New Year, New Art, New Opening

In Our Studio

   Spring has arrived, along with vaccines, we have a new studio       space, new artwork, and a new exhibition.  

   The opportunity to exhibit our new work, and some made just       at the beginning of the pandemic, came about suddenly. In the       past three weeks, we have been working like crazy to finish up       pieces and install the show. It opens this Friday. Here's the             information:

Uncovered Stories

featuring the artwork of Gail Crum, Jill Milenski and Gayle Pritchard

BAYarts, Playhouse Gallery

28795 Lake Rd., Bay Village, Ohio 44140

Hope to see you there! Masks are required, and the number of people in the gallery at once is limited. So, grab your mask, and enjoy the beautiful patio and firepit after you see the show.

Preparing to Exhibit

Painting fabric for "Fear of Flying:

My house is an absolute mess at the moment. Not only do I have to finish tax paperwork for my company, but I am in deadline mode for an upcoming exhibition. (Details are on my Upcoming Events page.) My desk in my office is covered with paper receipts, and my kitchen table has neat little piles of paper ready for entry into my computer. My studio tables are full with almost-finished pieces, bits and parts here and there, waiting to be put in place. The overflow from my large studio pieces sit on my dining room table, where it is easier to walk around the large works as I finish them. When I was younger, it seemed easier to juggle so many "to-do" items at once. Now it's harder. I need to rest more. Everything takes more time.

My vision board from last year

That said, today I am giving myself a gift of time. I am taking the afternoon with my daughter and several close friends to make a vision board for the coming year. My daughter is our guide. She first learned to create a Vision Board in the context of a Native American women's circle she was fortunate to sit with for many years. She will be sharing some of those teachings about the tribal Medicine Wheel as we create our own visions for the year to come.

It is important to give yourself time to think and plan, no matter how busy you are. For me, having dedicated time for myself scheduled into my calendar works well. I am looking forward to some quiet meditation today as I chart my course for the coming year.

Detail of my assemblage, in progress

A Unique Exhibition

In Their Own Right, opening night. Several of my artworks are in the background.

Last night was the opening of a  summer exhibition at The Beth K. Stocker Art Center. This fiber exhibition, In Their Own Right, presents the work of the four women who have curated The Artist as Quiltmaker exhibition: Ricky Clark, (the founder), Sue Copeland Jones, Ruta Butkus Marino, (the currt curator), and me, Gayle Pritchard.



Sue Copeland Jones, Ruta Butkus Marino and Gayle Pritchard at the
opening of In Their Own Right. My work is in the background on either side
one of Ruta's pieces, the lovely blue composition in the center.



The exhibit presents a wide range of styles, and includes artwork created over a period of twenty years or more. Surprisingly, the broad range of work fits together fabulously, creating a resoundingly beautiful visual experience. Though not intended to be a retrospective, I will tell you from an artist's perspective, it is really fun to be able to show work from various stages of your career. It allows the viewer to get to know you a bit better, and to see your work in a new context. Luckily, I was able to borrow some of my artwork from the owners to include in the show.



On loan from the owner, this piece is Masks II: The Joybringer. It was fun to
see it again, and to be able to hang it for In Their Own Right. On the pedestal
to the left is my assemblage, Love Voodoo, which sold at the opening.
Ricky's Amish-style house quilt is in the background.



All the artwork fits together so beautifully, as here: Sue's work at far left and right
(far right is April Harvest beside Tuesday Dreamings), and Ruta's amusing
piece, Birth of Bob, on the left

Ruta's work, Grandifloragargantua, greets visitors to the gallery.

If you're visiting the North Coast this summer, please stop by In Their Own Right, The Artist as Quiltmaker XV, or any of the other many related exhibits and events. For all details, please click on this QuiltConnection link.