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Create Naturally:  Go Outside and Rediscover Nature with 15 Artists

This blog post will tell a bit about how an interview and my work became part of the recently published book Create Naturally: Go Outside and Rediscover Nature with 15 Artists. It includes interviews and work by a variety of artists including, Alice Fox,  Meredith Woolnough, Kaffe Fassett,  Judith Content and others. The book is available through Schiffer, on Amazon and in bookstores.

Three years ago I created a series Observations: Walking in Wonder that consisted of hand stitched interpretations of the 37 conservation areas in Mchenry County IL. It was exhibited as part of the 50^th anniversary of the founding of the conservation district. After the exhibit was over, I wrote to several galleries, organizations and magazines looking for opportunities to continue to show the series.  One of the people I wrote to was Marcia Young who at the time was the Editor in Chief of Fiber Art Now magazine. I heard back that she would like to include my work in a new book she was planning that would feature 12-15 artists in depth and explore their work based on nature. I, of course, said I would love to be included. 

A few months later during the height of Covid we did a lengthy phone interview in which she asked me many questions about the development of my work and what influenced me.  We did a subsequent interview a couple of months later.  Based on the interviews Marcia then asked for imagery and specifics about the artwork.

A few months after that she sent me a first draft of my interview to review as to specifics, tone and her interpretation of what I had told her. And a few months after that I got to review the second draft.

After that there was a long period in which the book was in production and then in the fall of 2022 I was contacted again about possible reviewers, possible organizations to send copies to, and specific people I would like to have get information about the book.

And then, at last, I received a copy of the book in the mail! I am happy with the results; with the way the process went and about being included with a number of artists whose work I greatly admire.

One of the learnings from this experience was how far afield your original proposal and exhibit can take you.  When I sent out the information about Observations: Walking in Wonder I did not know how far afield and in how many ways it would lead to other opportunities.  This book, a solo exhibit opportunity this coming year, a catalog, a commission and contacts with galleries for potential exhibits like our upcoming Unfolding show at Bloomingdale Art Museum!