Special Notes from Fans

"Field of Afros" by Unicia R. Buster

"During the art show, I walked to your quilt every single day and spent time in meditation. Does it have a public home now? If so, I can visit it again. In a moment of insanity, I thought of springing for the $6K, but then that would have been a down payment on a new car or something. Unfortunately (or fortunately), prudence preempted my passion for your art. If I'm not your greatest fan, I'd love to meet who is." Russel D.

"I have been meaning to e-mail you and tell you how beautiful your quilt is!!! Every time I go by it, I stop and look at it and see something new. I have really enjoyed it and all of the art that is on display. Thanks for what you do for the arts here. It is very special!" Karen S.

It really means a lot when I know people enjoy what I enjoy doing for the hospital as well as for myself. Both comments were in reference to a quilt I displayed at the hospital for an employee art show (pictured).

Came Across Some Drawings from College Days c. 1996

by Unicia R. Buster

These are some gesture drawings in charcoal that I did in a drawing class in college - what's left of them. I threw a lot of them away. I haven't photographed all of them yet. But I remember thinking these drawings were awful. I must have had some serious low self-esteem. Because I love these drawings now and I want to get a few nicely matted and framed.

by Unicia R. Buster

by Unicia R. Buster

by Unicia R. Buster

by Unicia R. Buster

by Unicia R. Buster

A NEW Project - Afros 365 - I'm creating an Afro everyday for a year.

Check out either of these blogs for updates:

AFROS 365

afros365.wordpress.com

Carnival Outfit Complete Look

 My first handmade carnival costume. I'm very proud of it. It took a lot of work but I can see why they charge so much for these things ($250 and up in the thousands). As I said in my previous post, I spent about $45 on fabric and embellishments for the entire thing. I used an old bra for the top and a swimsuit bottom. For the base of the headdress, I used a plastic 3-ring binder that I cut up. For the base of the arm and leg bands and the belt, I used canvas. It was put together with needle and thread and hot glue. My sandals were $17 from Ross and the belly chain and beads were things I already owned.

I took some photographs while making the body of the costume:

The headdress.

A part of the headdress and the belt.

Beginning stages of the bra.

Here I've added a few more things to the bra.

Beginning stages of the leg bands.

The finished belt.

The finished bra and belt.

The finished arm band.

The finished leg band.

Detail of the bra. You can see the tons of seed beads I used.

Detail of the sequins I sewed on and some seed beads that I sewed on.

Another detail of some strands of beads hanging from a ring that was stitched onto the bra.

The completed look.

Making My Own Carnival Headdress

Unfortunately, I didn't take photos while I was making this. I made it last weekend while sitting at my mom's house and watching a movie. It took me almost 4 hours and about $40 worth of crafting supplies: Rhinestones, ribbon, felt, feathers, beads, plastic, hot glue, battery operated lights and a clip-on fancy butterfly.

This is the entire piece. I am currently working on the body pieces to go with it (bra, belt, arm and leg bands).

Close-up of the feathers I used. The peacock feathers and the brown and gold feathers were expensive compared to the others (2 for $3).

With the battery operated lights on ($5 at AC Moore). You can see the butterfly (also $5) I used in the center. These two items were the most expensive, so of course you can forgo these two features and save $10.

With the overhead lights off, you can see how it would look at night. Very pretty and oh so gaudy. You can also kind of see it from the side to see how it goes on the head.

Another close-up view so you can see the rhinestones, ribbon, beads and mesh with rhinestones.

Tell me what you think in the comments below. I will get a picture up with the whole outfit in a couple of weeks. (Oooh ... Scandalous.)

Going Away Gift for Ellie

This is a signature/portrait quilted wall hanging for a co-worker who is moving. Our group, the Hospital Bereavement Committee, presented it to her at a Going Away BBQ. She loved it. I made the quilt top and another lady (Yvonne Allen) did the quilt sandwich and hanging strip. Everyone signed along the border.

Group Exhibition at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Rd. Richmond, VA 23227

"Isn't She Lovely" 

A multimedia exhibit focusing on African-American female beauty featuring artists from the Richmond, Baltimore and Washington, DC metropolitan areas.

Opening Reception is scheduled for Friday, February 13th, 2015 at 6:30PM.

I, Unicia Buster, will have two art pieces on display at this show.

Please join me in celebrating all of the amazing talent featured in this show. 

"Field of Afros" by Unicia Buster.
Textile art, hand and machine stitched 100% cotton fabric
62" sq. quilted wall hanging
I finally finished this piece. Four-five years in the making.

From a drawing/sketch to a quilt. What a journey.

"Urban Beauty" by Unicia Buster
Archival ink on paper

Detail of "Urban Beauty" by Unicia Buster

Gallery event flyer.