Catherine Whall Smith

Catherine Whall Smith . . . is bringing the “OUTDOORS” inspiration “INDOORS”!

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Catherine Whall Smith

My many “Tying Up the Hay” pieces – abstract and pictorial – all start with a simple bale or round of Hay. “Tying Up the Hay #9” shown below right – created “indoors” in my studio, took some of it’s inspiration from my “outdoors” photo on the left.

During the many years of hand quilting my Fiber Art, I came up with a simple way to hand quilt each piece. Using a 14 inch hoop – the 3 layers are held together with the back of the quilt on the top surface as shown below left and right. By hand stitching along the printed lines, or the spaces between, I do not need to draw any pencil lines on the piece.

A very “simple solution” that has served me well. Kind of like wearing a mask – a “simple solution” that will serve you well and have a powerful affect. . . . So what inspires YOU!

NOTE: How long does COVID-19 remain in the air? Aerosolized corona virus can remain in the air for up to three hours. Aerosols are emitted by a person infected with corona virus — even one with no symptoms — when they talk, breathe, cough, or sneeze. Another person can breathe in these aerosols and become infected with the virus. Stay Safe . . . Wear A Mask . . . Smith Stitch Studio!

Posted in Art Quilting | Tagged "Wear a Mask", Corona Virus Masks, Corona Virus Pamdemic, Hand Quilted, Hay Rounds | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith . . . thinks it may be time for a second chance!

Posted on December 3, 2020 by Catherine Whall Smith

This may be your chance to view the SECOND and final WEEK-END of the 2020 Artist Open Studios of Northeast CT 0n December 5th and 6th. – As previously noted the majority of participating artists are following CT State guidelines and requiring an appointment and wearing a MASK! Check artist profiles for details. https://www.aosct.org/index.htm .

If, by chance you are looking for color – maybe one of my mounted “Transfusion” (12H x 12W x 1) pieces will keep you happy! Artist Open Studio price – $75.00 each piece – plus CT State Tax.

SOLD

For a subdued palette my “Tying Up the Hay”series is an option. $375 each+ CT tax. LEFT (34Hx 34W) and RIGHT (39Hx 39W).

And if you are looking for something from my “Seeing Doubles” series maybe “Rolled Hay” (30H x 39W) will fit your space shown below left. The book ” Wall Art” also includes some of this series.

NOTE: If you are not already an email subscriber and want to stay up to date, try an Email Subscription GO TO: https://catherinewhallsmith.com/blog-2/ and Click on:

Stay Safe . . . Smith Stitch Studio!

Posted in Art Quilting, Fiber Art, Hand Quilted, Quiet Corner Artist, Studio Art Quilt Associates | Tagged "Parts", "Rolled Hay", "Tying Up the Hay #1", "Tying Up the Hay #7, Artistry in Fiber Wall Art Vol. 1, Artists' Open Studio of Northeast Ct, Catherine Whall Smith | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith . . . wonders what was the SIZE of your Thanksgiving gathering.

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Catherine Whall Smith

Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving – ten years and counting – I usually post something about the SIZE of my Thanksgiving Turkey or Turkeys! This year the news tells us to DOWN-SIZE our Turkey Gathering – did you do that? My original plan included an outside gathering, but then some words of wisdom came my way – and we ended up delivering a few turkey dinners. A great excuse for a “ROAD TRIP”! (BTY well over 1,500 homes in the Willimantic, CT area lost their power from 11a.m. to 2p.m. on Thanksgiving Day – bad timing if you were cooking that Turkey. We were one of those homes but fortunately had just finished the last of the cooking when the power went out.)

The SIZE of our front hall has lots of wall space to display my Fiber Art.

To VIEW each piece go to; https://catherinewhallsmith.com/portfolio/2008-2-2/ . To Check NAMES/SIZES of each “HKYD” piece click on HAY CHART PDF link. Right now I am trying to decide “what will be on my design wall next” – another “Hay . . . Keep Your Distance” piece; revisiting my “Barriers” piece; or explore working with a solid colored palette and new shapes. Hmmmm – so what are your future plans? Maybe doing some on-line shopping at the VIRTUAL Artists’ Open Studio of Northeast CT. – Although the physical tour for 2020 is CANCELLED due to Covid, some artists are accepting visitors. Check artist profiles for details. https://www.aosct.org/index.htm .

