Welcome to Gallery 23

Vicki Diamond - Fiber

I’ve always been obsessed with art and making things; in fact, one of my earliest memories is of making a paintbrush out of pine needles and using it to watercolor. Over the years I worked in a variety of mediums, including wood, cement, encaustic, oil, alabaster, gourds, and straw. My favorite medium of expression, however, is field stone, and some of my sculptures are featured in the book Weird NJ. I think all of my work has been influenced by the many places I’ve lived and visited. Born in Fukuoka, Japan, I spent my childhood in Naples, Italy, as well as in various states before making New Jersey my home.

My work has been exhibited in various galleries and shows, including a solo sculpture show at the Paterson Museum in New Jersey and a group show at the Instituto Universitario di Architettura in Venice, Italy. With a Masters in teaching English and a Doctorate in Arts and Letters, I’ve worked as a teacher and editor, but am largely self-taught when it comes to art. I conduct workshops of various kinds, including felting, at my home in Fredon, where I live with my husband, cats, alpacas, angora goats, chickens, and llama. You can contact me at vickidiamond55@gmail.com and http://www.vickidiamond.com/

Leana MoonSpinner - Fiber Artist

tarted with a series of counted cross stitch Teddy Bears… “What are you going to do with them?” someone asked, and I decided they should become a quilt.  So began a lifetime of quilting.   Dazzling color, design and texture combine to evoke strong associations: golden light of an autumn afternoon or the comfort of home on a winter evening.  Traditional designs mingle with modern; whimsical with sophisticated.
 

One evening as the full moon rose over a huge old sycamore tree, was inspired to make an art quilt of it.  “Silverlake Sycamore” not only was Best of Show at NJ State Fair, but also won the Peter’s Valley Scholarship award.  It prompted me to begin a series of art quilts of trees.  Now as I drive through the countryside, I’m always looking for another tree with distinct presence.  I stop to snap a quick photo that I turn into a pattern.   My newest tree quilt is of a tree I saw in Watuaga County, NC.
 

When I’m not creating art quilts, I’m sewing functional pieces.  I make sets of two, four or more placemats.  On road trips I take a stack of potholders to finish by hand.  My newest project has been sets of coasters in their matching quilted boxes. Come in to Gallery 23 to see what’s hot off my design wall….