Sheila Frampton Cooper « The Backroads to Road to California

Posts Tagged ‘Sheila Frampton Cooper’

When A Famous Artist Meets A Famous Quilt Show

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015

Photo by Gregory Case Photography[/caption]

Road to California’s guests come from all over the world: men, women, old, young, quilters and those who appreciate quilts. During Road 2015, one guest, artist Giorgio Tuscani, came simply because his good friend — the Mayor of Ontario, California — invited him. He had no idea what he was in for; he thought he was going to see a bunch of patchwork blankets. But after spending two hours on the show floor, Giorgio went away with a whole new respect for the quilting world.

Giorgio Tuscani is a Renaissance painter whose paintings can sell for upwards of $125,000.

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“I Give My Love To You” Giorgio Tuscani[/caption]

He is also a fabric designer with his own line of clothing and shoes. Born in Italy, raised in West Texas, Giorgio had no background with quilts. When his good friend, Mayor Paul S. Leon, invited Giorgio and his partner, Rod McDonnell, to come visit Road to California 2015, Giorgio said he accepted the invitation simply to “oblige the mayor.” What he didn’t expect was to experience “an art form from a different world that I didn’t even know existed.”

Giorgio and Rod were given a tour of some of the special exhibits by Road’s staff. They got to see up close the prize winning quilts as well as Celebrating 100 Years of California State Parks and were “totally blown away by the sophistication ” of the artistry and quilting.

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Point Lobos State Natural Reserve by Christine Robin Hartman[/caption]

They also spent some time with Featured Artist, Sheila Frampton Cooper. Tuscani and Cooper immediately connected as Sheila began her career as a painter before leaping to her current passion of studio art quilts.

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Photo by Gregory Case Photography[/caption]

During his visit, Giorgio was especially touched by the obvious caring community that quilters enjoy. “I love how the quilters nourish and support each other,” remarked Giorgio.

What was Giorgio’s overall opinion of Road 2015? “I have a whole new appreciation for this art form. It was simply amazing.”

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Tags: 100 Years of Celebrating California State Parks, Giorgio Tuscani, Mayor Paul S. Leon, Quilting Community, Renaissance Art, Sheila Frampton Cooper
Posted in Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | No Comments »

What Is Your Creative Process?

Friday, February 6th, 2015

No two people approach their quilting projects the same. Here, Road’s 2015 Featured Artist, Sheila Frampton Cooper, shares her creative process:

1) First Things First: Palette and Scale* I usually have a color scheme in mind but many times, I will pull out all of my fabric and just start making color choices as I am building a piece. There’s something about actually looking at a particular piece of fabric and deciding if it’s a good fit. After I decide on the color direction, I then consider the scale of the project. Will I use large pieces or smaller ones?

2) Music* Ever since I was a young child, I have had a very eclectic and discriminating taste in music. It’s fair to say you rarely walk into my studio when there’s nothing playing. Music can change my mood in an instant and it energizes my creative soul; this is one of the reasons music plays such a huge part in my creative process. Some of my favorite artists include: David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Grace Jones, Neil Young, theKinks, Elton John, Bootsy Collins, and Parliament Funkadelic.

3) Improvise* I don’t really work in a series. Each quilt is its own thing, so to speak. Often I’m inspired by a piece and I want to recreate that in some way, but it always goes where it wants to go. Improvisation requires thoughtful attention and every move I make takes careful consideration. In some ways, it’s a lot easier to follow a pattern or a predetermined design. Creating without an initial plan gives me the opportunity to make decisions throughout the construction of a piece and for some, that can be daunting. However, I thrive on that and when I run into a challenge, I step back, quiet my mind, and wait. I wait with the knowledge that a solution will dawn on me, and it always does, without fail.

4) Favorite Tip. I use Superior Threads mono poly in my bobbin. I wind the bobbin and use 50% speed. This also saves thread and gives a nice look on the back of the quilt.

