If I am going to have a blog to read, I need to publish! So easy. ha ha! I decided to do a blog so my friends and family could follow what I am doing creatively. My creativity has been stuttering and therefore my blog has stuttered as to be non-existent. I apologize to my readers. It is my resolution this New Year's eve to be more actively creative and to share my experiments and works of the heart on a more consistent basis.
I have been reading "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. Much to cover and good for the creative soul. I have not been good about writing morning pages everyday nor doing an art activity once a week. But, I have learned a lot about myself and my art.
If I was not spending my time creating, between all the other time consuming requirements and enjoyments of life, I really cannot image what I would be doing instead. I like doing this. Mixed media art includes everything I enjoy, sewing, quilting, painting, design and I enjoy the challenge of doing it well. The statistics of doing a really good piece is one in ten. So, I need to keep working, and sharing.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
ExPort Challenge - bag of goodies
Our art group challenge for the month of May was to use at least 4 items from a goodie bag distributed to each member. I really did not have a preconceived idea for how to use the items I picked out for the bags. (It was my challenge.) Each baggie had some yarn, linen thread, small diameter hemp twine, a vinyl rectangle, 5 brass rivets, three buttons, a piece of textured wallpaper, a small rectangle of Formica. a small cupcake paper and a 2.5 x 3.5 inch index card.
I decided to make a quilt and then dye it. I have been reading C June Barnes' book, Stitching to Dye in Quilt Art and was taken with the concept. I put together 5 non-straight, about the same width, panels of cotton, silk and canvas fabric, with pieces of dark blue denim (cut off from shortening jeans) on the right and left edges. I used Shiva paint stick in orange and rubbed the wallpaper design onto the outside two panels of cotton. I sewed pieces of the vinyl onto the canvas panel and added some rivets. I used the buttons under the fabric and sewed them tightly like a yoyo, used the linen thread to gather some of the panels and added three strips of batting to the right side cotton panel as an embellishment. I layered batting and backing and finished only the left and right edges up to the denim, which is a single layer. The top and bottom edges were left uneven and unfinished. I slit the silk layer in several places to expose the batting and frayed the edges of the slits. I made sure the piece was not square, pulling the bottom right side askew and adding more rivets to that part to pull the eye across the piece. All in all, it looked pretty ratty, uneven, unfinished and a mishmash of whites and creams. I planned to dye it blue when the quilt was finished. Each panel was quilted through the batting and backing in a fold back and stitch method at the panel edge, until the last panel which was turned to finish. I quilted a few small sections with free motion quilting to add a little more interest and texture. The family reviews at this point were very subdued.
Here are a few pictures of the piece at this point in the process:
You will have to wait for the next step.
I decided to make a quilt and then dye it. I have been reading C June Barnes' book, Stitching to Dye in Quilt Art and was taken with the concept. I put together 5 non-straight, about the same width, panels of cotton, silk and canvas fabric, with pieces of dark blue denim (cut off from shortening jeans) on the right and left edges. I used Shiva paint stick in orange and rubbed the wallpaper design onto the outside two panels of cotton. I sewed pieces of the vinyl onto the canvas panel and added some rivets. I used the buttons under the fabric and sewed them tightly like a yoyo, used the linen thread to gather some of the panels and added three strips of batting to the right side cotton panel as an embellishment. I layered batting and backing and finished only the left and right edges up to the denim, which is a single layer. The top and bottom edges were left uneven and unfinished. I slit the silk layer in several places to expose the batting and frayed the edges of the slits. I made sure the piece was not square, pulling the bottom right side askew and adding more rivets to that part to pull the eye across the piece. All in all, it looked pretty ratty, uneven, unfinished and a mishmash of whites and creams. I planned to dye it blue when the quilt was finished. Each panel was quilted through the batting and backing in a fold back and stitch method at the panel edge, until the last panel which was turned to finish. I quilted a few small sections with free motion quilting to add a little more interest and texture. The family reviews at this point were very subdued.
