the
instructor $15.00

Saturday and Sunday
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
November 17 and 18
$143.10

Espanola campus
Cambrian College

phone 705 368 3194

2007-08-27T17:16:00.000-07:00

Dye Parfait workshop

September 8, 2007
10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah
Pre - register 368 2657
email: shegmus@vianet.ca
Bring 10 metres of prepared for dye white cotton or linen
$50.00 (includes dyes)

2007-07-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

Into a Tender Mode
watercolour on paper
18 x 24"

Protection Dress two
graphite rubbing on Ingres paper
18" x 24"

Manitoulin Art Tour
July 20, 21, 22
11 to 4 p.m.

Judy's work for this season will be at the Perivale Gallery
Spring Bay, Manitoulin Island.
The Perivale Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

2007-06-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

a word for nature
stitched mixed media

Saturday, June 23, 2007
Fabric and Paper Collage
Hand and Spirit Conference
Elliot Lake, Ontario

Spend an enjoyable (packed) morning by creating beautiful and unique art papers. The afternoon will then be devoted to combining them with fabrics and thread in experimental mixed media work. Judy will offer two formats as starting points but there are no rules. This is a very satisfying way to express the creative self.

Supply List

Two pieces of foam core 20 inches x 30 inches (available at art and business supply stores such as Staples)
Straight pins

Selection of about a dozen pieces of fabric (that you love) between 4 and 12 inches square. Include at least one sheer fabric and one silk fabric in your collection. Co-ordinate these by colour. Also, please bring two half metre pieces of neutral coloured cotton or linen.

Your own photographs.We will be using real photographs, not colour copies. Examples are family shots, vacation shots, landscapes, or flower garden shots or bring a self-portrait. Tip: Bring close up photos of your own hands or eyes.

As well bring colour copies of your own artwork. Include detail shots.

A candle and its candleholder.

An awl or a thick needle

One or two pieces of water colour paper or $2 to purchase from instructor.

Cloth scissors, paper scissors and small embroidery scissors

Two colours of embroidery floss and an appropriate needle

Hand written text such as a letter or some old journal pages.

A poem that you love, or the novel you are currently reading.

Sewing machine (optional)
darning foot if you are bringing your machine if you have one

Digital camera (optional)

Leaves from your own back yard or neighbourhood pressed into the pages of a magazine that you like to read.

2007-06-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

Protection Apron
ink, wax, thread, graphite
2006

part of the 50th annual NOAA exhibition
touring North Eastern Ontario in 2006-2007.

At the Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah
from June 9 to July 2, 2007.

2007-03-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

detail of millennium journal: winter solstice
layered and stitched fabrics
hand and machine embroidery

Judy Martin
Millennium Journal
May 3 to July 29
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
3 Rosamond St E.
Almonte, Ontario
Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m to 4 p.m.
613 256 3754

2007-03-31T21:11:00.000-07:00

Protection Blanket
dyed rayon Amish Quilt with sequins

Judy Martin
Protection Blankets
May 5 to June 23
artist reception, May 5 2:30 p.m.
Cambridge galleries, PRESTON
435 King St East, Cambridge, Ontario N3H 3N1
Monday-Thursday 12 noon to 8:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 12 noon to 5:30 p.m.
Sundays 1 - 5 p.m

2007-01-17T07:30:00.000-08:00

velvet journal: secret garden
velvet, taffeta, embroidery floss,
painted journal papers
hand stitched

celebrate craft: a contemporary craft mosaic
January 28 - March 9 2007
Gallery of the Craft Council
of Newfoundland and Labrador

2007-01-02T20:23:00.000-08:00

Embroidered With Wildness
watercolour, sweet clover and thread on paper

Fabric and Paper Collage
workshop
June 23, 2007
Hand and Spirit Conference
Elliot Lake Ontario
Canada's year of craft 2007

2006-12-16T09:53:00.000-08:00

In the Center of the Body is the Soul

November 22, 2006
Art and Life are all mixed up
trunk show
presented to York Heritage Guild meeting
more than 300 in attendance

2006-12-16T09:44:00.000-08:00

Imagine all the people, sharing all the world
November 22, 2006
I presented a new lecture, Narrative Traditions to 20 people in a workshop organized by the York Heritage Quilt Guild in Toronto Canada. What follows is a bibliography used for the images and content of that lecture.

The Extraordinary in the Ordinary, edited by Mary Hunt Kahlenberg,1998
African Textiles by John Gillow, 2003
Embroidery from India and Pakistan by Sheila Paine, 2001
Quilts: The James Collection by Michael Kile and Penny McMorris,1990
The Shining Cloth by Victoria Z. Rivers, 1999
The Techniques of Indian Embroidery by Anne Morrell, 1995
First Shapes, by Ivan and Jane Clark Chermayeff,1991
Colourful world by Amandine Guisez Gallienne, 2005
Embroidered Textiles,by Sheila Paine,1990
Signs and Symbols: African American Quilts, Maude Southwell Wahlman,1993
The World of Amish Quilts by Rachel and Kenneth Pellman, 1984
Costume, Textiles and Jewellery of INDIA by Vandana Bhandari, 2005
Matisse, His art and his textiles ed Hilary Spruling, 2004
The Quilts of Gee’s Bend ed William Arnett, 2002
Raiki Wara, Long Cloth from Aboriginal Australia Judith Ryan and Robyn Healy,1998
African Inspirations In Embroidery by Mary Sleigh, 2004
Robes of Power by Doreen Jenson and Polly Sargent,1986
The Art of Being Kuna by Mari Lyn Salvador, 1997
Labors of Love, America’s textiles and needlework 1650 – 1930 by Judith Reiter 1987
World Textiles, by John Gillow and Bryan Sentence,1999
Dancing Colors: Paths of Native American Women, ed C.J. Brafford and Laine Thom,1992
Printed and Dyed Textiles from Africa by John Gillow, 2001

