SAQA Benefit Auction

August 1, 2012November 14, 2012

Summer’s Renewal

Summer seems to have taken on a time schedule all its own! It has taken me out of my routine, required me to focus on other things, and ultimately helps give me a different perspective. All of this serves as a renewal…

Today I find my way back to the studio, ready to tackle tasks, begin a new design, and reach toward a major goal for 2012.

Interested in contemporary art quilts? The SAQA’s (Studio Art Quilt Association) Benefit Auction will be held in September!! The artist’s donations for 2012 can now be seen on-line HERE! (see under “News & Events“) This is a wonderful collection of the variety of unique styles, techniques, and creativity used by artists working in this medium! This event is for those interested in collecting art, at the same time contributing to promote the art quilt medium.

Does Summer take you out of your routine? If you are an artist, how does it impact your artwork?

Studio Art Quilt Association (www.saqa.com)
Art Quilts (kenyaquiltguild.wordpress.com)

September 6, 2011September 14, 2011

SAQA’s Benefit Auction Begins Soon!

A reminder the Studio Art Quilts Association on-line Benefit Auction will be held Sept. 12th–Oct. 2nd. As an annual fund-raiser, over 300 SAQA artist have donated a 12″x12″ art quilt, featuring a huge variety of techniques, inspirations, and styles.

My donated piece is entitled, “Above Dark Clouds”…which was inspired by the brilliant sky as we flew through the rain clouds to reach a higher altitude… where the light still shines no matter what…

Above Dark Clouds, ©2011 Joni Beach — "Above Dark Clouds". Frayed-edge applique, pieced, quilted with rayon on hand-painted and commercial cotton, 11 1/2 x 11 1/2″. ©2011 Joni Beach

To preview the other wonderful available works of art and consider participating in this event, visit— SAQA Benefit Auction at http://www.saqa.com/saqa-u.php?ID=1791.

Above Dark Clouds… (jonibeach.com)
Thursday In the Studio – “Slowly but Surely” (jonibeach.com)
SAQA Annual Online Benefit Art Quilt Auction: September 12 – October 2, 2011 (woodhavenstudio.wordpress.com)

June 26, 2011July 13, 2011

Above Dark Clouds…

My piece, Above Dark Clouds is finished and on its way as a donation to the SAQA Benefit Auction (Studio Art Quilts Association).

It is satisfying to make a deadline, especially since I missed it last year! 🙂 Also, I will get to send in my new website and blog address with it, which was one of my goals for the year–to create a website and blog before the SAQA Benefit Auction.

This is a design idea I have actually tried before and did not finish. In flying to a health

center during a family health crisis, I would get above the rain clouds and realize how bright and beautiful the sun and cobalt blue sky was continually. It was an encouragement to me and became a symbol of hope and peace.

In experimenting with the design of this piece, I decided the horizontal lines for the sky, while somewhat simple, best portrayed the idea of calm and peace. The variation of the blue fabric I hand-painted to the desired color adds extra visual interest.

For the clouds, I decided I liked the frayed edges for the softness and dimension it gave in contrast to the cleaner lines of the pieced sections of the sun and sky.

In the future I plan to create a series exploring these ideas and theme, beginning with a similar large piece based on this design.

The SAQA Benefit Auction is an annual fundraising event and features a wonderful collection of members’ artwork, which can be obtained at very good prices! Check it out the donated artwork now at http://www.saqa.com/saqa-u.php?ID=1791. The first day of the on-line bidding is September 12th, 2011, beginning at 2:00PM Eastern Standard time.

As life’s clouds sometimes gather, may the knowledge of the warm sun and brilliant, cobalt blue sky that still lies above it all bring you hope and peace…