Dear QEJAPAN Clients and Friends,
My daffodils are finally blooming. I, too, have finally emerged from what seems like the longest winter ever. One thing that helped me was finding The Priory of the Orange Tree, an 800+ page book about dragons and their riders. Whatever works, right? Honestly, I have been thinking about writing a blog for weeks, but sometimes our intentions go astray. Sometimes we have to wait patiently for the right moment and listen — just like when we apply ourselves to the creative process: We have to listen to what wants to emerge.
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What I did instead these last few weeks was to add 40 new products to my Etsy shop, a veritable facelift! Vintage Japanese fabrics, mini quilts, scrap packs. And I’ve set up a special across-the-board 15% OFF Private Sale for QE Fans with the code SPRING23 that will run through April 18. Click HERE to take a look. *Should you wish to purchase art from my website, please contact me directly for a discount.
Exhibition Catch-up / Update:
Last December, I was invited to mount a small 12-piece solo show of my framed and stitched Japanese Mon (family crests) series at Gallery/Café “45W” in Mifflinburg, PA. See a few on Etsy or on my website (scroll down).
In January, I persevered through the crazy world of digital-submission-land to apply to 6 shows within Pennsylvania. My work was accepted into 5 of the 6 shows, 3 of which are in person, 2 online. I am especially thrilled that my “Three Friends” fiber collage was accepted into the “100 Miles” exhibit, showcasing the many artistic and diverse talents of the region I live in. Sponsored by Penn College of Technology (PCT) in Williamsport, PA, show dates are June 1 – July 20. Details of this exhibit and other shows are listed on my Exhibition Page. Meanwhile, please mark your calendars to come to my 2nd solo show at the Union County Public Library Gallery 255 (here In Lewisburg, PA), new work will be on view for the entire month of November 2023. More on this later…
Other Susan News:
Museum Quality: Exploring Art Quilts with SAQA, Volume 3, published by Schiffer Books, features SAQA JAM’s (Juried Artist Members) work ~ and so much more. My narrative quilt, “The Sacred Combs of Empress Jingu,” that pays homage to a 9th century Japanese female warrior, is included. Book is available at Schiffer or Amazon.
100 Amulets: It seems there is a mini-amulet-making-movement going on! 10 members from the Northern Star Quilt Guild (Somers, NY) were inspired to make 10 amulets each. All 100 will be on view at the guild’s annual spring quilt show May 6 & 7 at SUNY in Purchase, NY. And they invited me to come sign and sell my books near the special exhibit. I was a vendor at this fabulous show for over 25 years, so it feels like an honorary-homecoming. See you there? Or contact me to purchase a signed and dedicated copy.
Last Sunday while enjoying some meditative morning hand-stitching, I listened to an inspirational discussion on the creative process between Sharon Salzburg and Sarah Ruhl. It was the ONLY session in 30 that I managed to listen to in this free 5-day offering called “Leading an Authentic Life,” and I guess it was the right one. In closing, I’d like to share an ending quote by Sarah Ruhl with you, “Discovering the simplicity of the artistic process is a balance of right effort, grace, and holding the ego lightly.” Something to ponder over.
Thanks for reading to the end. You know, many of us go back more than 30 years, and we have great quilt and travel memories. I treasure our friendships and I love hearing from you.
Until the next time,
Susan