Big Leaf (Only Bigger)

A few years back Noel Keith took my New Big Leaf class in Syracuse. Yesterday the Finger Lakes Fiber Artists saw her nearly finished piece. She broke the design with multiples of leaf shapes. And met her goal of using her precious African printed fabric. Well done!

Today's Reclamation

This simple, powerful statement by Sherri Lynn Wood is composed from safety vests discarded at the San Francisco dump. She made this quilt ''s and others that are on view while an artist in residence at the Recology San Francisco. You can see them at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, New York.

Sort of a Sort

I'll boil these washed out prints three to a batch on the stove. So much process, so little time.

Washing Up and Out

Setting up a print studio is fairly simple. I don't measure, weigh, or fuss. But having a sprayer (pullout variety!) is essential to get the soy wax out of the screens. Seconds and I'm washed out. Mind you, I've cranked up the heat in the water, but it's the sprayer that does the trick.

Hoya There

This is my Hoya plant on vacation. Again with the blooms! Only fine outside, as inside they scent in the evening, hoping to be more attractive. Here they've got ant visitors. Might gift this. Anytime is good.

Roar Shock

These printed shapes remind me of animals in a way. Love the screen I'm using, so making this in a myriad of colors. Just in case I want one for myself. The rest will travel to the Pacific Northwest Coast Art School and then the Eugene Textile Center to show off. And sell, if someone wants them.

Night Out

I spent the day at work (slogging dye left and right) and was due a treat. The Rochester International Jazz Festival is this week and I took in a concert that was out of this world. Street food, Abbott's custard, and a lovely night. Now I'm ready to go back to work tomorrow.

6 x 6 Up Close

Small but mighty, this measures 6"x6" and is a John Kastner work. It took some hours to make this, and yes, it sold. I believe that he uses found objects from his dog walk trips in these collages. The script says "Madam and Steve in the Garden of Bleedin". Clear about his feelings on the environment.

6 x 6 Times Thousands

Each year the Rochester Contemporary Art Center holds the 6x6 show of donated artwork. At only $20 per work, it is the gallery's largest fundraiser. And a small spectacle for those who can check out (and purchase) a work. I've got mine. You can too, and via the web as well.

Solstice Light

It was an evening to spend counting down daylight from a tall roof, and best I could think of was the top of the Genesee Brewery. With a beer in one hand and camera in the other, I waited for a train to cross the bridge over the Genesee Falls. Now for summer.

In the Mix

I buy white plastic film, to cover the print table. The entire table is added with old cotton batting. For mixing colors it's the perfect surface. I can see what I've got,  can "thin" it with thickeners, and use the plastic scraper like a palette knife. And, yes, I'm that wild.

More Scarves to Travel

Crepe di chine is the base fabric for screening and printing these scarves. I'll pack them to take along to Pacific Northwest Art School in July, then if they're any left, on to Eugene Textile Center. Can't wait to see the west coast again.

What Would I Want?

I like to choose a piece that I would take, if I could, from any exhibit that I see. It's an exercise that makes me clarify, as well as verbalize, why it merits my attention. A game best played with another, certainly. The Finger Lakes show has Colleen Buzzard's piece "Hard Merge from Left" and is my pick. Most appealing is the ordinariness of the materials.

Keepers

I'm stacking up prints to travel with me to Washington and Oregon where I'll be teaching in early July. But this one won't go with. It speaks to me in a demanding way.

Wash Day is Every Day

...or so it seems. I'm learning that to wait to wash (quantity is energy savings!) is not the better way to go. So, I'm plowing through my dozens of yards, and will note to wash out in smaller batches. 'Nuff said.

Finger Lakes Exhibit Opens

Tonight's opening meant lots of people. Don't be fooled. These people were talking to each other, just turned in a way to seem like they were interested in my work (the one in the center of the pic). Mainly it was time to see friends and catch up. Art looking will be another time.

Happy Birthday to You

Last night was a lovely dinner with fellow artists and a time to celebrate a guest's birthday. I made a pennants flag flurry (what do they call these anyway?) to gift. The best food, good humor, and too many desserts.

Ordinary, Not

It took me years to get these Siberian Iris to take and flower. This is my mid-day stroll, a break from washing out dozens of prints. Yes, there's also a milkweed just in case a Monarch needs it.

Not a Ride-By

QSDS is a stone's throw from the Columbus Art Museum, and a terrific collection of works that engage. A week ago I caught myself  staring at this work "Ride by Terror" by James Baare Turnbull, painted in 1941, when he was 32. Yes, hooded men with guns. And in 1941.

Hide and Seek

This is a print (before washing out) where I used a large wallpaper paste brush to add the texture with thickened dyes to the fabric. The circles are made from rolling over a bumpy circle thingie. I think it looks like hide, or maybe hairy hide. More tricks!

Stack 'Em Up

Back at work, being a Monday and all. I've got dyes mixed, thickener too. And a rainy day without interruption. Can't be any better.

Maintenance

I tackled the garden today. After being away for more than two weeks the garden just kept on being its growing spectacle. But it needed weeding and planting. And I needed to get outside and tend to home. And plant my feet back in home turf.

Up in Flames

The spectacle of a fiery red sunset isn't justly captured here. At QSDS, my base camp for two weeks, the workshops ended with a true midwestern red sky that was reflected in the glass of buildings surrounding the CCAD campus.

Parting Shot

Before our room returns to its clean state, I took a backward glance at the riot of color and pattern we had on the tables and the walls. We meant to make only sketches this week, but couldn't resist making finished pieces. Ok, can do.

Sometimes There's Quiet

Given space, time, and motive one can do wonderful things. This was the view from my class today at QSDS. One more day to spend with creative minds.

Gone to a New Home

This piece, which gained the nickname "Spring Cleanup" went to its forever home. It was for sale in conjunction with the QSDS faculty sale. Those little red sold dots always make me happy, but always a bit nostalgic as well.

Today Was Red Day

Our group photo was in shades of red. My QSDS class is held on the campus of the Columbus College of Art and Design and my room is a fabulous amount of space for each person to spread out to work, complete with a large design wall. I couldn't ask for more.

Too Distracted to Remember the Details

Around the corner from my design class at QSDS I fell upon an artist and her large felted paper creation. It may be about 10 feet or more long, and is a response to the prairie landscape. I'll go back to remember her name. Guess I was just so intrigued with the work I couldn't.

Roll out the Yards

In Columbus, my two day Take Two class got underway with selecting two one yard pieces to compose a piece. It was fun, trying, and satisfying all at the same time.

Sell Art, Buy Art

Since I sold a piece at QSDS, I felt emboldened to buy this QSDS auction piece by Ginny Smith. The idea behind the "advice" is from stories told earlier this week about mothering. My piece sold at auction as well with all proceeds going to the scholarship fund.