Sheila James* from Nanaimo, B.C. is my featured fabric artist this month. This lady is an artist no matter what name she goes by. We are so fortunate to have this talented stitcher living and creating amongst us here on Vancouver Island.  And if one counts the number of times her projects have been published and the frequency they've appeared in galleries you will concur. The first question I proposed to Sheila was which name to use for her Profile? Cinderella

"I'm having an identity crisis.  The official story is:
Before coming to Nanaimo two years ago, I was known as Sheila James.  This kept my work and name separate from my husband with whom I often worked in the public eye.  'Cecile Jacobs' was created for my artwork as separate from my other creative work in writing and theatre.  This rough Latin equivalent of 'Sheila James' gave me credibility: in Canada people cannot credit that someone can be any good at more than one thing whereas in Europe it's common.  I reverted to my legal married name 'Baggaley' when I moved to Nanaimo expecting to be living a retiring retired life with my husband but things have turned out otherwise.  Now I realise that after 13 years, it's time to 'come out of the closet' and be one person only, to avoid general confusion.  So from now on, I'll be using the name 'Sheila James' again instead of 'Baggaley' and gradually ease out of being 'Cecile Jacobs' in time for my upcoming solo exhibition at Nanaimo Museum next Fall." [2012]

*all images & projects ©copyright Sheila James 2012

1st 4 images are from the Asia Collection "HARMONY: the Hand of God in Asia"

Kaleidescope (58w x 29h)

Lotus

"Indian Portiere" with inset piece "Beyond" (111H x 68W)

"Malaysian Portiere" with inset piece "Savitri's Path of Flowers"

How would you define your style of fibreart?

My artwork style has evolved over 13 years.  My typical work uses Celtic designs, both ancient and purpose-built to express ideas and messages, often in a symbolic way. My artwork is always fabric-based, on which I use hand-embroidery, hand-applique and overlay, fabric paint as my primary media to which are added others as the need arises: soldered effects, beading, shisha mirrorwork etc.

 "Endless Sunset"

 What are some of your favorite projects you’ve created?

All of them because each has had different special challenges.  The ones with complex meanings are my favourites because they have the most to say.  I don’t do pretty pictures for their own sake but only when I have something to say.  Special favourites of this kind are: Spirit of Life; the Okanagan Fire Triptych; and The Dragon in the Sky. 

"Spirit of Life" 

("Dragon in the Sky") "SCALES: Exploring Commonality and Duality"  (86w X 41h)

*"The Phoenix Triptych: Fire on the Mountain"

*Currently featured in the Fabric Art Exhibition at TOSH (The Old School House), Qualicum Beach,BC. until Feb. 18th...Click to review my previous Blog on this exhibit.

 Do you have a favorite sewing machine? No – all my artwork is by hand

 Which instructors or workshops have most inspired you? Never had any

 What other things inspire you to create? Nature and ideas, especially when I can link the two.

 What would you like other stitchers to know about you? 

The message is more important to me than the medium.  When I have something to say (and only then), I design and it might take several months to design in my head before drawing.  Only after that do I consider what media to use to create the best effect for my message – whether stitches, paint, applique, beading, mirrors, soldering iron etc. etc. Therefore I try to absorb as many techniques as I can to give me a fuller repertoire of choices to achieve my effects.

Where did you learn your artwork techniques?

My embroidery was learnt in Primary School in England, though I’ve had to brush it up from books since I started my artwork 13 years ago.  I’ve never had an art lesson in my life and still can’t actually draw e.g. horse or cat! Mostly I’ve learnt through challenge and experimentation but nowadays am keen to learn new techniques as I stumble across them without spending money on workshops and courses.  I suppose I’m lucky to have had a photographic memory that learns from looking at something to figure out how it was done.  Ultimately I admit that I’m a “Jack of all trades but master of none” so that as an ‘artist’ rather than a ‘stitcher’ I tend to fall between discipline cracks.

*My favorite 'signature' symbol Sheila weaves within many of her quilted works is the endless Celtic knot, which reflects her philosophical, spiritual and intellectual themes. Her pieces command our respect and encourage us to ponder and reflect with wonder and amazement.

I'm always pleasantly surprised to see what Sheila is stitching each month when the Dimensional Divas (Nanaimo Chapter of TAS, the Appliqué Society gets together). In fact, it's rare to see her without Thread and needle in hand weaving her special magic.

It's inspiring to share and showcase the talent of artists in my special Blog Profile series. Sheila has an innate ability to translate and communicate her interpretation of images, cultures, and traditions and weave them into her fabric art. This particular skill is perhaps, one of the most challenging for most stitchers who aspire to create original projects. Congratulations Sheila for YOUR special gift. And "thank you" for sharing these works and photos with admiring stitchers.  Surrounded by comforting stitchers you will always be known as "Sheila the Artist."

