ALVAREZ ART CLASSES

2011-09-14T09:56:00.006-04:00

LET THE ART CLASSES BEGIN!

Well folks, as I figure I am about three weeks behind getting this notice out (due to my surgery in August). I am now recovered and ready to start with some exciting new work with the kids! I am going to be running my art classes on Tuesday afternoons 3:30 - 4:30 starting September 27th. Please let me know if you have interest, email to fieldalvarez@gmail.com. Follow this link to my website ALVAREZ ART for more detailed information on cost. You will find Tuesday art classes on the bottom of the page. If you are interested in private lessons I can accomodate on Thursday afternoons, 3:30 - 4:30 but will not start until the middle of October.

Please feel free to tweet this or share on your FaceBook page!

Peace, love and happiness this fall!!

2011-07-21T16:03:00.002-04:00

Sculpture Camp!

I cant believe it is done already. The time flew so fast I was hardly able to get photographs. Such a fun week!!

2011-07-08T16:23:00.001-04:00

Last Day of Painting Camp

2011-07-06T12:34:00.001-04:00

Painting Camp Day Two

Batik and Finsihed Tye Dyes

2011-07-05T14:22:00.003-04:00

First Day of Painting Camp

2011-07-05T14:20:00.001-04:00

Currently I offer:

SUMMER CAMP IS HERE! (for camp descriptions click here)

July 5th -8th - New Ways to Use Paint

We will explore all the possibilities of paint and paint mediums in this class. We will pour, drip, splatter, brush and whatever else their minds can imagine. As always, we will look at how artists both historical and contemporary use this medium. Come dressed to get dirty!

July 18th - 21st - Sculpting Greatness

We will be using all kinds of recycled parts and pieces to create unique sculptures. They may be large, they may be small but they will be a design created soley by the student. I will be bringing out the clock parts, plaster, nails and lots, lots more. This will be a building extravaganza!

Call now to secure your spot or use the PayPal option (for camp descriptions click here and PayPal) This immediately notifies me. First come, first serve. There will be four or five spots per week depending on ages.

Please call or email with questions! Phone: 740-9302
Email: fieldalvarez@gmail.com

Tuesday class from 3:30-4:30 I supply everything needed for art class but if you want to wear clothes that can get a little messy that is always good. I run the classes in part by what the children are interested in and also trying to capture different mediums and techniques. I like to think of it as art apprenticeship. Students will learn how a working artists creates from journal to finished piece and even a bit about the process of putting work out for critique and shows. These classes are for students ages 4 - teenagers. I will group students by ages and will organize for other days if necessary.

Also available for portfolio consultation.

Adult classes and workshops are offered on occasion.

NOTE : The after school art sessions are eight weeks. Every eight weeks is a new payment installment.

2011-06-29T20:20:00.004-04:00

Blog ReInvention!

This blog is now dedicated to my art classes, teaching schedule and what we have been up to in class. Check back frequently to find out what is new! CHECK OUT THE LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT (ABOUT THE FB LINK) FOR DESCRIPTIONS AND PAYMENT OPTIONS. I will clear this up in the future but I hope it works for you for now. Thanks for your patience as I change things around!

2010-10-22T17:39:00.005-04:00

...And so we say goodbye.

It is true, I cant keep up anymore. I must say I enjoyed posting and keeping this visual/written journal both for you and for me but I am finding that I rarely post anymore. It seems it is time to say goodbye. Websites being the way they are these days, it seems I can do everything on there with more ease then on the blog. I find it quicker and easier to pass on images and information on my webpage so I am directing you all to visit me and my work on my website ALVAREZ ART. Notice, the same name, just to make things easy!

Please come visit often. It is updated much more frequently.

You can follow the links to my work at the Gallery, Art Classes- I offer after school art and portfolio development as well as some adult workshops from time to time, Blog - where you will find some of my art videos and short clips from art classes , Upcoming Events - for all the stuff I am up to and more!

So, that being said.....'til next time

Sincerely yours,

Heidi Field-Alvarez

2010-08-09T17:00:00.004-04:00

Uptown Gallery Fiber Workshop

Hello everyone, please click the Alvarez Art link to find out about my new workshop at Uptown Gallery, Richmond, VA. All participants 8yrs. old (accompanied by adult) and up accepted! Please come and join me to find out some of my mixed media secrets.

2010-07-22T16:49:00.005-04:00

Fiber and Technology

Quick post today. Here are some links on Fiber and Technology.

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles

Zero1 The Art and Technology Network

Build Your Own World Biennial

Digital Arts, New Media - Tim Hawkinson, Theo Jansen

2010-07-22T08:13:00.006-04:00

Exploring Fiber and Film

I don't know whether it is a good idea or not to add something else to my plate but too many things regarding fiber and film have caught my attention lately so I am feeling a need to research how and where these to things collide. This will be the place where I will post my findings. It is a method of collecting all the stuff I want to see in one place. It is my media journal. I will give it the tag, Fiber and Film so if you ever want to find and see all the items I've collected it will be right there at the touch of a button!

So keep in mind that it will be a totally random collection at first. After a time I will probably come back and try to organize it in some way. Warning: I am not a very organized thinker so dont expect too much.

This is a link to a podcast I just found today called, filmandfiber's Podcast
Another great podcast hosted by LibSyn.com.

This is a good article on photographing fiber in Fiber Arts magazine. If any of you have tried doing this you will know that it tends to be very difficult. I would suppose this is especially if you are not a trained photographer.

Oh, and please note the new change in design. Blogger is getting up to speed on a few things it seems. Also notice the important link buttons at the bottom of each post. You can mail things or link to Facebook etc! Use them, they are fun!!!

Well, I am out of time today. Hopefully, I will have some images for you next time.

2010-07-20T17:36:00.004-04:00

New Video Work

Metamorphosis

2010-07-05T09:42:00.003-04:00

New Portraits

Here are the young ladies I was just commissioned to paint with their portraits and then the portrait. Such a fun experience!

2010-06-21T18:58:00.003-04:00

Slideshow of Features Fade

Here is a the piece Features Fade I just hung at artspace, Richmond, VA. It is a hand stitched and strung free-floating embroidery. It is embroidered on a special fabric and then melted over a period of time in this kind of water fountain frame I created. It is my version of a sand mandala. It is about the process of letting go and also, in part, implies the necessity of letting go of notions of a particular beauty as we age. Thank you to D and G Plastics for helping me with all my special needs in the plastic department!