Here are a few pictures of the piece at this point in the process:
You will have to wait for the next step.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Thermal Run Off Series #6
I am finally finishing some of the Thermal Run Off series that I started last summer. The wall paper for this blog is from #1 in the series, an acrylic painting with paper and fiber.
Here is #6 - a fiber companion to the acrylic pieces I created in a series class with Heather Thomas.
I am finally finishing some of the Thermal Run Off series that I started last summer. The wall paper for this blog is from #1 in the series, an acrylic painting with paper and fiber.
Here is #6 - a fiber companion to the acrylic pieces I created in a series class with Heather Thomas.
This is a three layer sandwich finished with rat tail edging and mounted on black fabric covered stretcher bars.
I used professionally hand dyed fabric, upholstery fabric, acrylic paint, brown knit fabric with metallic threads, and acrylic painted Misty Fuse. Some areas were padded with batting to provide contour. Quilting created flow and movement. The analogous colors are a bit brighter than most of the natural thermal run off, but it is in keeping with the heat of the water. The metallic paint recreates the light reflection off the moving water and the darker areas portray the slower pooling of debris and decay.
April's Art project
Our monthly art group was given the challenge to pass art forward in random anonymous ways. We meet Wednesday to share our methods, if the weather holds and allows us an hour's drive time.
I am still working through photo shop elements and spruced up some pictures of spring flowers taken in our garden and Mom's in past years. Using white bond and art papers, I made cards to fit some envelopes I have had in a drawer. I gave them to strangers with no conversation. Most were addressed "For You" and said "Have a Nice Day" inside. I have no idea what kind of responses were made. I hope the recipients smiled.
We have two new members joining our group this month. I am very happy with our group. It is comforting, supportive, sharing and motivating. How good is that?
I am still working through photo shop elements and spruced up some pictures of spring flowers taken in our garden and Mom's in past years. Using white bond and art papers, I made cards to fit some envelopes I have had in a drawer. I gave them to strangers with no conversation. Most were addressed "For You" and said "Have a Nice Day" inside. I have no idea what kind of responses were made. I hope the recipients smiled.
We have two new members joining our group this month. I am very happy with our group. It is comforting, supportive, sharing and motivating. How good is that?
Sunday, April 21, 2013
New Medium - PhotoShop Elements
I was so inspired by one of my art friend's work with Adobe Photoshop Elements 11, I bought it for myself. So, I have been experimenting, making art and doing my March and April, Art Group projects, all at the same time.
In March the group was assigned to photograph and create a presentation of things they love in their city that they see every day, or go often to enjoy. I modified the assignment and photographed bazaar and unusual lawn decoration in my neighborhood.
I had recently purchased Golden's white digital ground. I used it on art paper and tore the edges before mounting it on very cool construction paper.
Here is an example-
These "Wizards" are the carved stump of a very large tree on a corner lot. They each sport a santa hat during Christmas. I was very pleased with the ground and will experiment with other Golden products in their 'mixed media' group.
In March the group was assigned to photograph and create a presentation of things they love in their city that they see every day, or go often to enjoy. I modified the assignment and photographed bazaar and unusual lawn decoration in my neighborhood.
I had recently purchased Golden's white digital ground. I used it on art paper and tore the edges before mounting it on very cool construction paper.
Here is an example-
These "Wizards" are the carved stump of a very large tree on a corner lot. They each sport a santa hat during Christmas. I was very pleased with the ground and will experiment with other Golden products in their 'mixed media' group.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
"State of the Art"
I saw "The State of the Art" show today with two art friends. There was quite a variety of styles and materials. We spent a couple of hours covering both the downstairs and upstairs exhibit rooms. It also provided quite a starting point for discussion about our own work, art preferences and art appreciation between the three of us which continued through lunch. Such a beautiful day to have been out and about.
