Wisconsin

I recently got back from Wisconsin, where TAODA has a show at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts in Cedarburg.

The museum is located in a historic 1850s stone farmhouse.  Our exhibit "Dolls for All Seasons" runs through January 9, 2011.  The opening reception was wonderful.  Museum president Terri Kirchner was there to welcome us, along with many of the board members and volunteers.

TAODA artist Adriana Esqueda, Terri Kirchner-museum president, TAODA artist Neva Waldt, and me.

The exhibit is displayed very imaginatively thanks to museum curator Luella Doss.

Here is Adriana with a Day of the Dead grouping of some of her amazing dolls.  Check out Adriana's wonderful blog:  www.lalloronastudio.blogspot.com

A Halloween group

The lovely and talented Neva Waldt with her "Thief of Hearts"



Dolls by Joyce Patterson



Karin Otto-Burfict's "Santa Claus"



Pepper Hume's "Long John Silver"



Dolls by Tina Forster

In all there are seventy three dolls by fifteen artists.  It's a wonderful exhibit!

Wisconsin is beautiful country.  Here is a view from the museum.

Cedarburg is a charming town.



Cedarburg Mill



Cedarburg Creek

 

 

Lots of beautiful old churches.

Holy Hill Basilica

 

Here is the altar at Holy Hill Basilica and some faces carved on the columns in the church.

Some Cedarburg shops.....

.....and the last covered bridge in Wisconsin.

Weekend pt. 2

Saturday we feasted.

Christina the chef made an amazing Halloween themed dinner

Jack-o-Lantern Quesadillas



Cheers!



Sunday we carved pumpkins - haven't done that in years!

Rosie carving her pumpkim

Bob's pumpkin

Christina's pumpkin

Janet's pumpkin



Carved Pumpkins

Rosie, Christina, Bob, Janet

Oooh - scary!



Greek Festival

The Bodins had a great weekend!  Christina came into town for the Greek Festival and she surprised us by coming in a day early.  We went to the Greek Festival Friday night. It is always so much fun.  Bob and I have been to 30 Greek Festivals together!  And the girls have been every year since they were born.

Christina and her boyfriend Chris

The food is delicious, and the wine plentiful!

  

    

  The Greek Festival Dancers 

Opa!



Beautiful icon outside Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral

Reception at 18 Hands Gallery

Last Saturday night was the opening reception for Interwoven II at 18 Hands Gallery.  I have three dolls in the current show.  They are "prayer dolls".  "Afternoon Prayer" won an honorable mention.

"Afternoon Prayer:  The Wind of Your Spirit Blows Through Me"

The other two are "Matins:  Morning Praise" and "Vespers:  Evening Blessing"

"Vespers" at top, "Matins" below

The clothing for all three is silk fusion, made from hand dyed silk bombyx roving and sari ribbon.  The faces are needle sculpted and colored with prisma pencils and pastels.  Hand dyed mohair is used for hair.  They stand on bases of Celtic knotwork.

"Vespers" holds a hand made rosary.  Not being Catholic, I was not familiar with the way rosaries are constructed.  Luckily, I found great instructions on the internet.  But I had the hardest time making the knots, until I realized I could use a bullion knot.  All those years of needlpoint paid off!

Adding beads, making knots

Finished rosary



Doll Holding Rosary