Catherine Whall Smith

Catherine Whall Smith’s exhibit “Line Dances 2” is on display at the Windham History and Textile Museum in Willimantic, CT

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Catherine Whall Smith

Besides hanging “Line Dances” at the University of Connecticut – I was also invited
to display a few of my pieces at the Windham History and Textile Museum in Willimantic, CT. The pieces that you will be able to view there until October 19th, 2012 are; “Which Way to Lund”,”Black, White, and Red All Over”, “Gold Hay #4”, “The Kiss”, “Injured in the Woods”, and a new piece “The Tree” that I am in the process of completing – shown below;

"Tree" 2012 CWSmith.All Rights Reserved work in progress

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The WHTM located at 411 Main Street, Willimantic, CT is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10am- 4pm – Guided Tours: Sunday 2:00 pm. Hours are subject to change – so check their website http://www.millmuseum.org/ 0r call (860)456-2178

While you are there you will also be able to see the show “A Steampunk Reliquary: A Cabinet of Curiosities: The Jewelry of Ann Pedro.”  – on display until August 26th – check it out!

Posted in Art Quilting, Fiber Art, Hand Quilted, Lines, Quiet Corner Artist | Tagged abstract impressionist, Hand stitching, SAQA Connecticut, Studio Quilts | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith invites you to check out Norma Schlager’s website blog

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Catherine Whall Smith

This past week was spent hanging the pieces in my 20 year retrospective show “Line Dances” at the Homer Babbidge Library and the Thomas Dodd Research Center. A HUGE THANK-YOU goes out to Jane Recchio, Marketing Specialist at the University of Connecticut; and two friends and fellow members of Studio Art Quilt Associates Rita Hannafin, and Michele Palmer. They moved the process along and the entire show was hung and ready to be shown on Saturday to the members in attendance at our SAQA CT meeting on the UCONN campus.

Norma Schlager, an award winning quilt artist who takes her inspiration from nature, architecture, travel, and the pure love of color and fabric; attended the meeting and sent me her website blog post. So I’m passing her thoughts on to you – check out her website and blog post, http://www.notesfromnorma.blogspot.com/

“LINE DANCES” SHOW DATES: July 2nd and continuing through October 19th, 2012.
Opening Reception, Sunday, July 29th, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Posted in Art Quilting, Fiber Art, Hand Quilted, Lines, Quiet Corner Artist, Studio Art Quilt Associates, Univeristy of Connecticut | Tagged Hand stitching, Retrospective Show, SAQA CT, Studio Quilts | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith – wonders in an election year – do your quilts have political themes?

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Catherine Whall Smith

Four years ago when we were in the midst of searching for a Presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, I was working on this piece that incorporated images of past United States presidents.

"Where's Hillary" 2008 (Full View) CWSmith.All rights reserved

At the time, there seemed to be the possibility that Hillary Rodham Clinton had a pretty good chance of being that person. But alas Barack Obama stepped up and history was made with his election. My original idea was to put a picture of our first woman president on this quilt. So even though her photo did not make the quilt I decided to name it after her attempt thus ” Where’s Hillary”.

My second political attempt is the piece shown below on the left titled “Straw Vote”.

“Straw Vote” 36x36inches

This quilt is part of my hay bale series that continues my exploration of the lines in a hay bale. The long line in the lower right hand corner is the “straw vote” that will determine the winner. So do you think that our process of nominating and electing our public officials determines the best person – or maybe a “straw vote” might be an option worth considering?

The piece “Where’s Hillary” will be shown at the University of Connecticut as part of my 2o Year Retrospective – “Line Dances” – July 2nd through October 19th 2012 at the Thomas Dodd Research Center, and the Homer Babbidge Library.

Directions and hours: http://lib.uconn.edu/about/exhibits/future/
(“Straw Vote” was juried into the “Art Quilt Experience” Cazenovia, N. Y. in 2011, was purchased and has a new home.)

