Wednesday, March 01, 2006

So exciting...

I couldn't rip off the plastic cover fast enough when the new issue of Somerset Studio finally arrived.

Several months ago I received an email from Jenny Doh, editor of Somerset Studio. She thanked me for submitting some small quilts for their "lettering with unusal tools challenge" and said they would be included in the March/April issue. I was so excited to get a personal email from her, and thrilled at the thought of having my work published.

But I had no idea I'd get a whole page! (With my name in gigantic scrolly type!)


This is the Exemplar page that is a regular feature in Somerset Studio. It's a full page feature of an artist's interpretation of the alphabet. I started this piece more than a year ago and finished it when I read about the "unusal tools" challenge. How about scissors? How about the sewing machine needle? (Of course, you recognize Mel's special edition hand dyed fabric.)

And then I gasped again when I saw this page later in the issue.


This isn't a great image. You must go out and find the magazine yourself! I created those three 5x7 pieces which I titled "Letter Sketch 1, 2 and 3." Such a clever title, yes? And the piece in the upper right was created with the negative pieces cut from the other exemplar.

There is also a detail shot of my work and a paragraph about how I created the pieces on the intro page of the challenge section. Yes... that's three full pages of my artwork. How thrilling!

There are lots of other cool pieces in the challenge. Artists used straws, cat tails and cat's wiskers to do some wonderful lettering. There is also an interesting profile of Andrea Fuhrman and a wonderful article by my friend Gloria Page. If you haven't read Somerset Studio, check it out. It's full of inspirational mixed media art.

I will add that I sent all these items in on the same day that I sent in my Fine Focus sumissions. I was not accepted to Fine Focus. Funny how things work out. The lesson here: Keep making art that makes you happy and keep sharing it whenever you have an opportunity.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo! Congratulations!!

Anonymous said...

I am thrilled for you and I am going to go get this magazine today. We are in Portland. Had a champagne toast in our new house with the Realtor and we do not have buyer's remorse.

Sarah Ann Smith said...

WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! jumping up and down and up and down....now...how many miles from Camden is the nearest copy of Somerset?

Julie Zaccone Stiller said...

That is so great !!! That is one of my fave things in Somerset, the Exemplar page, and there you are on it, scrolly script and all. Good Going D!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you! This is so great for you...two magazines in less than six months. You must get it framed!!!! Hannah

kathy said...

...and published again. I thought you're guardian angel that took up a whole half page was awesome and now this...I need to get. to. work. Yeow! So, so, proud of you.!

Deb R said...

Oooooh, Deborah, that's gorgeous!! Yay you!!!

Joanne S said...

And I remember seeing them at our chapter meeting!!!! They are way cool and you deserve each and every page.

Dale Anne Potter said...

CONGRATULATIONS Deborah!!!
WAHOOOOOOOO!!!

I'll have to go online and order a copy as the closest place to buy an issue is 2 hours away - one way!

Anonymous said...

Just think of how many mixed media folks are now dusting off their sewing machines, or experimenting with free-motion quilting for the very first time! You have inspired many of us. Congratualtions, friend. Now calling Scrapbooks store to have them hold a copy for me.

Joanna Stein said...

If only they had screwed up one more month of my subscription.

Today, rather than the magazine, I received a renewal notice. Don't they KNOW I'm your sister?

Hooray for you!

Micki said...

Congratulations, Deborah. These pieces are so cool and to be published in not one, but two magazines within months of each other is a great accomplishment.

Karoda said...

Hey! You go girl! I'll have to pick up a copy when I pick up QA! How fabulous!

Diane Doran said...

Wow! Way to go. That is sooo exciting!

Jen said...

Happy happy joy joy! Congratulations, this is fantastic!
I must rush out to Borders immediately. I hope they have your magazine, but they probably do since they have other art mags. Jen

Liz Plummer said...

Congratulations, Deborah! You deserve it - it looks brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic! Awesome work.