A Few to Consider

These were hanging around the design wall for a reunion of printmakers this week. They are quick demo pieces that I've finished after class. I always see the "extra" that happens here, mostly because it is made without too much stress -- quickly and without planning angst. 
 

Back to the Print Table

I'm gearing up for next week's print class and am just warming up. Some of my screens are just right for the techniques I'll cover. Plus, I've a request for some black and white type prints. So, tomorrow's homework is set.
 

Glad to Be Inside

Just after our Glorious Prints class reunion (January's class) I ventured out to hang today's print on my tree. This is printing weather for me -- no where to go, no need to go, no want to go. Happy to mix up a gallon of print paste and dyes and get back to the print table.
 

Wolf Moon

Wrapped around my tree today is the full moon marker for this Wolf Moon of January. This has been a month of change to howl about from storming the capital, to taking the oath at the capitol. So, it might as well be red and full.
 

Meter Reading

Maintenance is not my strong suit. So, when I've got to schedule reunions for my virtual classes,  I get them in just a day or two ahead. I'll excuse the tardiness for "just want it to be a fresh email!" and hope that they've remembered we're meeting. I must remember, the meter is spinning and time doesn't stop.

Traveling to Indiana

SAQA Indiana and I had a lovely time today by zoom (what else) while the snow swirled. Fine with me. We packed in a lecture, a break-out small group time, some business news, and saw current art projects. Best way to travel, and best people to meet on the way. Thank you, SAQA Indiana.
 

Four Hanging Around

With a request for a purple scarf I looked at the last batch of silk scarves I'd made. These aren't finished and sewn into a loop, but two were taken, leaving two to go to the web shop. One taken is below.  

O

 

Take Two: Filing Cabinet / Toast With Honey

This finished Take Two is yet unnamed, but it'll attach soon enough. I'm enjoying it, but now wishing it could be twice it's 40 x 40 size. If it took two yards for this, it would take eight for a 80 x 80. I've got that. Just need the time.
 

Don't Think We Don't See the Back

Stitching from the back of the work shows if my machine is working, and more. It's fabric I love, am fond of, is seen whenever it is shown, handled, rehung, or moved around. This is a Thimbleberries misprint I have been saving for -- why? -- all these years. 
 

Quilt 'Er Up

 At about a yard square, this work won't take long to quilt on the longarm. I'll follow the shapes that are there and mess around with some additional drawing around the edges. Then I'll spritz it down and pin it to the design wall overnight for a bit of rest -- for us both.
 

X Marks the Spot

Assembling an improvisationally cut piece takes a bit of jumbling. Often I grab my cheap (free!) chalk and mark the joints. I keep in mind that I'll loose 1/2 inch in the seam. This registration mark holds my place while I cut it into the parts I need. 
 

A Day of Distraction

I fully intended to get my eyes on the design wall and hands on the rotary cutter. But the inauguration had me glued to the news. I managed to cut and sew for a while, missing the entry to the White House, and did scoot out to hang this on the tree. Glad this happens every four years.  
 

Wall Work

These two pieces have hopped on and off the wall for months. So today was the day to start working with them in a Take Two design. I might expand and add, or just work this through with two. But gray days make studio time easy -- no tugging to sit and stare at the sun.
 

What Have You in a Size 2?

Small diversion to finish a shirt for the one year old. I was given the shirt months ago, gave it a soda soak, printed it, dyed it, then added a flounce. It waited in the outgoing mail today, then I remembered there was no mail. Ok. Now I'm ahead of myself. 
 

Diversions

Like many of us, around December I was resigned to staying put, and sought something simple just for fun. Enter a Susan Purney Mark online class! So, I've started working on my paper for making books. And those clotheslines in the studio sure come in handy. Now to fold and cut.
 

From the Stash

Even though I print fabric, I manage to collect commercial prints. This random set was for a Take Two discussion. What can be done commercially with clear line, oddball color combinations, and perfectly repeated patterns, is all part of what influences how I print as well. And yes, they sometimes go together.
 

The Writing is On the Wall

Or the writing is at least on the fabric. A rubbing made from a board with hot glue "writing" waits for me to use. As do another hundred great prints. Maybe it's design wall time. And yes, I've tidied up from whipping fabric around from Take Two's class. 
 

Class Time

An intrepid group of students have sailed through day one of Take Two. This is the aftermath of the lesson, with just some fabric suggestions and examples to use as imagery. Tomorrow we'll grab those two perfect (!) yards. And have another day of learning. 
 

Off to a Forever Home

I've word that my portrait "Artist Wearing a Hat and Smoking" was sold and will be joining other works by a collector who has an entire wall of women artist's work. Nice! The annual portrait show runs through February 12 at Studio 402 of the Anderson Alley Artisans in Rochester, NY. 
 

Needing to Visit

My friend checked out the Rochester Contemporary Art Center before I had a chance to see it and forwarded a pic of my piece (largest on top row) where I used just one yard of printed fabric. This member's show is always charming for the diverse and varied talent. And always displayed well,  no matter the medium.

Just Silkscreens

I decided it was an itch I needed to scratch. I made a print with a positive and negative image. They don't completely jive, but the mis-registration gives me a neat thin line. And I'm always looking for another line. I'll add this to the silkscreen basket of techniques.

 

Take Two Thursday and Friday this Week

A student's work is captured by my phone camera off the computer. My workshop "Take Two" teaches improv skills with informed composition to take just two pieces of fabric as the base for a larger work. The two day class meets Jan. 14-15 (Thursday - Friday) in a live zoom -- and there is a space for more. Check https://www.patpauly.com/virtualclasses

 

Unwashed Vs. Washed

 

That large screen was used for this print. Top photo is before the washout, and bottom photo washed and blowing in the breeze (!) outside. Guessing what color will result is the biggest challenge for using thickened dye. 

Too Big to Fit

Good thing this studio has a concrete floor and can't be hurt with water. This large screen might be over kill or these circles. My challenge is to use its size for a motif. Think!
 

Old Screen in the New Year

This screen was made in 1986 for printing my wedding invitation. Its was "retired" a few years ago, and rediscovered today. The screen is about 38 x 24, and this soy wax image was still intact, so I've pulled a few prints. This is a monoprint from the table. 
 

Quick Break

I'm taking a class making books. Yes, it's been awhile since I've been a student, but this class looked fun. Here's an accordion book using some printed fabric. The little motif looked like mice, so I used my white pen to make them go sniffing for the cheese. Now I need to make cheeses.
 

Ready to Print

Getting ready to screen print tomorrow. I've got some prints with rubbings and stencils with parts ready for printing images from screens. That white space will be filled and changed. Nice to leave something for tomorrow.

Doesn't Take Long

We dove in to printing with stuff on top, stuff below, and ways to get that color scraped down. Attack the fabric from all directions! And for those who need to know, that triangular shape is a beer pong setup tool. Better used as a print tool than to play beer pong. 

 

I'm Ready

Monday I'll virtually welcome a class for Glorious Printers. I finished my setup a day ahead. All I need to do is plug in the computer and cameras. I've got loads of fabric ready, and dyes mixed. There's always a discovery for me each time I teach printing. That's the reason I can't wait.

Second Set for Breaking Apart

Here's another set of nine patch squares from my four fat quarters. This selection is holding together better, and I think it matters what the fabrics have in them. Definitely need one very different and two that are similar. 
 

Newest Bunny

I did finish the day in the studio getting set up and ready for Monday's printing week. But spent most of the day celebrating a little. Newest gift is a cast iron rabbit and print of two bunnies and the moon. More for my collection. These are better to see than my cleaning and organizing.