Life – Page 20 – Joni Beach

February 12, 2014

New Art~ Lifeweaving #3

Lifeweaving #3: 9 Stages of Life has been in process for a long time and finally it is the key piece in an exhibit, Lifeweavings: A Creative Journey!

It was so exciting to finish this piece because it has so many layers of meaning for me. Inspired by books by Joan Anderson (A Walk on the Beach and others) and Joan Erickson’s 9th stage of life, this is the 3rd Lifeweaving in a series entitled, Transitions.

Lifeweaving #3: 9 Stages of Life, 59" x 45", rayon and metallic on cotton. Woven fabric strips, machine and free-motion quilting. (c) 2014 Joni Beach. ($2400) — Lifeweaving #3: 9 Stages of Life, 59″ x 45″, rayon and metallic on cotton. Woven fabric strips, machine and free-motion quilting. (c) 2014 Joni Beach.

In earlier posts, you have seen its beginnings when I first wove the strips of fabric together. Recently the quilting to hold it all together was completed. I decided to use a small zigzag to join the strips and stabilize the piece. Because of the raw edges I found a double row of stitching worked much better.

When it came time to quilt more lines of color through each section, I had to quilt sideways from left to right in order to write the words using free-motion. Adding the words as quilted line provided an additional layer of meaning…

The words are the strengths and traits people can gain at each stage of life, from infancy through very old adulthood. For example, in stage 1 , trust and hope. It was interesting how in the process of creating, I had time to consider each stage, my experiences, and what I feel I’ve gain along the way through-out my life…Where am I located on the wall hanging? In the middle? Near the top? At the bottom?

People at the exhibit’s opening on Friday enjoyed viewing Lifeweavings #3 and had fun trying to find the words that were in each section. It will be on exhibit through March 31st and available at Eucalyptus Massage Center Gallery. Please visit my website Art Gallery to view other pieces in the Transitions series!

Thursday in the Studio–The Final Stages (jonibeach.com)

Life Transitions and Life Completion: Joan Erikson’s 9th Stage of Pyschosocial Development (lifetransitionslifecompletion.blogspot.com)

Joan Anderson–A Walk on the Beach (joanandersononline.com)

February 11, 2014

Exhibit~Lifeweavings: A Creative Journey

One of my goals has been accomplished! On Friday evening was the opening of my first solo exhibit, Lifeweavings: A Creative Journey!

“Southwestern Pots” and “The Present Through the Past (Roman Aqueduct, Segovia)” 2014/ Visions of Spain series.

It was like a dream experience to see the artwork hung in a different setting than the studio and to talk with the people who were there during the town’s ArtWalk. For the past few months I had been very busy getting new works finished. I am adding each of these to the Art Gallery on my website and posting their story here on the blog!

The exhibit will run from February–March 31st! I invite you to visit if you can…

For gallery hours, location and information on available pieces please contact the Eucalyptus Massage Center Gallery website. (click on gallery name here, and link is also below)

Lifeweavings: A Creative Journey

by Joni Beach

Feb. 7th–March 31st, 2014

Eucalyptus Massage Center Gallery

January 8, 2014

New Year, New Art, New Exhibit!

There is nothing like the feeling that we are getting a chance to begin something anew! Just like when we were children, the beginning of the school year held a promise (or at least the possibility!) of a change in positive ways. So with the New Year, I am posting new art pieces, as I am preparing for my first solo art exhibit in February! Hope you will enjoy viewing these and please visit my website Art Gallery to see the new pieces as they are finished!

One series is Child’s Play~based on the idea that for children their play is actually their work. The first piece is Playtime Games, which you can view in the Art Gallery.

The new second piece of this series is titled ~~Meow, Mr. Whiskers!

Meow, Mr. Whiskers, rayon on cotton, 7 1/4" x 10", © 2013 Joni Beach. — Meow, Mr. Whiskers, rayon on cotton, 7 1/4″ x 10″, © 2013 Joni Beach.

Children love many things, but the family pet can become more than just an animal, and become a friend….While they learn about animals, children also learn about relationships and caring for others besides themselves. Sometimes they even talk to their pets in their own language! ~ Meow, Mr. Whiskers!