Joni Beach

In the Studio…Winter Series

Joni — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 22:40:04 +0000

In the studio…It is still winter here and I am longing for colorful spring flowers and warmer days!

Two new pieces from my Wintertime series are finished:

Santa’s Night-time Trek

…Inspired by an ornament, its shape was cut from several printed fabrics and layered. Thread-painting was used to accent the details. Free-motion quilting was done to add dimension and movement, helping Santa soar upwards through the sky!

Winter Wren…

The same ornament shape was used in this piece. Using a faced-appilque technique the shapes were stacked to form a 3-D effect. A wren on the fabric print is the focus. It is accented by thread and beads. Dense-stitch quilting was used on the background to add more depth and texture.

The third piece, **Swishing Down the Hill…On a Winter Day! Wheeee***, is a work-in-progress!

Guess I better finish it quickly…before the snow melts!

In the Studio~Holiday Inspirations (jonibeach.com)

Filed under: Art Tagged: art, art quilts, design inspirations, fiber arts, Santa, Snow, winter, Winter Wren

InspirationsSnow

Joni — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 21:12:28 +0000

It is still a magical time for me…that time when the first snowflakes begin to fall.

Each one silently floats to the earth until a thin covering of white touches the ground, the porch, and the trees…As if someone was sifting powdered sugar over the earth.

The lines of the outdoors becomes visible with the sugary coating…the tree limbs, the bushes, the cars, and the old bicycle behind the shed.

While the indoors feels warm and cozy…a safe haven from the elements.

It is a time of quiet, of reflection, of contentment…a time of being home.

***What gives you a time of reflection, which in turn feeds your art…or your life in general?***

snow angel – poem (poetscornerblog.wordpress.com)

Filed under: Art, Family, Life, Poetry Tagged: art, art quilts, incubation of ideas, inspiration, life, reflection, renewal, Snow, textile arts, winter

Winter’s Magic~Snow*

Joni — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:04:28 +0000

One thing that is still magical to me about winter is snow.*** I grew up in the South and rarely had the thrill of playing in the snow as a child. Whenever a few flakes did fall, it was considered an unusual and exciting event, which never lasted for more than a day or two at the most! We were very creative in making the most of even a dusting of the white, magical, icy cold powder–making snow cream, sledding down a hill in a cardboard box, collecting the snow from the whole yard for a small snowman, or seeing who could create the best snow angel. If a few flakes were sighted by the children while at school, no teacher was able to contain the shrieking and running to the windows to watch it in wonder and awe !

Today we are expecting snow here…I begin to feel the excitement of childhood with this first snow of winter. I now live in a place where snow regularly falls during the wintertime, so by spring I am usually tired of the extra bundling up and shoveling the driveway. But for today as the snow begins to fall, I will remember my childhood excitement as I work in the studio on a piece in my Winter series – adding threads to make this scene come alive…

even if just in my memories!

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Snow day (speak2all.wordpress.com)
Snow, Snow, SNOW!!! (journeytoadream.wordpress.com)
The story of snow : the science of winter’s wonder / by Mark Cassino ; with Jon Nelson (alleganylibrarycollections.wordpress.com)

Filed under: Art, Family, Inspiration, Life, Writing Tagged: art, art quilts, childs-play, life, memories, Snow, winter

In the Studio~2012 in Review

Joni — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 17:07:58 +0000

It has been a busy time this week in the studio (and office) after the holidays ended. And, the New Year has officially begun!

2013

Life as a River~

WordPress sends a Year in Review blog report at the end of December. In it they list the most-viewed posts during the year. I love to see what was of interest to the most people. If you missed them and would like to view them now, they are listed below–with links to the posts.

