The Passion Continues

This piece of cloth has been dye painted, discharged, dyed again, painted and probably a thing or two that I forgot I did. I'm seeing a floral motif emerging with vines and leaves. I also have a silk screen prepared with an impression of window panes....."looking out on the garden" is my working title right now....of course all of this is subject to change since the best plan when it comes to organic abstracts is to allow them to morph and evolve naturally....and keep the human control factor at bay as much as possible.

Abstract Painting and Textile Art

YES! I am loving this combination of abstract painting and hand dyed cloth in an art quilt. I hope it isn't just a passing fancy.

Cragsmoor, New York

I live in the valley right below the Shawangunk Ridge here in NY. To get here you go due north up the Hudson from Manhattan for about 70 miles then hang a left when you get in the New Paltz area. The top photo was taken one late autumn day on top of the Ridge up in Cragsmoor. Cragsmoor is this wonderful old hamlet (no store but they do have a quaint library) that wears its reputation of being an old artist's community well. There are these gorgeous old mansions in various states of repair and disrepair. Anyhow, this archway is on the land of an old stone church. The portal is looking out over the valley between the Ridge and the Catskill Mountains (see them in the distance?). Now the Catskills are famous for all those great Hudson River painters that go by the name of Cole, Church, Durant, etc....there was also a painter by the name of David Johnson. We are fortunate enough to own a 'nature study' by him of this cow. My husband believes his grandfather purchased it at an estate auction ages ago. This is the same grandfather who operated the still so he could bribe the local road crew (and probably an official or two). The photo doesn't capture the iridescence in this painting at all. It is amazing in person. Even more amazing is the fact that I found it safely tucked away in an old desk in our basement.

Give Them What They Want

I finished this yesterday and listed it for sale in Etsy. What is it about this word - and other popular internet site names - that bugs me? Amazon, Ebay, My Space, even the word blog....they all sound like venues for gum smacking, never read a book individuals who are more interested in the doings of Paris Hilton then whether genocide is occurring any where in the world (no doubt they would think genocide is a new drug of some sort). Is this part of the dumbing of America? Don't get me wrong, I love the internet and still find it amazing how small the world has become as a result of its capabilities but it bothers me that so much of it is pop culture. I guess it is the our century's version of an old fashioned book store. There are the romance novels and then there are the Edith Wharton treasures tucked away in the back corners.

Just about a perfect day

This is the first piece I created using cloth that I dyed. Not every fabric used in this quilt is hand dyed but most are. Yesterday was a rainy, wash out here in NY so I did a bit of housecleaning, worked on organizing my work space (hooray!) and pieced this together. Even had some nice quality time left to spend with the husband person.

Painted & Dyed

I think I'm getting there....not quite sure where there is but it's a fantabulous explorative journey. I'm sure some of you already know this but I didn't and I stumbled on this technique in one of those oh-what-the-heck-let-me-try-it-moments.....painting the fabric first and then dyeing it creates great texture and saturated coloring. I'm having great fun.

Our Country

We celebrate our independence on Wed. and while our country has questionable leaders, some misplaced values and is toooo much the land of plenty; it still affords tremendous opportunities for those willing and able to partake.

Pray for peace.