Good to Talk

Spreading out to the main hall outside of Studio 301 we gathered to talk about the work a it progressed. This was a private group of printers who braved the snows of upstate New York to print for a week. No frills, just a chance to dive deep into printing on cloth. And to talk art for five days.
 

Washout

I've washed out the first set of prints, where I've used a weaker mixture of thickened dyes. We're working in a room that is at most 65 degrees. The effect of the cold on the dyes setting is that it is a weaker bond, hence lighter colors. I'm fine with that as I lack lighter prints as a whole. Plus I know how to fix this.
 

Same Motif, Different Models

The assignment for the day was to start two identical prints, but finish each in a different way. My table was getting more and more complicated with tools, but I managed to finish a couple of prints that I hope will hold their brilliance through the wash. 
 

Screen Day Begins

My favorite printing method is the silkscreen. The techniques, applications, happenstance, and compositional choices are nearly endless. One could be paralyzed with the choices, but that's sometimes the fun. I'll be teaching "Just Silkscreens" end of May at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, NY.

Printing Day

The studio was flipped from a sewing/design space to a print space for the week. We all braved the sub zero temps for the drive in, but are promised above freezing tomorrow. Let's hope. Day one was fun, focused, and we were all in by the end of the day. The screens show up next.
 

Looking for Space

After tripping over camera and lights for a virtual class, it was more than tempting to seek a space that would give me elbow room. So, a Sunday visit to an open house offered this solution. Can't say I'm ready to move, but I am always looking. 
 

New Big Leaf Day

With the snow fall, temps in single digits, I spent the day virtually with the Ohio Modern Quilt Guild making The New Big Leaf. I ended with a demo leaf, and I like the quirkiness of it. If I had time, I'd finish, but tomorrow I'll set the stage for a print class, if I can get out of the drive. Still not shoveling.

 

First Friday Fab Four

Shameless self-promotion not from me, but a great group who stopped in to visit on First Friday. What fun, especially with one who shares my birthday. I'll have to send him a birthday card! The best laughs I've had all week, this is a great crew. 
 

Ready for Saturday

Saturday the Ohio Modern Quilt folk will join me in a virtual workshop to work with freezer paper methods for construction. We'll take on The New Big Leaf, and it's wonderful to see how each interpretation differs from the next. I'll put up the thermostat, it's a chiller out there.
 

Still Not Shoveling

The lump of snow outside my door is mainly most of my roof (I raked it 2 weeks ago) but the stuff on the chair and table are fresh from the sky. Today was set up day -- gathering what I'll need -- for next week's printing class. And hours and hours of computer wrestling files to send off. Why am I thinking of spring?
 

Third Block

At 18" square, this one might be my favorite. It has the raw strokes of the printed mark, some of the 'print the table' action, and a bit of improv piecing. I've only to mark the corners and send it off to England. It will be some time before it is combined, but that's fine. I'm happy to finish this before spring shows.
 

Second Block

The smallest block meant for the collaborative quilt measures 9 x 18. I've pieced the heart, the thin lines, and the rest relies on the printed fabric. The red of the heart is cut from printed fabric. 
 

Snow Moon

Sitting in the northeast states, we're used to snow. As a Buffalonian by birth, I've got snow in my blood. So this latest cover of snow, and no surprise, cold, greets this full moon with a clear night sky and a landscape that can be seen in its light. This detail of a work sent India, fills in for tonight's moon. 
 

One Down

 

The block I made in the "Make It & Break It" method turned out swell, so that's finished and ready to go. It's be a 'block' as part of a group quilt, and this one is 18 x 27 It's part of a project for Crafty Monkies, which I'm nearly finished with. Ya Hoo!

Here's the Fun

As a demonstration of improv and using templates, I took last week's prints and combined a few to make this large blog. Those who know my 'ways' know what I'll do next. With luck, it'll be finished tomorrow, and then you'll see how it has been tamed.
 

Project Progress

I've been working on a project with Craft Monkies which included making three blocks for a group quilt. All or these fabrics were printed for the project, and I filmed making them. Now it's time too put the into blocks. The frames indicate the sized of the blocks -- a tool I find extremely helpful
 

Revealing

I hadn't hope to see much of anything in the dark goo I washed out, but hey, there's something there. It's a moody looking piece, and I'll make it into something, Takeaway would be to know the final value of the color, and I knew it was going to present as light. 
 

Blind Faith

 At the end of a printing session there was alot of dark leftovers. I've under printed a leaf motif, then spread over all weak aqua mixed with stuff from the table. Looks frightful, and might be just that, but I've got a wager that the dark on top will tame down. I'll wash out tomorrow and see.

More Printing

I've continued with demos for Crafty Monkies today. Printing the screens, adding rubbings, talking motif, and mixing color were all that went into my rambling thoughts as I printed one after another. Can't wait to wash out to see the dye strength, Tomorrow!

 

New and Just Hung Up

With a new foot of snow landing throughout the day, it was the perfect time to finish quilting this whole cloth print. Facings are done, sleeve attached, and tomorrow after the snowplow has come, I'll deliver it. It'll travel Wednesday to its home in India, and I hope that it will be welcomed. 
 

On the Longarm

A friend's request had me suggesting a selection of whole cloth pieces, and I'm now quilting her choice. I love quilting what I've printed, as the road map is already there. Hope to finish soon, and am looking forward to staying in for the snowfall expected tomorrow. 
 