Artist’s Materials

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

~~~~~~~~~~

If you have a favorite post not* on the Top 5 list, I would love to hear what it is…!

The Studio is a Buzzzzzz! (paintingbliss.com)
2013 Begins in the Studio (nicolesart.wordpress.com)

Filed under: Art, Blog, Life, Thoughts Tagged: art, art materials, art quilts, creativity, life, New Year, Play, rivers, transitions

Family Fridays~Early Morning Sunrise*

Joni — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 22:46:43 +0000

Standing in front of the french doors, looking across the deck through the bare forest trees over to a distant hill…I see the sun rise this morning. *

At first a beautiful rosy glow crosses the eastern sky, changing to a paler warm orange…

Until the light disperses the color, and the sun finally peeks over the horizon.

Thinking about the arrival of 2013, I assess the joys and challenges of this past year.

This reflection provides reminders…,

a possible change in perspective…

a sense of renewal…

And, taking a breath,

I decide I can slowly begin moving forward with courage…

peeking over the horizon into the New Year…

*Do you have a sense of newness as the New Year begins?–For your life, family,or creative pursuits?

Second Annual New Year’s Sunrise Hike and Oli at Makapuu (damontucker.com)
Morning photo: Best sunrise? (summitcountyvoice.com)
Sunrise at Lamb Island (sunrisetoday.wordpress.com)
Sunrise Over Jolly Harbor, December 28 (webnerhouse.com)

Filed under: Art, Inspiration, Life, Thoughts, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged: art, art quilts, change, inspiration, life, New Year, renewal, sunrise, textile arts, transitions

Family Fridays~Finding Balance For the Holidays

Joni — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 23:44:06 +0000

As the holiday season has arrived, the schedule of parties, events, and celebrations are being finalized. It can be a challenge for individuals, and those of us with families, to achieve a balance.

We have to decide which activities give us a sense of enjoyment, peace, and happiness, and which demands and expectations only result in high stress and discouragement. Individuals and families can choose to follow past traditions to celebrate the joys of Christmas, or decide they need to create new ones!

Many grandparents and their adult children may face this challenge of finding a balance in expectations and plans for the holidays. Family situations are varied and change overtime. For example, some families live year-round together in the same town or general locale, while other families with grandchildren may live a long-distance away. I believe this article about family changes at About.com Grandparents discusses this topic well.

Christmas is a time of the year that most of us have many memories connected to our families and friends. Because of these memories, we may hold on to certain traditions and practices. But, as time goes by things change over our lifetimes…We can honor the good memories of the past by remembering and creating new joyful times for our present holidays.

Regardless of the schedule, may we all find a way to choose a balanced way to celebrate the holidays…and life…, which gives us a sense of renewal, peace, hope, and joy. Adding to our future…good memories of the past.

***Happy Holidays! ***

Grandparents Reducing Holiday Stress (About.com Grandparents)
Feels Like Home (How Shortbread Saved My Holidays) (anchorsandfreedom.com)
What’s to love about the holidays? (shaicoggins.com)
Christmas, love it, hate it, or both? (hotcutegirlygeek.wordpress.com)

Filed under: Family, Holidays, Life, Parenting, Writing Tagged: balance, change, Christmas, Grandparent, life, parenting, Stress, traditions

Joni Beach

In the Studio…Winter Series

InspirationsSnow

It is still a magical time for me…that time when the first snowflakes begin to fall.

Each one silently floats to the earth until a thin covering of white touches the ground, the porch, and the trees…As if someone was sifting powdered sugar over the earth.

The lines of the outdoors becomes visible with the sugary coating…the tree limbs, the bushes, the cars, and the old bicycle behind the shed.

While the indoors feels warm and cozy…a safe haven from the elements.

It is a time of quiet, of reflection, of contentment…a time of being home.

***What gives you a time of reflection, which in turn feeds your art…or your life in general?***

Winter’s Magic~Snow*

In the Studio~2012 in Review

It has been a busy time this week in the studio (and office) after the holidays ended. And, the New Year has officially begun!

2013

WordPress sends a Year in Review blog report at the end of December. In it they list the most-viewed posts during the year. I love to see what was of interest to the most people. If you missed them and would like to view them now, they are listed below–with links to the posts.

Top 5 Posts for 2012

1 Living Life Using Creativity [from November 2011]

2 Quote…Life as a River [from May 2011]

3 Tuesday…In the Studio–”An Artist’s Response to Materials” [from May 2011]

4 Thursday In the Studio–The Final Stages… [from August 2011]

5 In the Studio~Child’s Play [from April 2012]

Thank-you to all my readers this year~ to everyone who commented, liked a post, or began following! You have made this an enjoyable experience and I appreciate your visits…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

