I am always trying to stay aware of the sacred in the ordinary-- how throughout the ordinary tasks of daily life, a flash of the divine is there if we are just open to seeing it. So many things around this Christmas season are holy. I especially treasure the good meal with family and friends and the beautiful service of word and music we attended at church last night. The crisp night air, smells of incense, brass instruments, and soaring vocals all lift my heart. Yet, I also find joy in seeing little birds at the feeder, meeting someone new who responds to my art, and being aware of the presence of God in all aspects of life.
By now, it seems everyone has seen the video of the Hallelujah Chorus sung at the mall food court. The link is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE
The haunting beauty of Handel's music is at home here just as it is in any church. Thanks to all those brave souls who sang and to those who spread this video.
Today has been a snowy day in Birmingham-- snow is rare, and rarer still at Christmas. When I grew up in Miami, white Christmas meant sand on the beach. So after all these years, I still love to see snow in any amount. What a beautiful day.
Blessings to all.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Fall 2010 is shaping up to be a busy time for art shows. All these events are in the Birmingham area.
September 10-11 Birmingham Artwalk Friday 5-10 pm and Saturday noon-6pm.
I’ll be in the Lindsey Office Furnishings Building on Morris Avenue downtown. www.BirminghamArtwalk.org
October 2 Bluff Park Art Show Saturday 9am-5pm
www.BluffParkArtAssociation.org has info about free shuttle service
October 9 Ross Bridge Arts & Music on the Green Saturday 9am-5pm
Ross Bridge is off Hwy 150 in Hoover www.ArtsandMusicontheGreen.com
October 22 Heart to Hand Market Friday noon-7pm
St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3775 Crosshaven Drive 35223 www.ssechurch.org
November13-14 Alabama Designer Craftsmen Fine Crafts Classic Saturday & Sunday
Birmingham Botanical Gardens www.AlabamaDesignerCraftsmen.com
This has been a wonderful year, and I’ve enjoyed meeting so many new people; hope to see you at one or more shows.
September 10-11 Birmingham Artwalk Friday 5-10 pm and Saturday noon-6pm.
I’ll be in the Lindsey Office Furnishings Building on Morris Avenue downtown. www.BirminghamArtwalk.org
October 2 Bluff Park Art Show Saturday 9am-5pm
www.BluffParkArtAssociation.org has info about free shuttle service
October 9 Ross Bridge Arts & Music on the Green Saturday 9am-5pm
Ross Bridge is off Hwy 150 in Hoover www.ArtsandMusicontheGreen.com
October 22 Heart to Hand Market Friday noon-7pm
St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3775 Crosshaven Drive 35223 www.ssechurch.org
November13-14 Alabama Designer Craftsmen Fine Crafts Classic Saturday & Sunday
Birmingham Botanical Gardens www.AlabamaDesignerCraftsmen.com
This has been a wonderful year, and I’ve enjoyed meeting so many new people; hope to see you at one or more shows.
Barbara-Mitchell.com
I’m pleased to announce that my new web site is up and running. You are welcome to visit www.Barbara-Mitchell.com to see some of my work and a little about me. Thanks for Paul LaBathe for doing such a great job with the web design. I will still be maintaining www.BarbaraMitchellArtShows.Blogspot.com for information about current shows and activities. I hope you will stop by and take a look at both sites periodically.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Birmingham Artwalk 2010
Good news arrived today. I was accepted into Birmingham Artwalk. A bonus is that I was juried into the top 25, so my body of work will be judged during the show. I am looking forward to being in this great show in September. More info coming soon.
As this year continues to unfold, I am more and more convinced I am on the path where I was meant to be.
As this year continues to unfold, I am more and more convinced I am on the path where I was meant to be.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Aldridge Gardens Art Show
I am so happy that I was awarded a first place ribbon and prize at the Aldridge Gardens Art Show this weekend. There were lots of good artists and many people came by both days, despite the heat and humidity. Thanks to everyone who came by my booth; it was great to see so many familiar faces, and to make new acquaintances. Enjoy art! Buy art!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Spring and Summer Art Shows
Happy May to everyone. I know I am glad that winter is past, and I’m looking forward to the longer daylight hours of spring and summer.
In mid-April I had a booth at Art on the Lake in Guntersville. I was thrilled to win a first place prize for my fiber art at that show. It was a lovely weekend, and that led to some contacts for other shows.