2010-06-11T17:27:00.004-04:00

Featuring new work at ArtSpace

The first image is my take on a baby quilt. I have been working with whites and textures. I have been enjoying what I can do with both paint and fabric and the color white. The next images are a piece called Features Fade. This piece is a type of water fountain. The stitched portrait in front dissolves over time as the water drips onto it.

2010-05-19T14:05:00.002-04:00

artspace, Richmond, Virginia
Suzanne Foley Gallery -
"Stitched Together"
Heidi Field-Alvarez and JoAnna Hickman
http://www.artspacegallery.org/

Main/Frable Gallery-
"Pushing The Limits"
http://www.artspacegallery.org/2010/exhibits/
pushing_the_limits/index.htm
Curated Invitational Fiber Exhibition coinciding with Minds Wide Open: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts Exhibition dates: May 28 - June 20, 2010

2010-04-27T08:37:00.005-04:00

Art Class - Kinetic Sculpture

I run an after school art class. I run the class a bit like an adult class would be run but, with alot of flexibility so each individual can work at their pace and in their own style. Currently my students range from 6 to 10. I usually will take students anywhere from age 4 on up to adults. The videos posted here are of a kinetic sculpture class that will run eight weeks. I believe we are on week six here. The students in this class are ages 7 to 10. I chose the type of project based on the interests of the group and then try to make as many materials available as possible. We look at many kinetic sculpture artists including Tim Hawkenson, who's work I just love. His work got them VERY excited! I will do another post of our inspiration artists but just wanted to get this one out there. Hope you enjoy. If anyone is interested in my classes you can visit ALVAREZ ART which is my website and it will give you information about my Art Classes.

2010-04-13T13:48:00.005-04:00

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone for coming out to the show and supporting me in the process. I can use all the help I get :) It was a great night, tons of people and wonderful weather. A success in my book!

2010-03-12T19:58:00.005-05:00

A Stitch Through Time by

Heidi Field-Alvarez

at Main Art Gallery

Opens April 2nd

Main Art Supply, Framing, and Gallery

1537 West Main Street

Richmond, VA 23220

Hours: Mon-Fri, 9-6; Sat, 10-5

mainartsupply@earthlink.net

Toll-free: 1.877.MAINART (624.6278)

Art store: 804.355.6151

Framing: 804.359.3499

Gallery: 804.355.6151

Please click to visit Main Art

2010-02-26T09:03:00.002-05:00

STITCHING AGAIN...THE SET UP

I

Okay, so I'm experimenting with my uploading my movies to my blog again. A bit boring I know but a glimpse into my set up. Seems like this computer stuff takes alot of time. I should rally be stitching on a piece for my upcoming show, "A Stitch Through Time", at Main art next month but here I sit.

2010-02-05T09:36:00.004-05:00

THIMBLES

Okay. lets talk about thimbles. I had to take a break from sewing because my fingers hurt a little to much to push my needle through my quilt sandwich. I am thinking the basting spray I used has made it a bit tougher so that is something I wanted to talk about. Also, I am disappointed with some of my thimbles. So here are my questions. If you have any thought about this PLEASE comment. I need some help!

1. Does basting spray make it harder to get through the layers?

2. What have you found to be the best needles to go through think layers? I seem to have on that I return to over and over. It is old! I got it from one of my grandfathers kits and have no idea what it is. It is longer then a quilting needle. Thick and very sharp. I love it because it does not bend and pierces all the layers very well but I am afraid I will loose it and want another. Suggestions?

3. I love my leather thimble but the small seems too big. It slip around. I love that it is long and hard at the tip and one side. Looking for other suggestions.

2010-01-26T19:47:00.004-05:00

WORK IN MOTION

This is a clip of me creating one of my suspended, floating embroidery pieces. I am working with the nearly invisible mono-filiment that I use to suspend my pieces.

This is the finished piece. I am trying to capture the unraveling of time.

2010-01-14T09:34:00.004-05:00

Moving Art by Heidi Field-Alvarez

I have been experimenting with video and embroidery. I like the idea of taking modern technology and using it with a very old technique. My intention is to begin fusing or entwining these two mediums more closely. We shall see what happens.

2010-01-13T10:42:00.003-05:00

Heidi Field-Alvarez
Mixed Media Artist

Happy New Year to you! I hope that everyone is refreshed and energized to start off a new year. I am ready to roll and am excited for a new set of classes. I am sending the reminder that I am now having a Wednesday class from 3:30-4:30 in addition to the Friday class 3:30-4:30. Like always, you do not have to worry about bringing anything to class but might want to dress the children in clothes you are not to worried about. I am making a slight adjustment in the payment schedule. In hopes of simplifying payments, I would like to go to an eight week installment program. Therefore, the length of the sessions are eight weeks. Every eight weeks is a new installment. The schedule is below.

Classes are for students ages 6 - teenagers. Also available for portfolio consultation.

Please call with questions! 740-9302

Each Eight Week Installment is $120.00 per child

Installment I
January 6 - February 24th
January 8 - February 26th

Installment II
March 3- April 28
March 9 - April 30

Installment III
May 5 - June 23
May 7 - June 25

Summer Camp (tentative)
July 5 - July 9
July 19 - July 23

Breaks

March 31st April 2- Good Friday, June 30th

Mark your calendars!

2010-01-12T19:22:00.003-05:00

500 Art Quilts

Young Catherine, 12" x 16", mixed media

Smoke. Ode to Fragonard, 28" x36", wall quilt of satin, canvas and lace

I have two art works that will be included in Lark Books, 500 Art Quilts. It will hit the market soon. Run out and buy yourself a copy!

2009-11-26T08:16:00.006-05:00

THE TUDORS

A good friend told me I must check out the December issue of Metropolitan Home the other day and much to my surprise there were "The Tudors" on many of the Metropolitan Home's Showtime House pages, both in concept and with art. If you follow my blog or my art then you would know that this came as a very pleasant surprise to me as I have been working, for the past year, on a King Henry the VIII series of him and his wives. Fun to compare how the designers and other artists have represented this same theme!

