Lost Heroes Art Quilt and Arlington

While visiting Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, came across this quilt in the Visitor's Centre - which was made to honour the men and women who have lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq. The individual blocks comprise a military jacket / shirt and a picture of the person as a child. The quilt receives a great deal of comment and attention - viewers are asked to take one name / memory away with them and "remember one hero today".  The ANC is first and foremost a cemetery - with 100 funeral services each week - the tomb of the unknown soldiers is a most solemn place - and even the rowdiest of visitors becomes respectfully quiet.

Smithsonian's rule! This is "Needles" from the sculpture garden beside the Flight and Space Museum ... they appeared to be suspended in air. Rather apt for textile artists I thought.  There was so much so see that it took all day to walk just over a mile ...

I fell in love with "Brushstroke" by Roy Lichtenstein (above ) and "Committee Meeting" by Tony Cragg (below) which appealed to the public servant in me ... can't keep a good bureaucrat down.

Karl Bitter @ 30th Street Station, Philadelphia

What a treat - to see the sculpture of Karl Bitter in 30th Street Station while we waited for our connection to Washington DC. Can you believe this - one of Mr Bitter's descendants was visiting the station at the same time as us, something he does regularly, and shared how he always finds some new detail in the huge sculpture. We were most grateful for his commentary and the privilege of his company.  The entire sculpture was relocated to its current position in 1933 - originally completed in 1895. Breath taking doesn't begin to describe it.



Twilight in Philadelphia PA

Had a long walk last evening to the Race Street Cafe which featured dessert and a "tin of margaritas".  A stroll along the Delaware River piers followed - and this is the beautiful Benjamin Franklin  Bridge from just in front of the motel. Took lots of pictures of the lines - of the bridge, the pavers, the pier and am starting to think about working on the rusted fabrics I brought from a day at Ankie's place. All inspirational.

Conshohocken houses

Some of my favourite things in Conshohocken, apart from the nearly 300 SAQA and SDA artists  were the stoic old houses. Walking around Conshohocken there was no shortage of beautiful eave-less snow and wind proof residences to look at. Inspiration for a future work  ... this view from the bridge crossing  the river near our accommodation in Conshohocken.

Hanging at the Wayne

Hanging at the Wayne - many artists were  invited to donate postcards and "Hang with the Wayne" to celebrate ten years on Art Quilt Elements @ the Wayne Art Centre. I got to hang with many great textile artists, including Dianne Firth and Cindy Friedman - and our postcards were available for sale during the AQE Exhibition as a fundraiser  for the Wayne Art Centre. My postcard depicted Australian bushfire.

Fibre Festival 2012 in Philadelphia

One of the many delights at the Fibre Festival was meeting Lisa Call at the beautiful Blue Stone Fine Art Gallery 

Lisa (second from left)  is holding her solo exhibition Relationships – Connection and Barriers at the Gallery until April 14. Lisa's contemplation of life and the way we connect through textile painting is one of the best exhibitions we visited - and there were many on the SAQA/SDA  touring day. Thanks to Lisa for so many thought provoking works and her generosity of spirit in talking about the works and her techniques - matched only by the gallery staff whose helpfulness was boundless. One of those great times in life when being in a particular place "felt right" from Lisa's Lines series. In fact, it felt so right that here we are with our purchases - beautiful mounted pieces Thanks again for a great gallery visit.