Catherine Whall Smith . . . shares Red (Magenta) is the color for 2023!

How did I know!! A Bold shade of red – Magenta is the color for the year 2023. I’ve been using a lot of RED in my new Bones series. “Body Bones” (50H x 39W) is a complex work created with thread and batting improvisational piecing and slashing, and is machine pieced and hand quilted. My photo images of skeleton bones have been digitally applied to treated cotton.

CHECK IT OUT at the Gallery 53 in Meriden, CT. – FABRICATED VISIONS: 2023 Fiber Art Exhibit. Opening Reception: Saturday, May 6th 12 Noon. On Exhibit: May 6 – June 1, 2023. “Body Bones” Can be viewed in this exhibit. Prize Juror: Gina Frank. SEE below for early stages of this piece.

Artist Cooperative Gallery of Westerly Rhode Island – May Exhibition, “28th Annual Juried Art Exhibit” – May, 4 – 28 Opening Reception: Friday, May 5, 5–8 pm, Awards Presentation, 7 pm. Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 11AM-7PM; Sunday, 1-5PM; My piece “Back Pain” has been juried into this all-media show. JUROR: Megan Horn, Curatorial Assistant, Newport Art Museum.

Both of these pieces have lots of hand quilting – taking many weeks to complete. So good to NOTE: Five Fantastic Benefits of Quilting – A study conducted by the University of Glasgow concluded that there’s much more to the craft than the mere pleasure it brings.

1. Stress-Reliever. The repetitive motions of quilting can have a calming effect on the mind, reducing stress and anxiety levels. When you quilt, you enter a meditative state that allows you to focus on the task at hand, block out any distractions, and reduce your stress levels.

2. Increased Confidence – Quilters understand the feeling of pride that comes with a completed piece. That completion can boost your sense of confidence and self-esteem over the long term. Studies show that people who quilt on a regular basis have an increased boost in their confidence.

3. Cognitive Ability – The more intricate your quilt design, the more likely you are to use complex math skills like geometry. As we grow older, our cognitive functions naturally decline. The more we use our brains, the healthier they remain. Cutting materials and piecing together a quilt helps to maintain cognitive ability.

4. Socialization Instead of quilting alone, researchers suggest quilting with friends. Coming together for an activity can help people maintain old friendships and make new ones. Interestingly, the more people socialize, the healthier they are.

5. Physical Health Any hobby that helps to relax the body can also lower blood pressure, keep cholesterol levels down and promotes heart health. While quilting isn’t a cure for everything that ails you, it can keep you in better overall physical condition.