Fiber Art

The Fire Inside: International Freeform Fiberart Guild Annual Challenge

| Annie

The 2020 International Freeform Fiberart Guild’s Annual Challenge gallery is live! My piece for the collection is called “The Fire Inside”:

The Fire Inside | Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

The IFFFG is a collection of freeform crochet artists from around the world. We gather online to select a theme for our challenge each year. Members interpret the theme however they wish. Our theme for this year was Brilliance—the Fire Within.

The Fire Inside Detail 1 | Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

This theme had me stumped for months. I was 100% sure I wasn’t going to participate in this year’s challenge because I just had no idea what I was going to make. As the deadline approached, I decided to give it one last shot.

I started with color. I pulled a bunch of fiery embroidery flosses from my stash and started crocheting. My original thought was to make a brooch because it would be small and at least I would have done something. My brooch quickly grew into something larger, and this necklace began to take shape.

The Fire Inside Detail 2 | Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

I’ve never made a necklace like this before, and I must say, I am really happy with it.

Twenty-one artists from all over the world participated in this year’s challenge. View our online gallery here, or purchase a book of the works here.

Until next time,
Annie

Fiber Fusion

| Annie

Hi folks,

Come learn to crochet with me! I’m going to be teaching at Fiber Fusion, the Missouri Fiber Artists and Kansas Association of Weavers and Spinners 2020 Conference. The conference is May 1-3, 2020 at Lake Doniphan in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. This is going to be a great weekend full of fiber fun!

Introduction to Tunisian Crochet

I’ll be teaching two classes at Fiber Fusion. First up is Introduction to Tunisian Crochet. A little bit crochet and a little bit knitting, Tunisian Crochet makes for highly textured fabrics that can range from dense to light and airy. In this class, participants will learn how to get a Tunisian project started, a few basic stitches, and how to cast off. Already skilled in traditional crochet? Many of the techniques used in Tunisian will feel familiar, but there are some new things to learn. Never picked up a crochet hook of any kind? Feel free to start here! Hook and yarn are provided. Students should bring scissors and a tapestry/darning needle.

Introduction to Freeform Crochet with Annie Webster

I will also be teaching Introduction to Freeform Crochet. No patterns, no rules—that’s the fun of Freeform Crochet. In this class, participants will learn how to create a highly textured freeform project using scrumbles that will be combined to create a larger piece. We’ll use a variety of stitches and techniques to create works that are truly unique! For this class, students need to bring a variety of worsted-weight yarns in colors that go well together (3-5 colors would be great, and scraps are highly encouraged), crochet hooks to go with the yarn, scissors, and a tapestry/darning needle. Due to the pace of this class, I ask that students are comfortable making chain, single crochet, and double crochet stitches before coming to class. This class isn’t until May, so you have plenty of time to brush up on your crochet basics before the conference!

If crochet isn’t your thing, not to worry. Fiber Fusion is full of classes in all areas of fiber arts. You can learn about weaving and spinning and knitting and embroidery and marketing your art. There will be speakers and vendors and galleries and fashion shows and just so much awesomeness.

Download the Fiber Fusion information packet here.

Register for Fiber Fusion here. Register by February 15, 2020 to avoid a late fee.

Until next time,
Annie

5 x 5 x 5

| Annie

Hi folks,

I have a piece in another show of tiny art. The pieces in 5 x 5 x 5 are even smaller than the ones in the Fun Sized Art show I was in earlier this month. As you may have guessed from the name of the show, all of the pieces in this exhibit are 25 square inches or less.

Flowers by the Stream by Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

My work for this show is “Flowers by the Stream,” a gelatin print with embroidered and crocheted details. This piece will be on display at River Oaks Square Art Center in Alexandria, Louisiana through February 15, 2020. The opening reception is Friday, November 15, 2019 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

5 x 5 x 5
River Oaks Square Arts Center
1330 2nd St.
Alexandria, LA 71301
Opening Reception: Friday, November 15, 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Until next time,
Annie

Between the Threads

| Annie

Hi folks,

Innovations in Textiles continues in the St. Louis area this month. I have a piece in “Between the Threads,” a national juried exhibition of works of fiber at Webster Arts. Webster Arts and Webster Fiber Arts aren’t related, and the similarity in our names made for fun times at FedEx when it was time to ship my piece.

Blooming by Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

My work for this exhibit is “Blooming.” The base of the piece is a gelatin print in acrylic on cotton. I used a dried up zinnia bloom in the printing process for this one, as well as some bubble wrap. I added embroidered and crocheted details with cotton floss.

Blooming Detail by Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

“Blooming” will be on display at Webster Arts November 12 through December 20, 2019. The opening reception is Tuesday, November 12, 2019 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Between the Threads
Webster Arts
483 East Lockwood, Suite #108
Webster Groves, MO 63119
Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Opening Reception: Tuesday, November 12, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Until next time,
Annie

Fun Sized Art

| Annie

Hi folks,

I am so excited about this show!

I will have two pieces in “Fun Sized Art,” a juried group art exhibition at the Vanessa Lacy Gallery in Kansas City, MO. Art in this show is in all mediums and is 14” or under. Fun sized art! Yay!

