Artifacts

I'm so intrigued with ancient vessels I painted some last night. This is large at 18x24". I'm not sure if this is done or if it needs more layering and texturing.

Writing on the Wall

These small little artist trading cards started out as gelatin plate prints and ended up looking like this after I added photo transfer images from one of my abstract paintings, some marks and additional layers of paint. I like to make these little jewels to sell in my Etsy shop....they have found homes all over the world...how cool is that?

The Struggle

I should be cleaning. I could be doing laundry. I must complete some work from the day job (that has now become a 24/7 venture, thank you very much). But instead...I painted...to feed my soul. Now it's time to throw some dinner together. My poor husband.
Acrylic paint, gesso & soft pastels on claybord. 24"x18"

Imagery

I seem to use the image of hearts often in the art work I create. They can convey so many messages...there are purple hearts, blue hearts, passionate red hearts, gold hearts...you get the gist. This abstract was created with acrylic paints, modeling paste and cheesecloth on 140lb watercolor paper. I think I'll frame it and bring it to hang in the hallway gallery at the Wallkill River School for February....ummmm....the theme of the month being 'love' (surprise, huh?).

Yes, I added more layers to this painting. Now it is done - except for a decision on its orientation. No matter how it is turned I think the painting's sensibilities are the same and conveys a message of organic ancient-ness (how's that for a can't-find-the-right-words description this early morning?). Right now my leanings are towards #2, I like the 'cradle' effect...but that could change. Any thoughts out there, anyone?

Un-Earthed

Last week I was asked to participate in a painting demonstration during a gallery reception. I started this that night. This morning I woke up with images flying through my head (kind of like sugarplums dancing but a bit less merry) so I grabbed a cup of coffee, squeezed out some paint and began layering. This might be done...or not...but for now it's going to stay on the easel so it can be contemplated and considered.

Roots

I spent most of the weekend steam cleaning carpets and upholstery - wheeee...lots of fun....but at 4pm this afternoon I started messing around with a gelatin plate that I had stuck in the fridge this morning. I was going after imagery that would evoke remind one of this time of the year. I think I'm going to call this Song of the Shawangunks.

Portal

The piece above is something I started awhile ago and am now adding lots of hand stitching embellishment. It's a work in progress with more stitching and things and stuff to be added - yea! I think I'll put this in the March gallery show too....along with another art quilt whose concept is cooking in my brain. I wonder if I should attach these art quilts to canvases for the show?

It's big...it's abstract...and I love it (can you say that about your own work?). We spent New Year's Eve at friends doing the eating (and maybe shouldn't have had that third glass of wine) thing. It was a lot of fun but I'm feeling a bit on the stuffed sausage side and we're going out to dinner today. I really do need to order a salad and not eat another thing after that. Get those cookies off the kitchen island NOW! This morning, while Steve was resting (sleeping) on the sofa, I finished this. So far the New Year is starting off very well...very well indeed. Hope all of you can say the same. Hug someone you love, count your blessings and go forth and create!

Ok...sooooo...most people wouldn't look at this and say "that's Steve" (husband person) but it does bear a resemblance to him...if I do say so myself. I plan to try drawing everyday since I've now committed (hear that, Melanie?) to hanging at least 15 pieces of art on a gallery wall in March. What made me willing to get off the fence and commit was when the gallery director told me she would be thrilled with acrylic abstracts and textile art in addition to some pastel paintings. A complete multi media show - just the thing for this woman who has difficulty committing to any one thing.....

Passing Time

Acrylic paint on 140lb watercolor paper. About 20x16". Disintegration. Fun on a Friday afternoon - more fun than being at the day job.

Abstraction

Yesterday the Wallkill River School had a workshop on abstract painting given by Nuala Clarke . Since my friend Melanie was the impetus behind getting Nuala scheduled to conduct this class she came upstate in order to participate. Seeing Melanie was wonderful and given my love of abstract art participating in the workshop was an energizing experience. I encourage you to consider attending a class by Nuala if the opportunity presents itself.

The piece above was done as an exercise in creating an abstract painting while feeling someone you love. Looks just like you Hubby Dear!

