Creating a Series of Art Work

I have been trying to stretch myself in my art. Working with different colors, different kinds of substrate, and trying to find some theme that would interest me enough to create a series. I have often found that I am pulled to that wild pink color (opera pink) that so many people use but I stay totally away from. Well today was my day to try it, and I was enchanted with it.

Using my art journal as my experimental journal, I found that I love getting my feeling of the day down on paper and then painting over it, smearing it, concealing it, but the decorative nature of my handwriting was a great way of adding mark making. So this was the start of my Table Top Series.

I made some rules for myself, but also knew that I needed some freedom and flexibility. Subject matter: anything that sits on a table and may include that table. Colors: adding a little pink Design: All will have some kind of hand written letters to them, smeared into them or used as mark making. Substrate: interesting rectangles on wood.

So here is the beginning of my Series, please let me know what you think. If you have made a series before, how did it go and what were your rules?

Creating a New Quilters Series of Cards

I have been working on a fun Quilting card series.   I am friends with many quilters and I have been known to sew a quilt or two in my day.  The idea of having just fun designs for a specific group has made me energized.  It might not sell but I want to do it because....well I want to do it.   Taking these 2 designs out of the 9 I have, I thought I would show you my process.   These were done with scraps of paper, ink , glue and a little paint.    I want to find something creative to write on the front.  So I googled " quilting terms".  Do you know that quilters have the best terms?  Meeting with my friend Rebecca at the local coffee shop we went over the terms and laughed and laughed at the made up stories we could tell from these terms.. take " jelly roll" and "fat quarters"  sounds like someone hasn't been working out.   " Long Arm". "Stacked",  " Prairie points" and that isn't even counting  the names quilters have used to identify some of the designs on quilts "  Flying Geese " "Drunkards Path" " Log Cabin".  I can tell right now I am in for a lot of fun coming up with something great to put on the fronts of these. But.... I might have to keep the smutty ones to myself.

Do You Know Really How Loved You Are?

In the depth of winter, the dark endless days of rain when I live can, get me feeling down and about now I am really struggling for a light at the end of the tunnel.   I find the small bulbs poking their heads out of ground and Valentines day around the corner start taking me away from the dark and make me think about others and if they really know how much I love them and cherish their love and friendship,because I do.

Its good to pause and think that I am loved as well and do I appreciate the love they give to me.   humm....

The Presidents Photographer took my picture!

I was asked to get a professional picture taken and they sent out a John Lill from Seattle.

I enjoy finding out about people so I started asking him about how he got his start in Photography.  Senior Class Picture Intern when he was in high school.  Enlisted in the Navy, became a photographer in the Navy and became friends with the admiral and the admiral recommended him for his next tour of duty... The white house !   He served 1 1/2 years with Bush and 1 1/2 years with Obama.  He was the guy that just hung out with the president day in and out taking around 5,000 pictures a day............. and he is taking my picture! 

John has great eye ( you should see the pictures he does of rock stars!)  If you ever have a need for some photography... he not only does head shots, but weddings etc. He takes great pictures but has a rich history to talk about.  I had a really fun photo session  considering i was really dreading it.

Bring on the Flowers

It has been so hot here.... I am not complaining but that just isn't normal for the Seattle area.  We love our sun,  when it comes out we want to take advantage of it.   So when it gets hot here ( I am talking above 80- don't laugh)  and we have to find a cool shady space I have been hiding out in my studio with a great fan blowing away.   So my choice of painting flowers has been a no brainer,That and I am taking this awesome class from Lynn Whipple colager extrodinaire.  

Bowl of Flowers