How do you approach your creative process?

*Part of this text was adapted from an article that appeared in the May 2014 issue of American Quilter Magazine.

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Tags: Featured Artist, Quilting Creative Process, Sheila Frampton Cooper
Posted in Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | No Comments »

Road 2015's Top 20

Thursday, January 22nd, 2015

Have you heard?

It’s Road to California’s 20^th Anniversary

and we are celebrating with 20 things you won’t want to miss at this year’s show:

1) Anniversary Celebration. Thursday, January 22^nd at noon on the convention center main floor. Marching drumline, dignitaries, and special presentations.

2) Quilts, Quilts, Quilts. Over 1,000 quilts will be on display

3) Quilt Winners. Cash awards totaling $92,000 were given out this year.

4) Vendor Mall. 220 Retailers with more than 700 merchant booths selling a wide variety of merchandise of interest to quilters, textile artists, home sewists, and crafters. Multiple locations: Exhibit Hall, Ballroom and Hall.

5) The Pavilion. First opening last year, the pavilion offers extra vendor space and is located adjacent to the south side of the convention center.

6) Marketplace. Eight top manufacturers are available to talk with face to face, answer questions, and discuss their latest product line.

7) Special Exhibits. There are 14 special exhibits including Fiber Art Celebrating 150 Years of California State Parks and Textile Art Inspired by the Beatles.

8) Featured Artist. Meet award winning artist, Sheila Frampton Cooper.

9) Tentmakers of Cairo. Welcome Tarek Abdelhay and Hosam Hanafy from Egypt as they demonstrate the lost art of Egyptian applique.

10) $5.00 Lectures. Each day, experts from various trades in the quilt world will be sharing their expertise. No advance registration is required. Sign up and pay that day.

11) Road Booth. Purchase special show items including the 20^th Anniversary commemorative Road to California fabric designed by Robert Kaufman Fabrics. Also, learn more about the 2016 Tote and Handbag Challenge.

12) The Daily Drawing. Each day, a different prize will be offered. Thursday: Babylock Rachel Donated by Moore’s Sewing Center MSRP $699.00. Friday: Bernina Sewing Machine Donated by Mel’s Sewing Center. Saturday: Viking Sapphire 930 Donated by OC Sewing MSRP: $1899.98. Sunday: La Cresta Premiere Work Station Donated by Martelli. MSRP: $3,250. Daily drawing tickets are available at the North Information Desk. The drawing is conducted daily at 3 PM. Must enter daily; only one entry per person; and winner must be present to win.

13) Quilt Appraisals. Certified appraisers from the American Quilter’s Society are on hand to appraise quilts and answer questions.

14) Sack Sitters. Boy Scout Troop 628 is available in Room 2 to watch over purchases, quilt supplies and/or sewing machines for a minimal donation.

15) Local Quilt Guilds. Each day of the show, different guilds have tables set up in the north end of the arcade, displaying their raffle quilts.

16) Complimentary Show Book. This is the first year all attendees get a show book for free with their admission thanks to our Bronze Sponsors.

17) Contest Entries for Sale. Eligible quilts will be specially marked for sale.

18) Food. The Ontario Convention Center offers delicious food choices including California Pizza Kitchen. Food stations are located throughout the convention center.

19) Great Weather. The forecast for Ontario, Califorina during Road to California is:

Thursday: 73° and partly cloudy

Friday: 74° and sunny

Saturday: 77° and sunny

Sunday: 80° and sunny

20) Family Feel. For 20 years, Carolyn Reese and her family have offered the best quilt show in the west!!

Enjoy the Show!!

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Tags: 20th Anniversary Show, Boy Scouts, Quilt Appraisals, Quilt Display, Quilt Exhibits, Quilt Guilds, Quilt Lectures, Quilt Vendors, Quilt Winners, Sheila Frampton Cooper, Tentmakers of Cairo
Posted in Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | 4 Comments »