Inspiring Trees

February 5, 2024

Looking back on the last 18 months, life has been very full. Significant, meaningful events kept me from my studio, and now I am working to get back into a consistent creative workflow. This is easier said than done. Honestly, it feels a bit like getting back into the gym. You don’t just start out that first day back running a marathon! You have to remember (yes, I like to be in my studio), reconnect (now, this is what I was doing) and rebuild (this is how I do it) the creative muscles that have not been used for a while and slowly increase your endurance.

January was the first month in the past 18 months that I did not get on a plane. I did not even leave town. Being home was deeply therapeutic. My goal for the month was to create a new routine that got me in my new studio space at least 10 hours a week — a small, but attainable goal. I also set a goal of machine quilting 5 hours a week. Each week I met my goals. These wins create momentum that I can build on, hopefully increasing my working hours each month. Between my two studios in the month of January I logged 73.5 hours. This is the best month I have had since March of 2021. All of last year I only had 264.75 hours for the whole year — the lowest I have had since I started keeping track of my studio hours in 2011. It takes great effort to create new rhythms and routines of working, but I can do it.

Cottonwood December 2023 Meade State Park, Kansas © Pamela Loewen 2023

So how does this connect to trees? Trees endure. Slowly, quietly trees keep growing through all kinds of weather. During each season, slowly tree trunks and branches get thicker, longer and taller. Over the years they keep growing bigger and stronger. I want to be like a tree. I want to keep growing throughout all the seasons of my life no matter what comes my way.

Here is the first of my new trees series. I began this series in 2019. I was especially interested in the main tree trunk and its branches. The strength is in the trunk. This is what supports and feeds the whole tree. Trunks are not often admired, but without them you do not get the buds, flowers, fruits, leaves and branches. This series celebrates quiet enduring strength that creates beauty.

**“Tree #1”** 2019/2023 21.5”w by 33.5 “ h
cottons hand dyed by artist, wool batting, machine quilted
© Pamela Loewen

Things that make me happy

August 31, 2023

When life is chaotic I refresh and reset by slowing down. I take time to appreciate the small things. For example, after all the overcast smoky days from the fires in Canada, I am no longer taking a beautiful clear blue sky for granted. I also literally stop and smell the flowers. As you know from my artwork, I love flowers. In our yard we have several hibiscus plants. These large beautiful flowers have blooms that last only a day or two. Such brief beauty, but stunning.

Hibiscus and White tansy August 29, 2023 © Pamela Loewen

People always ask me where I get my ideas. Much of my inspiration comes from nature. Look at this beautiful Stokes’ aster. Lovely shades of white with delicate textures. Quiet beauty.

Stokes’ Aster July 25, 2023 © Pamela Loewen

For those of you wondering, I am not a gardener. My husband and daughter have the green thumbs. We also have excellent landscapers who help us keep things looking beautiful on our property. Below are my daughter’s yellow roses I get to enjoy as I walk out to take care of my chickens.

On a trip to Lititz, PA last year I found a lovely photo in an art gallery. It reminded me of the highly detailed still life paintings by the Dutch Masters. I bought it and brought it home. It is printed on an unusual paper that gives it a special vibrancy.

I also love buying beautiful calendars. Old calendars often become visual references on my design walls. Below is Deb Stoner’s 2020 “In the Garden” calendar hanging in my new studio space. I love her work.

Because I have been away from my studio for so long, I decided to create a series of small studies. Inspired by the things I have shared in this post, I wanted to explore using dark backgrounds with my flower figures.

Small Still Life Study #1 Grey pieced composition roughly 12” by 12”
© Pamela Loewen

Small Still Life Study #2 Chocolate pieced composition roughly 12” by 12”
© Pamela Loewen

After not creating for several months, it feels great to sew again. So far this week I have spent four days in my new studio space and that makes me very happy.

What makes you happy?

When things don't go as planned

July 5, 2023

Contrary to popular belief, creativity doesn’t usually thrive in uncertainty and upheaval. Just when I am thinking my life is settling down into a new routine, something disrupts my plans. Next thing I know, I am packing a suitcase to go help someone I love. After last year with my dad, I know “being there” is the right choice. It’s relationships that matter most in life.