The second session of the series class was earlier this week. The piece I have been working on has not solidified. I hope it goes better this weekend so I make the next deadline. We critiqued five pieces and learned a lot. The jewelry piece would sell well in NY! It was marvelous. The other four pieces were fiber art. More later.
The second session of the series class was earlier this week. The piece I have been working on has not solidified. I hope it goes better this weekend so I make the next deadline. We critiqued five pieces and learned a lot. The jewelry piece would sell well in NY! It was marvelous. The other four pieces were fiber art. More later.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Unusual Things to Incorporate
As have written before, it has been fun to look through drawers and boxes, picking out things I haven't see for a while. I save way too much, but I'm so glad. Here are two daily art pieces putting some unusual items together. I wonder what other unusual things I'll find.
"Mark Making"
Paper, markers, emery board, glue
"Veiled Planet"
Vinyl background, batik fabric, cloud stamp, organdy ribbon, glue
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Series Class
A new series class started last night. It is a fairly large group with many types of art represented. The schedule will be fast paced with a target of 5 pieces completed in six months. I have chosen to do studies of pine cones on dyed/painted, heavily quilted background. I want to take you with me in this exploration.
Daily Art - so far I have been composing my daily art with items from the studio glued into place. I may move into other mediums in the future. However, I will catch you up with two more pieces that I have glued together.
Daily Art - so far I have been composing my daily art with items from the studio glued into place. I may move into other mediums in the future. However, I will catch you up with two more pieces that I have glued together.
"Unwrapped"
Yellow wrinkled tissue paper, candy wrapper, glue
This is very aptly named since it is the piece I did for January 1st, the unwrapping of a new year, and my birthday.
"Faux Weaving"
Corrugated paper, raffia and glue
I have seen several articles recently about thin stripped quilts. Having been a weaver, I had considered doing a quilt using thin strips and other textured material that would simulate weaving. I hope to give it a try sometime.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Flashing Past
This piece of daily art is called "Slices of Life". It reminds me of the windows of a train flashing past in the night. The titles convey the feeling of grasping or losing pieces of time and the concepts held within that period. Each of us carries with us slices of remembrance, feelings of joy, sadness, satisfaction - not always connected to the situations which made them. Sometimes life seems to rush past us so fast we are hard pressed to catch the important things and appreciate them. So that's enough of that. I like the piece. It has the depth of the universe and the speed of thought.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Texture AND Color
This has been so nuch fun, using up scraps, combining texture, shine, color, odd pieces of STUFF.
And I knew there was a reason I kept all the various pieces and parts that I have never found a place to store. My studio is full and probably always will be. I have a very hard time throwing things away. If I can't see the items, they don't get used. So, they are all pretty much in view, which uses up working space. These daily pieces of art are small and the working space for them is small. I'm having a blast trying things together that might not work in a large piece -or- trying to figure out how to recreate a daily piece in a much larger size.
I have some projects I do need to get back to and will have to make some room on my table. In the mean time, check out this new piece.
And I knew there was a reason I kept all the various pieces and parts that I have never found a place to store. My studio is full and probably always will be. I have a very hard time throwing things away. If I can't see the items, they don't get used. So, they are all pretty much in view, which uses up working space. These daily pieces of art are small and the working space for them is small. I'm having a blast trying things together that might not work in a large piece -or- trying to figure out how to recreate a daily piece in a much larger size.
I have some projects I do need to get back to and will have to make some room on my table. In the mean time, check out this new piece.
"Textured Analogous"
Knit fabric, hard vinyl sample, textured metal, glue
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Good Inspiration
Daily art is a success in our small art group. We shared our pieces at our Wednesday meeting and were all delighted with and inspired by what had been created. Each artist had their own style; watercolor and drawing, small sandwich quilts, daily events captured in creative packages with words and images. This is an idea that hopefully will become a habit, an opportunity to flex our creativity and explore a great many ideas, concepts and techniques with a small amount of time and not a whole lot of real estate.
