Stack 'Em Up

I've mentioned how I stack my wet fabrics after I print them. Since my print paste has a humactant in it, which captures moisture from the air, so I don't cover or "batch" the fabrics, I just wait overnight (or a bit longer) and then wash out. But here's the insulation board shelf, the wood dowels set through two uprights.

Crime Scene

Left abandoned, unwiped, stains surrounding all sides, the screen may tell the true story of what deeds were done, what print had been sacrificed, and what yard was next on the table to be dyed. 

Eight Pots Full

I don't need much to do what I do. Just two each (yellow, red, blue), one black, one chartreuse, and a gallon of print paste to thin. Thought I'd spend a few days making printed fabric to take with me to the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum when I speak in October.

Fabric Holiday

A friend's visit today had a bit of show and tell of the costumes I wore a year ago for my daughter's wedding. The outfits certainly held her interest, both because she is a textile historian, and for the peculiarity of the Indian fabrics. After, we went out to a quilt shop for fabric, and I tucked these back in the closet.

Revealing

The front four windows, if added to the other five, means that I've just two windows left to trim, caulk and paint. I did make August my housework month, but I can't say I've been all that dedicated. Did I mention it's been too hot?

Full Moon (and Then Some)

The Sturgeon Moon was out tonight, and this white orb will have to fill in for that glow. The last full moon of the summer, it signals we will soon phase out of this intolerable heat, watch the leaves turn, and greet darker evenings. Even knowing this, I'm not ready.

Stop, Smell the Rasberries

I've more house repairs to do, and so hadn't seen that there was a raspberry hiding out in the hedgerow. I've waited over 4 years to see some fruit, and I might have to check this daily. Such is housework.

Clarifying Urban Noise

You'd think it was easy. Try it and see. Abstraction, decisive strokes, clean lines, composition that is spot on --- not so easy. Franz Kline was painting his urban world, and "The Bridge" is his distillation of those city elements. From yesterday's visit to the Munson Williams Proctor Art Institute.

Field Trip to Kimono Exhibit

There is currently on view an exhibition of exquisitely made kimono by Itchiku Kubota. Each is precious; many are part of a series, letting the design flow from one to the other. If you're near Utica, New York, visit the Munson Williams Proctor Art Institute. On till September 16th.

Additions, Subtractions

When it rains, or the sun is too hot to work outside, I'm back at the design wall. This piece has traveled a bit with me as a demo, now it is getting its due. I've added some thin lines to make outlines for shapes. But I'm still rearranging.

Farewell Ruth

We met last night to remember Ruth White, a lovely, warm, and always positive woman who loved science and quilting. She knew, and we did as well, that her time would be short. But what she did with that time was a gift to us all.

It All Comes Down to Caulk

Part of August was visiting family, other parts were reconnecting with friends who think I'm always away. But my goal for the month is to remove the storm windows, retrim, paint, and shape-up the outside. People can't get paid enough to do this work.

Challenges for Us All

A gift from a friend who was staying with me while part of the Art in the Garden this weekend at Sonnenberg. A weaver, she is part of a national group that poses challenges each year. This weave and coloration was in response to a city building's sun and shadow. Lovely.

Fair Weather Fair

Arts in the Garden at Sonnenberg in Canandaigua means white booths all in a row, hoping the rain holds for the crowd. It did, was lovely, and I managed to purchase needed items. Great fiber work in baskets and weavings. It's on again tomorrow, but I'll be back working on the house.

Note Worthy

A spread from the notes of the Stewart Brothers company  around 1830 on fabrics they had sent to Bahia, Brazil. These notes are from the seller in Brazil with suggestions for what sells well, and what does not because of  color, pattern, or at times mildew. From my recent visit to Winterthur.

Fair Weather Discharge

A piece that was discharged (had been bleached to remove some of the dye) last summer came back around  this week for more. I've used some of the same imagery used in print, so these discharged fabrics should relate well. Can't wait to pick two and try out a design.

New Toy

A second-hand termofax machine with a toner copier came my way, and I finally got to try it out. With some graphite pencils I drew some leaves and quickly made a screen. This is printed on paper but I can see where I will use the screens on fabric. New toys!

Rain Date

Back to the design wall and revisiting this piece I started a while back. I'm having fun adding lines, that suggest shapes. House repair is on hold while it rains much needed rain.

Kamakazi Gardening

Armed with a large shovel and a cast-off garden cart, I circled my little estate to do some much needed weeding and putting-right today. This Golden Rain Tree still needs to be trimmed from the wires going through it, but there's tomorrow for another Kamakazi style garden bomb. 

I learned everything in Wood Design

As I am fixing my windows outside, I find my lessons from wood design return again and again. Construction, technique, aesthetics. All were a fundamental part of that class. And love of design. Mostly that. So, I won't mind. 

Garage Sale

On the way to Home Depot for house trim, I passed a garage sale. Kids, this is where you find those bed lifts for your work table. Makes you back happy when you work. The Bed, Bath and Beyond sticker is still on at 14.99. Find a garage sale.

August is House Month

Now that I've got a month without out-of-town commitments, I've got to tackle the to-do list. The garden will be ignored a bit longer while the window trim gets updated. The heat of the day is reserved for the studio, don't worry.

A Face for Radio

WAYO, an independent radio station and Graphic Ear, hosted by Sabra Wood, asked me to be tonight's guest. It was fun, yes, and quite a high. You  can listen to me blather on at  https://wayofm.org/shows/graphic-ear but I con't think my episode is on the list just yet.

Travels Near and Far

A visit to 1 West Mount Vernon Place, part of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, had a library sprinkled with guides of far away places. I took interest in this because I spent my last college semester studying in Siena, Italy. I recognize the cathedral and tower, but not the flying cherubs.

Bed Anatomy

The Winterthur museum has a collection of textiles (they have a collection of LOTS of things) and among the quilts and textiles was this detail of what made up a bed. They made sure to point out early Americans slept on top of the feathers, not under.

Boar's Head Revisited

Inside Winterthur is a delightful exhibit on dining (with or without animals) that has this boar's head tureen on display. Completing the decorations on the plate are the instruments of the animal's demise. It dates from 1750. Imaging that!

Time for Folly

This nest with wooden eggs (large scale, natch) is in the enchanted garden at Winterthur. Today's visit held many lovelies, and I'll have to save the indoors for tomorrow. Today was the trails of green offered.

Walters In Baltimore

The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore offered this wonderful "A Roman Emperor: AD 41" by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. I've added a detail here, all brilliantly wrought in clear brush strokes, beautiful blocking and luminous light. Always a treat to see what stood for beauty in centuries past.

Who Needs the Southwest?

Here in the Northeast I've got my specimen mullein reaching its full potential. And just like the saguaro cacti that stopped me in my tracks, this tall feller has its appeal. No need to travel. Well, maybe sometime.

Do Others Donate?

This evening was a lovely garden party for my garden group. A member asked if I would consider donating a piece of my work to a silent auction. You know, my work is not everyone's cup of tea. And then I thought -- would a dentist donate a filling? Maybe a bridge? Maybe a crown? Are they asked to contribute their talent? Why are we?

Bits and Bits

I've been given a textile remnant that has kantha stitching, and has many designs that seem randomly placed, and patterning in each section. It's hanging around an has become a good resource for motifs and design.