The annual SAQA Benefit online auction appproaches, starting friday 12th September, so today I continue my series of posts on the access to resources that I have particularly valued in my time as a SAQA member.
The networking that occurs between members has always been remarkable. The art form of ‘art quilts’ descended from the centuries old craft of quilted bed coverings and clothing, which we think of as having come primarily from the UK and USA; but they were also produced in various cultures across Asia and Eurasia for warmth and protection in combat and firefighting. As with many other different traditional crafts, those who already know how to do the various steps are usually happy to show and teach others the technical steps required. I’ve been fortunate to attend some wonderful in-person and online workshops down the years, and there’s whole lot of free technical and advisory information available through the large library of resources of SAQA available to members on the SAQA website.
For art quilt makers today there are many more techniques available for surface design than were in the world of traditional quilt making. Today, art quilt makers can select from numerous painting, printing and dyeing techniques, plus more modern computer designed and digitally printed techniques – areas in which I personally haven’t dabbled too deeply, for various logistical reasons. However, I’m always happy to sample new and different non-traditonal fabrics and threads while I continuing to use the machine and hand stitch techniques I learned way back in childhood.
And today there’s a much wider range of fabrics including both natural and some interesting, exciting man-made wovern and non-woven materials, plus a wide range of threads and notions which we fibreartists can choose to use. Some makers out and recycle salvaged materials as part of their mission, but I use a combination of both when I find something that inspires me.
This morning, browsing on Pinterest I wandered into a ceramic page and found a set of diagrams of templates ceramic artists use to construct slabs into ceramic receptacles or vessels. I pinned it and a couple of other diagrams for my own edification – and will post a link to SAQA’s 3D Special Interest Group FB page – because it will raise greater awareness of the potential of 3D fibreart constructions we can all explore. Yay for networking! @saqaart