Another thing that has not gone according to plan is my building. The original plan was to open in June of 2022. Last fall I I thought surely I would be able to open in the spring of 2023. However, as of today, the project is still not completed. So I am not looking at a calendar again until every last thing in the building is finished. And a BIG THANK YOU to all the artists who are patiently waiting for their new show dates!

So it is time to pivot. In times like these, I try to focus on what I CAN DO. I do have permission to use my new studio on the second floor of the building. In between trips, I have been setting up this space. I have even started the first composition on my HUGE design walls! It takes time to adjust to the idiosyncrasies of a new place, but slowly I am easing into my new studio.

**Beginning of first composition in new studio.**

I have also rearranged my old studio at home. I have two machines dedicated to machine quilting. These each have their own special tables. I use my Bernina 820QE for straight stitching, and a Juki 2010Q for free motion quilting. I also have several compositions basted and ready for quilting. So when a small window of time unexpectedly becomes available, I can go quilt.

**Home studio now focused on machine quilting.**

**Tree #2 detail of figure: free motion quilting**

Amidst uncertainty and ever changing plans, I am eking out moments of creativity. At the moment, it is the best that I can do, and I am appreciating each small step along the way. At least I am moving forward!

**Tree #2 detail of ground : straight stitch machine quilting.**

How are you moving forward?

Moving into a New Space

March 4, 2023

After three and a half years, I have finally moved into my new studio space! While it is only a little over 22 feet wide, this space has over 44 feet of design walls along each side wall. The 14 foot tall ceiling will also give my compositions room to breath. Larger design walls enable me to work on more than one large composition at a time and allow me to have more visual references displayed as I work. All this open space is exciting! If you want to learn more about the building go to loewengallery.com

New studio space for fiber artist Pamela Loewen — Loewen Studio & Gallery in Williamston, Michigan
loewengallery.com

I must admit, though, that I am also a little nervous. I have never had a studio outside of my home, and I have never had more than one studio at a time. Now I will have two, because I will continue to do my machine quilting in my home studio. This will also be an adjustment. Sounds silly, but psychologically for me, this is a stretch.

As I begin to quilt my new tree series, I am also trying something new.

In my garden series, the figures are quilted in mostly straight lines with a walking foot and the ground in free-motion quilting. I have reversed this in my tree series. This change is bringing new design challenges.

detail of machine quilting by artist Pamela Loewen — first quilt in tree series (not yet named) detail
© Pamela Loewen

Machine quilting the ground areas with a walking foot is not as easy as one might think. The direction of the lines have to support the figure, but also not become too predictable. Twice I ripped out what I had quilted because the surface created was too static. Making just subtle shifts when I quilted the same area again, brought more life into the ground.

snow laden branches — Serviceberry Tree in a March Snow
© Pamela Loewen

I took this photo of our serviceberry tree last night as the snow fell. I love how the snow accentuates the lines of the branches and twigs. I am always looking, noticing, admiring. This snow storm also had a little thunder and lightning, another first for me to experience.

What new things are you working towards? Have you experienced any “firsts” lately?

Feeling like I'm in an Ansel Adams Photo

January 1, 2023

Happy 2023 to everyone! The past five months for me have been busy, meaningful and intense. I am looking forward to a time of dormancy. I always love January. A time to reset, refresh and enjoy quiet time in my studio. At the moment, though, I am sitting in a hotel in Rock Springs, Wyoming because Interstate 80 is closed due to snow.

Last week my husband and I helped our son and daughter-in-law move to Utah. The drive out from Michigan was amazing. I love the western landscapes and always wanted to live near mountains. Today we tried to beat the snow storm as we left Salt Lake City and headed to Kansas. We did finally get in front of the storm (Howard) only to hit another. But the views were magical.

Hoytsville, Utah January 1, 2023 © Pamela Loewen

A good way to develop your eye is to take photos. Today you can do this for free! I remember having to wait a week to get photos developed, and it wasn’t cheap. But, I digress. As my husband drove I took lots of pictures. Since we were moving I just tapped the button rapidly on my iPhone. Then I went through and deleted the photos with poor compositions or little merit. Teaching yourself to pick out the best photos will really develop your compositional discernment.

Another good way to develop your eye is to look at black and white photography. Ansel Adams is a good start. I have used his desk calendars in my studio many years.