Here are a couple more of my daily art pieces:
Here are a couple more of my daily art pieces:
"Posts"
Fabric, Corrugated cardboard and colored metal scraps, glue
"Transformation"
(What was once a petal is now a fish)
Fabric, pen and paper zentangle, thread, glue
Our meeting included receiving the pattern for our group challenge for the Nov/Dec show at the library. We have a 42x30 inch rectangle with a flattened world globe to use for "Our World" whatever technique, material and concept of our choosing. I am going to order some Lacey Stiff Stuff and begin to bead my world. I'll keep you posted. We are all excited and eager to see how everyone chooses to portray their world.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Getting Ready for Export (our art meeting that is)
Our Exploratory artist support group will be meeting on Wednesday this week. I am very excited because we will be getting our challenge pattern at the meeting. And, I have been copying my daily art pieces to take for a show and tell game. I have them all cut out of the copy paper and will figure a way to affix them to a flannel fabric. Then we will see what kind of a pattern can be achieved by rearranging them and viewing them from a distance. I think it will be fun and it will validate the idea we have suggested for using daily art from the group.
I am particularly fond of two daily pieces that are both white on white. The texture is superb. It reminds me of a "This Old House" program using all whites in a Danish Modern kitchen. Of course, they were not all pure white or of the same material or texture. The result was very sophisticated and very calming.
The first piece is a mostly white, very textured piece of wallpaper. I have used this paper in another piece. The base of the piece is a layer of dried latex paint. The paint dried smooth and flat with a wrinkled scrunched curved edge. I love the contrast of texture. The picture does not convey the tactile feeling as much as the original.
I am particularly fond of two daily pieces that are both white on white. The texture is superb. It reminds me of a "This Old House" program using all whites in a Danish Modern kitchen. Of course, they were not all pure white or of the same material or texture. The result was very sophisticated and very calming.
The first piece is a mostly white, very textured piece of wallpaper. I have used this paper in another piece. The base of the piece is a layer of dried latex paint. The paint dried smooth and flat with a wrinkled scrunched curved edge. I love the contrast of texture. The picture does not convey the tactile feeling as much as the original.
"White on White"
The second piece is made of off-white vinyle imitating leather. I added an organic shape cut from white popped bubble wrap. Two synthetic materials creating a very organic looking piece. I love it.
"Synthetic Organism"
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Went to an Art Show
WOW! I went to the Red Rocks SAQA/FrontRange art show today with a good friend. The show was great. So many artists that we know were represented. Amazing techniques, execution and creativity. The wind was cold and the walk from the third parking lot were worth the trip. It was inspiring.
Tomorrow has filled up. Big Surprise. But, I will find an hour or so to do daily art.
Here is one I did earlier in the month.
"Building Materials"
Inked paper, wood scraps, metal, glue
The wood texture is so cool and the copper really shines in person. See the small nail holes and the discoloration from the metal?
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Wave of Energy
Completed art can create a wave of energy - a surge of new eagerness to forge ahead with ideas.
I've had those waves hit me, but they haven't sustained me recently. I am behind in my daily art. I did meet with some friends from our button club and spent the afternoon working on a presentation for the spring show. I did make up a new salad combination. I am going to the art show at Red Rocks with a friend tomorrow. I am doing things. I may have some open time Thursday and I have a lot to do!!! So until I can report on what happens the day after tomorrow, take a look at this piece of daily art from earlier this month.
I've had those waves hit me, but they haven't sustained me recently. I am behind in my daily art. I did meet with some friends from our button club and spent the afternoon working on a presentation for the spring show. I did make up a new salad combination. I am going to the art show at Red Rocks with a friend tomorrow. I am doing things. I may have some open time Thursday and I have a lot to do!!! So until I can report on what happens the day after tomorrow, take a look at this piece of daily art from earlier this month.
Wave of Energy
Recycled card, metal screen
Friday, January 25, 2013
Daily Art
Take a look.
"Peep Holes to the Past"
Recycled card, cork, glue
"Traveling Buddies"
Paper, stickers
"My Compliments"
Fused Fabric
Thursday, January 24, 2013
More Daily Art
Check these out!
