Friday, January 30, 2009

cleaning out




While cleaning out my studio space getting ready for the big construction deal down there, I found these from Jude's 'what iffing' group. I like the free thinking that goes on there, trying, retrying, throwing away rules and experimenting with formats and techniques. I would like to continue with these pieces, still keeping the small-ish format. Amazing what one finds when doing a bit of tidying..
Speaking of amazing, Selene's clothing blows my mind...


Wednesday, January 28, 2009

ice


We finally had some snow fall yesterday, unfortunately, I can't find my camera! These are from a few days ago at the Rappahannock river. Muted winter colors, gray, white, brown..subtle and simple..cold and crisp.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

old things


It occurs to me how much old stuff I have around. Old books, old cups, old furniture. I guess I'm a 'past' person, rather than a 'future' person. All though, I like some technology..computer for example! I've been watching "Wuthering Heights" on PBS last week and this week, and at one point Cathy starts talking about how she wished she were a girl again, and Heathcliff a boy. Simpler, slower times, happy times. I guess we edit out some of the crud we went through as kids. Just remember the good stuff..

Friday, January 23, 2009

more




A little larger picture of the sea... about 24x36"..and has just been accepted into show! Yay! I am trying to take more pictures out and about. We really live in a very historical town, many old homes and buildings around..I just can't seem to point my camera at those, rather than the ground, or dirt or trees or water, wonder why?


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

by the sea

I've taken some better pictures of some recent works..this is hand and machine stitched, appliqued,, beaded and couched.. a detail shot

Monday, January 19, 2009

a frozen river


Pretty amazing to see the Rappahannock frozen. Yet no snow..

Thursday, January 15, 2009

orange county, ca

Is where I grew up in S. Cal. There were actual orange groves there at the time (70's-80's) but now not so much.


I am enjoying this landscape format I've been doing lately. It's a sort of painterly way to work with fabric. Not too controlled or stiff..




This is 12x12" and hand and machine stitched, with fabric, floss and beads. The smaller scale is a personal challenge going on with me lately too..

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

the sea

hmm, I see these pictures aren't too hot, well, that's what I get for waiting until 9pm to do something!
Anyway, this is an attempt to evoke the feel of the tide pool/ocean life without getting too literal, ie., fishies, sharkies etc.. I, on purpose picked colors and forms a little off the blue/green/aqua (ok, I had to put in some aqua..) scheme of things.

Many different techniques here, machine stitching, hand stitching, yo-yo's, beading, applique, over-dyed lace and fabric (very fun to do)..


I promise better pictures here of the latest, soon. Really.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Sunday

I was tagged by lovely Monatka, who does the most wonderful things with fiber and felt, in Inverness, Scotland, no less, on 5 things I love every day..

1. I try and pray each and every day. Love stems from this.
2. Coffee is a must, I like it very strong.
3. Art in just about every form or fashion is always on my mind. I've taken to carrying a small sketch pad, just so I can 'get it out' of my head..
4. I love how each and every day is new. The saying is true, things that are monumental in the night, are usually in perspective in the morning. (See #1)
5. Music is always a part of my day. I like all of it. Really..well just about..

I will tag Jackie , Kayla , and Annie Their style and their blogs knock me out!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

seaside stitching


I'm working on this stitchery of a landscape, again, one of 3 I've got going, this one is done with machine and hand couching of fabric and floss. I love embroidery floss of all kinds. I wish it came 1,2 or 3 strands on a spool, though..the separating gets tiresome. *whine*
This is from some photos I took while at the beach last year, and transferred to my sketch book..
The pictures with the flash look a little better than without, I usually have the thing off..

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

camera shy

not too fond of pictures, but.. I was at a nice dinner.. I hadn't realized the camera was clicking..
ha, and I notice my son trying to engage in the teenage conversation at the other end..

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

silence

Deco's are down, out with the japanese stuff. This is an older cotton obi sash, with a nice ceramic bowl..

Monday, January 5, 2009

quiet

Well, school's back in session, so I can ease off the 5am work start. If I don't get distracted. I am happy to have the quiet back, though..I think better.

I am contemplating a big camera upgrade, I think I enjoy the picture taking a lot more than I used to..


These are two separate pieces, that I'm working on. The top is a landscape quilt/fiber piece that's a lot of couched down fabric and embroidery embellishment. I've used the machine on some of it too. These things tend to come in 3's..interesting. Maybe I'm used to thinking in series form, which I love.
The one below is a horizontal landscape the top 1/2 done with strips of fabric sewn and folded down. The bottom 1/2 is again, couched down and then is getting heavily embellished w/floss and beads. Some dyed scrim in there too..

There's another one going on w/underwater elements in it..more pic's coming..
Hope you have a creative week!


Saturday, January 3, 2009

a stitched landscape




I've noticed that trees crop up in the majority of things I do. Maybe it's because I'm surrounded by them, or they represent a lot of steady, living things to me, but there they appear, often. This is a machine/hand stitched piece that going on, trying to incorporate the feel of nature, and the meaning of the steadiness of trees..the Methuselah tree, perhaps.