Jane Seymour, 2009, 12"x16", mixed media on canvas

Anne of Cleves, 2009, 12"x16", mixed media on canvas

Young Catherine (of Aragon), 2008, 12"x16", mixed media on canvas

King Henry, 2008, 12"x 16", mixed media on canvas

2009-11-03T17:05:00.004-05:00

CURATORS ON THE FLOOR

What are you thoughts on curators spending time in the museum galleries they curate? In a recent article in ArtNews I stumbled across a response from a museum director explaining their new policy for having curators spend some time in their "spaces". Seems like there is some controversy. My opinion, couldn't be better.

2009-10-26T19:19:00.004-04:00

Mixed Media, "Free Fall"

These babies are stitched and then partially embedded into plaster.

2009, detail of Free Fall, mixed media

2009, 12"x12", Free Fall, mixed media

2009-10-18T12:13:00.001-04:00

NEW WORK

Hand stitched, free floating portraits made in silk and cotton embroidery floss.

2009-09-13T14:27:00.009-04:00

ART CLASS

I have been holding an after school and summer art class for many years now. I currently have four students in a class aged 6 and 9. We chose together that we would like to try out some sculpture. The way it works is we just try out what we are inspired to make, quite like an artist would. Well, I have been very inspired by the artist Tim Hawkinson lately and I thought I would introduce them to some of his work. Also, I thought Cristo tied (no pun intended) into this theme very well. these artists can really unleash the student fantastical side! I started by showing them some video and slide show clips of Tim Hawkinsons work on the website of Art 21- art in the twenty first century. Great site! Definitely worth spending some time on!! Before I could even finish showing them his "Drip" artwork they where physically wiggling trying to get to their seats to start! After seeing some of Cristos earlier wrapped pieces they were calling out ideas of what they could do. I spent some time as we were looking at the works redirecting their questions and turning them back to them. for example, "What is that thing right there?" ...from me, well hum what do you think it is? They were ready with an answer for every turned around question. What and energizing, fun and stimulating activity for us all!

Then we began to draw. They were to do a rough sketch. After that to do a contour like drawing to make sure they had all the details in. We used these as blueprints to discuss a material list. I reminded them of the kinds of materials Hawkinson and Cristo would use.....recycled or easily accessible kinds of materials. Coming up with interesting materials is definitely part of the fun for them. I have an photo of one of the plans. I will post more later so look back for an update!

Mary's plan

Sculpture supplies

Zoe's plan

2009-09-06T15:03:00.006-04:00

New Happenings

I am posting a ton of links for you to check out. To get details and schedules you can click on the link for any of these events. Happy clicking!

First and foremost, a solo show at Main Art Richmond, Virginia starting in April. Please click the link for specific details.There is plenty of time to get this one on the calendar!

I will also have a couple of works in Think Small art show to take place at Art 6 and Artspace of Richmond,VA.The show will take place between November 6th and December 20th 2009.

In addition, I will be the featured artist in January for the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce's Extraordinary Women's Exchange speaker series. If you haven't gotten ticket you can go to their website e and sign up. Should be inspiring!

Last but not least, my art quilt "Pondering" will be traveling with Fiber Force curated by Lisa Chipetine president of Studio Art Quilters Association. The Fiber Force Exhibition will tour the Mancuso Quilt Show Circuit for one year.
..for a complete list of the Mancuso Quilt Show dates and locations, visit Mancuso Quilt Fest
Lots on the plate for me and hopefully a few more in the months to come. Stay posted :)

2009-08-21T20:06:00.004-04:00

PAINTING #2 : NORA

This painting is not complete, just a few "tweeks" to change the mood and tighten some things up.

2009-08-18T17:36:00.001-04:00

The Final Hannah Portrait

2009-08-13T15:57:00.004-04:00

WORKING ON PORTRAITS

Hannah, 18"x 24", oil on paper

detail

2009-08-08T11:04:00.006-04:00

A Night With Gypsy Roots

Thomas Wakefield of Gypsy Roots

Me and Thomas.

Gypsy Root CD cover I created.

2009-07-07T11:54:00.003-04:00

CHERI IS ALMOST FINISHED

Monday Morning Series; Cheri, 16"x 20" oil and charcoal on paper

2009-06-26T10:25:00.003-04:00

WOW,ITS BEEN A LONG TIME!

I have been so busy teaching and creating that I have neglected my blog. I hope you are all out there enjoying a nice summer. I am posting a video that I have been working on. let me know what you think and come visit me on FACEBOOK and YouTube!

2009-05-18T13:39:00.004-04:00

PONDERING

This piece has just been included in a traveling group show entitled Fiber Force curated by Studio Art Quilters Associations vice-president soon to be President Lisa Chipetine. The work will travel on the Mancuso Show Circuit- Quilt Fest. It will travel the circuit from October 2009 - September 2010. It and all the others will be very well traveled quilts :)

2009-05-04T20:14:00.009-04:00

LEDA

Leda, approx. 6" x 6", embroidered cotton and silk thread, free floating, 2009

detail of Leda, approx. 6" x 6", 2009

I have included a couple shots of the new piece I am working on. When I get to photographing it on the new frame I will post it. I had some plexiglass frames made that are very cool and am hoping they will really make the work pop. What you see in the images is a faint double image...it is not your eyes needing adjusting. this pieces floats away from the wall and leaves a shadow.

DID SOMEONE SAY SHOPPING?

I wanted to let my readers know that I have linked up with Home Decorations.com
a home decorating site. They have included my site to there link list and it can be found if you click on their "others" link at the bottom of the page and scroll for Arts, Photography and Graphic Design category. Thank you all fro following me along on my art journey :)

2009-04-16T06:31:00.006-04:00

NEVER ENOUGH TIME

Trying to keep up with this is like a double edged sword. I love to do it but if I do I am loosing time for the other work, such as my art, planning for classes, life etc. So anyway, sorry for such lack in posting. I have been up to a few things and thought I would just post a few images this time. First and foremost, I have designed and worked collaboratively with children from my children's school to create a quilt for their auction.

The main image, the flourish, was sketched on by me while the quilt top was whole. I then divided it into six large rectangles. Then each couple of children were given one large section to paint with fabric paint.