NOTE: During this Covid-19 time, please view my Art, and read my weekly Blog Post on my website https://catherinewhallsmith.com . Emailing smith.catherine62@gmail.com will put you in touch with me about setting up a time to view my Fiber Art. STAY SAFE by Wearing A Mask! . . . Smith Stitch Studio

Catherine Whall Smith . . . shares the inside of the “She Shed”.

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Catherine Whall Smith

This week I worked on hanging some of my RED fiber art in the “She Shed”, which included a few of my many “PARTS” – they are each (12H x 12W) squares mounted for easy hanging, – To see more: https://catherinewhallsmith.com/small-studies/ .

On the right “Transfusion #2” (42H x37.5W).

And below 2 pieces mounted on canvas (36H x 24W).

Even though the light is not the best in the “She Shed” I do like the look of the pieces against the wood walls.

UPDATE: Artists’ Open Studio of Northeast CT – Although the physical tour for 2020 is CANCELLED due to Covid, some artists are accepting visitors.

NOTE: During this Covid-19 time, please view my Fiber Art, and read my weekly Blog Post on my website https://catherinewhallsmith.com .

Sending you an early Thanksgiving wish, and please avoid doing this; “Herd Immunity” (18H x 36W) mounted on canvas.

Stay Safe . . . Smith Stitch Studio

Posted in Art Quilting | Tagged "Herd Immunity", "Transfusion", Artists' Open Studio of Northeast Ct, Catherine Whall Smith, Red, SAQA artist, She Sheds, Thanksgiving 2020 | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith . . . TIME to plant and TIME to move on!

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Catherine Whall Smith

I thought after all the yard clean up from that broken tree that has been in our yard since March 2020 , which also coincides with the start of the Corona Virus pandemic, that the yard work was complete. Guess again – the Fall 75% off Clearance Sale at our local Lowe’s was just too tempting.

So now it’s Time to plant all those shrubs I purchased and watch them grow. Recently, my husband shared the poem “Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrd’s from the local publication “Neighbor’s November”* 2020 pg. 6 – the words have always been so timely, especially now. As we celebrate our new President Elect Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, we also need to remind ourselves that there is much to do.

Studio Update: The hand quilting is complete on “Herd Immunity” so it’s time to attach the binding. I’ve cut 3 inch wide bias strips from a black and white Kaffe Fassett fabric for Free Spirit. – The fabric titled “Onion Rings” is being auditioned on the edge of the piece. After sewing to the piece’s edge it will be attached to stretched Classic Cotton Canvas by wrapping and stapling the binding to the back of the frame. Note: The bias strip could stretch when I machine stitch it to “Herd Immunity”, so I usually sew a line of stitching on either side of the bias strip. (Shown Below)

“A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late” – The Byrd’s

It’s Friday the 13th . . . Stay Safe – Smith Stitch Studio

* Virtual Artists Open Studios of Northeastern CT. 1st Weekend Nov.27, 28, 29; & December 5,6, 10–5. Read more in Neighbors No. 189 -Nov. 2020 Pg.13.

Posted in Art Quilting | Tagged "Herd Immunity", Catherine Whall Smith, Classic Cotton Canvas, Corona Virus Pamdemic, Kaffe Fassett "Onion Ring" fabric, Lowe's Garden Center, Neighbors November 2020, Pat Pauly Hand Dyed Fabric, President Elect Joe Biden, SAQACT Artist, The Byrd's, Vice President Kamala Harris | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith . . . is thinking she needs a HAT to do her stitching.

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Catherine Whall Smith

When you have some “idle” time how about checking out Pinterest–Ladies stitching thru history – https://www.pinterest.com/shirleyrapp/art-of-ladies-stitching-thru-history/

Of note is Madame Defarge shown below as she records in her knitted registry the names of people. She is a fictional character in the 1859 novel “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens.

