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Archive for the ‘This and that’ Category

Peace and Quiet

Monday, December 28th, 2009

I am enjoying a few days with nothing I have to do. Much of my time in the last couple of days has been spent writing a rough draft of my chapter for the Twelve X Twelve book. It is about my chair piece which has several different surface design techniques. I finished the rough draft with 1500 words. I need to come up with 500 more.

The photo is of some red tulips that I bought for our Christmas celebration. They have been a bright spot on the counter between the kitchen and the dining room.

I am planning to work on my studio and get it in shape to get some work done for looming deadlines. I need to have it neat to take some photos for the book.

So, that is life here in the slow lane, in case you were wondering what I have been doing.

Art Every Day 29

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

pinksneakpeek

I never really got around to do much today except to check up on the painting and glossing that I did yesterday. I am posting some sneak peeks of my pink challenge. Above is one. Here is another:

pinkcard

I painted some cotton for the backing. I added some mica chips just because.

paintedpinkback

The fabric was one of those white on white fabrics and the white pattern made a resist. It is kind of cool, but not what I am looking for.

pinkbackresist

Yesterday, Mr C and I ventured out to the mall late in the day to get some walking shoes (Scooter chewed one of my new ones – argh). We both got doorbuster bargains which were still available late on Saturday. Today, we attended Lessons and Carols at the Cathedral — an Anglican tradition that ushers in the Advent Season. It is a beautiful service of beautiful music and inspirational readings.

I have also spent a good part of the week-end doing SDA website maintenance. The weather has been glorious since Thanksgiving Day so we have enjoyed some beautiful walks with this guy.

scooterportrait

Art Every Day 8 & 9

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Nov9sketch

I missed a day of posting. Yesterday, we had a full day. First, we attended services at our former church and had a wonderful time catching up with many dear friends. Then we went out to the river — Guerneville, to be exact — where my niece and family have recently moved into a home that they are renovating. Lisa, Clay, Mark and Jayme came up from the city to spend the afternoon with us. It was loads of fun.

My art for yesterday was family portraits. Here is the sweet new one month old baby (I love the smell of babies). Her name is Celeste.

Celeste1

And here are a couple of shots of her vivacious and strong willed 3 year old sister, Viola.

viola2

violadances

I love this photo of my artful daughter, Lisa.

liliearings

Those earrings are fabulous. They are made from thread in a God’s Eye fashion.

We arose early this morning, before the sun, to drive home from California. We saw a beautiful sunrise.

sonomasunrise

I must say that the iPhone makes my 11 hour drive so much easier. I can phone, e-mail, post on FB, play games, photograph stuff, and make art. Here is my art from the drive.

iphoneartnov9

Tonight, while I watched Dancing with the Stars, I forced myself to try doing some sketching of ideas in my sketch book. I should do it more often. I came up with 2 or 3 ideas for some fiber art. The next theme for our High Fiber Diet show is A Bird’s Eye View. I want to do one or two abstract views of the countryside, using my own fabrics and perhaps some batiks. So a couple of the sketches above are ideas for that. I think that I should be more diligent about just doodling in my sketch book. This may be a breakthrough for me.

I am extremely tired and about ready to pass out. Time for bed.

This and That

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

micachips

Just a quick check in. I think the activities of the past two weeks have caught up with me. I hope I do not have the flu because Mr C has surgery on Thursday and he needs me. So, I am off to bed soon.

The photo above is my experiment with tinting mica chips for the green flash piece. The photo is not that great because every thing is reflective, but you get the idea.

Today, I had fun helping one of Jane Dunnewold’s Mastery students make thermofax screens for her next project. Barbara recently moved back  here to Portland. She used to have her own clothing design business, but now designs fabric for other designers. The Mastery program is a 3 year program with twice a year week long classes in San Antonio with Jane.

On Sunday night, Mr C and I took Scooter to his first puppy training class. He is doing so well. We have homework every day, and he is a very smart boy. He can come, stay, sit and go down on command. (As long as a treat is involved!!) Here he is n class, touching Mr C’s hand to get a treat.

scooterschool

I am done for the night. Ta!!

This and That

Monday, September 14th, 2009

newartsupplies

I am feeling so much better after a rejuvenating sleep last night. This morning, my iPhone alarm went off to remind me that I had a teeth cleaning appointment at 10 am. I got there to find out it was at 2 pm! So, I decided to visit a couple of art stores in my quest to find mica chips for my green flash. The two I visited in the morning did not have what I wanted. After my 2 pm appointment, I stopped at two more stores. The first was having a side walk sale so I picked up some pencils, erasers and small journals, but no mica chips. I did get the green screen printing ink and some Golden black mica flakes.

Off to Art Media. I bought some pearl mica chips which I am going to tint with one of the greens that I bought. I also bought some spring green pearlescent powder. Laura uses pallet knives to stain fabric with paint so I bought a couple of those.

Speaking of supplies – Got Glue? I do. This was leftover from the workshop so I bought it.

gotglue

Can you tell that I am excited to get back to work in the studio?

I also bought some handmade paper as a possible background for one of the fusion pieces I did in the workshop. I had an aspen screen print on organza that I had used as the bottom layer.

aspenprints

I liked both sides of the fusion piece so I decided to slice it up and alternate the sides. Needs some work.

cutupfusion

We had co-presidents of the guild last year and each of them made the board members lovely gifts. Karen, a weaver, gave us these bookmarks which she purchased in Sweden.

karenbookmark

And Carla, a quilter, made each of us a quilted heart. I love the fabrics in this.

carlaheart

Tomorrow, Jayme arrives to participate in the celebration preparations. Can’t wait to have her here with us. I feel so blessed to have her as my son’s life partner and a member of our family.

I leave you with a photo of a pooped puppy. Mark and he went over to Reed college and found another puppy to play with.

poopedpuppy