Cinderella

Cindy Scraba (Cindy's Threadworks.Com)

sjames@rarevintage.ca    http://www.cecilejacobs.com/  (more!)

Sheila refers to her style as "a blend of ancient and newly-created modern". What do you think? Please share your comments below for Sheila and other aspiring fabric artists.

Category: Focus on FibreArtists | Read 1 Comment(s)

 ORIENTAL BALTIMORE Pattern byLeesa Chandler

Oriental Baltimore by Leesa Chandler.  Features 9 Japanese Mon Designs & Symbols for the Four Seasons. Spiral-bound pattern book, 56 pages...Here's a peak preview:

  Price: $32.99 (56 pages!)    

JANUARY ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL $2.00 Off ALL Leesa Chandler Designs

And ALL Annie Unrein Patterns

( Click  on Leesa Chandler Patterns OR Annie's patterns for all 36 patterns.

Shopping cart prices have been reduced and ready-to-order now...) 

All Cinderella approved items!

Cindy Scraba (CindysThreadworks.Com)

Category: Thread NEWS | Read 1 Comment(s)

SILK Embroidery Ribbon is a versatile and sought after "Thread" to stitch and fashion into floral-themed appliqué embellishments. Several ambitious stitchers from the Dimensional Divas, the Nanaimo BC Chapter of TAS (The Appliqué Society) share some inspirational examples of their projects in progress inspired by patterns and techniques featured in the newest Janice Vaine Book, The Art of Elegant Hand Embroidery.

Nancy Lee Deslauriers chose a variegated   Silk Ribbon #101 Sweet Pea   to create this stunning spider web rose, which is one of the 10 Lesson/Blocks in the companion booklet. (I have 30 colors of variegated silk ribbon and several solid colors all-in-stock to choose from.)

Nancy's "Ribboned Bouquet" block-in-progress gives a sneak preview of 2 appliquéd, embellished floral delights detailed with instructions from Lesson 5 and incorporates skills you'll apply to future projects...

In her book, The Art of Elegant Hand Embroidery, Embellishment, and Appliqué, master teacher Janice Vaine fashions a needlework garden filled with exquisite, floral-themed blocks to instruct and inspire today’s needle artists. Full-color photos, step-by-step instructions and accurate illustrations show how to create needle art flowers that will bloom for years to come. Over 100 4” and 8” Appliqué Blocks. Exquisite 16” Block. Embellished Corner Swag. 6 Needle-turn Appliqué Techniques. 62 Embroidery Stitches. 20 Ribbon-work Techniques. 8 Stumpwork Techniques and 10 Fabric Techniques! 

Promotional Price  @  $34.99 (Reg. $36.99)

Category: how-to's | Read 1 Comment(s)

fabric artist credit: Kathy & Selby Saluke

The Old School House Arts Centre kicks off its twenty-fifth anniversary year with an exhibition of west coast fabric arts. Location: Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, B.C.

Fabric art has had a long history in decorative as well as functional applications.  Its wide spectrum ranges from needle arts to tapestries that were not only beautiful but also kept the castle walls warm.

Modern fabric arts also involve a wide array of technique and creations. TOSH’s exhibition will highlight tapestries, quilting and appliqué by wonderfully creative fabric artists who take the simplest of materials and create magic.

 Several of the artists featured in this show work in groups, such as the Mid Island Surface Design group, whose members encourage each other as they develop their technique in the coloring, patterning, and structuring of fibre and fabric. This technique involves the creative exploration of processes such as dyeing, painting, printing, stitching, embellishing, quilting, weaving, knitting, felting, and papermaking.  Another participating group is the local tapestry making group, Tapis, that was formed in 1993 to bring Vancouver Island tapestry weavers together to share their enthusiasm for hand-woven tapestry, partake in group projects and exhibit their work. Many of the Tapis members are internationally known artists. 

 We are also featuring fabric artists who exhibit individually and live in various parts of Vancouver Island.  Among these artists are Laine Canivet, Paulette Cornish, Donna-Fay Digance, Susan Duffield, Cecile Jacobs ( see her Profile #8 /Sheila James in my Blog series ), Alison Kobylnyk, Susan Purney Mark, Ionne McCauley ( see Ionne's Profile #2 in my Blog series ), Christine Rivers, Marianne Sadik, Kathy & Selby Saluke , Gillian Smith, Elserine Sprenger,   Jens Von Draby and Coreen Zerr. (see Coreen's Profile #1 in my Blog series)

 The exhibition runs from January 16 to February 18 with an opening reception on Wednesday, January 18 at 7pm. The reception is open to everyone and is an excellent opportunity to meet many of the artists. (writeup credit: TOSH)

122 Fern Road West     Qualicum Beach, B.C      Phone:  250-752-6133

Category: Event Highlights | Leave A Comment

 

Categories: Focus on Quilters, Focus on FibreArtists | Read 7 Comment(s)