Idealistic Ramblings

I'd like to philosophize a bit this morning (sorry). As some of you know I have a day job. In this day job I wear the mask of a competent employee who cares about the work she is being paid to do. While I am there that is the persona they are renting and expect from me. In my real life, I don't care much about this business - it doesn't contribute much (if anything) to the well being of man and just serves to make $$$. Now this is all fine and dandy and is the way of the world but wouldn't it be great if we could turn things upside down and honor those people and trades that benefit mankind? When was the last time a personal care aide for the elderly was searching for investment opportunities for her 'extra' income?

The piece above was created using more gelatin printed cloth I printed this weekend.

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Productive Weekend

This might just be my first piece of whole art cloth. It was made by gelatin, thermofax & wood block printing. The photo doesn't show the underlying colors but they are there!

Last night this collage came together. The background is one of the gelatin printed papers I did a couple of weeks ago and the image is a photo I took of an old building in the Catskill mountains. It's secured onto a painted artist's canvas.

Now it's time to start the work week (sigh). Happy Monday to all!

Some Creative Moments

Remember this? I did a bit more work on it - adding some more color and rub, rub, rubbing with alcohol. I think it's about ready for stitching. If I'm happy with the end results I believe I will donate it to the Newburgh Cornwall Historical Society benefit art auction. I was asked to donate a piece and have been putting its creation on the back burner. Have I ever shared how often (and sometimes - well) I work under pressure?

Meanwhile, I hand stitched this little ATC last night while watching the movie Margot at the Wedding. The movie was interesting but I can't say it is a favorite.

Layers

It's been one heck of a busy week and it's not over yet. The only creative time I've been able to carve out for myself was at gelatin printing class last night. I tried printing on silk for the first time with limited success (but there was enough possibility to continue). I don't do well in classroom environments. I feel internal pressure to produce exceptional work - my guess as to why is somehow wrapped up with a need to be validated as a real artist. So....take an insecure mind, mix it with a creative soul in a venue where people are watching and you tend to not see stellar results! Be that as it may, I do like the print above and will continue down the gelatin printing road.

Visiting ATC Land Again

One of the very bestest (!) things about ATC's is that I'm able to sit quietly and work on them. It helps to alleviate the guilt associated with plopping in front of the television. Last night I worked on these while my husband quietly read in the chair next to me and the television was turned to the 'Americana' (yes! I do like folky, rootsy, bluegrassy music with gospel overtones) music station. It was a very good Friday night that I'll remember with fondness for a long time.

Gelatin Printing - continued

This piece definitely needs some design/compostion work but I wanted to share more of my gelatin printing adventures. I still have a long ways to go before I feel comfortable with this art method but the possibilities still excite me.

Have a good Friday everyone!

Small Study - Finished!

Tomorrow night is the second gelatin printing class - forget paper....I'm bringing cloth! I love the possibilities this technique holds. The soft, ghostly effects are exciting to me. By the way, those 2 embellishments in the top left corner? Those are very cool shells I found in a close out bin in a bead shop in Woodstock, NY.