Childhood Favorite Doodad by Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

When I saw the call for this exhibit, I thought my Shadowbox Doodads would be perfect. Each of these little guys is about 2” square and mounted in a shadowbox that is about 7” x 7” x 1.5”. These little pieces are crocheted with embroidery floss, then embellished with a little bit of hand embroidery.

Golden Years Doodad by Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

“Childhood Favorite Doodad” and “Golden Years Doodad” will be on display at the gallery October 18 through November 8, 2019. The opening reception is Friday, October 18, 2019 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Friday night is also the Livestock Exchange Building’s Fall Open Studio night. Artists’ with studios in the building will have them, well, open.

Fun Sized Art
Vanessa Lacy Gallery
October 18 – November 8, 2019
Livestock Exchange Building
1600 Genessee Street #161
Kansas City, MO 64102
Reception: Friday, October 18, 2019, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Until next time,
Annie

Out of My Comfort Zone

| Annie

Hi folks,

I have a piece in another Innovations in Textiles exhibit! “Shadows of Life: Coreopsis” is included in the Out of My Comfort Zone exhibit at the Lillian Yahn Gallery in O’Fallon, Mo.

Shadows of Life: Coreopsis by Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

The challenge for this exhibit was for artists to move out of their comfort zones with their art by trying new techniques or themes. I use a lot color in my pieces, so I chose to go with a black and white piece. I’ve never made a purely black and white fiber piece before—it was more difficult than I thought it would be! I still really want to add some red or yellow stitches in this piece somewhere.

My background fabric for the piece is a couple of gelatin plate monoprints I created using dead coreopsis blooms from the backyard. I have been experimenting with the gelatin plate a lot lately, though one of the things I enjoy about it is using and mixing colors. With these prints, however, I used only black paint on white cloth. I then sewed a couple of the monoprints together and embellished them with black and white stitches.

Out of My Comfort Zone runs October 1 – October 30, 2019. There will be a reception on Friday, October 18, from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.

Out of My Comfort Zone
October 1 – October 30, 2019
Lillian Yahn Gallery
3028 Winghaven Blvd.
O’Fallon, MO 63368
Reception: Friday, October 18, 2019, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Until next time,
Annie

On the Surface on The Ramp

| Annie

Hi folks,

“What Remains” is part of the On the Surface On the Ramp exhibit at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild. This exhibit is an Innovations in Textiles events.

What Remains by Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

This piece is a gelatin plate monoprint of a motif I crocheted. I then added a bunch of embroidery to add details to the piece. I had a lot of fun making this one.

What Remains Detail by Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

On the Surface On the Ramp runs September 20 – October 23, 2019. There will be a reception on Thursday, October 3, 2019, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. The Surface Design Association’s annual member exhibit, Beyond the Surface, is also in the gallery during this time, so there is plenty of fiber art to enjoy!

On the Surface On the Ramp
September 20 – October 23, 2019
St. Louis Artists’ Guild
12 North Jackson Ave.
Clayton, MO 63105
Reception: Thursday, October 3, 2019, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Until next time,
Annie

Portraits & Portrayals

| Annie

Hi folks,

There are a TON of fiber exhibits over the next couple months in the St. Louis, Missouri area as part of Innovations in Textiles. More than 45 shows are included in the event, and I have pieces in a few of them.

Magic Carpet Ride by Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

First up for me is Portraits & Portrayals at Framations Gallery in St. Charles, Missouri. This exhibit is a group show made up of pieces by members of Missouri Fiber Artists. All of the pieces in this exhibit are on 16” x 20” canvases.

My piece is called “Magic Carpet Ride.” I used my natural dyed yarn for this piece (the same ones I used for “Harvest Meditation”).

Magic Carpet Ride Detail by Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

All of the pieces I’ve seen that are going to be included in the show are portraits. I may be the only portrayal in the exhibit, but that’s okay.

The exhibit opens this Friday, September 27, 2019 and will run through November 7, 2019. The opening reception is also this Friday.

Portraits & Portrayals
Framations Gallery
September 27, 2019 – November 7, 2019
Thursday, September 19, 2019
218 North Main Street
St Charles, MO 63301
Opening Reception: Friday, September 27, 2019, 6PM – 8PM

Until next time,
Annie

Mosaic Life Care Fall Exhibit

| Annie

Hi folks,

I just got home from a little road trip to St. Joseph, MO to drop off artwork for an exhibit at The Art Experience Galleries at Mosaic Life Care. There is a lot of art in the exhibit, spread throughout the hospital. I will have two pieces in the show.

Sunny Days | Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

I wanted to submit happy, cozy pieces to this exhibit. That’s what I like to look at when I am hanging around a medical building, whether I am there as a patient or as moral support to a patient. Both “Sunny Days” (above) and “BFFs” (below) are colorful and bring me joy—I hope they do the same for the people who see them.

BFFs | Annie Webster | Webster Fiber Arts

The exhibit opens this Thursday, September 19, 2019 and will run through March of next year. The opening reception is also this Thursday.

Mosaic Life Care Fall Exhibit Opening Reception
Thursday, September 19, 2019
4 PM – 5 PM
Mosaic Life Care Main Entrance
5325 Faraon Street
St. Joseph, MO, 64506

I very much hope that you won’t need to go to the hospital, but I hope that you will want to stop by and check out the art by local artists!

Until next time,
Annie