Thursday, November 20, 2014

CRAFT TEXAS 2014

November brings out the best of Craft Exhibits at Houston Center for Contemporary Crafts.  The exhibit on display through December 24, 2014 is Craft Texas 2014.  This past week I stopped in to view what Texas Artists are doing with their skills
 

Right inside the door is this smashing quilt by Gerry Bosworth
"Effervescent Katy"

A necklace from found objects by Robly A Glover
"Night Zephyr Necklace"

Delaney Smith created
"Signatures #5"

Paper and India ink


Melannie James

"Vines"
Copper plated thread and spray paint

"Mountain Laurel Mandala II"
by Shalena White

Mountain Laurel Seeds and pins

Susan Fletcher King

"Moon Drunk"

Robbie Barber

"Westinghouse"

Ariel Bowman "The Mighty Mountain of Mammoths"

Pat Johnson "The Potter's Dream"

Joy Ude

"Clark Dolls"

Grace Zuniga

"Sag"

Doerte Weber found a use for old heddles


"I Belong" 
Drop in to see this free show at the Craft Center--there are so many outstanding pieces of work that I didn't photograph. 

Monday, November 17, 2014

Taste of Texas Fall

Autumn is my favorite season of the year!  The weather is warm, then cool, warm again, then down right cold, warm again and maybe HOT another day!  But, it's just perfect for me.  Nature is at her best during November.

A walk through the woods brings you to many varieties of life.


and death

Boulders against the cool trickling stream

We relish the colors of changing leaves

The backdrop of gray and silver cliffs

clear cool water dotted with falling leaves

Sparse clouds move along at a slow speed while Lost Maples seek the sunlight

And then if you are lucky you will find some natural dye

cochineal feeds on the prickly pear cactus

If only, no one was looking!

one little beetle gives off his color--hints of red


A stop along the path to enjoy some Texas food products as we listen to Texas musicians


The Pumpkin patch is piled high with vast variety--just waiting for the pumpkin chunkin contest!

Dried Berries made for door fashion


"Gobble, Gobble"

The sign of the times

Colors of autumn at the back door and in the garden

Cedar trees waiting for their chance to change to golden red.  Ahh, nothing like Autumn in Texas!






Thursday, November 13, 2014

The Star of the Show Is...............................................

 
Recently, we took time to visit Kerrville, Texas Arts & Cultural Center to see the 2014 Texas Furniture Makers Exhibit!  And we can say "what a show!" 
 
 
This show runs through the end of November.  The true star of the show is Mesquite wood! Gorman Ranch Desk is an outstanding piece of work

It is hard to get good photos as the wood bounces the ceiling lights.  This piece is by Wayne Deylea

Fantastic slab of mesquite burl by Jeff Jeter


Six in Ten Chiffonier

James Odom, artist

Joel Hoby fashioned this Heart of Texas table

with a touch of turquoise

The cradle is lovely!  Black walnut

Artist, Freddie Black

Executive Desk fashioned from figured African utile and American Black Walnut

Leo Little, woodworker artist


Mesquite Burl Top Trunk

Randolph Secrest built a lovely cedar lined chest

This table was fascinating!  Jim Wallace created aMAZEing table

a dinner conversation piece for sure!


Jeff Jeter created a fabulous table from Waterlogged Mesquite

Mahogany Walnut Chest by Brian Welch
 
Tasting Table by Mark Waddell

I love the grain in the Mesquite wood!

This was made for the Governor from end grain pecan wood.  Makers are Brandon Berdoll and Kate Acker

Quilted African ulite wood by Leo Little 

Mesquite console Table by Randolph Secrest


As always a show of excellent quality!  And the definite star of the show was Mesquite!

Beginnings of New Year Ideas

I'm already thinking about the new year and new beginnings--2024 was a lost year as far as new quilt starts--there was not a one began. ...