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Palms at the Kinneret. W: 22 in x H: 24 in. 2014.

Last year at the summer workshops of the Israel Quilter’s Association I started a piece based on my photo at the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). The workshop was taught by Maya Schonenberger. It was great! Maya is exceptional. Her work is exquisite and we all learned tons.

I finally finished the piece this week. It’s a really interesting technique that brings out the true texture of all the fabrics. The depth created by this technique is amazing! Well, you can be the judge. Here are some photos.
Dimensions: 22″ x 24″ / 56cm x 61cm

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I finally decided to start taking drawing classes and they have really made a difference. I have learned a ton about perspective and rules of drawing. I drew a self portrait, which everyone agrees looks like someone or everyone in my family. I think it’s a great start! Naomi Ocean, my art teacher and Riki Metz my fellow art student are both incredibly supportive and share so much knowledge. Thanks you guys!

I decided to prepare a piece for the Color Palette challenge for the Israel Quilter’s Association. The piece made the cut and is now hanging in the Jerusalem Theater through 15 June 2014. There is an exhibit opening on Thur, 15 May 2014 if you want to join us there. All are welcome. Below is the invitation and a photo of my quilt.

My vision of color is the rainbow formed by fruit at the Jerusalem market, Mahaneh Yehuda, which is a very unique place that challenges our senses. The colors, sounds, smells and flavor of the atmosphere tempt us and pull us into this addictive setting. I tried to evoke this feeling in my quilt.

Six of my quilts will be shown during July and August 2014 at the Chase Family Gallery at the JCC in Greater Hartford, CT. The theme is Connecting Threads with a Jewish Tone. If you can visit the exhibit, it looks like a lovely gallery. Let me know how it is. I wish I could make it, but at least my quilts will be well traveled!

I prepared loads of quilted accessories for the fair at our synagogue. I worked around the clock and have loads of stock now. So, keep that in mind if you need any handmade gifts this summer.
Quilted Accessories
Textile Bags and Purses

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Along the Jordan River. W: 30 in x H: 22 in. 2011.

Visit my Wall Art Exhibit to learn more information about each piece and how to purchase it.

The post A glance at scenes of Israel through my eyes appeared first on CindyRQuilts.

I drive to different spots and am in awe of the beauty around me here. Last week we drove to my son’s army base to pick up his stuff before his release. (He’s out now!!!) We drove through the Negev. The scenery was stark desert and it was spectacular. You could see green patches and lonely trees in the sand where there must be underground springs.

I listened to a lecture recently where the subject was about finding your voice. I am convinced that the nature scenes that surround us in the Holy Land are as spiritual and passionate as it comes. What better medium than to create textured art with vivid colors and depth and dimension? So after much thought and introspection I have come to the same conclusion. I should quilt one-of-a-kind fabric landscapes that evoke the strong emotion I feel for the land around me.

Here I go… On to my next piece with the help of my furry friend Oreo. I’ll let you know when it’s ready. I think I will make smaller wall hangings for awhile and see if they are more accessible.

Bye for now, Cindy

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Kibbutz Shluchot. W: 35.5 in x H: 51 in. 2012.

I am very excited to report my quilt, The fields of Kibbutz Shluhot, which I created in 2010 for the 100 Years of Kibbutz anniversary, has been selected to be part of the International Quilt festival in Beaujolais, outside Lyon, France, 18 – 21 April 2013. The French committee selected my quilt together with 29 other quilts from the Israel Quilters Association to be shown in this exhibit. You can see more about the exhibit by visiting their site:
Quilt Expo at Beaujolais

The quilt reveals a scene in northern Israel of Kibbutz Shluhot overlooking Mt Gilboa, which is very special to me because it reminds me of 30 years ago when I volunteered on this kibbutz. I tried to convey the quiet and serenity of the scene in my quilt.

I created this quilted fabric art using raw-edge applique and many different cotton fabrics as well as “snippets” of fabrics and yarns. The date trees were hand sewn and the fence is made of yarn. I thread painted using all different threads to embellish the piece and finally I machine quilted the layers into a magical quilt that hangs on the wall.

Dimensions:
130cm h x 90cm w / 51″ x 35.5″

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I’ve learned so much from others who enjoy felting and are incredibly talented at it.
Visit Debra at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Deebs. Her work is amazing and she has been kindly sharing her knowledge with me. Debra refers to this process as “wool painting”.

Together with my friend Marina we have been creating beautiful artwork using this technique. Just today we spread out Merino wool fibers in a wet felt process and made felt mats, which will be used as the basis for later art projects.

Here are a couple of examples of some new pieces I made this week that are for purchase via my Etsy shop.

Sea of Galilee Needle Felt
Jordan River Needle Felt

Let me know if you want to learn to do this. It’s handmade so required supplies basically consist of wool fibers and needles. I found a local store to buy the supplies, called HabayitShelBitik.

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Windy Path. W: 19.5 in x H: 17.5 in. 2011.

Patchwork Israel

A turquoise blue Sea of Galilee seems to almost shimmer in a quilt by Cindy Richard, an American ola who translates Israeli landscapes into fabric form. In another quilt, the blooming pink of almond trees lines a quiet, curved path.

“My passion is for taking photos around the country and converting those scenes to the art. I love when people say, ‘That’s fabric?’” said Richard (www.cindyrquilts.com), who came to Israel from New York.

Distressed by Israel’s often negative image in the world, she said, “This is my way of showing some of the beauty found here in a very apolitical way.”

Richard is one of some 300 members of the Israel Quilters Organization (www.israeli-quilt.com). In towns and cities, members gather for quilting sessions and there are even two quilting shops in the country. Later this year, their annual exhibit will feature quilts celebrating the theme of kibbutzim in honor of the movement’s centennial. Richard’s contribution is a quilt depicting the view of Mount Gilboa from the fields of Kibbutz Shluhot in the Jordan Valley. —Dina Kraft

http://www.hadassahmagazine.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=twI6LmN7IzF&b=5698175&ct=10876133

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDLyhEmwsFw&feature=youtu.be

Enjoy!

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Kibbutz Shluhot and Mt. Gilboa

I submitted a quilt for this exhibit and my work was exhibited. I based the quilt on a view of the fields of Kibbutz Shluhot, showing Mt. Gilboa in the background in Emek Beit Shean. I think the view from Kibbutz Shluhot is beautiful and it reminded me of almost 30 years ago when I volunteered on the carrot factory on Kibbutz Shluhot and lived on Kibbutz Maaleh Gilboa. I tried to convey the quiet and serenity of the scene in my quilt.The quilt has a three-dimensional quality, that makes you feel you are entering the scene.

A journalist visited the exhibit and did a short video about some of the quilts that were exhibited and won prizes. The video also discusses the Israel Quilters Association. It’s very nicely done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWghctfSqig&feature=share

The exhibit may be shown again in another locality in Israel. I will keep you posted!

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