Art in Cuba by Connie Tiegel

 On a January 2024 trip to Cuba I met an artist named Yudit Vidal Faife. You are in for a treat when you checkout her website: www.yuditvidal.cult.cu 

Touring her house/studio in Trinidad, Cuba was a dip of the toe into the cultural waters of the embroidery tradition in Cuba.

In addition to making her own art she also teaches community classes to pass on the embroidery tradition to younger women.

In a country as poor as Cuba she has a great need for donated supplies of fabric, thread and needles.

Please contact Yudit Vidal Fiefe at: vidal.yudit@gmail.com if you would like to contribute supplies to her community projects.

by Connie Tiegel 

Hiking Carizzo Canyon by Connie Tiegel

 Carizzo Canyon Hike 

A very special hike was my first attempt at a cloth and nature series. I carried about 20 silk hand dyed scarves in my back pack along with my iPhone and water. I stealthily took photos of my scarves next to places I found inspiring: old trees, rock formations, individual rocks with fascinating cracks or colors. 

Carizzo Canyon is a special place because it is a breeding ground for bighorn sheep. The area is closed to hikers from January to October. For just 3 months of the year we can hike the area and watch for bighorn sheep, which we see almost every hike we enjoy there.

Lingering to photograph my scarves with some trees we were delighted to have 6 or 7 bighorn cross the alluvial plain about 50 yards from us. 

I hope you enjoy these photos that became my first book in my Nature and Art series.

Hiking at Wunderlich Park by Connie Tiegel

 Hiking at Wunderlich Park

 

 

Today I went hiking in Wunderlich Park. As usual I took along my iPhone to take photos of things that catch my eye. I also brought three different silk braided balls that I have been hiking with for a couple of years. I am in an ACN group studying textile installation art and have been inspired by what I have seen. This group is constantly on the lookout for installation art of all kinds and shares photos by email so we can discuss them when we meet by zoom.

 

I have hiked Wunderlich Park many times in all seasons. The last couple of years I have brought along silk hand dyed scarves and photographed them with interesting trees, scenery, etc. Today the silk braids/balls made me see other exciting ideas for nature and art together.

 

I hope you enjoy the following photos. 

When Cloth Meets Rock by Connie Tiegel

On recent hikes I have daydreamed about my hand dyed fabrics being part of the scenery.  My hiking philosophy is “Leave No Trace” and “look up, look down, look all around.'' I like to absorb details.

On hikes I bring along my camera and my hand dyed silk and cotton scarves. 

I take many photos of rock and cloth together.

Back home I manipulate the photos and use Shutterfly to make a book of our favorite ones. Carrizo Canyon 2020 was a gift to my husband for Christmas.  And I've made 2 more books as well: Indio Hills Badlands 2020 and Henderson Trail February 2021.

Seated Rusty Spiral by Connie Tiegel

Scarves on a Rock by Connie Tiegel

Scarf Imitating Rock, by Connie Tiegel

Scarf on a Rock by Connie Tiegel

For information on how to get your copy of these art books, contact Connie Tiegel at connieart47@gmail.com.