A ringleader of the tricoteuses, tireless worker for the French Revolution, and the wife of Ernest Defarge. Defarge knits, and her knitted stitches secretly encodes the names of people. All day Madame Defarge sits and listens to conversations in the wine shop. Wearing a lace hat she stitches a “Hit List” of the people she wants eliminated during the Revolution.

Hmmm, so how important is a hat. The term “THROW YOUR HAT IN THE RING” comes from boxing. Today, throwing a hat in the ring indicates a challenge to political candidacy. I wonder as the ballots are still being counted, will we hear a “Time to Throw in the Towel” by one of the candidates of the 2020 election.

STUDIO NOTE: In 2010 as part of my “Hay” series, “Straw Vote” shown below was juried into the international The ArT-QuILT ExPERIENCE show at Cazenovia College Art Gallery, Cazenovia, New York. (It must have been timely, as it sold at the opening.)

Well, I guess it’s time to get out of my studio and do some on-line shopping! Hats, Masks, Knitting Needles, Towels, hmmm, what else! STAY SAFE . . . Smith Stitch Studio!

Posted in Art Quilting | Tagged "A Tale of Two Cities", "Throw in the Towel", "Throw Your Hat in the Ring", Catherine Whall Smith, Cazenovia College Art Gallery, Charles Dickens, Ernest Defarge, French Revolution, Madame Defarge, The ArT QuILT ExPERIENCE | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith . . . so what are those COWS up to NOW!

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Catherine Whall Smith

Happy Halloween Week-end and FIRST snow in CT! Here’s the UP-DATE on those cows! – – So I decided, even though I couldn’t find the original j.peg image to just go ahead and take a photo of the photo that was printed on fabric. Using a former image and making it new again! I ran the image through my printer twice to max up the color. Pretty good and it did motivate me to start a new piece. The image was flipped to have a larger herd of cows. Title? – You guessed it “Herd Immunity”, or “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”. It will be 18H x 36W as I plan to mount it on a canvas. It’s still in the hand quilting stage. (see below)

CWA 2020 Online National Open Juried Exhibition – Oct.28th – Nov. 30th. – A piece by Diane Cadrain and my “The Joy of the Ride” was juried into this show. A Juror’s Award went to “Cellular Orangelles” by another SAQACT member Mary Lachman. View the exclusively online show hosted by Arts Center East at https://artscentereast.org/cwa-2020/ . THANK YOU Executive Director: Jennifer Kowal.

OUR STORY – The CWA 2020 National Juried Exhibition showcases the art of women from across the United States, working in media as diverse as painting, mixed media, drawing, collage, printmaking, fiber art, photography, and sculpture. The juror, Carol Padberg, is an artist and directs the University of Hartford’s Interdisciplinary MFA at the Hartford Art School. Connecticut Women Artists, Inc. has promoted women artists for over 90 years. Beginning in 1929 with a small group of some of the most outstanding American women artists of that era from Connecticut, CWA has grown to what it is today.

NOTE: On television this week I viewed citizens standing in line while social distancing to vote early. Many had to stand for hours; some old, some young, some with children in hand. No matter the outcome of the 2020 election we at least should be proud that so many listened to the message “Go Vote”! There is still time! And Set Your Clocks BACK . Stay Safe! . . . Smith Stitch Studio

Posted in Art Quilting | Tagged "Herd Immunity", "The Joy of the Ride", Catherine Whall Smith, CWA 2020 National Open Juried Exhibition, CWA Connecticut Women Artists, Diane Cadrain, Mary Lachman, Presidential Election 2020 | 2 Comments

Catherine Whall Smith . . . found “THIS”, while looking for “THAT”

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Catherine Whall Smith

Since the 12 pieces of the “Hay . . . Keep Your Distance” series are finished, I decided to work on the cows image that I’ve had on my design wall for quite a while!

I like the way they are all huddled together – this picture shows them printed on fabric – but I needed to find the original image, so that I could play around with it on my computer, before printing it on fabric. Taken at the nearby Knowlton Road Farm, my first guess was that it was somewhere on my computer – NOT THERE! So maybe on a CD disc – NOT THERE!