If you really want to hone your compositional skills do some studies in black and white. Years ago when I began studying with Nancy Crow, who always has her students start working in black and white, I bought bolts of black and white Kona cotton and did lots of sketches. I promise you will not regret it.

May your January yield you time to hibernate and regenerate in your studio.

Making Something that Lasts (Poland 2/2)

December 10, 2022

The Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in Poznan is filled with portraits and monuments of prominent people from ages past. Made in different mediums, each one made me ponder who each person really was. Who decided to memorialize them for posterity? Was it merely a matter of money or did they really help their community so much that their peers wanted to honor them in this way?

I love the economy of line in this portrait. I think this was chiseled in stone, but it almost looks like someone drew lines in wet cement. As an artist, I know the fewer the lines, the more difficult it is to achieve a pleasing composition. Your proportions have to be perfect.

Again, I love the line work. I especially love how the hands are surrounded by echoing lines of draped fabric. I also enjoy the organic lines of the greenery at the top.

This one borders on ostentatious, in my opinion. I’m sure my mother would agree. However, I find the figure interesting. His pose is almost jaunty. I am sure that a historian could tell me the meaning to the pose and all of the items included in the sculpture. Overall it is powerful and imposing, but a close up makes me wonder if this person had a joyful soul.

Again, I love the repeating lines in the sleeves and breard and the more organic lines in the ornamentation on the garment. Reminds me of my quilting lines.

“Red Coral” 2008/2021 detail
© Pamela Loewen

This was huge, nearly 15 feet tall. It is the only monument I saw in the Poznan Cathedral for a couple and the only one that had a woman, other than the Virgin Mary. Who was this woman to be included among so many prominent men?

As I visited this cathedral my father’s passing was fresh in my mind. Thinking of the millions of people who have died throughout the span of time with nothing to mark their time on earth, I realize that one of my motivations in creating art is to make something that will outlast me.

Quiltmaking in the artworld is similar to the lone woman’s monument in the catheral. It is not an art form well represented in traditional galleries and museums. It is a medium dominated by women. With my gallery I hope to change this by showcasing and promoting the important work being made in the medium of quilt making today. To learn more visit loewengallery.com.

Inspiration from Art & Artifacts through the Ages (Poland 1/2)

October 14, 2022

Traveling in Poznan, Poland with my husband I find myself surrounded by beauty. Decoration and pattern are everywhere. We visited sites as old as 968 AD. We toured a palace, a castle, an arboretum and a cathedral. Each held treasures from different time periods, the oldest a mosaic from the island of Pomeii. The best art stands the test of time.

Mosaic from Pompeii at Kornik Castle © Pamela Loewen

Love this little dog with its fancy collar! Dog lovers also span the ages!!

Also love the interlocking pattern on the floor of Kornik Castle. First built in the late 14 century, the castle had many additions and updates through the years. Filled with collections of natural, historical and art objects from around the world and thousands of books, the last owner set up a foundation and bequeathed the castle and its contents to the people. Some of my favorite objects are in the gallery below

Medieval floor tiles Kornik Castle, Kornik, Poland © Pamela Loewen

In the early 1800’s one of the castle’s owners established the Kornik Arboretum on 40 hectares. This is now the oldest and largest arboretum in Poland with over 3300 species of trees and shrubs. We had a glorious walk through the arboretum on a sunny afternoon enjoying the fall colors.

Magnolia Kornick Arboretum, Poland © Pamela Loewen

I also love to compare and contrast similar things. Both the castle and Rogalin Palace had beautiful libraries. Each were exquisite in detail and filled with books and other artifacts. On the left is the Moorish Library at Kornik, the right is beautifully hand carved wood library at the palace.

Another thing to compare are rosettes on cathedrals. On the left The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Poznan, and All Saints’ Church, Kornik. Love the brick work!

And I will end with imagery from inside The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on cathedral island, Poznan. I love the juxtaposition of mediums, methods, materials and moments in time.

Tree of Life Audubon Park, New Orleans, Louisiana © Pamela Loewen

When time stands still...

September 13, 2022

In early August, after my last blog post, it became apparent that my builder was not going to meet his completion deadline. After deciding to postpone the opening until next year, my father’s health took a sudden turn. The last two weeks have been a blur as my family gathered in Lancaster to care for my dad and support my mom.