The birds and insects were drawn and then an inkjet transfer was done to affix the image to fabric, fused and then hand-appliqued for stability. Each medallion was hand-embroidered around with blanket stitch and each name was hand-embroidered with back stitch.

Lots of Work, Lots of Love!

IN ADDITION:

Here is some of the personal work I have been doing, which is minor in comparison as this took much time!

2009-03-04T13:33:00.009-05:00

STILL WORKING

Okay, so I know you think by now I am no longer working and have succumb to artist block or something more dreary but truly I have not. Since the last thing I posted was a sketch for a painting I will take up there. I did indeed finish that sketch and gesso it in. I have not painted it yet as my studio is freezing! and I am now a wimpy southerner but I promise I will return to it. I did however, get on a roll on the drawing side of things and have completed many of this kind of portrait. Here is one entitled "First Communion", image courtesy of my good friend Dana. This piece will be a part of an overall show I am planning on Ritual and the Color White in a Womans' Life (or something like that).

First Communion, 19" x 24", gesso and charcoal on paper, 2009

I have also just come back from a symposium in Williamsburg, Virginia on 400 Years of Quilting - Quilted Fashions. this site gives a brief description of colonial Williamsburgs' workshops and lectures. Contrary to the title it was not all about fashion but just everything to do with quilting in the early times of our country. There was some absolutely outstanding academic and scholarly research presented on styles and periods of quilting, from the differences in stitching to particular styles coming from regions of our country. Here are links to some of the presenters Linda Baumgarten curator of textile and costume for Colonial Williamsburg , Lynne Zacek Bassett author of Massachusetts Quilts and Alden O'Brien curator of costume and textiles with DAR Museum in Washinton, D.C.and some images in case you are interested in doing a little of your own research. Please keep in mind that these are all done by hand, by women who probably had at least 6 children, but some of who probably also held slaves or indentured servants. The materials in these clothes indicate these women were most likely very wealthy but the impeccable and absolute awe inspiring detail of the work cannot be denied whom evers hands, slave or non-slave, white or wealthy worked on these items. These are works of art! Please click on these to see the astonishing hand worked details!

I also attempted to go to the Mid-Atlantic Quilt show as I had my piece "Smoke" accepted. I really wanted to take my children as they have not been to a quilt show yet and I thought they would love it but unfortunately we got taken down by all varieties of flu, bronchitis and general nasty viruses so we opted to lay low and catch the next one.

Smoke, 26" x 26" approx., satin, canvas and lace with acrylic paint, quilted, 2008

Finally, I have been working on my hand-stitching and quilt making in these cold days. It is so much nicer to sit under a blanket and stitch then stand in my freezing basement and paint as my hands turn to ice! So I leave you with a little bit of what I have been doing these days, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Trying to find myself in my art.

Head of Leda, 12"x 12", silk embroidery on stabilizer,2009

Greek Weaving, 12" x 16", mixed media, including canvas weaving and encaustic, 2008/9

Kathryn Howard, 12" x 16", mixed media, fabric work, 2008/9

Anne of Cleves, 12" x 16", mixed media, fabric work, 2008/9

Hope you all have maintained health and happiness. Happy art making!

2009-02-02T20:33:00.003-05:00

STARTING CHERI

2009-01-08T19:52:00.004-05:00

Brigette

I know you have seen this but this is the professional photo. Looks great.

Monday Morning Series: Bridgette, 2008, 19" x 24"

2008-12-29T20:11:00.002-05:00

ENVELOPED

Enveloped, 2008, 19" x 24", gesso, acrylic, charcoal and stitching

Enveloped, 2008, detail

I am not sure this is finished but as I tinker with it I like it more and more. Thanks Matt.

2008-12-21T20:37:00.003-05:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL...AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR TOO!!

Working on a Crazy Quilt with Mom

..........and just plain crazy!

2008-12-16T11:29:00.004-05:00

MONDAY MORNING BRIGETTE

Not done yet Brigette :) Almost.

2008-12-10T21:01:00.002-05:00

NOT DONE YET

2008-12-08T13:06:00.005-05:00

SOME FINISHED PIECES

Untitled One, 12"x 16", oil, tar, fabric and wax, SOLD

Green Shiela, 19"x24", oil on paper

Maya, 19"x 24", oil and charcoal on paper

2008-12-03T20:35:00.004-05:00

WOW

I guess it is time to update. I have been non-diligently working on a new website so that is my excuse for not posting. I have also been equally as slack in finishing ANYTHING. Why does that happen? I can go along and crank things out and the ....BAM.....nothing gets finished. I think my work is about to take some kind of turn, lets just hope it is not for the worst! Keep your fingers crossed. So, her are a few images to digest. Let me know what your thinking...or not, up to you!

So some you have seen and most unfinished as I promised. We shall see how I proceed.

2008-10-15T21:42:00.002-04:00

A Piece in a Show and A Piece in Progress

Seated Male, 2008, oil and charcoal on paper, (unfinished)

Click this link to visit the site that will be exhibiting my piece "Smoke". Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY

2008-10-12T21:11:00.003-04:00

TWO NEW PIECES IN PROGRESS

This first piece is a silk art quilt. The photos are not very well taken at the moment as I am not yet done and have not taken the time to do proper photographing yet. The first image is also cropped but I could not get the full photo as it is not hanging. This piece is called 'Pondering' and it is created for the theme - Reflections. It is taken from an old daguerreotype and is a black woman holding a white baby, the image on the bottom is of a white woman holding a black baby.

"Posing", 2008, oil and charcoal on paper (not finished)

Women In Art

2008-10-10T19:21:00.001-04:00

Leonardo da Vinci

2008-10-07T23:18:00.001-04:00

Check This Out

2008-09-26T16:24:00.006-04:00

UPCOMING SHOWS

Hi to all my viewers. I wanted to let you know you will be able to see my work in a couple different venues this fall. The first showing is at 1212 Gallery in Richmond Virginia. This is a group show called "Men at Work" and will include an auction of pieces on October 11th. The proceeds will go to the Richmond Men's Chorus. I have two pieces showing through October with an opening being tonight, Friday, September 26th.

