I went back to the Oregon critque group on Saturday, after taking a time out for most of this year. I just was too busy to attend the other two meetings this year. We had a wonderful artist as our guest critic. Jennifer, is a native Scot, but has not lived there for some time. She has an MFA and is an acrylic painter and works at the Bush Barn Art Center in Salem. I took my graffiti piece and my moon pieces. She really loved the graffiti piece — the only downside was the purple/blue paint being too much the same value as the background. I agree. It was exciting to have this chance to hear comments about this daring approach to my art.

I asked her to look at my moon pieces, as a series. She thought they were boring and didn’t quite get how the person who created the graffiti piece did these. As I sat there and looked at them, I had to agree. On my over hour long drive home, I thought about it. I think I became seduced by a technique and lost my creative edge. I am going to abandon this work for awhile and go back to my more creative work.

I am working on a piece for our local SAQA show, layers. I am working on a background of fabrics that represent the 4 seasons. I have cut the pieces for summer and fall.

We have been having glorious fall weather. Yesterday’s drive to Silverton, through the Oregon countryside, was beautiful. We met at Carol Heist’s home, which is up on a hill, overlooking the Silverton reservoir. Here is the view from her deck.

We had the crit session in her studio which is built behind their home with a passageway. The studio is truly envy worthy. Here is a view from the outside.

I did some experimenting with Jacquard’s Dye Magnet today. I can’t share that until later.