At our May meeting, fibre artist,
Rosemary Oliver talked to us about her many pieces of artwork she describes as 'painting with fibre and thread'.
Rosemary is passionate about nature and the environment. In this piece, she embroidered all the flowering plants native to the Rouge Valley and arranged them like a garden - with the shorter plants in front and the taller ones in back.
She brought an array of wool needle-felted animals. She researches the features and colours very carefully.
This mixed media piece is inspired by a true story from Rosemary's back yard about a cygnet (baby swan) that got its leg tangled in a fisherman's line. Wildlife rescue people were called and the cygnet was picked up, the fishing line removed, its injury treated, and it was rehabilitated. This scene shows when the baby swan was released back to its family.
This is Rosemary's depiction of The Green Man. She created one for every season.
One of her owl needle-felted paintings simply mounted on a piece of wool fabric.
After visiting Newfoundland with her husband, Jonathan, Rosemary was inspired to create this mixed media piece of what could be a typical outport village.
Rosemary also researched all the butterflies that could be found in the Rouge Valley. She embroidered each one at actual size on squares of white fabric. Then she arranged them into this quilted display.
Inspired by a friend who raises monarch butterflies, Rosemary has begun doing so herself. This piece depicts the life cycle of the monarch.
This is one of her needle-felted floral pieces.
Rosemary is also a volunteer at Windreach Farm where she assists with the wool program (from 'sheep to shawl') and assists with animal care. She created these two small pictures which will be sold at the farm during the upcoming Superdogs program.
Rosemary's presentation was so informative and inspiring to us. She is skilled in so many areas which she has synthesized with her interests in the environment and preservation nature. We are so grateful she was able to take the time to come and speak to us.
For Show and Share, Marion brought in her comprehensive study of embroidery techniques.
Jennifer showed off the Bionic Gear Bag she had just finished making earlier that day.
It has 4 zipper pockets and lots of room for sewing/quilting tools and equipment.
She also showed her much smaller Baby Bionic Gear bag which she uses for her embroidery tools. It has one zipper pocket.
Geri showed her BGB off as well.
Our June meeting is the year end wrap-up with the judging of our mystery 'baggie' project, the themed stitched pieces, and potluck finger food.
Members are reminded to bring their plates and cutlery.