Posted in Abstract Impressionist, Art, Art Quilting, Fiber Art, Hand Quilted, Lines, Presidential Elections, Retrospective Show, Studio Art Quilt Associates, Univeristy of Connecticut | Tagged "Straw Votes", Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, SAQA artist, United States Presidents | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith suggests quilting from the back of your fiber art

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Catherine Whall Smith

My signature stye of hand quilting can be seen by looking at the back of one of my pieces.

“Lyme Disease – Babosia Strain” BACK

Several years ago I decided that I needed to focus on the process of hand quilting rather than thinking about the many possibilities of the hand stitching that could be put on the surface of the piece. I also did not want to put any marks – even if they could be removed later – on the top of the quilt. The aha moment came when I decided to make my quilting lines match the printed design on the fabric that was selected for the back of the piece. What a break through – my hand quilting became much faster, as I did not have to constantly make decisions regarding the marks that needed to be made on the surface of the quilt.

“Lyme Disease – Babosia Strain” BACK detail

This close up gives you an idea of how this process has served me well. I continue to favor this method – although some of my work is now being hand stitched from the back and the top of the piece. To see the front of this piece visit my show “Line Dances” on the UCONN Storrs campus.

July 2nd through October 19th 2012 Directions and hours: http://lib.uconn.edu/about/exhibits/future/

Posted in Abstract Impressionist, Art Quilting, Fiber Art, Hand Quilted, Lines, Retrospective Show, Univeristy of Connecticut | Tagged abstract impressionist, Fiber Art, Hand stitching, SAQA Connecticut, Studio Quilts | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith invites you to mark your calendar for the opening of “Line Dances”

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Catherine Whall Smith

Line Dances: Quilts by Catherine Whall Smith –  A 20 year Retrospective 1991-2011 at the UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, Storrs, Connecticut;  Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, West Corridor and the Homer Babbidge Library, Gallery on the Plaza

SHOW DATES: July 2 – October 19, 2012
You are invited to the Opening Reception on Sunday, July 29 from 2 – 4 p.m. in the Homer Babbidge Library, Gallery on the Plaza. For up to date information on current/future UConn exhibits go to http://lib.uconn.edu/about/exhibits/future/ The hours, directions, and suggestions for parking can also be found at that website. Feel free to contact me if you need any additional information. (860) 455-0270 or; smith.catherine62@gmail.com

Hoping to see you there!

Posted in Art, Art Quilting, Fiber Art, Hand Quilted, Quiet Corner Artist, Retrospective Show | Tagged Line Dances, University of Connecticut | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith invites you to see the 19th Regional Art Exhibit at ACGOW

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Catherine Whall Smith

"ALONE . . but not lonely" 2012 CWSmith All Rights Reserved

The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly presents it’s 19th Annual Regional Art Exhibit.
Show dates: May 2nd – June 2nd.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10-5

Two of my pieces were juried into this show;
GOLD HAY #5; and shown on the left “ALONE” – 28h X 19w inches. All cotton materials – Hand Quilted – Free Cut – No Pattern. Part of the “Roasting Marshmallow” series that incorporates my digital images of hay bales wrapped in white plastic for storage.

http://www.westerlyarts.com (401) 596-2221

Posted in Art, Art Quilting, Fiber Art, Hand Quilted | Tagged Art Quilts SAQA Auction, Artist Cooperative Gallery of Westerly Rhode Island, Studio Quilts | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith suggests that you check out the Windham Textile and History Museum

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Catherine Whall Smith

"Which Way to the Windham Textile & History Museum"

The Windham Textile and History Museum is working on several new initiatives. One of these initiatives is being developed by the recently formed Quilt Committee. A major “Then/Now” Textile Show is scheduled for the Fall of 2013. Stay tuned to the museum’s website; http://www.millmuseum.org/ to learn about all of the other museum events and to eventually view the images of 10 – 12 of the museum quilts that will be the inspiration for the artists who will be creating the “Now” pieces for this show. So, if you are in the Willimantic, Connecticut area don’t forget to visit the Windham Textile and History Museum at 411 Main Street; Willimantic, CT 06226
Phone: 860-456-2178 OPEN: Friday, Saturday & Sunday – 10 am – 4 pm
Admission: Adults: $7.00 • Students, Seniors $5 • Groups: $4
Guided Tours: Sunday 2:00 pm – – Also Self Guided Tours during hours of operation.

