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Serendipity and the Art of the Quilt

Serendipity and the Art of the Quilt

Creating with Brenda Gael Smith

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Monthly Art Project 2019: February – Suspended

15 February 2019 Filed Under: Monthly Art Project, My Surroundings Leave a Comment

My self-guided Monthly Art Project for the first half of 2019 is to make a 30x30cm (12x12in) textile sketch that is based on the view from my studio overlooking Copacabana and Allagai Bay.

February at the Beach

For much of February there has been a large body of kelp floating just offshore. When the waves break, you can see the the dense mass suspended in the surf. It’s a little scratchy to swim over but it’s fun to see the fish congregating on the kelp.

Kelp suspended in the surf - Monthly Art Project 2019 February

Kelp suspended in the surf - Monthly Art Project 2019 FebruaryI made a quick digital sketch:

Suspended Sketch -Monthly Art Project 2019 February

Then I moved to fabric selection and decided to simplify the design to three lines – two lines of kelp and one line of foaming surf:

Monthly Art Project - Fabric Selection

The month got away from me and I did not start construction until the 14th. Here is a stitching in progress photo:

Suspended - Work in Progress

And here is the completed work. I am happy with the way the variations in the hand-dyed fabrics capture the way the kelp catches the light when exposed in a translucent wave:

Allagai: Suspended - Monthly Art Project 2019 February

Suspended - detail- Monthly Art Project 2019 February

View the Allagai collection on my website as it develops.

I invite you to join the Monthly Art Project and set S.M.A.R.T. parameters for your creative practice. The Facebook group provides a supportive and encouraging space as we each pursue our own self-directed M.A.P. and share our process and results.

Join the Monthly Art Project: Bloom in 2019!

The Monthly Art Project Facebook Group is open to any artist in any medium with a showcase on the 15th day of each month. New participants are welcome at any time. The project will continue until 30 June 2019. View the February Showcase album.

Monthly Art Project 2019 February: Showcase Album

 

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Brenda Gael Smith
brenda@serendipitypatchwork.com.au

PO Box 131, Avoca Beach
NSW 2251 Australia

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This year (2026) marks the 20th anniversary of the
This year (2026) marks the 20th anniversary of the Australasian Quilt Convention. The entrance features a display of the brochure covers over the years and it was fun to identify 3 covers that include snippets of exhibits that I was involved with.

⭐️ 2009 was my first AQC. I was a tutor and my contribution to the “teach me” exhibit was “Grass” that you can see in the lower right corner.

⭐️ in 2013, the Twelve by Twelve International Art Quilt Project shared the Colourplay series which included a piece by @studioconway highlighting the plight of refugees in drought (see centre left)

⭐️ in 2020 the chronology was disrupted by the Covid pandemic but not before the brochure was published with “The Fuchsia’s Looking Bright m” by @darlingdi from @vision2020textiles who poseda poignant question: Will my optimistic dream of a brighter future turn out to be 2020 vision, or just a fun and fabulous fabric fusion of my favourite colours?

Congratulations to @craft.events_  on the 20th Anniversary 🤩


I am driven to abstraction. Abstraction is a persi
I am driven to abstraction. Abstraction is a persistent and insistent force in my creative practice. Working improvisationally, I capture the essence of my subjects to impart a sense of wonder of the natural world and a deep affinity to place. 

As part of the Rajah Award that I received last year, I will be sharing a selection of my textile paintings in a special exhibit at the Australasian Quilt Convention in  Melbourne presented by @craft.events_ 

Textile enthusiasts from across Australia and overseas gather at this exciting event. If you see me at AQC, please do say hello. I am looking forward to seeing everyone😍

#australasianquiltconvention  #rajahaward  #brendagaelsmithart #australasianquiltconvention2026