~~~~~~~~~~

If you have a favorite post not* on the Top 5 list, I would love to hear what it is…!

Family Fridays~Early Morning Sunrise*

Standing in front of the french doors, looking across the deck through the bare forest trees over to a distant hill…I see the sun rise this morning. *

At first a beautiful rosy glow crosses the eastern sky, changing to a paler warm orange…

Until the light disperses the color, and the sun finally peeks over the horizon.

Thinking about the arrival of 2013, I assess the joys and challenges of this past year.

This reflection provides reminders…,

a possible change in perspective…

a sense of renewal…

And, taking a breath,

I decide I can slowly begin moving forward with courage…

peeking over the horizon into the New Year…

*Do you have a sense of newness as the New Year begins?–For your life, family,or creative pursuits?

Family Fridays~Finding Balance For the Holidays

Joni Beach

In the Studio…Winter Series

Related articles

Inspirations***Snow***

It is still a magical time for me…that time when the first snowflakes begin to fall.

Each one silently floats to the earth until a thin covering of white touches the ground, the porch, and the trees…As if someone was sifting powdered sugar over the earth.

The lines of the outdoors becomes visible with the sugary coating…the tree limbs, the bushes, the cars, and the old bicycle behind the shed.

While the indoors feels warm and cozy…a safe haven from the elements.

It is a time of quiet, of reflection, of contentment…a time of being home.

***What gives you a time of reflection, which in turn feeds your art…or your life in general?***

Related articles

Winter’s Magic~**Snow***

Related articles

In the Studio~2012 in Review

It has been a busy time this week in the studio (and office) after the holidays ended. And, the New Year has officially begun!

***2013***

WordPress sends a Year in Review blog report at the end of December. In it they list the most-viewed posts during the year. I love to see what was of interest to the most people. If you missed them and would like to view them now, they are listed below–with links to the posts.

Top 5 Posts for 2012

1 Living Life Using Creativity [from November 2011]

2 Quote…Life as a River [from May 2011]

3 Tuesday…In the Studio–”An Artist’s Response to Materials” [from May 2011]

4 Thursday In the Studio–The Final Stages… [from August 2011]

5 In the Studio~Child’s Play [from April 2012]

Thank-you to all my readers this year~ to everyone who commented, liked a post, or began following! You have made this an enjoyable experience and I appreciate your visits…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

~~~~~~~~~~

*If you have a favorite post not on the Top 5 list, I would love to hear what it is…!

Related articles

Family Fridays~Early Morning Sunrise*

Standing in front of the french doors, looking across the deck through the bare forest trees over to a distant hill…I see the sun rise this morning. *

At first a beautiful rosy glow crosses the eastern sky, changing to a paler warm orange…

Until the light disperses the color, and the sun finally peeks over the horizon.

Thinking about the arrival of 2013, I assess the joys and challenges of this past year.

This reflection provides reminders…,

a possible change in perspective…

a sense of renewal…

And, taking a breath,

I decide I can slowly begin moving forward with courage…

peeking over the horizon into the New Year…

*Do you have a sense of newness as the New Year begins?–For your life, family,or creative pursuits?

Related articles

Family Fridays~Finding Balance For the Holidays

Related articles

InspirationsSnow

Winter’s Magic~Snow*

2013

If you have a favorite post not* on the Top 5 list, I would love to hear what it is…!