Blog — INDIGO'S FRIENDS

Sketches of my solo adventure in the land of the rising sun. Tokyo & Kyoto - 4/2023 photo credit: iwrussell

I DREAM OF BLACK BALLERINAS

Janet Collins. Carmen de Lavallade. Judith Jamison. Raven Wilkinson. Virginia Johnson. Lauren Anderson. Debbie Allen. Joan Myers Brown. Misty Copeland. Hope Boykin. Michaela DePrince and …

Agile lifts. Arabesque. Attitude. Battement. Beautifully Balanced. Cabriolé. Chassé. Breathtakingly Bold. A la Seconde. Infinite extensions. Fearless movements. Pas de deux. Relevér. Labanotation. Choreographed in diverse orchestration. Jazz. Spirituals. Rap. Fifth position. Giving you COLOR and SOUL en pointe. Defiant execution. Demi plié. Pristine pirouettes. Merci. Merci. Mercy! Words - iwrussell

During my tour in Auburn, NY to view the exhibit, QUILTS=ART=QUILTS, @ the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, I also visited the farmland purchased by Harriet Tubman. Ms.Tubman lived in Auburn for 55 yrs. until her death in 1913. The property is managed by the AME Zion Church and the U. S. Park Service. Only photographs of the exterior buildings were permitted.

**HARRIET** **TUBMAN’S HOME FOR THE AGED. AUBURN, NY photo credit: Imani W. Russell**

**DUST DAUGHTERS 2022.** Mixed media - coffee stained cottons, acrylic, beads, hand stitched. Smaller versions of a larger piece. These works have SOLD however this series is in progress.

An experience of inspiration and clarity.

From the talented and knowledgeable instructors to the absolutely delicious meals, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is all about professional organization, respect, and creativity. The campus is beautiful.

Boro Stitch as a Brush Stroke with instructor Deborah Fell. photo credit: imani w. russell

**Left: Artist Deboral Fell in our workspace. photo credit: imani w. russell**

WELCOME AUTUMN

Cover page for cloth journal. Reclaimed fabrics. Hand stitched 2022.

FAREWELL SUMMER

Montauk Long Island, NY. Late Summer 2022 photo credit: IWRussell

A Monarch resting in our garden. photo credit: IWRussell

**Echinacea Purpurea aka Purple Cone Flower (in my Tiny Garden) photo credit: imani w. russell**

TRAVEL, MAKE & MEND are on the agenda this Summer. Looking forward to new Discoveries, Inspiration, and Creative Evolution. Many Thanks to my collectors, supporters, and the art venues that host my work. I am Grateful. Wishing you the best of Health & Joy this Summer season. See you soon. CHEERS!

Certainly the slaves understood better than anybody that to be able to love blackness in a white world they had to create images—representations of their world that were pleasing to the sensibilities and to the eye. So they made quilts and dolls and all kinds of images that gave them a loving mirror of blackness to look into and be renewed. — bell hooks., sisters of the yam.

**WORK IN PROGRESS. Cotton, Silk, Tull, Embroidery, Coffee dye, metal, stones, hand stitched base and quilted garments…**

MOTHER’S DAY SALUTATIONS

**RECENTLY VISITED A LIFE LONG FRIEND IN ARIZONA AND ON DISPLAY WERE MANY OF MY ART DOLLS SHE’S COLLECTED OVER THE YEARS. THESE WERE MACHINE STITCHED CIRCA 2000. love them and so does she.**

planting time is here.

**QUITE TIME IN THE SUN. 2022. Hand Stitched, Reclaimed fabrics. SOLD - The Winget Collection.**

INDIGO’S FRIENDS WALL ART COLLAGES ARE ON EXHIBIT FEBRUARY 1 - MARCH 25, 2022 @ GREENBELT ART GALLERY @ the Community Center, GREENBELT, MD. * Schroeder & Imani will lead workshops at the Greenbelt Community Center on Sunday, Feb. 6 (1-3pm) The workshops are free and all are welcome. You must wear a mask in this environment.

Through March 23, 2022, INDIGO’S FRIENDS Art Dolls are the Featured Window Exhibit at BRENTWOOD ARTS EXCHANGE in Brentwood, MD. In an array of shapes, textures, and colors, these works are displayed in a manner that overlooks the gallery’s current Powerful and Thought provoking exhibit, BEFORE AND STILL by Nekisha Durrett (through 2/26/22).. Call for a private tour @ 301.277.2863 or Email Brentwood Arts Exchange

winter, in the northern hemisphere, has returned. welcome.

most of our holiday collection moved to new homes. many thanks to our collectors & new friends for their patronage.. we are excited for the new year with two concurrent exhibitions in early jan. - march 2022 and an inaugural project launch in may. please stay tuned. in the meantime, stay healthy, hydrated, & curious. see you soon. imani & indigo’s friends

ENJOY THE SEASON

Pineapple mint in my Tiny Garden - in full bloom. A warm December.

**Nomad (2021) reclaimed fabrics - 10”h - free standing. Available @ Brentwood Arts Exchange. 3901 RI Ave. Brentwood, MD 20722. M-F 10-7p. Sat. 10-4p ph. 301.277. 2863**

Throw Back. This art doll, Gullah Griot, is about 3’ L. The form is made with dioponi silk and her linen clothing, dyed in pinks and purples, are partially machine stitched. Her purple locs are composed of sheep’s wool. A beauty. Off she went to a collector upon completion ; - )

circa 2012 - FLIGHT - Machine & Hand stitched quilt - The Dangerfield Collection - Arlington, VA

Rejuvenating.