King Henry,2008, 12"x16", mixed media

Smoot, 2008, 28"x54", mixed media

The second event/place is the Quilts=Art=Quilts show in Auburn, New York. My piece to be exhibited is called "Smoke- Ode to Fragonard". This show continues from November 1st until January 4th, 2009. Please visit both sites to see what is happening at each venue.

Smoke-Ode to Fragonard, 2008, 28"x36", mixed media

2008-09-25T15:48:00.003-04:00

NEW ART QUILT

This is the quilt laid out but not quilted or paintings finished.

I have added some of the silk for her head wrap. This is not totally solved yet either.

Squirrel Nut Zippers - Ghost of Stephen Foster

2008-09-12T12:49:00.001-04:00

Here is a taste of what is coming to Toads place October 24th. FUN!!!

2008-09-08T19:29:00.006-04:00

ART CLASS SHOTS

Here are some shots from my summer art classes. Thank you to all of you who have supported my work and my classes!

2008-08-21T09:27:00.003-04:00

Nana

Our family has lost our matriarch, Nana. She lived to the old age of 99 and enjoyed a wonderful life. I miss her already and am reminded everyday to enjoy what I have now so I can look back at almost 100...should I live that long...and say as she did to my brother, "I've had a wonderful life. I married the man I love and got everything I wanted." This is from a woman who lived through the Great Depression and many other of lifes' trials but as I am sure with a positive mindset through it all. We love you Nana and are so glad you can rest in piece with PopPop!

2008-08-19T22:22:00.003-04:00

Updated Portrait

I have added some detailing and deeper values. Still have some tweaking to do but see what you think. The first image is taken with no flash under yellow light. The second is with no flash outside at dusk. I really need to focus on my photography for a bit I think!

2008-08-17T12:52:00.003-04:00

FINISHING OLD PROJECTS

I have been neglectful in posting as I have been busy in finishing up some older projects that got left by the wayside for one reason or another. this is an oil painting I started of my niece but two years later I am just finishing! It has an acrylic under painting and oil washes on top. So far I am pleased but I definitely have to tweak places and do final touch-ups.

Jen, 12"x36", oil on canvas, 2008

detail of "Jen", dress

detail of "Jen", head

2008-08-01T11:10:00.007-04:00

Nothing Completed

If you keep track of this blog you have probably already realized I hardly ever seem to have anything completed. That fact is not true but what is true is that I ALWAYS have many projects in progress and hardly ever get enough time to work on them! Here is one that will be the beginning of an installation I hope to install in a gallery that will have me. this is called the Karma Sutra quilt....for obvious reasons. It is made in the traditional wedding ring style of quilting yet I have added text and figures derived from the Karma Sutra. This piece is only a part of a whole. The concept behind the installation is, What is Pure? I am questioning traditional assumptions about "purity", the use of white in this context and also the medias representation of purity through the use of the color white. I am always interested in creating juxtapositions in my work to create a kind of tension. I think this piece illustrates that.

Karma Sutra wedding quilt, cotton and silk, २००८

detail from Karma Sutra quilt illustrating text within a circle

detail of embroidered figures

2008-07-31T18:11:00.004-04:00

WORKING HARD

This summer has been a very busy time for me. I have been working hard to get the "business" side of my art career organized. this seem to be half of what I do lately. It meant getting lots of spreadsheet ready, mailing lists, galleries and show to submit to etc. I also had to get my filing straight and systems in place for promoting and putting myself out there, including mailing portfolios to galleries. On the side, I was able to begin some new works and take a few classes to bone up on some skills. A very busy summer indeed! Check out the new photos.

A digital print before I begin to alter it. This will be only one layer in a final piece.
Some watercolors and printed fabrics laid out in order to measure for digital prints. A series based on King Henry the Eights wives.....The First "IT" girls!
This is a new experiment and I am loving it. The fabric is canvas dyed with coffee and tea and rusted. Wait to see what it becomes.
This is the above one stitched together.
Back to the watercolor and printed fabric. Now you can see I am adding another layer with embroidery. Next I will add a print (the first photo) which I will paint and stitch. Finally I will stitch the pieces together and trapunto the piece.

2008-07-01T08:05:00.004-04:00

Thank You!

I WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE FOR COMING OUT TO MY GALLERY TALK AT ARTSPACE, RICHMOND, VA. The talk was an great experience to learn more deeply about the works at the gallery. It was great for me in terms of the feedback and questions posed about my work. I am always interested in how others perceive my work. Another benefit of these talks is meeting and talking with other artists about their work. All in all, very successful.

This past weekend I took part in Diego Sanchez's "Surface" workshop at the Virginia Museum Studio School. Once again it was fabulous. There is nothing like some seriouly concentrated work! Here are some examples of what I began. I will hopefully find some time to finish these pieces up. Thanks Diego for a fantastic class and sharing your invaluable knowledge!

2008-06-20T19:43:00.005-04:00

GALLERY TALK AND NEW STUFF TO LOOK AT

This Sunday, June 22nd, myself and one of the other artists I showed with this past month will be giving a gallery talk about our work. If you are so inclined and are in the area feel free to come. It starts at 4p.m. and should last about an hour.

On another note, I have just taken a class at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, with the instructor,Julia Pfaff. It was a textile design class and I have posted here some of the Shibori I dyed in that class. This class was great fun and the fabrics were easy and came out beautiful. Now I just have to figure out what I am going to do with them. I really enjoyed the dying process, as I am so used to painting fabric this opens up a whole new realm.

This first photo shows my notes and sketches so I could decided what i wanted to do ahead of time as once we got to class we were going to be doing the dye baths immediately.
The following two images are some pretied and bound fabrics ready for a dye bath.

These last photos show a wide range of the Shibori techniques, both tied and bundled. The darker pieces were pieces of black fabric placed in a discharge bath.

2008-06-11T21:37:00.002-04:00

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I wanted to say a quick thank you to all of you who made it out to my art opening several weeks back. Yes, I am just getting to this now. Seems I had an after the show crash but I am back up and running again. I really appreciate the show of support. It truly boosts my confidence and keeps me going. Plus it was a blast! Love you all.

2008-05-20T08:35:00.003-04:00

COME TO ARTSPACE

If you happen to be in the Richmond area come on down to Artspace. My work will be showing there for the month of June. The opening reception is on Friday, May 23rd. come check it out.

