Grace Crowley Inspiration

 The Waverley Art Quilters are meeting again in person and continuing to work in a series. Our latest choice of topic is Grace Crowley or Journeys.

I chose Australian Abstract artist Grace Crowley who was born in NSW in 1890. Apparently, she was a quietly spoken woman but insisted that her name be pronounced correctly (it rhymes with slowly). She studied at the Sydney School of Art and began as a landscape painter. She later travelled to Europe where she unexpectedly began to appreciate abstract art. She studied with some Cubist teachers and her style began to change. 

When she returned to Sydney in 930, she was a very experienced modern abstract artist and held numerous exhibitions. She received the Order of Australia in 1976. In 2006/2007 The National Gallery of Australia held a retrospective of her work called Grace Crowley-Being Modern.

Grace Crowley died in 1979 aged 89. Even though she had a successful career, I don't think she is very well known at all. Maybe because she was a woman and in those days it was very hard to get noticed.

I liked one of her paintings in blue and chose that as my inspiration.

Grace Crowley painting from 1951

I liked the way she had included line shapes over the top of her paintings so I tried the idea in Photoshop first.

I was happy with the look and so I included it when I did the quilting.

Grace Crowley by Linda Steele

The other day a package arrived for me from SAQA, it was beautifully wrapped.

Inside were some goodies as a thank you for the Lightening talk I recorded on Working in a Series at the Conference last month.

Thank you SAQA, I was thrilled to receive the gift.

Bye for now,

Linda

Visiting Adelaide

 I spent last week interstate in my hometown, beautiful Adelaide because I had been invited to judge the South Australian state quilt show. Adelaide was having a burst of extra warm autumn weather which was perfect for wandering around when I first arrived.

I took some photos of the pig statues in Rundle Mall.

That red spot behind them is a Covid sign warning everyone to keep 1.5m away from everybody and to keep washing your hands. That sign is not usually there, but I noticed that Adelaide had many more warning signs than we do over here in Melbourne. The differences in our airports were quite staggering. When I arrived in Adelaide there was a police presence, places to check in and sanitising stations. When I came back to Melbourne there was nothing, you wouldn't have known that there was such a thing! Amazing, when you think that we had the highest number of deaths and the longest lockdown of all the states!!

I had a little walk down memory lane and visited the magnificent Adelaide Arcade. Look at that beautiful blue sky.

Adelaide Arcade

I walked through the arcade to see where I used to do ballet many years ago.

Adelaide Arcade interior

My ballet school was upstairs and when I walked up there was no sign of the old studio.

Upstairs in Adelaide Arcade.

Now I must admit that I did ballet there over 50 years ago and it has definitely been renovated since then, but I did have a warm nostalgic feeling as I was wandering around.

I had a day off after Judging and met with my old ballet friend for lunch. Then I wandered around the South Australian Art Gallery.

I saw a Yayoi Kasuma pumpkin with her trade-mark spots.

Pumpkin by Yayoi Kasuma.

I obviously haven't got over my attraction to circles.

As I was walking through, I passed a group having a guided tour and he was speaking about a work that I probably would have ignored or thought was strange.

Twin Subjecter by Thomas Hirschhorn 2011.

It is of two women with nails all over them. The guide explained that it is about how women are constantly bombarded with advertising and opinions that they are not good enough and have to change to be perfect. Why do we do this to young girls and women? Maybe men have the same issue?

Here is a close-up detail.

Twin Subjecter by Thomas Hirschhorn detail

 Suddenly the artwork felt very important and made me promise to book into tours more often.

The Judges all had a quilt on display at the show and today my quilt arrived home. I took a smallish quilt for ease of packing and posting.

6 pack Shame by Linda Steele

Bye for now,

Linda

South Australian Quilt Show 2021

 I was very honoured to be asked to be one of the judges at the South Australian Quilt Show. Actually, I was supposed to judge last year's show but it was cancelled because of Covid.

That meant I had to get a permit to enter another state and fly on a plane. The airport wasn't very busy and you didn't have anyone sitting next to you on the plane although we had to wear masks the entire time.

It was so good to be at an actual quilt show and be able to shop for supplies.

Here is the Best of Show and Runner up to Best of Show Display.

Best of Show display

Best of Show went to a wonderful pieced and appliqued quilt by Christine Boxer.

Compass Rose by Christine Boxer

Runner up to Best of Show was a pieced and appliqued quilt by Rachelle Denneny.

Blooming Delightful by Rachelle Denneny

I am originally from Adelaide and so I stayed at my brother's house while I was visiting. Jan Goulter, a committee member was my driver for judging day and the opening day of the show. She was great company and very kind. Here is her quilt.

Shades of Green by Jan Goulter

I caught up with her after the opening and prize ceremony and she was absolutely thrilled to win a prize. She hadn't said a thing to me about being in the show, so it was very exciting to hear her name called out.

Ann Ewer was the Convenor of the show and she also won a prize, it's great when the workers win a prize. if only there were prizes for everyone!!

Ben and Nikki's Quilt by Ann Ewer

I think it was a quilt made for her son and daughter in law.

I took quite a few photos at the show and here are some others that caught my eye.

Aegean Triptych by Alvena Hall

Modern Orange Peel by Kay Calder

Plum Blossom Rain at Kairakuen by Adriana Newton

Passion by Francie Mewett

The theme for the show was Masquerade and the following quilt won the challenge.

Masquerade by Glenys Elliot

As I said earlier, I could hardly believe that I was at a quilt show. I had to buy something, but because I had to fly home, I couldn't buy anything too heavy.

I bought some Cherrywood fabric and some Jason Yenter fat quarters. I've never bought Cherrywood fabric before so I'll be really interested to try it out.

I also bought some stencils.

I had a wonderful time and managed to catch up with some family and friends and look around Adelaide. I save that for another post.

Bye for now,

Linda