How Do You Look Clear?

Working on my SAQA Toronto lecture has me finding examples to hammer down the point that your work needs to look strong and clear, and definitely made with the same hand. This selection from Marshall's is a good illustration of randomness.

Words, Words, Words

Elbert Hubbard reinterpreted sayings, printed them at his Roycrofters compound, and sold them in books, objects, and in publications. This was tipped in a book I have. Can't say I agree or disagree, but it's beautifully crafted. Which it should be.

Quilt Ignoring Me

I've a finished quilt -- well almost finished -- that needs threads buried and spot checked. I keep walking by it, and it's getting louder and louder. Birthday present was a set of self-threading needles. Must be the sign to get to this task. Thanks, Nancy.

Flip the Switch

I was still taking a drive around on the longarm, and today thought I might try without the regulated stitch. I like that better. And I love to draw the line. This might have to end up somewhere in the next quilt.

Bits of Time

I've been working on a lecture in fits and starts. For me, each image is a "cue card" of sorts. This illustrates how my work is shown and out of my control. Shot in France a few years back hanging upside down, and recorded many times as such. Oh well.

Season to Age

I plan as many celebrations for my birthday month that I can, and (often) don't tell those who help me celebrate that there are multiple days I do this. These flowers were a gift unexpected. Aging is tough enough, so might as well move on to that new number with a flourish.

Life is Sweet

It is so rare and such a gift to have friends over and just sing and enjoy. So, no studio work today, just a room full of music and platefuls of food. Life can't be much sweeter.

Starting Somewhere

I've loaded a square of fabric on the longarm to adjust the tension and get some practice before taking on the two large works that need attention. I don't think I'm a perfectionist, but I'm never happy with the quality. My next love will be to an engineer.

It's Cold, It's Hot, It's Almost Ready

My new toy! The most thoughtful friend, Cris, sent me this early birthday gift of a gun laser thermometer. Now I can go around the house (and outside, too) to see with a pull of the trigger what temperature a thing is. Most often, I'll use it in the dye studio. My big thanks!

Better Part of the Day

The most productive part of the day was working on my lecture for the SAQA Toronto conference next month. My talk will most likely be given just this once, but I want to sound like a seasoned sage. That means over-learning the points.

Don't Peek Too Early

 I cut these a week ago to force for a Sunday gathering. Well, surprise, they're here! It's now plan B, I reckon.

Food for the Soul

My mother said "flowers are food for the soul." I'd amend that to include art. This lovely piece is from Judy Gohringer. Now it's part of my office and constant inspiration.

New Tools from Old

When our group gets together, we share new ideas with tools. Liz explained how ink pens can be used to create a watercolor effect. And seeing how she used her sketchbook with them was a great illustration.

Sunday Go To Meeting

The Finger Lakes Fiber Artists group gets together every couple of months to look at work, talk about projects, and encourages like minds to continue work in fiber. Bookended by Bev's quilt and my unfinished top, Noel explains how she works with her silk in blocks.

Library Words

While getting information for my July class at RIT I came across this hand-drawn lettering quote from Mary Oliver. Yes, there seems to be calligraphic students, and yes, they are encouraged to get credit for scripting the chalkboard wall in Wallace Library. Smart students, smart faculty.

Good Buy

On my travels I often have an afternoon to look around. This large yardage of Marimekko fabric I found at an outlet store. Perfect for my backing for the family portrait. It's in the wash, I'll iron in the morning.

Nearing the End of the Slog

I've soda soaked about 150+ yards of labeled cotton for the upcoming year's classes. My April 2-3 printing class with the Genesee Valley Quilt Club (a few seats are available) is the only class which will have the fabric supplied by moi. I'm ready to end this task.

Family Portrait

Titles come in my head as things gel. This piece went through many versions, but always with groups of people in mind. I've finished the top, now it'll queue for the longarm. All the fabric I made -- printed, monoprinted, scraped, rolled, screened --  all the stuff I teach in my print class.

Down the Home Stretch

It's late at night, but that excited feeling of wanting to wake and finish this construction phase has taken hold. I've done enough moving and shaping, so now I can assemble this.

Graphic Design in Abstract Quilts Research

I met today with archivists at RIT to see the collection that I'll use to July 13-17, 2020 in Graphic Design in Abstract Quilts here in Rochester. Book above is "ABCS" by Brenda McManus and Ned Drew. What wonderful resources -- prints, posters, books. Typography galore. (See my web site and calendar for info.)

Full Snow Moon (of course)

This bowl with rabbit conveys the  Snow Full Moon. From a Mimbres Artist of New Mexico dated  1100 it reminds me of the moon's  stark white light cast on a blanket of snow. And here at home, yes, there is a snow moon. From the San Francisco de Young museum.

Slight of Hand

Often I suggest to photograph your work, print your photo and rearrange. Not on photoshop, or on a computer app, but physically -- printed out paper glued back again to a new design. So, after hitting a roadblock, that's what I did.

Photographer with a Pencil

First Friday's gem was an exhibition of Judy Levy's pencil drawings. She choose to illustrate her collection of objects (many I recognized and owned) in pencil --a drastic change in medium from her photography. They were delightful, engaging, and real. I think that was her goal.

Clarification

I've got the largest elements moving around, and trying to calm down the background. Snow, ice, rotten weather means more time in the studio.

Using Prints

Small changes, but I know what I'm looking to do. I  know I've got a tangle of prints here, and I do need to give them some place to be, to breathe. It's only the beginning.

Let There Be Light

The track lights just didn't give me the spread and evenness that I needed to light my design wall. Three LED tube lights were installed today.  Having light to work in is just wonderful. Especially on this very gray day.

Indoor Pursuits

There's no image for sitting at the computer, running errands, crossing off lists. But I'm glad the weather is mild enough for a walk, yet cold enough to return me to tasks at hand.

Reject Pile

These will get "refiled" or folded at some point. Just won't be used in the work I've got on the design wall. Oh, well, that's good for the next.

Need for Color

Perhaps this gray sky that continues, or the long list of my February duties, or just the state of the union, is enough to have me craving vibrancy and color. This is what's on the design wall.