2008-05-18T13:13:00.002-04:00

ART QUILT CLASS

Well I have been taking an art quilt class in order to learn some quilting techniques. I am not a quilter so what I have been doing up until this point is learning from some books and winging it. These photos are some of the pieces I have worked on in class. They are much more "standard" then my usual style but I have learned some binding ad structure techniques that I need to move my personal work further.

2008-05-04T21:17:00.003-04:00

HINTS TO COME

I am working on a Double Wedding Ring quilt, with a twist. The twist is yet to come.

2008-04-25T18:25:00.002-04:00

ODE TO FRAGONARD

I think this piece is finished. I may tweek it a tiny bit but for now it is done. Thoughts?

Gustav Klimt

2008-04-23T19:22:00.001-04:00

Egon Schiele self portrait

2008-04-22T08:25:00.001-04:00

2008-04-19T15:11:00.003-04:00

ODE TO FRAGONARD

This piece is fairly large, probably around 28" x 40". It is stitched and painted on a fashion fabric which has a satiny finish, lace and canvas. This will go through several more stages before it is finished.

2008-04-01T17:14:00.002-04:00

ANNE BOLEYN

Here is a new piece I have been working on. It is almost complete except for a little tweeking.

2008-03-07T10:03:00.007-05:00

KING HENRY
So I found it so ironic last week when I happened to turn on the T.V., a very rare occurrence these days, and was amazed to see my 'people' on the screen. They are airing the beginning of a series called "The Tudors", for ShowTime. Dont you just love it. Of course they have their own site. This is just one of those things to get you hooked and then, of course, you have to purchase ShowTime to follow through with the series. However, it was very fun to see how their crew has staged and costumed the show!

Also, "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Phillipa Gregory will be coming, or has come (I told you I don't keep up with media) to the big screen. Must be a time for looking back to supposed grandeur. Now I have only provided links to the popular cultures renditions of these events. There is plenty of real research, texts and fictional books, such as Phillipa Gregory's out there you can explore and I promise it could keep you very busy.

So here I have included my work and how it is proceeding. I am almost finished with Henry.
Just some final tweaking to be done. I have also included a couple images of how one of these works gets started as I am about to start yet another.

2008-02-26T20:23:00.005-05:00

NEW WORK

I am right in the middle of a new piece. It is reminiscent of Catherine but it is, but of course, King Henry. I don't know why I am stuck in this era but for now I am. I promise I wont be here forever. There are plenty of other eras that are very cool. Such as the "Roaring 20's". Now that is a vibrant era! Click on the blue text to find out more about that fun era.

On that note, I'll take you back to the 1600's. Let me know your thoughts.
Remember, this is still a work in progress. What I have found is that from this point on it really starts to become more of a piece of art. Once I work on the faces and details everything starts to work together. I really love this part of the process.

2008-02-15T16:33:00.003-05:00

SHOUT OUT TO RICHARD

Congrats to Richard Yipp! He knows his Richmond geography. The place was indeed the Patterson Ave. Golf Park AND PutPut (for those of us with kids). Fun for all. Maybe it is worth a visit to Patterson Golf Park. Pretty cheap entertainment, Richmond style.

2008-02-14T21:56:00.003-05:00

Inspiring Photos of the Day
Richmond, VA in a really dense fog. 2-13-08. I am digging the muted out grays. You will, and have, seen this in my work. You can be sure you will see more of it. A special shout out to the person who can guess the location.

2008-02-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

PUMPING UP COLOR

Here a a couple shots of how I have started pumping up color. This brings her face to life, makes it more intriguing and separates her a bit from the background. Next step, fix stitching!
Let me know your honest thoughts on how the work is progressing?

2008-02-08T08:26:00.000-05:00

NEW WORK IN PROGRESS

So this is a new piece. I am building and developing some new techniques starting from the Catherine piece done a few months ago. I wanted to explore color. I liked the gray values in the Catherine piece and I wanted to keep with a values scheme that did not have to great contrast, meaning - I wanted to keep the colors light to medium, not too much dark except for the stitching and to add a little depth. This work is based on the original painting created by Han Holbein. Beautiful, I might add.
My image is a digital print from a portrait of young Catherine of Aragon, done by Hans Holbein, before she became Queen of England. I will be pumping up the color in some features and adding some additional stitching.Here are two shots of the work.

After looking at these pieces together I am realizing that I really like the way textures in the Catherine piece play off each other. Even though there is not much contrast with darks and lights the texture makes it interesting. For this new work of young Catherine I will have to balance the amount of color and get the texture to a satisfying place. At this point I think the stitching is not enough. It needs to be enhanced. We whall see.

2008-02-06T07:34:00.000-05:00

Dropped It

Wow I picked up speed but then drooped the ball didn't I. I am trying to figure out how to make blogging work for me at this time? I am so busy with art and raising my girls that I don't have much time. I am also not very happy with my format. I want to post less often but more substance. Any thoughts? I am thinking posting my methods in more detail bi-monthly and then every so often a 'whats what in the art/entertainment' scene in Richmond. Thoughts?

Well, I browsed my photos and as luck would have it I have not even down loaded my new art photos from my camera. I guess I know where I need to start today!

Adios for now.

2008-01-02T21:38:00.000-05:00

PICKING UP SPEED

It is your chance to vote for my work on Saatchi Gallery Saatchi Online. My work will be on Saatchi Showdown for a few more days. Please click the link and vote for my piece. Just search alphabetically for Field-Alvarez, Heidi and you should find my work. However, the previous Showdown link should bring you right to it.

As for my progress, I was able to finish almost two entire pieces on this mini-vacation. However, as it happens, I am not completely satisfied so I will continue to tweak them. I could not resist adding this photo.This shows how I lay the work out to observe and then bead them.

Detail of shot showing some layering and cracking.

2007-12-28T15:38:00.000-05:00

SATCHI GALLERY

Come see my work at Saatchi Gallery online. I am trying something new but it seem like a great site and good resource for artists and art appreciators.