Get Ready

We're forecast for a winter storm, and I'm fine staying in. I've lots of work to catch up on, a couple of exhibition calls to answer, and a gas fireplace if all else fails. And if that's the case, don't worry about a skip in this blog. We'll survive and double up when it's clear. Stay safe!

 

Try On for Size

I've cut frames to edit three block sizes for the project I've sign on for. They are 9 x 18, 18 square, and 27 x 18. These do fit -- just -- on a piece of my printed fabric, but leave no room for choosing different sections. It's a demonstration for selecting compositions that are compelling.
 

Captures

Another day of fooling with cameras and sound to get the stage set for videos on how I work on a project. This is for Crafty Monkies, and will air mid-year. But first, I need to get the set nailed. Or printed, you might say.

 

When the Stars Align

Printing textiles that use the same pallet a well as a common motif, and most importantly, a common edge color make these works flow from one to another. I spent some time at the studio with more to try. The first two were printed during Australia printing week, and I don't think I can wait to use them!
 

Bit of Color to Wake You

 

Some of the prints I made along side the class of Australian printers were added to my website store. Color is strong, some were bumped with extra strength after proofing them against the color temperature of the wintertime studio. Testing the print mix strength is a must to know what you'll get. I want color!

Pattern Language

I can remember my childhood wallpaper. Patterns were all around me, and now that I've cleaned a cupboard, I realize that mom's teacups were part of that learning heritage. Live with pattern, learn.
 

Should've Stayed Home

I added about two dozen new prints to my website store. I chose them because #1 I have many and #2 I have others. Some I know I shouldn't let go, and when they do, have a tinge of remorse. Then I remember reasons #1 and #2. Have fun, new owner!
 

Repopulate

New prints were added to the design studio. One was a fragment with renewed life from dropped color, and it wants to chat with another piece that was waiting for that friend. I've made small progress on the winter project, but mainly set up the studio for tomorrow's virtual workshop "New Big Leaf".
 

Project for Crafty Monkies

I'm still playing around with glue here to see if it's usable to screen print. Crafty Monkies has gathered a half-dozen artists to create a work, as well as document how it was created. So, I'll be starting that soon. The theme is "Where is the Love" so I had a go at script. I'll keep you posted.
 

Glue Trick

Karen Cummings (KCummings.art) posted IG where she used dribbled paint, dried, then added to a collage. I tried washable glue on a sheet of freezer paper, dried it, and set it behind a screen. I'll check tomorrow if the glue removes clearly after being covered with thickened dye. Thanks, Karen!
 

Surprise Posting

 I was surprised to see my "In the Weeds" quilt show up on Instagram to highlight a workshop June 15-19  for the Pacific Northwest Art School in Coupeville, Washington. I love teaching there, and I'm thinking that I need to emphasize printing for wearables because we're going big and bold, of course!

Motif Explained

I added the print where I used the motif shown yesterday. But you've already see this, so I'll add another. Seems like it paid off to print using the same palette, and now these two could be easily combined into a larger work. I have plans!

Sources

Surface Designers develop patterns for applied design on various things from wallpaper to stationery to upholstery and beyond. I have found patterns in source books equally in my photographs. This one is a take on the flower motif. I'll show you how I've used it tomorrow. 

 

Challenge Your Selfies

Second Saturday was today with a round of artists talking about their work. Beth explained her portrait in oil, a serious rendition of herself, and very similar to what she is today. I spoke on my abstract piece, others on their portraits, and all were engaging. Take in a challenge, always worth it.
 

Just Silksceen Printing

The Schweinfurth Art Center will host my workshop for three days this May 29-31, 2026 -- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 to 4, . As the title of the workshop goes, it is Just Silkscreens, so be prepared for some large scale, vibrantly colored prints. And it'll be during the opening of the SDA show, a bonus! 

 

Results Double Time

Finished the two prints that started out the same, and ended up differently. It's also the end of a week with Australian printers who will be in my workshop this April in Melbourne at the Convention. So much fun this week with this lovely group. Now for a nightcap and sleep. Thank you printers!
 

Double Your Pleasure

Intrepid Australians are in my online workshop this week (they start very early, I start very late) and we've taken on the print double prints, finish each in a different way. My start is above, and for that I've used a silkscreen with a soywax drawing on the back. Part two tomorrow.

 

Time for THE TALK

No matter the class, everyone gets to hear the lecture on Pat's seven compositional styles. Can't escape hearing  her tips for how to design from a blank yard/wall/theme. And if you repeat a class (ah, those repeat offenders) you'll get to hear it all over again. It's for the good.
 

How It's Done Well

Ellen Meeker's work Chairs from the Quilts=Art=Quilts exhibition amazed me. The composition, the subject matter, but more importantly, the exquisite detail and construction difficulty was superb. I'll put her statement below to show how she properly explained this work (and not her entire life). 

 

Full Wolf Moon

Judy Rosenberg's self-portrait seems a fitting full moon for January. Part of a portrait show, this ceramic has wonderful soulful faces, much like the man in the moon. I know I'm a day late reporting the full moon, but the wolf made me wait.
 

Where It Was

I went back to see Quilts=Art=Quilts before it closes Sunday. I'm always curious how the staging is set for these fiber works. My Lotusland is balanced with a large portrait by Fuzzy Mall (lower) and a pieced medallion by Laura Hartrich (upper). They all have great breathing room. 
 

First Friday Frivolity

First Friday had a live band down the hall, loads of folks oblivious to the 20 degree temperature (hey, it stopped snowing!) and looking for a chance to get out of the house and shake off the company of the holidays. I rehung the gallery walls, cleared off the tables, and opened a box of cookies. Feast!