I am what I choose to become

“I am what I choose to become”
Copyright 2015 by Susan Brubaker Knapp

I made this last night for a courageous young woman I know who is dealing with a traumatic injury and facing a challenging recovery. I chose a quote by Carl Gustav Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist who founded analytical psychology:

“I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.”  – Carl Jung

I decided to add a butterfly because it is a powerful image of metamorphosis and change.  

I have only painted on canvas a handful of times, and it was interesting how much differently the acrylic paint moved on the gessoed canvas than on fabric. I used a prepared canvas purchased at a craft store, and my ProChemical & Dye transparent and opaque acrylic textile paints. Not sure if I should be using regular acrylic paints, but I don’t have many of them, and I have a lot of the textile paints.

From Insects to Elephants

Five pieces of my work will be featured in the exhibition “From Insects to Elephants” at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts Oct. 21, 2015 through Jan. 10, 2016.

The exhibition features the work of 64 artists from Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Maine, Texas, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Colorado, Washington, Connecticut, Georgia, New Mexico, Tennessee, Kansas North Carolina, and Florida:

Eileen Daniels
Salley Mavor
Barbara Yates Beasley
Terri Sankovitz
Myra Van Uxem
Suzanne Mouton Riggio
Larkin Van Horn
Mary Alice Hart
Velda Newman
Grace Errea
Susan Balisterri
Cindy Garcia
Barbara Barrick McKie
Susan Carlson
Ginny Eckley
Melanie Marr
Jane Broaddus
Judith Roderick
Susan Brubaker Knapp
Linn Woodard
Darlene Determan
Bonnie Patton
Christine Sommerfelt
Paula Salzman
Candy Flynn
Jane Davila
Wendy Butler Berns
Nellie Durand
Nancy Linz
Deb Kinder
Barbara Strobel Lardon
Ruth Powers
Lisa Binkley
Marla Morris-Kennedy
Linda Teddlie Minton
Judy Raddatz
Karla Spinks
Nancee Ariagno
Barbara Kile
Pam Moller
Sandy Bates
Deanna Peterson
Jennifer Heynen
Anita Carpenter
Sue Rasmussen
Joyce Krueger
Michele Oxman
Christine Sparrow
Monica Ingwersen
Lorraine Jewell
Linda Reuss Benson
Laura Krasinski
Mary Young
Norma Klimpke
Hope Wilmarth
Vicki Quint
David Taylor
Kathy Golden
Tricia Glaister
Sharon L. Malec
Katherine Sharpless
Rhonda McClure
Mary Alice Schueler
Gayle Simpson

“Insects, correct to the smallest detail, multi-colored hippos and elephants, views of the undersea world, whimsical pincushions, favorite family pets, barnyard animals, and others more exotic – all are part of WMQFA’s celebration of nature’s creations.”

The exhibition was curated by Linda Reuss Benson and Linn Woodard.

WANT TO GO?

“From Insects to Elephants”

Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts

Cedarburg, WI

http://wiquiltmuseum.com/

Oct. 21, 2015 - Jan 10, 2016

Opening Reception: Nov. 8, noon to 3 p.m.

“Suffolk Sheep #4”
20" x 20"
(Copyright Susan Brubaker Knapp 2013) Original design.
White cotton fabric, acrylic textile paint, cotton threads, wool/polyester batting.
Thread sketched and free-motion machine quilted.

“Beetles”
10.5" x 29.5"
(Copyright Susan Brubaker Knapp 2014) Original design.
White cotton fabric,acrylic textile paint, wool/polyester batting.
Free-motion machine quilted.

“New Zealand Chook #4”
24" x 24"
(Copyright Susan Brubaker Knapp 2013) Original design.
White cotton fabric, acrylic textile paint, cotton threads, wool/polyester batting.
Thread sketched and free-motion machine quilted.

“Maximum Cat Nap”
22" x 18.5"
(Copyright Susan Brubaker Knapp 2010). Original design.
White cotton fabric, acrylic textile paint, cotton threads, interfacing, cotton batting.
Thread sketched, free-motion machine quilted.

“Parrot Peek-a-Boo”
15.25" x 20.25"
(Copyright Susan Brubaker Knapp 2010). Original design.
Cotton fabric, fusible adhesive, cotton threads, cotton batting.
Thread sketched and free-motion machine quilted.

A wonderful (rainy) retreat!

My “Once in a Blue Moon” Fiber Art Retreat was this past Wednesday through Saturday in Black Mountain, NC. Lyric Kinard and I each taught, and had a wonderful time with our fabulous students. Yes, we had some biblical rainfall for the entire time … but most of our activities went on as planned. We improvised a bit, and added a few more inside activities. Here are photos from my wholecloth painting classes. Most students worked from original photos, and some used mine. They did impressive work!