Here are 13 (lucky?) 4x6" textile postcards that are finished except for edge stitching. If you're interested in seeing some of the details click on the photo is will get much larger. I hope to have them completed and in the mail this weekend. The Danforth Museum of Art is reopening for the fall season this week and these are destined for their gift shop. Have to run....that day job is calling....good Wednesday everyone!
My daughter's boyfriend's daughter (did you get that?) came to visit with them over the weekend. Emma spent hours making beaded earrings, helping us dye fabric and creating the art quilt above (with some free motion quilting additions from moi). Do you see her artist's signature in the lower right corner - EC '08? She signed it without any adult prompting, which made me smile. Didn't she do a fantastic job on her first ever work in fabric? She got the hang of that needle and thread in no time flat.
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!
I printed on paper images from my abstract art, photos I had taken and found copy right free images. Then I matte gelled them onto fabric. My next plan is to back with batting and then free motion stitch. Then I plan to paint wash over the whole deal and rub some of it back so the images can peek through. Wonder how it's going to turn out?
Unison is a local arts center near us that - lo and behold! - is sponsoring an art exhibit of small 5x5" art work. Can you imagine how psyched I am about this? Over the weekend I was talking a bit with Melanie about why I like to work small. Manageable is the word that kept coming to mind......I'm able to produce art while living in my often kinetic life, I don't get bored, I can try out ideas without a huge commitment, I can sit quietly with favorite people and stitch while listening to music, or work and get lost in that never, never land of right brainedness that I dwell in so often. Oh....and....I mustn't forget that holding a small piece of textural, fabric art in the palm of my hand is a real visceral pleasure for me.The piece above (that is not finished) will be a 5x5". It is comprised of one of my abstract paintings printed on silk and then another abstract gelatin print printed on organza and overlaid on the silk. More hand stitching and other textural elements to come.
I don't pretend to be a person who does all they are able to help the environment, consume as few fossil fuels as possible or generally practice sustainable living. I grew up as part of the ME generation and those deserving-and-I-owe-it-to-myself thought processes are difficult to realize, acknowledge and change. But I do not know that if there is any chance we humans can turn around or stop the negative impact we've had on the earth (I say this as we continue to emit more carbon dioxide than ever into the atmosphere) it's necessary to stop and think about what each individual can do to adjust their own little piece of the action - NOW. If you think I am an alarmist I encourage you to start reading and watching all the evidence around you. Now is a good time to start hugging a few trees.
It seems that water + color can = the piece above. Wednesday night I did my first ever watercolor in art class. It seems once one session of classes is over at the Wallkill River School I immediately sign up for another series of workshops. Pushing your own personal envelopes is a good thing.
Here are 13 (lucky?) 4x6" textile postcards that are finished except for edge stitching. If you're interested in seeing some of the details click on the photo is will get much larger. I hope to have them completed and in the mail this weekend. The Danforth Museum of Art is reopening for the fall season this week and these are destined for their gift shop. 
My daughter's boyfriend's daughter (did you get that?) came to visit with them over the weekend. Emma spent hours making beaded earrings, helping us dye fabric and creating the art quilt above (with some free motion quilting additions from moi). Do you see her artist's signature in the lower right corner - EC '08? She signed it without any adult prompting, which made me smile. Didn't she do a fantastic job on her first ever work in fabric? She got the hang of that needle and thread in no time flat.
I printed on paper images from my abstract art, photos I had taken and found copy right free images. Then I matte gelled them onto fabric. My next plan is to back with batting and then free motion stitch. Then I plan to paint wash over the whole deal and rub some of it back so the images can peek through. Wonder how it's going to turn out?
I don't pretend to be a person who does all they are able to help the environment, consume as few fossil fuels as possible or generally practice sustainable living. I grew up as part of the ME generation and those deserving-and-I-owe-it-to-myself thought processes are difficult to realize, acknowledge and change. But I do not know that if there is any chance we humans can turn around or stop the negative impact we've had on the earth (I say this as we continue to emit more carbon dioxide than ever into the atmosphere) it's necessary to stop and think about what each individual can do to adjust their own little piece of the action - NOW. If you think I am an alarmist I encourage you to start reading and watching all the evidence around you. Now is a good time to start hugging a few trees. 
It seems that water + color can = the piece above. Wednesday night I did my first ever watercolor in art class. It seems once one session of classes is over at the Wallkill River School I immediately sign up for another series of workshops. Pushing your own personal envelopes is a good thing.
