Was able to get some dyeing/printing done yesterday. I do like how these came out. I call the top piece 'tunnel', the middle piece 'path' and the bottom piece 'door'....a traveling theme....

Another ATC done last night while watching quite a bad movie....that newest Indiana Jones one. I can only recommend this movie to those who enjoy bad plot lines, no character development, unrealistic action and poorly done Hollywood extravaganzas. All I can say is give me a good indie film any day over monster budgets.

All is Calm, All is Bright

Apparently all of my ATC's at the Danforth Museum of Art sold on Christmas Eve day! What a lovely holiday gift. So...last night after all the hullabaloo was over and 1/2 the overnight guests had left I started work on some more for the Museum Shop. I have many commitments that must be kept in the upcoming weeks. Looks like 2009 is starting off busy.

Hope everyone's New Year brings peace and hope.

Steve's Chocolate Pecan Cherry Rum Balls

* 1 pkg Nabisco Chocolate Wafers

* 1 cup pecans

* 4oz. dried cherries (but the moist kind)

*1/4 cup light Karo syrup

*1/4 cup dark Jamaican rum

*1 cup confectioner's sugar

Put the wafers and pecans in a food procesor and grind. Remove to a largish bowl.

Put the cherries in the food processor and grind up. Put in the same bowl as the wafer/pecan mixture.

Add the Karo syrup and the rum.

Mix all together with your hand.

Let rest for 10 minutes.

Roll into bite sized balls and then roll into the confectioner's sugar.

Wrap and let cure.

Delicious.

Changing Landscapes

Awhile back I was witness to the following statement that was used to describe why terminating (laying off) someone was necessary in the name of - supposed - efficiency...."It's time to change the landscape in our environment". When did stripping someone of their income and throwing their life in turmoil become associated with gardening?
Maybe the greed that is so rampant in many executive offices should be termed "creating lush vegetation"?
Or....maybe...."contributing to root rot" better fits the bill.

Anyway, art.....I "changed the landscape" of the small piece from yesterday's post by overlaying it with dyed silk organza and tulle. I do like how it soften and abstracted the piece even more.

Lay of the Land

A small landscape I did last night while messing around with pieces of fabric that I either gelatin printed, discharged, painted, stamped, deconstructive screen printed and/or dyed. New supplies arrived from Dharma Trading yesterday and I can't wait to get into them. This is a busy time of year but I'm hoping for some art time this weekend.

I could of stayed up all night working on this. It was one of those times that I was living in the right side of my brain and time was something from another dimension....a very special, special feeling. The base is plain white fabric with overlaid dyed and discharged silk organza. The hearts are dyed, discharged and stamped cotton fabric.

Merry Christmas

In lieu of cleaning the house husband person and I made this today. The base is a large grapevine circular wreath with pine boughs secured on it (a good thing to have pine trees on your property), colored lights and gorgeous twisty branches in memory of Carla.
I heard some words in a song tonight that really hit home about life..."it’s hard some times, but pretty much it’s alright" by Mark Knopler (and featuring The Queen - Emmy Lou Harris).

Happy Holidays, everyone.

Hearts That Have Stood the Test of Time

I posted a hearts piece awhile back and received a great comment on a possible name for it from Carol Wiebe (do click on her name and check out her marvelous work). The former hearts piece is still in the "let's see if this ever becomes finished or will it get cut up and included something different?" stage but I am in love with her suggested title. Soooooo....this piece (that no, isn't finished yet) is going to bear the 'Hearts That Have Stood the Test of Time' title. Thank you very much, Carol.

A Fairy Tale

Once upon a time when I was smart, attractive and young I didn't realize the potential of life or that I wouldn't always be smart, attractive and young. I often took my overflowing cup (or bowl if you will) for granted and did not honor nor do justice to all I had been given. Now that I am not so young or attractive (but still smart, although that too will change as this brain becomes muddled when the myriad of connections no longer spark and hum the way they always have) I sometimes think of my younger life's potentials with a bittersweet longing. Hindsight is always 20/20. Tonight as I read a post on another blog that was listing all the ills of her life and the world at large I became painfully aware of how full my basket really is. For right now my life is good. I have a job (even if it sucks the life blood out of me - it is a job and pays me well), my health seems alright, I have a beautiful roof over my head and a soul-mate husband whose mission seems to encompass the wonderful attributes of being supportive, comforting and ever vigilant that I am happy. I realized that sometimes we may not appreciate all we have until we are not young, not as attractive and with....maybe....a bit more wisedom sprinkled in with all that brain power.

I'm toying with the idea of using altered art cloth to create handbags. Funky, fun and no two will ever look the same. I've realized that I love making cloth - dyeing it, screen printing it, painting it, discharging it and anything else that occurs in those 'hey what about doing this?' moments. Since I don't like making clothing I'm wondering if handbags would be an avenue to pursue. Stay tuned for more on this....but probably not until after the holidays.....it's so busy right now....and I have company staying over in a couple of weeks....and that means the house has to get cleaned....tum da dum dum.....

The piece above is dyed cloth overlaid with dyed silk organza and lots of stitching.

Available

This scarf is available to a good home! It's 100% silk - soft and dreamy with a beautiful drape. It measures about 72x14". It's been dye print pasted using my hand cut stencils, deconstructive printed and over dyed. Price is $45. Please email me if you're interested.

I've been a busy elf what with dyeing scarves and stitching. Today is the annual Art & Fine Craft sale at the Wallkill River School. Below the photo is an explanation of the reason I've pushed myself beyond my usual limits to get things ready. I know the economy is a mess and that many people don't have money for the necessities of life (like good food) let alone the luxury of art but I do hope today turns out successful.

All Sale Proceeds Will Benefit
The Aumick Art Scholarship Fund

The fund’s goal is to promote creativity, self-esteem and self-awareness in children and teenagers, regardless of their current involvement or education in the arts. We believe that all young people are innately creative and artistic pursuits can serve as solid foundations and help to positively impact their present and future lives.

In the summer of 2008, with much help from the Wallkill River School, our scholarship fund enabled 10 children and teens to participate in workshops at the school – free of charge. Oil painting, drawing, fashion design and Japanese animation were among the workshops that the participants attended.

It is our goal to grant at least 30 youngsters scholarships in the summer of 2009.

Thank you,

Steve and Denise Aumick

3 little, itty bitty ATC's with rings and tulle all dressed up for the holiday season.