I have been busy with Elmer and paper and little things. Below I started using glue and fabric.
A great way to use up little pieces I've saved forever.
"What Do You Make of It?
Recycled Card, Wallpaper, glue
"True Transparancy"
Gold transfer sheet - used, ribbon, cellophane
"Rorschach Butterflies"
Fused fabric appliques
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Sample Some Daily Art
I am loving the daily art assignment. No rhyme or reason, just creativity. Enough to move my mind and my fingers. Here is a sample:
"Shadows and Texture"
Fabric, painted Misty Fuse, silk fibers
"Cellular Growth"
Dried latex paint, recycled card, glue
"Almost Black, Almost White"
Recycled card, fabric, glue
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Today Came and Went
Today was Sunday - a football day- a day of expectation and surprises and a different result than expected.
I had plans to be in the studio the better part of the day. But- like most days, things go their own way. It's not a bad thing - just not the way it had been envisioned.
I wasn't going to watch the football games, but I did. I did do my daily art project and I looked (studied) the run off series pieces as a whole. But---- I didn't get any farther than that, and I have so many projects to work on. Maybe too many. We had a nice visit from our nephew and a long distance call to my brother-in-law.
The nice thing is that I am not stressed about the direction my day went. I AM hoping tomorrow will be more artistically productive.
I had plans to be in the studio the better part of the day. But- like most days, things go their own way. It's not a bad thing - just not the way it had been envisioned.
I wasn't going to watch the football games, but I did. I did do my daily art project and I looked (studied) the run off series pieces as a whole. But---- I didn't get any farther than that, and I have so many projects to work on. Maybe too many. We had a nice visit from our nephew and a long distance call to my brother-in-law.
The nice thing is that I am not stressed about the direction my day went. I AM hoping tomorrow will be more artistically productive.
Friday, January 18, 2013
It's a New Year!!
I belong to his wonderful group of very creative, talented and supportive women artists.
A challenge to do daily art has been made to the group and I am going to try to do my best. The requirement is a 3x 5 inch or 3 x 21/2 inch format. What I have done has been fun and has been drawing me into my projects. Sometimes I don't push through and really work. I have almost as many daily pieces as I should by now. I'll take some pictures and share the fun. Naming the pieces is as much fun as making them.
I also went to Tamara's 'Golden Fiber Arts Studio' and attended a very good art critique. There were three pieces critiqued. One of them was mine. I came away with an appreciation for professional presentation.
I am working on my thermal run-off series - adding fabric pieces to complement the acrylics with which I started the series. This could be lifelong series, I have been in love with the concept for so long!!
Next month I start another series class with a new concept. There are a lot of things I want to do with leaves. Hopefully this will kick start several ideas I have been thinking about.
Our group have also proposed another challenge to be hopefully shown in the Castle Rock Library some time this year. I think I will be very busy for the next few months. Now--- if I can keep you all updated!
A challenge to do daily art has been made to the group and I am going to try to do my best. The requirement is a 3x 5 inch or 3 x 21/2 inch format. What I have done has been fun and has been drawing me into my projects. Sometimes I don't push through and really work. I have almost as many daily pieces as I should by now. I'll take some pictures and share the fun. Naming the pieces is as much fun as making them.
I also went to Tamara's 'Golden Fiber Arts Studio' and attended a very good art critique. There were three pieces critiqued. One of them was mine. I came away with an appreciation for professional presentation.
I am working on my thermal run-off series - adding fabric pieces to complement the acrylics with which I started the series. This could be lifelong series, I have been in love with the concept for so long!!
Next month I start another series class with a new concept. There are a lot of things I want to do with leaves. Hopefully this will kick start several ideas I have been thinking about.
Our group have also proposed another challenge to be hopefully shown in the Castle Rock Library some time this year. I think I will be very busy for the next few months. Now--- if I can keep you all updated!
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