I am now showing my work for the first time in a gallery at the Huntsville Art League. This show is through a group called Ascribing Artists, and will be on display the entire month of May. The reception and art talk will be held Sunday, May 16th from 2.00-4.00; I hope any of you in the Huntsville area will be able to stop by. The address is 3005 L&N Drive, 35801. www.huntsvilleartleague.org
On Saturday, May 22, I will be showing at Lakewood Arts & Crafts Show at Smith Lake. The time is 11.00-5.00 at Lakewoods on Rock Creek in the Arley area. www.lakewoodsonrockcreek.com
Two other shows are in the Birmingham area. I will be at the Art in the Gardens Show at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover on Saturday, June 5th and Sunday, June 6th. Times for both days are 9.00-5.00. http://www.aldridgegardens.com/index.php/Arts-Alfresco.html
(scroll down to near bottom of page)
Then, on Saturday, June 19th, I will be at Mountain Market at Bluff Park United Methodist Church, from 9.00-4.00. The church is located in Hoover at 733 Valley St. www.mountainmarketplace.org
On the first and third Saturdays of July, August, and September, I will be at Fresh Market on the Green at Ross Bridge in Birmingham. This is a great event featuring artists, fresh and local veggies/ eggs/ honey, a coffee cafe, and live music. Times here are 8am until noon on July 3 and 17, August 7 and 21, and Sept. 4 and 18.
All events are free and I have a number of new art pieces for viewing and purchase. At each show, I have different items as I try to match what I make with the particular show or market. All shows are juried, so the quality of each should be excellent. I hope to see you sometime during these months, and that you have a lovely summer. No doubt it will be a busy time, but stop to enjoy the beauties of this earth!
Blessings, Barbara Mitchell
In mid-April I had a booth at Art on the Lake in Guntersville. I was thrilled to win a first place prize for my fiber art at that show. It was a lovely weekend, and that led to some contacts for other shows.
I am now showing my work for the first time in a gallery at the Huntsville Art League. This show is through a group called Ascribing Artists, and will be on display the entire month of May. The reception and art talk will be held Sunday, May 16th from 2.00-4.00; I hope any of you in the Huntsville area will be able to stop by. The address is 3005 L&N Drive, 35801. www.huntsvilleartleague.org
On Saturday, May 22, I will be showing at Lakewood Arts & Crafts Show at Smith Lake. The time is 11.00-5.00 at Lakewoods on Rock Creek in the Arley area. www.lakewoodsonrockcreek.com
Two other shows are in the Birmingham area. I will be at the Art in the Gardens Show at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover on Saturday, June 5th and Sunday, June 6th. Times for both days are 9.00-5.00. http://www.aldridgegardens.com/index.php/Arts-Alfresco.html
(scroll down to near bottom of page)
Then, on Saturday, June 19th, I will be at Mountain Market at Bluff Park United Methodist Church, from 9.00-4.00. The church is located in Hoover at 733 Valley St. www.mountainmarketplace.org
On the first and third Saturdays of July, August, and September, I will be at Fresh Market on the Green at Ross Bridge in Birmingham. This is a great event featuring artists, fresh and local veggies/ eggs/ honey, a coffee cafe, and live music. Times here are 8am until noon on July 3 and 17, August 7 and 21, and Sept. 4 and 18.
All events are free and I have a number of new art pieces for viewing and purchase. At each show, I have different items as I try to match what I make with the particular show or market. All shows are juried, so the quality of each should be excellent. I hope to see you sometime during these months, and that you have a lovely summer. No doubt it will be a busy time, but stop to enjoy the beauties of this earth!
Blessings, Barbara Mitchell
Friday, April 30, 2010
Bluff Park Art Show
I just learned that I've been accepted to the Bluff Park Art Show in October. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to show here and will post more details in the fall.
Monday, April 19, 2010
First Place!
I was thrilled to win a first place ribbon and prize in the "Weaving and Fiber" category at the Art on the Lake Show in Guntersville AL. This was the 49th annual show hosted by the Twenty-First Century Club and I was happy to join them this year. Thanks to everyone for their hard work.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Ash Wednesday
One of my favorite websites, Episcopal Church and Visual Arts, has a series of devotions for Lent. To view these, you may visit http://www.ecva.org/exhibition/Recognition_And_Return/RecognitionAndReturnCurator.htm and click on the blue box "Lent @ ECVA" at the bottom of the page. This covers the first part of Lent and another edition will be issued for the later days of Lent.
I am pleased that one of my art pieces was selected for this exhibition. You can view my work by clicking on my name at the left side of the link above, or by looking at March 2nd.
May you have a holy season of Lent.
I had an earlier art piece selected for the Advent 2008 exhibit "Light of the World." You may view this at
http://www.ecva.org/exhibition/Light_Of_The_World_2008/LOTW-Mitchell.htm
I was pleased that the curator took note of my work in her introduction to the exhibition.
Another piece was in the 2009 Gifts exhibition, and may be viewed here http://www.ecva.org/exhibition/Gifts2009/Mitchell.htm
I am pleased that one of my art pieces was selected for this exhibition. You can view my work by clicking on my name at the left side of the link above, or by looking at March 2nd.
May you have a holy season of Lent.
