Atlantic Blogwatch

As winter approaches, inveterate SAQA Atlantic bloggers Penny Berens and Holly MacLean have been reflecting on nature’s inspiration for their artwork. Coincidentally, both recently included observations about this year’s abundant crop of wild holly (ilex verticillata).

Inspired by Nature

Holly MacLean, Bathurst NB.
Work in progress

Holly MacLean’s blog, Through My Window, has been documenting her progress, from start to finish, on a piece inspired by a waterfall she discovered last summer. 

Over the past months, Holly has shared every step of her process, from producing a plan to auditioning the binding for the finished piece.

A Daily Practice

Penny Berens, Granville Ferry NS.
Work in progress.

In her blog, Tanglewood Threads, Penny Berens reflects on her latest experiences with her year-long Stone Pathways project. The project began last January, when Penny decided to create a daily stitched journal inspired by pebbles collected on daily walks.



Tune in to their blogs for images of the final products in the coming weeks.  

Atlantic Blogwatch

Have a look at what SAQA Atlantic members' blogs are on about this month:

Woo-hoo Colour Challenge

Heather Loney's blog is a show and tell about her work in a recent colour challenge. 

Colour challenge. Heather Loney, 2016

And here's the photo that launched her work: 

St John's NF streetscape

SOFAAR Launches in Annapolis area

Penny Berens' blog, Tanglewood Threads, recently announced the launch of SOFAAR: The Society of Fibre Artists of Annapolis River. SOFAAR's 45 current members include quilters, spinners, knitters, weavers, felters, crocheters, stitchers, hookers, dyers, basket-makers and paper-makers. The group has come together to promote and advance fibre arts and craft through exhibitions, workshops and educational activities in and around Annapolis Royal and Digby, Nova Scotia. They intend to host a couple of workshops a year as well as other events such as exhibitions and artist presentations.

SOFAAR launched with a two-day public show of members' artwork. Annapolis Royal's ARCAC Chapel Gallery will feature a curated SOFAAR exhibition from Aug. 28 to Sept. 25, 2016.

December Blogwatch

Here's a quick review of what some SAQA Atlantic members are blogging about this month.

Winter Solstice

Penny Berens’ blog features a brief meditation on Winter Solstice, an art quilt she created last winter.

Winter Solstice by Penny Berens

Christmas Decorating and Sewing

Holly McLean muses about being creative with Christmas decorating, while at the same time keeping it simple.

A bird nest in the Christmas tree is said to be good luck.

Finding Light in Dark December

Regional SAQA rep Chris Nielsen’s blog has several postings this month. In her latest entry, Busiest Year, Chris muses about how her life has changed over the past year. In previous December 2015 entries, Chris tells us how she finds light in this darkest of seasons. Don’t miss the video she posted of Chiharu Shiota's fabulous installation at the Venice Bienale 2015!





Chris was recently elected to the SAQA Board for three years and is now actively seeking someone to take over the responsibilities of regional representative. Please consider this opportunity and give Chris a call to find out what the position entails.