McCormick Deering

This is a pastel of an antique tractor that is on our property. I love this tractor with its rusted body, broken wheels and imposing stature. I keep begging my husband to move it by the pond so it can take its rightful place as a sculptural piece of Americana. Steve remembers many late June days using this tractor to help hay the fields. These are fond memories for him. He says there's nothing in today's world to compare with the smell of a freshly mowed field, birds twittering in the outlying trees and the evening sun shining down on it all.

Luscious Color

More postcards in the works for the museum. I think I'm going to call the one on the top "The Writing on the Wall" and the other "Hearts Afire". They both feature pieces of gelatin printed fabrics. Writing on the Wall has inspired me to possibly make a larger version. Maybe this weekend I'll whip up a batch of J-E-L-L-O!

Sunday Morning Tryst

Yes, there is a developing love affair happening in the Aumick household. Pastels are incredible. My inability to do folds (!!!!) aside, I feel a degree of satisfaction with my cobalt bottle images. I know there's a lot wrong with this painting but who cares? The fact is I am inspired!

Try it you might like it!

My first ever (unfinished) work with pastels. I didn't know you layer pastels on top of one another so the underneath layers peek through and that you can rub them and get wonderful pastel dust all over your work space and clothes! I didn't know I could work with them much the same way I do with paint on fabric - building colors until there is an intensity that draws you to keep looking and looking. I didn't know I would enjoy them as much as I do. I am fortunate enough to have Shawn Dell Joyce as an instructor for a beginning pastel course. She is an amazingly accomplished artist and artistic business woman. Her hands series is incredible. http://www.shawndelljoyce.com/wst_page5.php
I want to stay home today and try to capture that gorgeous purple blue of cobalt bottles with pastels. Thank you, Shawn.

Thank you gift

Seems I'm back to making postcards again and - oh look - some heart images have made a return appearance! This one isn't for the museum but for our wonderful hosts during our recent trip to Denver. It's was difficult for us to figure out what to give John and Joanne as a show of appreciation for their hospitality. I hope this brings a smile to their faces.

Postcards

Soooo....have I ever mentioned how much I like producing art in the 4x6" size?....I know, only about 53 times....
This card was created by over painting commercial & hand dyed fabric that was already quilted. After adding a few hand stitches and some beads I was happy with the results.
Happy Monday all...it's hot and humid here in NY....I'm already tired!

Gifts

Until last night this piece was just not coming together. I wasn't happy with the coloring or the paint effect and the piece was just bugging the heck out of me (do you know that feeling?). Then I figured 'what the heck', grabbed more paint and went to work again. The added embellishments were another spur of the moment inspiration. I am happy. Sometimes it pays to not think too much!

On another note.....I opened a smile producing email this morning from the Danforth Museum of Art in MA asking me if I would be interested in...no, not showing there....having my 4x6" postcards in their museum shop....yep....

Progression

I find it amazing how art pieces grow, morph and change as they progress. Of course these changes aren't always in the best interest of the art piece....or the viewer...but sometimes all is right in my own little personal art world. Be that as it may, I am happy with how this piece is developing. I'm pretty sure the title will contain the word 'ancient' as I'm going after a feel of ruins that are disintegrating but convey the hope of rebirth as represented by the shiny and bright elements still in existence. I'm looking forward to adding some hand stitching and some of these very cool brass elements I found while we were on vacation....or maybe some small fossils?.....oh, the possibilities.....

Home Again

Trips are nice...getting away....seeing different things....eating out but coming home is always good too. There's nothing like your own bed, your own kitchen and your own stuff. Above is a piece a cloth I painted up on Saturday after we returned home from Denver. The suitcases weren't unpacked and the house was a mess but one has to do what one has to do - right?

Earthly Elements

This is a photo showing a small portion of a piece I'm working on. More of that luscious green will be stitched in and - perhaps - some other small punches of color.

On Friday we leave for Denver. It's been quite awhile since Steve and I have been able to get away so we are looking forward to a change of scenery and some Rocky Mountain highs.

Happy beginning of July everyone. I hope your summer is going well.