2006-11-28T20:40:00.000-08:00

Forgiveness and reconciliation
solvent transfer, wax, thread
Art Gallery of Sudbury
art rental and gift shop
open year round

SOLD

2006-11-27T19:38:00.000-08:00

Familiar Strangeness
graphite, drawing paper, thread, feathers, wire,

Le Nouveau Louvre
November 25 to December 20
A fund raising exhibition for

Le Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario
Sudbury, Ontario

2006-10-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

Protection Apron
Wax, ink, graphite, silk, thread

Award: 3 H Furniture Systems

50th annual NOAA touring exhibition
The exhibition began its 2006-07 tour of Northern Ontario in Timmins, Ontario last month.

2006-09-12T02:30:00.000-07:00

Fragile as a Leaf in Autumn
shibori dyed linen, kuba inspired applique, north american log cabin piecework, hand embroidery

Toronto Workshop
York Heritage Quilt Guild
November 21, 2006

Narrative Traditions
Indian and Middle Eastern hand embroidery

Discover the wonderful language of symbols found in world textiles. Traditional North American quilts, as well as woven, dyed and embroidered cloths and clothing from around the world have meaning beyond the decorative. Depending on the length of the workshop, a variety of hands-on techniques are presented. These techniques are machine piecing, hand piecing, paper backed piecing, paper-backed applique, hand embroidery, shibori dye techniques and fabric painting. The workshop also includes Judy’s private collection of cloth from around the world. No sewing machine is required for most techniques. A slide lecture about traditional pattern is included. One to five days
The workshop begins with an overview of the many symbols that are used over and over around the world and what they mean to different cultures. This talk will probably take 45 minutes. (slides and my collection of fabrics). The rest of the first day will involve a hands-on technique inspired by world tradition.

Middle and Eastern Hand Embroidery
The following hand stitches are taught during this class.
a) chain stitch and its many uses and variations
b) kantha cloth imagery and the running stitch
c) mirror and sequin work

Supply list
A $10.00 kit fee provides an embroidery hoop, some fabrics, and all threads and embellishments required for the class

Participant should bring:
embroidery scissors
package of embroidery needles
12" square of black cotton
12" square of red cotton

2006-09-10T17:35:00.000-07:00

Loved as if embroidered with flowers
altered photos, fabrics, stitched

November Workshop, Toronto

Fabric and Paper Collage
York Heritage Quilt Guild
Toronto Ontario
November 20, 2006

Spend an enjoyable (packed) morning by creating beautiful and unique art papers. The afternoon will then be devoted to combining them with fabrics and thread in experimental mixed media work. Judy will offer two formats as starting points but there are no rules. This is a very satisfying way to express the creative self.

Supply List

Two pieces of foam core 20 inches x 30 inches (available at art and business supply stores such as Staples)
Straight pins

Selection of about a dozen pieces of fabric (that you love) between 4 and 12 inches square. Include at least one sheer fabric and one silk fabric in your collection. Co-ordinate these by colour. Also, please bring two half metre pieces of neutral coloured cotton or linen.

Your own extra photographs (those that did not make it into the photo albums). We will be using real photographs, not colour copies. Examples are family shots, vacation shots, landscapes, or flower garden shots. Bring a self-portrait. (We will remove or cover up any unflattering parts). Film photos work best, but printed digital photos also respond to the technique presented.

As well please do bring colour copies of your own quilts or other artwork. Include detail shots of hand work. (These can not be ink jet so please go to a copy shop and ask for colour xeroxes)

A candle and its candleholder.
An awl or a thick needle
Roll of paper towels
Two pieces of water colour paper (aprox 12 by 14 inches) or $2 to purchase from instructor.

Cloth scissors, paper scissors and small embroidery scissors
Two colours of embroidery floss and the appropriate needle

Bring a collection of hand written text that you might want to include such as a letter or some old journal pages.
Bring either a poem that you love, or the novel you are currently reading.

Sewing machine (optional)
6 colours (that you love) of machine embroidery thread such as sulky. Bring a darning foot if you have one

Digital camera if you have one

Leaves from your own back yard or neighbourhood pressed into the pages of a magazine that you like to read.

2006-07-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

Willow Oracle
Watercolour, coloured pencil, layered

Manitoulin Art Tour
July 21, 22, 23
Manitoulin Island Ontario

2006-07-20T19:35:00.000-07:00

You find only the shape you already are
acrylic on paper, layered, stitched fabrics

La Cloche art show
July 8 to July 16, 2006
White fish Falls, Ontario

2006-07-05T19:42:00.000-07:00

Imagine Sharing all the World
layered fabrics, hand stitched

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
July 7,8,9 2006

Nathan Phillips Square
Toronto Ontario