Autumn 2010 Cindy Grisdela

It’s been such a busy week, I haven’t had much studio time, but I had to share this great Japanese Maple outside my kitchen window. The color is fantastic this time of year! I gave a talk on color to a wonderful quilters group — the Cardinal Quilters — in Alexandria yesterday, and one of the things I always recommend in my talk to is be alert and aware of colors and compositions in your daily life–this tree is one of my inspirations. I can’t take credit for planting it, since it was here when we bought the house, but I have nurtured it along the way–removing huge juniper bushes that were crowding its ability to grow and giving it space and light to become the beautiful specimen it is now.

Earlier this week, I was in charge of the reception for the Great Falls Studios All-Media exhibit at the Life with Cancer Center in Fairfax. It’s a wonderful show if you have a chance to stop by and see it–65 pieces of art by 19 of our artists. It will be up until the end of the year. Also, the Life with Cancer Center is a wonderful facility providing free support for cancer patients and their families, including exercise classes, group meetings, information and other services.

Reception for Great Falls Studios All-Media Exhibit at Life with Cancer Center

"Production Line" by Jennifer Duncan and "Mango Salsa" by Cindy Grisdela

At left is an image of the reception in the large meeting room at the Center and below is “Production Line” by fellow artist Jennifer Duncan and my “Mango Salsa” piece. The exhibit is on all three floors of the center. It’s a light, bright venue and the work shows well there. As head of the exhibits committee for Great Falls Studios, I’m pleased to have the opportunity to hang our work at the center and support its worthy mission to help those affected by cancer. A portion of the proceeds from any sales from the show will be donated to the Center.

I’m in the studio this weekend, getting ready for a new show at the Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery at the Torpedo Factory, which opens Monday afternoon. I hope to have some pictures to show in a couple of days.