Boxed Embroidery at David Kaye Gallery

Dream #4.  Hand embroidery on cotton 

sheeting. Vintage Ryrie-Birks ring box.

Boxed Embroidery Series ©

David Kaye Gallery has a few pieces from my ongoing Boxed Embroidery Series including Dream #4, Four Seeds and Party Dress. The tiny sleeping children I love to make are worked on cotton bed sheeting. This one is nestled in a beautiful vintage box that was a special gift from Lily Yung.

So innocent, these dreamers.

In Party Dress, the relief print Memory Dress appears printed and stitched on the palest pink vintage silk crepe de chine that I used to make party dresses out of back in the day.

Party Dress.  Silk crepe de chine and DMC thread. 

John Diggin's Jewellry box. Boxed Embroidery Series ©

And seeds ... optimistic, emblematic of the new, a fresh start. 

Four Seeds.  Embroidery on silk. Leather Ganeshi Lal & Son bracelet box. Boxed Embroidery Series ©

Pretty Pink Petals of Pelargonium

Inspired by a friend's post Seed Starting Update I snapped a photo of a Pelargonium (unidentified) blooming in my kitchen. A gift in winter, on a gray rainy day...

Pretty pink petals of Pelargonium in January.

Great to be back in the studio

A nice project to ease back into work, this pair of pillows for a stylish client. Mostly linen, pieced with glints of my relief prints and other vintage bits. Reversible, although not intentional. I like to have detail on the back, one always enjoys a surprize. I had fun photographing them ...

Twins...

but not identical.

Stacked...

 the backs.                                                                                   Happy New Year 

Published in Surface Design Journal - Canadian Perspectives

David Kaye of David Kaye Gallery in Toronto was interviewed in the Fall issue of the American Surface Design Journal titled 'Canadian Perspectives', an issue devoted to a wide range of Canadian textile art and artists.

An image of one of my Handkerchief Series works, Woman with a Heart is featured in the interview as well as the work of William Hodge, Dorothy Caldwell, Sylvia Ptak, Susan Warner Keene, Lizz Aston and Judith Dingle.

To read the article please CLICK HERE!

Woman with a Heart  Valerie Knapp Mixed media: releif print, embroidery, vintage handkerchief, 12.5" x 12.5", 2008

Open House this weekend—December 3-4, Saturday and Sunday 11-6.

It's wonderful to be hosting an all new show and sale this year with the enticing work of Vivienne Jones, Brad Copping, Sue Rankin (and myself) on Saturday and Sunday, Dec 3 - 4.  I hope we'll see you! 

I've made new zipper bags, cozy up-cycled wool throws for the long winter ahead, fun tea cozies, new linen scarves, handy hand towels, sewing kits, aprons, lavender filled pieces and more cool stuff, just in time for gift giving or to treat yourself!  There's always a range of mixed media pieces on show as well. 

If you haven't been in the neighbourhood recently, Roncesvalles Renewed is complete—new restaurants, shops and cafes have opened.

Opening on Thursday in Ottawa — Angels & Argonauts: Small-scale and Functional Art Exhibition

 See Angelic Trio in Angels & Argonauts: Small-scale & Functional Art Exhibit. 

 Opening Thurs. Nov. 24, continuing until Dec. 31, 2011.  

 L.A. Pai Gallery,  Ottawa  www.lapaigallery.com

 I've also sent Lisa a selection of my functional textiles including lovely linen towels, sewing kits, zipper 

 bags and cards.                                                        

Angelic Trio — con amore,  ben misurato,  trés rythme.  Embroidery, relief print, DMC thread, linen, vintage sheet music, various papers, acrylic, pins, wood boxes.  Dimensions: 3"w. x 4"h. x 1.4"d. each.  Valerie Knapp©

Upcoming show

I've been so busy in the studio! My friend Gordana has invited me to join her as a guest in her home on the Open Rhodes Studio Tour (Art Show & Sale) on Rhodes Avenue in the east end of Toronto this weekend.

I will be at 704 Rhodes Avenue with artists Gordana Olujic (mixed media) and Bobin Dosic (painting).

I'm donating to the raffle in support of the Red Door and tickets will be available at the tour. More info appears on the invite...