The piece above was a collaboration that all workshop participants contributed to. I started the piece then 3 other people worked on it, then I finished the piece. I rather like it.

This is a favorite piece. This was a collab between Melanie and I. I started the piece then she worked on it then I finished the piece. Looks very other-worldly to me.

The painting below is way big for me. With Nuala's encouragement I figured 'what the hay' and proceeded to work on this 22"x30" piece.....daunting. The photo does not show the depth and layers the painting has but you get an idea of how it turned out. It's a keeper and will get framed.

Final words to all you textile artists out there....consider taking some drawing and painting classes. It will stretch your boundaries, enrich your creative selves and provide inspiration.

Getting Underneath

An acrylic abstract consisting of lots of layers....just like our lives. Last week at work proved more trying than usual. I'm bracing myself for a lots of finger pointing and deductions based on misinformation...something that touches each one of my most sensitive buttons. Working in a high stress, mismanaged atmosphere is what so many of us are realizing in today's corporate world. It tends to make trust and respect difficult to come by.

Early AM

What does one do if you wake up at 5am with thoughts churning and spinning 'round your brain? Getting back to sleep didn't seem to be an option so I got up, brewed some coffee and painted. There's this 80's song looping in brain...I don't know who does it but the words go something like "Wheels in the sky keep on turning, don't know where I'll be tomorrow".....appropo, don't you think?

Fruits of Labor

Textile paint on cloth.....drying now....getting ready for stitching.....

After the Thaw II

Sunday night I started messing around and this happened. Tissue paper glued on cloth, painted with acrylics and pigments altered with alcohol, a bit of added foiling and free motion stitching. I don't think I'm going to add anything else, but we'll see....it's always hard for me to know when enough is enough and when to stop. This is going to be a 4x6" postcard for the shop in Montgomery that carries my work. Their customers seem to be taken with the idea of mailable postcard art quilts!

Another Perelandra Landscape

While messing around with paints and alcohol tonight (not the drinking kind, the rubbing kind) this fantasy landscape emerged. I could live in the color of this world, couldn't you? I can't wait to start dropping in some stitching as detailing - both machine and hand but I must be patient and let the piece dry overnight.

Wired Up

Nothing new to post because I am blocked, stumped, at a standstill - and everything else descriptive of feeling drained with my imagination on vacation. This is a piece I did about 4 years ago when I was doing art quilting assemblages. I remember when I was painting the canvas that is the background of this piece. It just flowed and became what it is without a lot of thought. Those times when our hands are driven by another force are the best, aren't they?

Forgot the fountain of youth - I'd like to bottle creative adrenaline and drink from it when necessary!

Working in a Series

Rayna Gillman http://www.studio78notes.blogspot.com/ (hope you don't mind, Rayna) has some interesting postings with comments about exploring work within a related series. Serendipitously it happens that I've begun to explore work with 2 different types of series. The first is painting and stitching on sheer fabric. I suppose that could be called a series based on technique although these abstracts I'm painting all have a very organic feeling about them. The other is the series I've begun with representational cairns using my hand dyed fabrics. This cairn series certainly is an exploration of my attraction to these stone structures. As I create these carins I keep looking at them and feeling energized. They actually bring a smile to my face. Obviously something about the idea and the imagery is reaching deep down inside and calling me.

Sheer Fabric Painting

More sheer fabric painting happened early this morning. Now I need to finish stitching the first one done a couple of weeks ago and this one. If I can do that and complete two more I might - just might - submit them to the local gallery that has expressed interest in my work (of course it will still have to go through a jury process and who knows where that will go!).

Autumn Fire

This is some more experimentation with sheer fabric that has been gel medium’ed on both the front and back and then painted with acrylics. To finish it off I did some free motion stitching and added copper foiling (loving this foiling stuff on fabrics). I do like many things about this technique but still have some issues I’m contending with! I use rubbing alcohol to manipulate and alter the paints. The alcohol seems to make the paint a bit shiny and slick. I like texture and matte so I’m still trying to get that type of result and still be able to use the alcohol. Maybe if I gently sand the painted piece it will help me get the effect I’m after.