Dayle Dunn Gallery

My clutch purses are now in the Dayle Dunn Gallery in Half Moon Bay, Ca.. The design on the clutch is my award winning design used in "Images", "Togetherness" and "4-Friends" which was recently in Art Quilt Elements and reviewed by Bruce Hoffman director of the Snyderman Works Gallery in Philadelphia. His words were, "I very much liked the simple idea explored by Bonnie J. Smith in "4-Friends". Four repetitive blocks containing repeated shapes and pattern with subtle color changes. Simple, powerful, successful: Design and craftsmanship working together". The clutch may be purchased thru the gallery for $150.00 www.dayledunn.com or contact me thru the web site. These purses are perfect for the opera, ballet or anytime you want to make that artistic statement. I believe the correct term is functional art! The clutch purse comes in five different color designs and all clutch bags have the black base.

"Patricia L."

"Patricia L" is a fiber piece I created using my mother's high school graduation picture. Her reaction was one of surprise and graditude. "Patricia L" was juried into Studio Art Quilt Associates prestigeous Transformations 2008. This exhbit will debut at The Festival Of Quilts in Birmingham, England August 2008 and tour the UK and United States thru 2009.

"After The Hunt"

This work tittled "After The Hunt" is a picture of my father in his early twentys after he had been hunting. My father was an avid hunter from a very early age until he entered his sixty's. I must also note that my father never wore a hat socially, I believe that is why I have always been intrigued by this picture.

"GROUNDS FOR A CHANGE"

I have just sent "Gary's Words" off to Southern California to Curator Anne Copeland. The challenge was about using coffee or tea products in any shape or form.

A friend of mine died of HIV in 1992 and on my last visit with him he passed me a poem he wrote. The poem is about his dying and how he handles it along with how he believes other people are dealing with his impending death. I only read the poem once then put it away and every year or so I would pull it out, but still could not linger on it for very long. Finally, three years ago I put his words in one of my fiber pieces, but still could not show it or linger on it for too long. Then along comes Anne Copeland with her "Grounds For A Change" challenge in Southern California and I said "I'm in".

I am also in the process of looking for a Grant or AIR program where I can put together an installation piece using the words. The work has been rolling around in my brain for about three years and I think it is now time the world hears and sees "Gary's Words".

The first stop for the challenge will be at the Loft Gallery, San Pedro, Ca. during April and May. Let me know if any of you get to visit the exhibition.

9th QUILT NIHON

I received my award and catalogs from "9th Quilt Nihon" today and I must say I am very impressed. The award is rather large, approximately 18 inches wide with the imformation on the left in english and the right side is all in japanese. Rockin! The catalog is stellar and I must say that I didn't know very much about the show before I entered, but it sits at the highest pinnacle of professionalism and I have to say again I am honored to have been chosen.

I was showing the award off to friends at the "Beauty Shop" and I made the comment "that is what my name looks like in Japanese" and they said "now you know" so seriously we all started laughing. I am definitely getting this award framed. Got to go.

WOMENS CAUCUS FOR ART

I recently received an email letting me know that I was selected to have my art work on the WOMENS CAUCUS FOR ART, www.nationalwca.org web site the month of September. What I selected to enter was "Beauty Shop" it is a work that was inspired by my friend Lijah's beautyshop. Lijah was my model along with one of her regular customers. Her shop has such a good vibe and clients of all ages move thru getting there beauty fix.

"NEW SLIDER SHOW"

This new slider show is awesome. Please check it out. This was my daughter Shara's idea and it is a great one. Now you can see what I have done and what I am working on instantly! Please let me know if you like the slider show.