Fur Rendezvous Art Quilt

Anchorage Fur Rendezvous (20"x24") by Judy Wedemeyer

 
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Historically, fur rendezvous was a mid-February gathering of fur trappers to sell or trade their winter harvest, as well as a festive time of social interaction and competitive games to break up the monotony of winter isolation. Fur trade was Alaska’s second-largest industry but the lifestyle was remote and solitary.

Vern Johnson organized a three-day sports tournament in Anchorage called the “Winter Sports Carnival”, held February 15-17, 1935.  His desire to lift community spirit amongst 3000 isolated fellow residents was timed to coincide with the rendezvous.  The carnival was renamed “Winter Sports Tournament and Fur Rendezvous” and became just “Fur Rendezvous” in 1937.

The original Winter Sports Carnival events included basketball, boxing, skiing, hockey, a sled dog race for children, a parade and bonfire.  Present day events number over 100 yet  the World Championship Sled Dog Race remains the key event since 1946 and draws mushers from across Alaska and the world to race 75 miles over three days.  Fur Rendezvous has extended its traditional ten days from mid-February through early March since 2004, as a precursor to the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Promotional pins were first created and sold in 1939 to help fund the event.  Early pins were not mass-produced and are highly collectible. During the parade, spectators without a Rondy pin were playfully detained by Keystone ‘Rondy Kops’ in a mobile jail until a purchased pin paid for their release. 

G. Mike Naumann’s 1954 dog mushing photo won a Blue Ribbon in the Fur Rondy Amateur Photo Contest.  Daughter, Judy painted the photo in 1978.  

1964 Great Alaska Earthquake Quilt

1964 Great Alaska Earthquake (20"x24") by Judy Wedemeyer

 

South-central Alaska was struck by the largest earthquake in the United States and the second largest earthquake ever recorded in history with a magnitude of 9.2 on the Richter Scale.  The quake occurred on Good Friday, March 27, 1964 at 5:36 pm Alaska time with a duration of 4 minutes, 38 seconds.  Nine Anchorage residents died from the earthquake itself.  A total of 139 deaths occurred from resulting tsunamis in Alaska as well as on the Oregon and California coast. 

As a ten year old, I did not fully comprehend the catastrophic power of this earthquake since our family experienced relatively little destruction to our home from its wrath.  Six hours after the earthquake I wrote a letter to my Godmother giving a first hand account of said event.  The letter and a photo of our kitchen described in the letter are on my earthquake quilt.  Although cupboards spilled their contents, our dinner remained on the table, however not a drop of coffee was left in any cups because it was all on the ceiling!  Some photos were taken by my father, Mike Naumann, who worked for the City of Anchorage, Sign Shop and had access to areas otherwise closed to the public after the earthquake.

Anchorage suffered property loss, both commercial and residential yet the death toll was small in number due to being a Good Friday holiday and dinner time.  Earthquakes can happen anywhere at anytime, but Alaska has several faults with a propensity of another high magnitude quake occurring in its future.  Not if, but when...  the ‘64 quake helps us remember our past and prepare for the future.

  

Cosmic Commotion

"Cosmic Commotion" 12" square by Judy Wedemeyer

This is my Wed@Pat's group challenge entry for the 2014 Alaska Fiber Festival.   The quilts will be sold to benefit the Alaska Fiber Festival.

My quilt was designed using the  4-patch method of tiles and symmetry as explained on Raymond K. Houston's website.  The top was actually created several months earlier when I was experimenting with Raymond's  'line alphabet' system (as explained on this posting) in which my chosen word spelled out BLUE.  I have made a RED, YELLOW, GREEN and MYSTERY quilt using the same line alphabet.   This month I shared the design method with a local quilt group and hope to see future art quilts from those members.  It is a fun and challenging exercise to create original works with repeatable design methods.  I have several 12" art quilts designed and waiting in the wings to be transformed with fabric.  Woe is me with so many ideas and so little time.

The backside of Cosmic Commotion

Material Maven's 'Comfort' Quilt

"Connoisseurs of Comfort" by Judy Wedemeyer - 2013 (12"square)

Today was November's quilt reveal on the Material Maven's blog.  Here is the link to my post  "Connoisseurs of Comfort" where you can read the full story and construction methods.  Be sure to check out all of the Comfort themed quilts.

