Set Design

Setting the blocks means that I have to start somewhere. So, they fall in order. I'll put them and take them in  a dozen ways till I find it pleasing as new shapes are formed, and it becomes some recognizable compositional style. 
 

Grid Iron

Back to my design wall and work on this piece. I've now sectioned the strips into squares. They see so disparate, but that is where the challenge comes in. Can you make the composition stand up with all these strange dissections? 
 

Trusty at the Ready

Getting ready for a class means setting up camera, lights, cords, chairs, yikes. Somehow I got a burst shot of a hundred closeups of the old Bernina that is at counter height for quick seams. So, now I can delete them. Line, check; shape, check; setting, save for Friday.
 

Disassemble to Assemble

The next step is to cut apart the large glob I made into strips. I'll later cut them again. This is the most fun part, because it is almost random. The magic comes from the fabric picks, and the graphics found in them.
 

First Steps

I took two yard pieces of printed fabric, cut them in half, then combined one set of the halves into sets. You saw that yesterday. Now I'll take and combine them with the other half, above. Part of the fun of "Make It and Break It".
 

On the Design Wall

I had already made this randomly pieced column (at right) and brought it to the new studio. Now with space to explore I'll cut this into sections and see what comes of it. 
 

Circling Back

I finally had a chance to circle back to my "other" studio and get a few things checked off my list. I even had time to move some fabric around on the wall. The morning was a lecture to a great Florida group, the afternoon singing in a (almost empty) pub with friends, just a practice session. Full day.
 

Yes, Joan, Ice Cream

Demos care little for how the space looks as I flip through pieces that I'm working with. The week's class is over, I've picked up the floor, wiped down the tables, put away the gear. Now, Joan, is my ice cream reward. 

 

Throw Down the Glove

A fellow printer recommended these Showa 730 gloves for printing. I like the fleece lining for ease in getting these off fast enough to answer my phone. Not that there's many calls, but if there is, must be important. 
 

Where It Falls

The first fall day and I was printing -- a demo, of course --- with a "print the table" process. I love the soft strike that a  monoprint makes, and if I print from a graphic on the surface, I can draw through that graphic to change it. More color and printing after that pull gave me this. 
 

Printing Demo

Sometimes I can demonstrate a printing technique and have a chance afterward to finish the piece. This was printing with cut paper. I followed with stenciling. It looks high contrast and bright, but my guess is that it will lighten since the base color is turquoise. We'll see.
 

Setting Up a Background

Virtual Glorious Prints started today. I layered some prints as background for more printing techniques in the next days. And looking at these, I think that the falling leaves has started to influence my color pallet. Well, at least it's not snowing. Yet.
 

Checking In

Yesterday I got in a quick visit to RIT and Shop One. A piece I've there is a whole cloth print that seems content to share space with other works. This gallery shop on the campus has a range from fine art to fine craft. And it was hopping when I visited. All good.
 

New Pin-up Wall

I've added a second pinnable wall to the studio. After a great search to find studs (at 24" apart!) I screwed my backerboard directly to the wall. I then added a layer of poly batting, then white flannel. Now there are two spots for work. This is 8' wide and 7'6" tall. (Note to my reader: I'll use the doors elsewhere.)
 

Details Tell All

Susan Griffith's work "big" at the Made in New York exhibition intrigued me. The collage held layers of printed imagery and drawn marks that united for a large and graphic effect. I'd say it was my favorite piece there 
 

Made in New York

Helen May showed up in one of my classes. She made some bold prints, and established her own style. This is a detail of a piece Helen made that I saw yesterday at the Schweinfurth's "Made in New York" exhibit. What fun to see this in person. You go, Helen!
 

How Do You Catch Light?

A sidetrip to the Willard Memorial Chapel in Auburn today is always worth the time. Trying to capture this Tiffany chandelier was difficult; it's fitted with LED lights. But the colors are spectacular, the cut glass "turtlebacks" a great element. If you're in Auburn, visit.
 

The Return

In (or around) 1988 I was lucky to purchase this Bernina 1120. I brought it to this building and used it a few studios down the hall. It's now returned, albeit a new space. But still going strong. Time keeps a continuous loop. 
 

Grids

Some grids are obvious, some not. This pegboard for carafes struck me as both random (color, placement) and rigid (pegs spaces out in a common grid) so that the happenstance left me pleased. Note that this is a righthanded cleaner-upper. 
 

Music to Start, Music to End

This weekend was a Folk Festival here, and this morning I got there early to be in a couple of great workshops. The afternoon and evening was a friend's wedding, which ended the day with music and merriment. How could I be any luckier?
 

Harvest Moon

In the early evening I was at a folk festival just outside of Rochester. The surrounding countryside is full of crickets and lit by this lovely harvest moon. I love September days.
 

Love Plaid

I've made a very simple screen that behaves like a plaid. It has big strokes of dark, so that when I cross it I can get the transparency of color to overlap and "weave" like a plaid. I'll do more. 
 

Your Seat is Available

I'll start the fall virtual classes in a week and a half from now. There is one spot left in Glorious Prints. Anyone who's taken this class will tell you how much there is to learn, and how accomplished they became in five days. So, don't take my word for it. 
 

Setting Sail

Ingrained in my bones is that start of the school year, every year. Like forever. As a student, then teacher, then parent, that first day brought a clenched stomach feeling. I've finally gotten past it; it took years. Happy to just love September for what it is, that transition to fall.
 

Time for Juki

Although I bought this Juki in May, I'm now getting around to setting it up and trying it out. So far, so good. I'll like the features that I've never owned, like the automatic scissors cutter. And I'm happy to drive with some increased speed. We'll see how it goes.  

New Scarves for Fall

I've just finished getting scarves ready to add to the web site store (maybe tomorrow?) and realize that I was in a definite pink mood. Must be that end of summer heat. And I swear, I really want to print silk for a blouse. Maybe the next time I'm at the print table. 
 

In the Mail

To start the virtual fall classes I've a printing class in a few weeks. And I thought I'd mail the white plastic and sheet of tyvek to them so they don't have to hunt around for them. So, they'll go out in Tuesday's mail. If this was in person teaching, I'd be bringing them along with me. Thanks all who are in the class!
 

It's Hard to Know

An amalgam of techniques was used here, most likely for a demo at the Hudson River Valley Workshop class. After it came home, I added the strong striped shapes across the top. And probably the background color. It's hard to know if I should keep this, but I think I'll let it go. Off to the web shop.
 

Fire, and a Cautionary Tale

Students check back now and again. Today one wondered why, after putting her soda-soaked fabric in the dryer, it started on fire and drew three fire trucks. Though I've written in the instructions "Never put soda-soaked fabric in the dryer" I need to amend with "because it'll start a fire." Lessons!
 

Surrounded

On last week's visit to Baltimore I found myself in a very public park. Baseball games, dogs walking, lots of park traffic. But there was a giant weeping willow that was left alone to droop to the ground. And if you went "inside" you would be hidden from the park world. What to make of that?