In the Mail

Just before I left on a family vacation I added a few more prints to my web site store. This went in the mail today. It's intense, and full of workable parts. Now I've returned and see more in the "need to add" pile, so I've work to do to get them added -- soon.
 

Lets Talk Density

These are two very different prints, but each with an element that is used as an overall pattern. One is very high contrast. the other has a lightness to it, still an overall. The difference is the density of the graphic. One filled in, one as outline. The linear one is more open, easier to add weightier graphics.
 

Lets Talk Motif

In my print classes we try to grab on open motif. These are both open, though the dark door is printed with so much dark, it would be difficult to layer anything over it. But it won't stand in for a figure or shape. Unless you use the entire shape that includes the print. So, only one open motif.
 

Four New Classes for Fall

 As we see green leaves turn to fall red, it's time to list my virtual Fall Workshops. I've got four -- two for designing and piecing, and two for printing with dye. One is meant to lead to the other in sequence, so take a look on my web site if you are curious. 

Transition

I'm always searching for graphics, and this shadow of leaves on a window describes our 9 hour drive from the Adirondacks to the civilization of Baltimore. I've some work to do here, and will get to transposing this in a few weeks when I'm back in the studio.
 

Saranac Lake Sweet Spot

 Art at the Pink House's Cris Winters offered her gallery as a place for me to host a Zoom class reunion Tuesday. Thank you!

Doesn't Matter

 Morning, noon, night. No matter the time of day,  the view of the mountain range from the lake's edge amazes. I could never come close to making such beauty. But I can hold this for inspiration. 

The View

 

The Adirondacks have always held that allure for me. So, I'll get a few days to take in the all I can soak up. You'll pardon my missing a day or two here.

On the Road

 It's been a while since I last road a bus. The journey took me through the fingerless, then a night there and then north. A family gathering and time away.

Washout Test

As I've processed some recent prints through the three washes (cold, warm, hot) I occasionally test for color fastness. Dry, washed fabric is sewn to a white back with cotton batting between. Then the stitching line is soaked with water, and if it bleeds, it's back in the wash. This is bleeding, so, a redo here.
 

Design Walls

My overbuilt design walls got a tryout today. I'm not yet ready to work in this studio, but I was eager to see how it felt to be able to compose and walk back from the wall to see the composition. This is such a treat, and a luxury -- to get distance from the wall. I like it.
 

Details

I've photographed a piece now in my new studio. I'm trying to get detail shots, and this one won't make it for submission. Oh, the color is fine, and the composition all right. And I think it shows the stitching and print quality. But it is square. And I'd rather show as much as I can in a horizontal. Redo!
 

Design Walls Started

Boring as it is, it has to be. I've overbuild these panels. The base is a hollow core door, a layer of "backer board", a layer of poly batting and then a layer of flannel. A friend cut french cleats for me, and one cleat is toggle bolted to the wall, the other on the panel. They'll be used, certainly. Just as soon as I can.
 

What Light Can Do

I liked the space before, but golly, add light an it really starts to make sense. I've started to ring the room with LED strip lights, and added a globe just for fun. There's more, but the ceiling is 12' high, and that ladder tall. So I'm going slow.
 

The Joy of Printing

It takes a few days to understand the limits and possibilities of using thickened dye to print. But then, wow. This is made in one go, just adding and adding, until Ann walks it out to the clothesline. The she'll go back and do it all again. Joy.

 

Sturgeon Moon Missed

I'm a few days late posting the Sturgeon Moon, and a super moon at that. You'll have to imagine this part of my three yards of blue polka dots as the fill in for that night's wonder. Thursday was a long day of printing, and most of the class worked full into the night. Moon's fault, I imagine.
 

Free Art Library

The Free Art Library thing is new to me. But Greenville Arms, the Inn that hosts the Hudson River Valley Art Workshops, has one with art from me! It's hard to see my three additions, but I got a snap before I "installed" them. I wonder how many of these Free Art Libraries there are?

 

Low Tech

If this was a Zoom-based class, these would be a PowerPoint lecture. But given the lovely grounds at Greenville Arms and the Hudson River Valley Art Workshop space, we had all the outdoors to use. Topic? Composition, motif, scale. What a great class and place to be.
 

Mini Exhibit

Isabelle stands among the works she's made.  The graphics and choice of design show her easy grasp of printing to cloth. 

 

It Only Gets Better

 We've started to populate the lines with some fabulous prints. And I've almost taught them all I know. Tomorrow is for more printing.

Field Trip To Olana

A field trip was in order. Our call was to visit Olana Historic Site and search for design inspiration in the decorative arts in the 19th century building. We did.
 

Beginnings

 For those who've been with me in a printing workshop, you will recognize these two pieces as beginnings. Our start for the week in a perfect setting.

What a Difference

As I get ready to teach this week at the Hudson River Valley Art Workshop I'm packing these two examples where I've used the same motif for two very different effects. They use the same screen, but have distinct compositional styles and sharpness in the print. I could go on!
 

Door Story

Studio 301 had a garage door access. Kinda goofy. 

So, with some help, I hung a door. This is the inside view.

The finished presentation. Red door and trim, a sign, and room for one yard of printed fabric. Inside is the good stuff. Oh, and painted floor.

 

Found and Design Walls

The design walls are taking shape. Although I know there is an easier way, I'm using my tried and true method of facing a hollow core door with "backer board" which is a lightweight homesote. Then covered in layer of poly batting, and then flannel. Stapled. French cleat to hang. And Found -- my box of prints!
 

Loss

I've been loosing lately. Which is not a good feeling. Somewhere is a box of printed fabric from my last class, and these are in it. There is also a fair amount of unprinted but soda soaked fabric as well. May be my carelessness, which makes the loss greater. 
 

Some Paint

Part of the floor is painted, and I'll move all the stuff on that to paint the remaining part Saturday. Tomorrow I'll assemble the design walls I have for now. I'd not realized that it would take so much prep. Makes you appreciate what goes into a well designed studio.
 

Life is a Paint Can (Photo)

We used to make notes, keep lists. Now, to remember something, I take a photo. And in selecting this night's post, well, this is about the only photo I took today. Which shows you were I'm at. Tomorrow I'll start painting the floor. And ordering flannel for the design walls. 
 

Recurring Themes

Sunday's walk presented two of my favorite subjects -- lines and leaves. I often used both when I print fabric, and like to juxtapose a linear screen with one that has a definitive large shape, usually one of a leaf. I was drawn to this duo, and now once I write about it, know why is is so attractive.