A Different Sort of Creative Pursuit

"Just as an illustrator begins with words and moves to creating an image, a writer can begin with an image and be moved to create a flow of words."

These were the words my friend Melanie used to advertise the creative writing class she conducted at the Wallkill River School yesterday. It was a marvelous class. I learned a lot. (Thank you, Mel) Interestly enough, since I don't consider myself a writer I had no workshop performance anxiety. How freeing that was!

Using Van Gogh's painting as inspiration I wrote the following:

Patina

A common pair of time worn shoes

ready to step away.

Earthen, subdued colors

Time tattered ragged edges.

Rich and complex textures rendered as a whole;

indistinguishable individual layers.

History's experiences apparent on their surface.

Been around the block a few times shoes ready to travel.

Celestrial Impressions

In last week's art class I replicated one of Van Gogh's self portraits in an exercise designed to help us expand our use of values. The piece above reminds of me of Starry, Starry Night and I wonder if I was inconsciously influenced by Mr. Van Gogh. It was created from hand painted cloth, foiling, painted Lutradur, and pigments.

It's been a busy weekend so far...lots of company, cooking and general mayhem. I haven't been able to do much art except for the piece above and some incredible hand dyes that my daughter and I did on silk, cotton, organza and chiffon. I'll try to get some photos of those up in the day or so.

Enjoy your day everyone. Eat, drink and be merry!