Posted in Art Quilting, Fiber Art, Quiet Corner Artist | Tagged Art Quilts SAQA Auction, Windham History & Textile Museum | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith wishes you a Happy Spring, Happy Easter, and Happy Passover

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Catherine Whall Smith

To me part of the beauty of a piece eventually lies in the details. A detail that I remember of growing up during my grammar school years at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School was the need to have the perfect Easter outfit along with the over the top Easter hat. A bonding experience with my mother – we would go downtown to Pariseau’s to select it. One year straw was in, another year it was flowers on a stretchable knit cap. Thinking back several Easter’s before those hat bonding experiences, I can still clearly visualize the details of a dusty pink coat and matching round pocketbook in the shape of a cat’s face – with little ears. The set made by my mother also had hand stitched whiskers, nose, and eyes. That attention to the details has stayed with me as I incorporate gently curved pieced seams and hand stitching in my work as shown in this detail section of “Tribute to Truitt”.

2010 Tribute to Truitt (detail) 44H x 46W inches (112 x 117 cm.

I have no idea what happened to that wonderful coat and cat purse, but I still remember the fine construction and the stitching of the details – so what do you remember?

Posted in Art, Art Quilting, Fiber Art, Hand Quilted, Quiet Corner Artist | Tagged Art Quilts SAQA Auction, Catholic Grammar School, Easter Hat, Fiber Art, Hand stitching, Studio Quilts | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith returns from Philadelphia and the SAQA/SDA Conference

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Catherine Whall Smith

Back from four days in Philadelphia at the joint Studio Art Quilt Associates/Surface Design Association Conference – lots to see, especially at the Snyderman-Works Gallery http://www.snyderman-works.com/ One of my favorite installations was the piece shown here;

"Sisters" 2011 Ann Coddington Rast

titled “Sisters” (6′ x 7′ 6″) 2011 by Ann Coddington Rast – the show runs through April 28th. These large black and beige pieces reminded me of something I am presently working on in my studio.

Black, White, & Beige (in progress)CWSmith 2012

I’m using many, many black and white prints of varying scales on a beige background with lots of slashing lines across the surface of the piece. The shapes are my bodice, sleeve, skirt, and pant pattern pieces that were drafted many years ago when I was taking an Advanced Pattern Making class at the University of Connecticut. Not sure if these pattern pieces would still fit me – what do you think??

Posted in Art Quilting, Fiber Art, Quiet Corner Artist, Univeristy of Connecticut | Tagged Snyderman-Works Gallery | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith suggests that you only roll your quilts

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Catherine Whall Smith

Like many of you, I usually fold my large bed size quilts before storing. As expected fold marks appear even though as suggested, I would refold them in different ways when not being used for a long period of time. That changed when I started creating pieces in my studio that were meant to be a visual presentation to be hung on a wall. Rolling them for storage meant that those fold lines were eliminated. The best product that I have found to roll my artwork are those colorful foam tubes that appear in stores like WalMart and CVS when the weather warms up. This photo shows a pile of those tubes that I purchased from CVS last Fall. The end of the season close out sale of 75% off made them very affordable. As you can see I bought all of them. I cover each foam roll with a cloth sleeve. My art work is then rolled around the cloth covered tube and slipped into another cloth bag, labeled, and stored. When a piece is sold the foam tube and cloth bag go with the quilted piece. So far, I have been pretty happy with this arrangement, but I am always open to new storage ideas . . . So what do you use???