Art seems like a solitary pursuit. And it is to the main. Most of us work alone in our studios for days without any input or comment, trusting on our eye and our sense of balance and color.

But in another way, no art is solitary. For one thing, one piece of art speaks to another piece of art being born. “This is how I am. You may be like me but you will be separate. But what you are is formed by the part of who I am. ” Your art work grows from one piece to another. The art itself, is almost just a byproduct. The real achievement is the skill and ability grown from the experience.

Art is also derivative. We would like to believe we are completely original, but all ideas are sparked by other ideas, images, thoughts, words and works. The task is to make them so wholly your own that the origin does not stand out and draw attention to itself. It’s there, if you’re looking and you know, but it’s overshown by what the artist does with it.

Good art blends between origin and action. We take what we know and build it into something separate and wonderful.

How do we do that on our own? Actually, I don’t think we can very well. Sometimes I put a piece up on line and ask a question of folk. I had someone ask me why I was asking them. I told her everyone needs advice sometimes.

In the beginning of my career, I went to a Chicago based art quilt group called F.A.C.E.T.S. It included Caryl Bryer Fallert, Ann Fahl, Jane Sassaman, Ann Wasserman, Kathy Weaver and a number of of other cutting edge quilters, some of them before they made their names. It was life changing. It was exhilarating. It was also hard. I learned so much from them. They didn’t change my art, but they helped me mold it. We grew in our careers, went other places, and the group, to my knowlege folded at some point. We’re all scattered now, but we did what we did because there were people to balance us and support us in our explorations.

The internet is a grand resource, but I’m looking for a group I can bounce things off of in person. I treasure sharing work with you on the internet, and your sharing in return. But I want the connection of really seeing the art and people’s faces as you talk to each other. Some things are different in person.

Galesburg is a pretty traditional place. I know the quilt guild there is probably not ready for art quilts, and I don’t want the trouble or fuss of pushing my way into a group that’s focused differently than would interest me. I don’t expect to find a ready made group of art quilters here.

So I’m thinking of starting a group here. I think it could be something that spreads online. But for now, I want a group that is real, here, in front of each other. So we can really see each other’s work and react to it. I don’t need a whole lot of people. But I want to be sharing work with others and take joy in what they are exploring.

So, is anyone interested? My purpose is to offer critique to each other, and support. It may end up in classes, but that is not my goal. My goal is to have work shown, seen and kindly discussed in a way that helps us all move forward.

Does it matter what that person’s credentials are? Not really. I knew an eight year old girl I could trust every time. Her eye was that good and she’d tell you. Not always with your dignity left intact, but she was always right. And I always followed her advice if I could.

Here are my goals:

To promote fiber art/ quilting that is exciting and edge cutting

To build a support group for people doing art in odd ways in odd corners in fiber

To celebrate and stimulate the creative process

To build a community for artists that gives them confidence and courage

To find someone to tell me, ” You need to move it to the left, three inches.”

Who am I looking for:

People stretching and growing in their art

People who work in fiber/fabric/ regularly as a way of life and are serious about it.

People who’s work is about new creative visions and techniques

People who have graduated away from patterns and are working with their own ideas

People who are kind and respect other’s works and ideas

So is anyone out there? Would you be interested in an art quilt group in Midwestern Illinois in Galesburg. Call me up or email me. Come and join me.

219-617-2021 ellenanneeddy@gmail.com