I had an earlier art piece selected for the Advent 2008 exhibit "Light of the World." You may view this at
http://www.ecva.org/exhibition/Light_Of_The_World_2008/LOTW-Mitchell.htm
I was pleased that the curator took note of my work in her introduction to the exhibition.
Another piece was in the 2009 Gifts exhibition, and may be viewed here http://www.ecva.org/exhibition/Gifts2009/Mitchell.htm
Thursday, January 14, 2010
About my art
Working with fabric and fiber in an artistic way allows me to express some of my deepest beliefs—the grace of our Creator God, the beauty of the created world, and sacred elements of daily life. I am grateful that this stage of my journey allows me to work on my art full time.
My primary artistic endeavor is making art quilts. These are not traditional bed quilts or traditional patchwork, but art pieces that hang on a wall. They are made of fabric with embroidery, fiber, and bead embellishments. All my designs are original. My abstracts are compositions driven by color and movement; my landscapes are based on real or imagined places. I am influenced by God's grace and creation, archetypes, travels, and mythology. Most of this work is hand stitched appliqué, as I build up layer upon layer of fabric; to this I then add surface designs such as hand embroidery or beading as highlighting. I then quilt the complete piece by machine. I find the handwork to be a form of meditation and prayer, while the machine quilting allows me to finish and move on to the next project.
I also make clergy stoles and liturgical banners. Some years ago I began making cotton "Creation Stoles" to give priests an option for wearing natural fabrics at camps and outdoor services. The fabrics reflect the beauty of the outdoors from outer space to under the sea. I branched out into various liturgical designs, including large processional banners and altar hangings. One of my pieces hangs in the Bishop's Chapel (Episcopal Diocese of Alabama.) My clergy stoles are worn by clergy of many denominations.
Another form of artistic expression are pipes that I wrap with yarns, cording, and other fibers. While items such as sticks and pipes have often been used in conflict and warfare, I call my creations Instruments of Peace, based on the prayer of St Francis. These are up to five feet long and of various diameters, and may be hung on a wall individually or as a grouping, thus suiting needs for large or small spaces.
I have done some kind of handwork involving fabric and fibers for much of my life. My mother taught me to sew clothes when I was a child, and through the years I learned needlepoint, counted cross stitch, and knitting. As I became more interested in pursuing my artistic side, I took a number of courses in drawing, watercolors, and acrylics. My most influential mentor is Meinrad Craighead, and I was fortunate to study with her at her home in Albuquerque NM in 2002. She had a profound influence on me, and from that point, I knew I needed to be doing art work on a regular basis.
My primary artistic endeavor is making art quilts. These are not traditional bed quilts or traditional patchwork, but art pieces that hang on a wall. They are made of fabric with embroidery, fiber, and bead embellishments. All my designs are original. My abstracts are compositions driven by color and movement; my landscapes are based on real or imagined places. I am influenced by God's grace and creation, archetypes, travels, and mythology. Most of this work is hand stitched appliqué, as I build up layer upon layer of fabric; to this I then add surface designs such as hand embroidery or beading as highlighting. I then quilt the complete piece by machine. I find the handwork to be a form of meditation and prayer, while the machine quilting allows me to finish and move on to the next project.
I also make clergy stoles and liturgical banners. Some years ago I began making cotton "Creation Stoles" to give priests an option for wearing natural fabrics at camps and outdoor services. The fabrics reflect the beauty of the outdoors from outer space to under the sea. I branched out into various liturgical designs, including large processional banners and altar hangings. One of my pieces hangs in the Bishop's Chapel (Episcopal Diocese of Alabama.) My clergy stoles are worn by clergy of many denominations.
Another form of artistic expression are pipes that I wrap with yarns, cording, and other fibers. While items such as sticks and pipes have often been used in conflict and warfare, I call my creations Instruments of Peace, based on the prayer of St Francis. These are up to five feet long and of various diameters, and may be hung on a wall individually or as a grouping, thus suiting needs for large or small spaces.
I have done some kind of handwork involving fabric and fibers for much of my life. My mother taught me to sew clothes when I was a child, and through the years I learned needlepoint, counted cross stitch, and knitting. As I became more interested in pursuing my artistic side, I took a number of courses in drawing, watercolors, and acrylics. My most influential mentor is Meinrad Craighead, and I was fortunate to study with her at her home in Albuquerque NM in 2002. She had a profound influence on me, and from that point, I knew I needed to be doing art work on a regular basis.
I also make purses. Many are knitted, but some are sewn of fabrics. All are lined and one-of-a-kind. For charity, I knit prayer shawls for people in distress and I sew pillowcases for homeless children. When I feel the need for a break from stitching, I make collage greeting cards, as it feels like cheating to put things together with a glue stick!
My goal is to bring awareness of God's love and the beauty of God's creation to people who see my work. My pieces are held in private and liturgical collections, and I show my work at juried art shows throughout Alabama. I hope you will support artists and handcrafters wherever you are.
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