One of the major influences in my life has been my father. My dad was diagnosed with a rare aggressive cancer in 2012. No one had survived this cancer more than two years. My dad’s response was two fold. First, he said “I’m not average.” Typical dad. Second, he said ”I am going to be thankful for the time that I have had, instead of ungrateful over time I may not have.”

Against all odds he lived another decade — beautiful years full of his grandchildren’s sports events, concerts, graduations, weddings, births of great grand children and travel. He loved his family. He loved life.

My dad was also a very successful entrepreneur — honest, hardworking, courageous and visionary. He started with selling Easter flowers and Christmas trees and ended with a collection of businesses across several industries in multiple states. A source of great knowledge and wisdom, he also mentored many people in life and business, including me.

My father encouraged my dream to open a gallery promoting quilts as art. We spoke of business models and revenue streams. On days when I wondered, “Who am I to open a gallery?” My dad would say, “Wouldn’t you rather try and fail, than have never tried at all?” In one of our final conversations I told him, “Opening the gallery is going to change my life.” He said, “I know.” He always encouraged me to have courage. Dream BIG! Take the risk. Life is more fun when you join in the conversation. I will miss him.

The huge live oak trees I saw at Audubon Park, New Orleans in 2021 reminded me of my dad. He was a man of great stature in many ways, but especially in his faith in God. For 58 years I have sheltered under my father’s limbs. On September 10, 2022 my father passed from this life into eternity. He was the inspiration for the work below that is pieced, but not yet quilted.

Live Oak Portrait of my Father work in progress begun 2021
approximately 7 feet wide by 4 feet tall

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.” Psalm 52:8

Creating an Image Bank

August 5, 2022

After keeping focused and diligently working for two months, I’m on a brief vacation with my family. It took an adventurous full day of travel to arrive at a beautiful house in Costa Rica on the side of a mountain overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The view reminds me a bit of our former home in New Zealand overlooking the Hauraki Gulf.

A change of scenery is good for the soul. Having the opportunity to be together with my husband, sons, daughter-in-law and in-laws is a special treat. From our perch we are enjoying nature—howler monkeys, lizards, butterflies, moths, spiders and, of course, birds. It especially makes my soul sing to see my 27 year old boys so excited to spy a lizard on a rock. It reminds me of when they were 5 turning over rocks on the beach in New Zealand looking for little crabs. My dad told me I would miss those days. He was right.

My son Austin has been honing his photography skills for several years now. He has a naturally good eye. Must be all the museums I took him to during his childhood! While he began focused primarily on bird photography, he has expanded to anything in nature that interests him. His goal is a compelling composition. I think he achieved his goal in the photo below.

I am also finding more inspiration for my own work. A great way to develop your eye as an artist is by taking photos. And of course cell phones make this so much easier and inexpensive. No more buying film or paying and waiting to get it processed. You see your results immediately and can take multiple pictures at no extra cost. You can also edit photos easily.

Taking photos also helps you discovery what interests you. Part of developing your voice as an artist is honing in on what is important to you. What do you notice? What peeks your interest? Why? How do these images feed your work? Exploring these questions will deepen your work. This is also one way to create your image bank.

Last piece finished for the opening show!

July 10, 2022

While the building is still not quite finished, I am still planning the gallery opening for September 16! If you would like a personal invitation to the opening, please send me your address!! The easiest way to do this is using the contact me page on my website. You can also message me on Facebook.

My Garden Series will be the opening show and will be up until the end of the year. The town of Williamston is only a little over an hour drive from the Detroit Metro Airport. And since we are so close to Michigan State University, there are plenty of nearby hotels and restaurants.

This past month I finished machine quilting the last piece for my opening show. This piece is part of my leaf studies. As I composed this, I was missing my husband. We had been apart for almost two weeks, and I was anxious to be home. After over 30 years of marriage, he truly is my other half. I am very grateful to have paired with such a supportive partner.

**“Paired Leaves”** 2018/2022. 42.5” w by 42” h
commercial cottons, double cotton batting, machine quilted
© Pamela Loewen

One of the distinguishing characteristics of my work is the variegated thread I use in machine quilting. I especially love how the same thread looks different depending on the color of the fabric beneath the thread. A great example of this can be seen below. Looking at the peach fabric, connecting to the tan fabric and then the pink — the same variegated thread reads differently on each color. I believe this gives the entire work more movement and interest.