2007-12-27T21:05:00.000-05:00

EXPERIMENTING WITH RUST

Thanks to an instructor, Diego Sanchez, I have been thinking about the surfaces of my canvases. Upon a suggestion I tried 'rusting' some canvas pieces. The story is, I went to the local car garage and asked if they might have some left over metal scraps and braced myself for some kind of shocked reply. To my surprise they did not make too much of a fuss about the odd request and led me to their spare parts area. A mechanic and myself rummaged through the drawers and found some great nuts and bolts...literally. He was helpful in that he showed me which ones had special coatings and would not rust...I am sure this saved me much time in that I did not try to rust items with this special coating :) Anyway, I took them home, found some scraps of canvas and then had some other ideas.

I added lots of tea. This link leads you to the Republic of Tea, as it is nice tea. Of course I would not add 'The Republic of Tea' but maybe some Lipton. Click the link for a good recipe. So anyway, I just poured straight from the tea bag on to the bits of canvas. Next, I went off with my two daughters into the woods to find berries. We had a lot of fun but did not come up with great berries...wrong time of year! So, we took the orange berries we had, went home and bashed them into the little pouches of nuts and bolts. They were then wrapped up, soaked with water (with some added salt, as the mechanic said this would help the rusting process) and buried. I left them for about a week or two that way and then out in the air for about a week.

These images are what came out of all this intriguing work. Click the image to enlarge, as you will see much better detail, and can appreciate the beauty in it more. You can be sure you will see this technique in more of my work!

2007-12-06T07:38:00.000-05:00

WORKING IN SERIES

Sometimes it is easier for me to think about my pieces as a series. In that way, it frees me from being too careful on the piece I am working on. If I think of it as a final piece I tend to analyze it more and be more hesitant about trying different techniques. The original Smoot painting I did was an experiment for me. I do like the way it came out but then again it did not match my vision exactly so I am reworking it again. I am using other materials but similar colors and size. It will be the second in a series. The series is about the disintegration and rejuvenation of the original. I am experimenting with how the piece will look in slightly different styles and materials.

2007-11-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

ITS BEEN AWHILE

Well, it seems I am having trouble keeping up these days. Lately, I have spent all my free time working. Well, and turkey day of course. So, I have a couple of events about town where you can see my work and enjoy a good time. The White Canvas gallery has a couple of my pieces hanging, as well as, an assortment of very fine artists. Show is November 17th - Janurary 2nd. You could also slip on over to LaDiff furnishings which is always fun! Also, if you haven't heard Art Karma is coming. This is a silent auction fundraiser for Art 180 - "young people turning lives and communities around through art'. I have a piece in the auction. The auction is November 29th, 7-10pm. Enjoy!
I have also added some new images of my work BOUND. Almost finished now!

2007-11-12T07:56:00.000-05:00

DETAILS AND PROCESS

These works really evolve in such tiny steps but once the whole is completed it is cohesive...I hope. Here are some detail photos of what I am working on now and a bit more of my how I proceed with planning and execution.Here is a detail of some sequins and beads on the bodice of the dress.
Beading on the neck piece.
Hand stitched lettering. This is taking a LONG time!

An excerpt from my journal:
"BOUND" 11/12/07

I wanted to add text. I first thought I would do this on the boning (which is not added yet) but for many reasons this idea wont work. I remembered that 16th century portraits sometimes incorporated text. So, I have done some light research on the web. Most seem to incorporate the date with Roman numerals. It seems as if the sitters name, birth date, and portrait artists name are occasionally included. Sometimes it is a philosophical statement or something written by a notable (man) of the time. I chose to use a proverb supposedly first known to be used in the 16th or 17th century. "Silence is a womans best friend'. I chose to reproduce this, the date and my initials in Latin.

2007-11-02T17:09:00.000-04:00

NOT TO BE LEFT OUT
After I told my oldest girl, "You are famous you are on my blog", my youngest immediately said...."Am I on your blog?" So here she is.

2007-11-02T16:53:00.000-04:00

MAKING DRESSES

Well, the embellishment on the previous piece is going very slowly...as this kind of beading does...so I thought I would post the dresses I am making for my two little girls. The hem is not finished so it look very long. The girls will be flower girls at my sisters upcoming wedding. I will tell you, I am very happy with the results but the process was difficult. Thank goodness my mother was helping. The gathering of the satin and tulle just about killed me! That really stretched my patience. Some tedious tasks I don't mind....that was not one of them! Hope you love them Paloma!!

2007-10-29T11:38:00.000-04:00

PROGRESS

My work continues on my next piece. I am gearing up for my show at 'The White Gallery', Richmond, VA on Nov. 17th. I am having to frame some pieces and am also getting photos done of some pieces. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts artists Fellowship deadline is coming up so I am having slides done to prepare for that. There really is alot of other 'behind the scene work' that needs to be done as an artist. It is not the glamorous side but must be done all the same.

I just love this work. I hope I will love it as much in the end. The colors really seem to pop and work well together. Hope you enjoy it. It will be much changed by the end!

2007-10-27T08:26:00.000-04:00

JUDGEMENT DAY
Well, judging for Wearable Art was last night. It was really fun to go and see all the different outfits. There was a large variety and skill levels. It is interesting to see peoples interpretations of wearable art! Mine was very tame comparatively. I also did not spend enough time on it. My critique of my work would be that the back out shined the front. The pleated A-line skirt did not really jive with the front. The major critique would be that it was more wearable than art, really. That would be the aspect I would put more time into doing differently next time.There were some exceptionally thought out and constructed pieces. It made me realize that this might not really be my thing. I loved it and it was fun but I am not sure I want to spend my time creating an outfit? Just a question I have to ask myself being that I am always so time crunched.

2007-10-25T16:15:00.000-04:00

WEARABLE ART

Here in Richmond, the 1708 gallery has a Wearable Art show each year. It is open to anyone and almost anything goes. So, I took on the challenge to create a one of a kind wearable art piece. Here it is. It is called Treading Water. Let me know what you think? More images to come after the show.

This is the entire piece viewed from the back. I added the shimmer with yarn.
Front of skirt.
Back of skirt.
Front of the top portion of outfit.
Detail of back illustrating pleating, however, the photo did not turn out too well.

2007-10-21T16:38:00.000-04:00

NARROWING THE FOCUS

I am very busy lately so in order to figure out how to do all the things I want to do and do them to a decent degree of competence, I have had to pair down on some of the extraneous activities! I was fairly forced into this narrowing of focus thing. The story is, I have two young daughters and I have decided to stay home and mother them. Doing this means I have to be in their vicinity much of the time. Initially this caused some frustration as I was not able to be in my studio painting. Therefore, I took my painting to them.

