Around the Block Cindy Grisdela

“Around the Block” –  Cindy Grisdela

Thanks to all who came to visit me at the Great Falls Studios 2014 Studio Tour last weekend. It was great fun to meet new people, catch up with familiar faces, and talk about art for three days straight! Plus two wall pieces found new homes, including Around the Block at left.

The Studio Tour is unique compared to all the other shows I do, because I’m in my own creative space. I have my design board and my sewing machine set up, so I can demonstrate my process from the beginnings with small scraps of fabric to stitching the texture in the final composition freehand at the end.  I didn’t think until now to get someone to take a picture of me at the machine–I’ll make a note of that for next time! In the meantime if you missed it you can see my studio setup in my previous post.

Anyway, I enjoyed showing my visitors how I stitch texture onto my work just using my regular sewing machine–there’s no computer and no marking ahead of time, just me stitching the designs in my head as though I had a pen or brush in my hand instead of a sewing machine needle. A few even tried it for themselves, and understood at once that it takes years of practice to be completely comfortable with the technique!

I’m heading into a busy show season the next few weeks, starting the weekend after next:

October 31-November 2, 2014 –Washington Craft Show. Located at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Hours are 10-8 Friday, 10-6 Saturday and 11-5 Sunday. I’ll be in Booth 517. Admission $15.

November 8-9, 2014 – Downtown Art Festival, Gainesville, FL.

November 22-23, 2014 – American Fine Craft Show, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY.

December 4-7, 2014 – One of A Kind Show Chicago, Chicago, IL.

If you’re in the area, I hope to see you at one of these events!