January theme is:  STRONG

Addendum:
November's 'COMFORT' theme was my final challenge piece as a Material Maven (although I didn't realize it at the time).  My creative focus will be directed toward producing art quilts for our Anchorage Centennial Celebration on behalf of Anchorage Log Cabin Quilter's, Inc.

Cellular World

"Cellular World" by Judy Wedemeyer 2013 (12"sq.)

This  'cosmic'  feeling art piece is in response to the Material Maven's  Cell theme for July.  My daughter Kristen's fiance is into astronomy and I thought this would be an appropriate companion piece to another small quilt I gave Lincoln.

Because You Ask ~

Artists are often asked to explain how they create, what their process is and if they have a 'road map' in their heads before they begin?  Today I reread a statement I'd written in reply to a similar inquiry and thought I'd share it here.

"For me, working without a 'recipe' whether in the kitchen or in my studio, invigorates my experimental side. Using the cooking analogy ~ when you have cooked enough to be comfortable in the kitchen, you can read a recipe and tell if it will be bland or could use some spicing up. Eventually, what you know leads to 'original recipes' rather than following a cookbook. The same applies to my art.

I've tried to analyze my creative approach at various times in my life but see no recognizable 'formula' for how I work, which is most likely due to the wide range of media I use and the absence of a personal repeatable style. From youth I've tinkered artistically with any accessible materials ~ often discards. I remember Dad sharing his colored electrical wiring and showing me how to braid a 5-strand length of wire, or giving me his wood scraps and use of his jigsaw, hammer and nails. My top childhood gift requests were always art oriented. You get the idea... I mention this because for me, expanding my skills and knowledge through experimentation and education, have filled my 'toolbox' with multiple abilities and the confidence to use them.

The ability to create something from nothing is actually more inspirational for me than starting from a blank piece of paper and pencil, although I've done both as need and mood dictate. If one method of kick starting me doesn't work, I try another. Sometimes my ideas begin from doodles, or photos, or a word and sometimes I just peruse my art quilt books or get online for ideas. I seldom toss failures or scraps away and if you keep like items organized and handy you are more likely to use them. (skip hiding them in the sock and pj drawer) lol

"Interwoven Through The Ages" by Judy Wedemeyer (12" square)

With my Interwoven piece I invested 90% of my time in the cogitative state. I do feel it's significant to ask yourself what you want to achieve before you begin and from there, what materials and colors might work that will reinforce your ideas. Most importantly, I've discovered that I must remain flexible in my approach, letting each step dictate what the next could be to improve the piece, and asking myself if I am adhering to the basic art 'rules' of successful design ~ contrast, line, color, balance, etc.

When creative constipation occurs I deliberately step away from my studio and get my brain entirely off the project. A fresh view may speak volumes and open a floodgate of ideas."

I hope I've answered your question to some degree and would love to hear how the rest of you navigate your art quilt design process.

Canyon Colors & Curves

Here is my newest Material Maven's challenge quilt.  The theme was Canyon.

fabric side

felted wool side

Click on the link above to read about its construction as well as the other group submissions. 

Material Maven Theme Challenge: Communication

"SOS" by Judy Wedemeyer (12"x12")

Today is reveal day for our  Communication themed art quilts.  Here is my  Material Maven's submission.  Read the details here.

The first photo transfer had a slight smudge from my printer so I used it as a practice piece.  Slightly larger dimensions allowed for more embroidery details  (both hand and machine) in the border.

"SOS" by Judy Wedemeyer (14"x15")

Transformed Treasures 2013 - Lapquilt

This lap quilt measures 51" X 66", and was layered and machine quilted in seven separate sections to enable me the physical ease to do a project this size on my home machine without struggle.  It takes longer to construct but there is no fabric distortion from tugging on the quilt when it's done this way.

With my Salvation Army artist vouchers I purchased eight men's dress shirts and a purple corduroy jumper to coordinate with the two yards of leaf print fabric.  I ended up not using the black shirt.  With careful cutting, there was plenty of fabric to make the backing and still have some fabric left over.  All of the fabric is 100% cotton including the Warm & Natural batting inside.  This quilt is an original design and will be auctioned off at the Salvation Army's Transformed Treasures Luncheon in May.