Hollis Chatelain - Textile Artist

Many people ask me what I am working on, where my work is being exhibited and how I am spending my time. This is a new addition to the website that will be updated monthly with the latest things that are happening in my life.

As I sit here in a warm house with the snow drifting down, I am appreciative of all that I have during this holiday season. Today is our eldest daughter’s birthday. Yes, she has been living with us for the last nine months. They do come back. She is 28 years old today. Because of the snow, she left early this afternoon to spend the night at a friend’s house and celebrate over there. So my husband and I have a quiet night in front of the Christmas tree (with our two dogs, two cats, one African Grey parrot and one African Grey parrot that we are babysitting – maybe not so quiet!).

Christmas will be spent in North Carolina this year. Karen and Nadia will be home for the holidays. Gael has opened his hotel in Bamako, Mali, so if you are planning a trip to Mali in West Africa, please stop by and say hello for us: www.chezsoibamako.com. Even though we know Africa is where he wants to be right now, we will miss having him here during the holidays.

Our new puppy Phoebe has grown into quite a large dog weighing over 70 pounds at nine months. She is a great dog who “talks” all of the time, even arguing with us when she is scolded. Here she is with Nadia.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Alzheimer’s Smackdown. Between auctioning off the four quilts, the votes for Viewer’s Choice and the selling of the t-shirts, we all brought in over $12,000.00 for Alzheimer’s research. Wow! I had such a good time doing this with Becky, Sue and John! We are all winners and have decided to do it again next year. Start saving now so you can bid on our four little gems next year and bring in more money for Alzheimer’s research. Thank you also to Ami and her helpers for organizing everythingl!!

We are moving forward on the Imagine Hope exhibit. We now have a Facebook page where you can become a fan!! There will be regular updates about the artwork in the exhibit and ways that you can get involved in making change. Check it out and become a fan! We have just put up lots of pictures of my quilt “Displaced” as I was making it.

We also have our products for sale on the Imagine Hope website now. One hundred percent of the profit from these products goes into making the exhibit happen. Please do support us in making changes and bringing about social awareness through quilts!

I dreamed another piece just after I got back from Houston and immediately started working on it. An orange quilt about children had been in the planning stages, but I never thought it would look like my dream. Here is the finished painting hanging in my studio. Stay tuned for the quilting!!

I wish you the very best during this holiday season. May 2010 bring you joy, good health, and many happy moments.