Strong Limbs

 There is that strong shape that anchors the array of magnolia flowers. This tree was planted in the late 1800s and is part of a half-mile stretch of magnolias here in Rochester. Sometime you have to find the inspiration and nail it to your blog post.

Off It Goes

 

I put up over a dozen new yards on my web site, only hoping that I really could keep them all for myself. This one has so much going for it, I wasn't surprised to see it go, but I wish it hadn't! <sigh>

Exhibit is Still a Thing

Isn't every phrase we say now prefaced with "It's been so long"? What I said over and over when I stopped to visit the Flower City Arts Center for a quick look-round. A photogravure exhibit was a delight, many new ideas, and images that took on the glow of the delicate printing process. 
 

Pillows Printed and Plumped

 Off they go to RIT Shop 1 for the spring collection of art and high craft on the RIT campus. I've got a few on my web site, but now more here for real squeezing. The bench stays home with me.

The Pink Moon

Perhaps tonight's pink moon is happy to be the sprig of leaf circling the earth. That way the moon won't be bothered with earth's climate crisis, pandemic, and oh so many woes. Besides, the moon's not been a part of the earth for eons. 

 

Line, Shape, Setting

This untraditional traditional looking Bow Ties quilt has all those bits of line, shape and setting that I'll cover in my July 20-21 class of that name. Of course, we look to made ours more abstract, but this appealing format works, too. Sign up if you've got the notion at www.patpauly.com/virtualclasses 

 

Pillow Girl

We've all heard of "My Pillow" so there's mine. These are heading out to Shop One 2 at RIT in a week or so in time for this summer's Jazz Festival. I've laid in the textures for now, and will add more layers. Printing fun, yes.
 

Busman's Holiday

While my car was in the shop for work, I went a few stores down and found a wallpaper store. One of my favorite sources for inspiration, and not just the graphics, the color and combinations of tones, are the designs that caught my eye. I could be talked into  getting some.
 

Studio Shots

I think this is the era of "looking at yourself". Asked by a magazine to supply an image of me in my studio, it took me days to get the courage, another day to get set up, and more time than I'd like to admit to get a printable shot. I've dozens now, all with that same mug. This is an out-take.
 

Printing Again

Back in the studio printing. I'm eager to get some prints made to replenish what has been purchased from my website. Of course, I want to keep all that I make, so I have to just love them for a while, then send them off. These will be in the "to go" set.
 

My Yard Before the Snow

The snow is about to fall, and this snap is the before. Before nature descends on nature. Today was a bit of reunion with Take Twoers and I'll talk to another bunch tomorrow. At least nature can't snow on our design walls, that is a constant. Those designs emerge, and we let them grow without interference.

Colorado Lecture Hall

I was in Colorado tonight -- virtually! What a great group of people, many who encouraged  me to keep talking, which I did. Here's what it looked like, and my scribbles to protect the innocent! Someday I'd like to meet them in reality. For now, this will do.
 

Doing My Homework

Take Two is just taking two pieces of fabric and using them exclusively for the composition. These are my two half yard pieces combined and one of the designs I got from the blocks I made. Ten intrepid fiber artists worked along on theirs as well. And yes, it was fun.
 

Take Two Again

A day of looking at improvisational design has my two half-yard piece back on the design wall for another look. And I must say that this one is looking promising. I am to send some auction quilts to QSDS soon, and perhaps this should connect, get quilted, and be on its merry way.
 

The Other Side ofthe Camera

Stacks of fabrics, wide design wall, table top machine, rigged camera, stuff, stuff, more stuff. All to show a few pointers and get the wheels spinning for day two of Take Two. Now to do this again for the weekend. 
 

Take Two Round One

Take Two and round one. My half yard + half yard's skinny line , which we won't be doing (awwwww) in this detail. I've got a "Line, Shape, Setting" class in QSDS in June 5-6 this year. Here's the link: https://www.qsds.com/classesbysession2021.html and that's where I'll be teaching that thin line!
 

Stop and Look

After dropping packages (of fabric going out) at the post office, I saw a great linear arrangement. Tiled brick with lovely cracking, like veins pumping life. I had to record. This is the stuff I try to remember when I print. 
 

Printing Under the Influence Anyone?

A space for one is open in the next Printing Under the Influence class in May. This is a live workshop (me in my studio, you in yours) over Zoom of five classes spread over two weeks. It's all about influences, printing, and making lots of fabric. Check my website for details. www.patpauly.com/virtualclasses
 

Housework

I've spent the last couple of days working on my daughter's new house. It is my kind of escape -- I don't check mail, phones, or anything earthly. Just paint, trim, clean, scrounge for food, repeat. Tomorrow it's back to work. 
 

Green Up

We're just about to burst in green trees, and this patch of flowers will give way to the next and next that will start to bloom. Rain will continue, for days at 100% (don't remember that being a forecast!) till we're in full on leaf out.
 

On Display

More often than I think, I make yards with a center medallion composition. Starting in the middle is satisfying, and it lets me give the outer ring another treatment or motif. This was named (by my web assistant) "On Display". You can see other odd names if you visit the shop. www.patpauly.com/shop
 

End of the Week

The week-long class in printing silkscreens is now put to bed. I was supposed to be the subject guide, but I found I learned so much -- a humbling experience. And the printing from the eight who worked with me was inspiring. And it was fun. Which is beyond good for these times. Thank you! 
 

What Now

I've often heard classes titled "What If" which confuses me. I'd say for this pile of unfinished work it should be "What Now?" which would force me to confront the inherent design and figure out its compositional strengths. Which I will. After I add more to the pile.
 

Guilding the Lily

By popular command, I demonstrated my meager knowledge of printing a breakdown screen. Of course, I've added more printing, and rubbing, and scraping color. Can too guild a lily.
 

Full Speed Ahead

Demonstrating screens with a soy wax resist was the topic today. I made six images, then printed them in succession. So, there was no time to take time! These just landed on the floor dripping away. Usually they are set on a table with a bump up at the head to keep them nearly horizontal. 
 

Calm Before the Storm

A screenshot of the moments before class. Dyes are ready, gloves, apron and a stack of printed fabric. The over head auxiliary camera wasn't needed, so that'll come off. I loved today, and such a great group of people. How can I be so fortunate to spend the day with this group?  

Getting the Dyes Ready to Print

Pro Chemical and Dye ships in a day for me, and I love their service. I'll pick two reds, two blues, two yellows, a black and chartreuse for my palette. I find I can get most every color I need from these eight. I'll mix each with pro print paste (Pro Chem product) to make 3/4 quart for a week's printing.

Shared Scene

I know that there are at least eight other people who have a stack of soda-soaked fabric ready to print. There's a video in this blog (search under "video" for it) on how I do it, complete with tips. These are folded and ready to go. Monday is Just Silkscreens, and I'm sticking to that. 
 

The View From Where I Sit

Untidied and as is, I've got a hunk of fabric printed years ago draped over a bench. Part of the undecided life of furnishing the house. Which is fine. Who wants to be finished?
 

Returning

I'm closer to home, but first I've a stop at the old house to help get the house ready for moving in. Not for me, I'm staying put! But this is the morning's greeting, and it warmed up enough to saw on the porch. Returning to spring warm, I hope.