But then, in my search, I came across a lone disk in a Kodak envelope – NO COW PHOTOS there – but instead several images of “Orange Peels” (47H x 50W) in the design phase. The “Orange Peels” piece (shown right) was completed in 2008. At that time I was in love with the Art of Vuillard, a post Impressionist Master. The pictures below shows sections of “Orange Peels” in the early design phase. Completing sections gave me the ability to arrange and rearrange them on my design wall – before the final stitching.

The picture below shows “Large Interior with Six Figures” (pg. 60-61) of my pocket Vuillard book propped against my piece in the final stages on my design wall.

Immediately my thoughts contemplated “divine intervention” – maybe I’m suppose to revisit “Orange Peels” as a series ???? – OR Keep looking for that original cow image.

Sew what are you looking for? . . .. Weigh your options – 1. Keep going down the present “looking for the cow” path to nowhere, or, – 2. REVISIT the PAST! Go Vote! Stay Safe! Smith Stitch Studio

Posted in Art Quilting, Fiber Art, Studio Art Quilt Associates | Tagged "Hay Keep Your Distance" series, Edouard Vuillard, Presidential Election 2020, SAQA Connecticut, Smith Stitch Studio, Studio Quilts | 2 Comments

Catherine Whall Smith . . . being in Control of WHAT!

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Catherine Whall Smith

Recently, I read that Artists really like to be in control, and I totally agree. Whether we use, paint, clay, fabric, or some other medium we get to decide what happens and what the out come will be. Right now with the Pandemic looming – the outside world is not in my control – but in my studio, I feel safe, secure, and in control. There is always “one more de-cluttering task to start or complete”.

For many of us, de-cluttering serves as a sort of mental palette cleanser. It turns out there’s plenty of science behind this sentiment. “Our brains can process information more clearly and efficiently in an organized space,” “Human beings like to feel in control of themselves and of their surroundings. We prefer predictable environments that provide a sense of stability and calm.”

When I completed “Hay . . . Keep Your Distance #9 “Joined by the Hand Cuffs”, and #10 “Burning Embers” (Size 41Hx51W). – I decided to be in control of how these two pieces would be hung. The birds are out of control and not using “social distancing” as in previous pieces, but instead are lined up side by side. The two pieces are hung with a sleeve on a flat stick with one of my masks in the void that connects the two pieces. The Black and White prints all came from my present studio stash. Limiting the number of different prints – kept me in control.

Sew what are you trying to be in control of – Health? Time? Money? Corona Virus? or the Every Day Life’s Events.

Stay Safe . . . Smith Stitch Studio!

Posted in Art Quilting | Tagged "Burning Embers", "Hay Keep Your Distance #10", "Hay Keep Your Distance #9", "Joined By the Hand Cuffs", Catherine Whall Smith, SAQA artist, SAQACT | Leave a comment

Catherine Whall Smith . . . Going, Going, GONE!!

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Catherine Whall Smith

Last Friday, I found time to bid on and purchase one of the SAQA 2020 Auction pieces! I did a quick review and then I noticed #518 “Dementia” by Heidi Drahota of Nürnberg, Germany: http://www.heidi-drahota.de . Shown right – it’s description reads as follows; “The background is a tablecloth that I sewed for my mother. Now she no longer decorates her house. She doesn’t know the time anymore, she doesn’t know the seasons. How long will she recognize me yet? I’m losing my mother – slowly creeping.” It will arrive via Fed Ex – can’t wait. My piece “Please . . . Join us” also sold on that same day. So far, $109,650 has been raised to benefit Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. mission. (https://www.saqa.com/)

Presently our swirling tree leaves in Connecticut are also going, going almost gone. My piece “Autumn Swirls” completed years ago echos that sentiment. Interesting to me that the tablecloth fabrics in”Dementia” seem to be from the same color palette as my 2009 piece. So my question now is “Were we purchasing fabrics in different countries at the same time?”.

STUDIO NOTE: The theme of leaves is highlighted in “Hay . . . Keep Your Distance #5”, titled “Mighty Oak Leaves” as it incorporates printed oak leaf fabric into the design (detail shown right).