First, I figured out I love fashion. For starters, I don't like to walk around in sweats all the time so I have to make some kind of decision about what to wear. When looking for items to wear I have become very conscious of their construction and fabrics. Making clothes is such a creative endeavor and fascinating to me. I enjoy sewing and you cant keep me out of the fabric/notions stores.

I began to think I would like to incorporate the things I love into my art in some way. I also have an appreciation for old photos. I think it started from inheriting a bunch of old family photos. They really engage ones imagination. Once again, I found myself interested in the clothing they wear in these images. Then I began to think about how these two things could be brought together with the portraits I already enjoyed creating. My work is now very multi-media with emphasis on fabric....which is portable and can be worked on around my children!

In this way, I took most of the things I spent time doing; shopping, looking at old images on the internet, reading fictional history, sewing and lumped them all into one body of work. As my work progresses I can image I will synthesize even more of my life and into these 'paintings'.

2007-10-20T18:10:00.000-04:00

THINKING ABOUT PROCESS

I have been taking a painting class lately and have been forced to think about the process I use to create my art. I have often spoken to people who are curious about how I work, so I thought this might be a good place to discuss what happens inside my brain. I always tell people I have so many ideas of what to create that I cant actually keep up with them. I have begun to try and harness these ideas and formulate a process in order to finish some pieces in less time.

THE JOURNAL

My journal is vital. I use it for so many purposes. I sketch out ideas. Once I create a piece, or if I am in the middle of creating a piece I will often have to write down certain techniques so I will be able to recreate them when I want to. If you always do this in a central place (the journal) you will be able to find it quickly and easily when you need it. I also use it to write down all my ideas. These could be just techniques I want to try. Often times I will think through the whole process and write it down. This saves me time when I actually sit down to try it. Other items I put in my journal are visual images. I collect whatever I see that catches my eye, magazine images, my photos, fabrics, candy wrapper....whatever! Our environments are so stimulating it is sometimes hard to narrow down our focus. I find it best to keep my journal at hand most of the time. I actually keep two just in case I cant find one or one is in my studio and one in my bedroom...as that is were the ideas flow sometimes!

More tomorrow on NARROWING YOUR FOCUS tomorrow. ( I am writing on this topic as this is sometimes VERY difficult for me)!

2007-10-08T21:08:00.000-04:00

PLODDING ALONG

Well, I have made a few changes. On the blue piece they are fairly subtle.

On the 'Pink Girls' it is more dramatic. Any opinions?

2007-10-07T21:58:00.000-04:00

SCHIZO WORK

So, my work is all over the place right now. Meaning, I am not focused on one piece. It is just a function of having to wait for things to dry or new supplies to come. Sometimes working this way seems to work for me and then other times I feel like I am getting nothing done. I know it will come together in the end but I am in the stage of feeling that it is not coming together. Really when you think about it though. Is anything ever really done? I could work forever and not be finished!

The following work is a smattering of what is going on with my work right now. The good news is I have gotten some pieces into a Christmas show, kicking off in November at the White Canvas gallery, Richmond, VA. Please visit. Here are a few examples.
The following is a stencil which I created for the work that follows it.

2007-09-30T21:08:00.000-04:00

OFFICIALLY BACK
Okay, so I did disappear. It is truly amazing that you can just log right back on as if no time has gone by at all! Love it. So this is going to be a very short post as I have been working all evening and now am very tired. Just wanted to let you all know I am here again. My hard drive had crashed..........YEAKS!!!!!!!. Lost alot of work, that will teach me. However, it did give me a few more moments in the studio as I was not wasting time surfing!
The above work is 99 percent complete. Leaving you with a detail shot. ENJOY!

2007-09-03T20:13:00.000-04:00

DID YOU THINK I DISAPPEARED

Well, I am still here. I took a late summer hiatus. First vacation and then computer break down! I am back however and ready to go. Just before I left for vacation I sent out a ton of CD's (really taxing!) and am starting to hear back. That is gratifying. I am coming up with some new ideas, both for my work and for the blog so keep checking back. I will hopefully, have some new stuff up for you soon. I think I really need to structure my blogging better so I can have more regular updates and info. Happy blogging and I will be in touch soon.

2007-08-14T16:45:00.000-04:00

EXPERIMENTING

Sorry it has been awhile since I last posted. I have been doing alot of little experiments on fabric and wood. tying to integrate some fun painting techniques with stitching and fabric. This has been fun but maybe not so interesting for the blog. I have a couple examples here.
The last image is not really completed but I wanted to post it so you will be able to see a bit of the process as I continue to experiment.

In addition to that work I am thinking up another series of work. It still has to do with woman and society but I am going to experiment with photography. This is a departure from the fabric work but I like to switch it up and I love photography. I will work with the images on the computer and manipulate them. This is also alot of fun. However, it takes lots of time. Like everything!

2007-08-03T07:49:00.000-04:00

SMALL PIECES

The following are some pieces, one of which is older, that I am experimenting with. I a working with layers and techniques with lace and blackwork. The pieces are smaller so they don't take as long. After that I will try to incorporate what I have learned into some larger pieces. The first to the left is some of the materials I used and set out before I began. I wanted to make sure I did not forget anything.
This one you will probably see again in some different forms. I love the way it turned out.

You may recall this one. This was done on putty and plaster and coated with wax. The painting is done in oil.
This is the 'sketch' for Smoot. I wanted you to be able to see the painting effect on the images. This crackle is something I am working on. I will hopefully use it on a large scale in some new pieces.

2007-07-27T19:29:00.000-04:00

THE HOUSE

So, I did not really make too many changes when we moved into our new house two years ago. Of course, I assumed I would get right to making the house the way I wanted it but life charged on and I made no changes. I have had plenty of plans and good intentions but I set this summer as time to get something accomplished. I have gotten to work and have something to show for it now. I have nearly completed some valances and painted a writing desk. See for yourself. The valances were a very fun and realitivly quick project. The hardest part was running around with two kids trying to find the right fabrics and trims for the right price.