Going With Me to Australia

I'm packing this one to take to Australia. Called "The Edge of Autumn" for the simple reason that I'll be entering their fall, leaving our spring for a week. This was one that I designed in Studio 301, and I hope the next studio will afford the same vibes.
 

Art Exposure

My neighbor was a portraitist, I knew as her daughter's pal. She had a 'studio' and was paid to paint oil portraits. One day she was keeping an eye on me and sketched this. I think I was five. Art was a curiosity for me, not a home-based practice. I was lucky to have exposure to her work, and this as a remembrance. 
 

Recon Missions

In between travels is a project that promises rewards. But it will take time and effort. I'm getting ready to set up a new studio, but first comes dismantling the old one and shifting a lot of things around. Plus outfitting the joint. So, new lights, new walls, new everything. Reconnaissance for now. 
 

New Ain't Better

My print paste has a new formula, and I find when it's left on the screen, and dries, it doesn't wash out completely. So, a bit of scrubbing may help, but so far, it's staying put. I'll keep in mind that next time I print, and make sure I wash it out at the end of the printing day. New, not as good.

Ahead Three Steps

I've three places where I'll be teaching printing before we officially hit summer. This are name tags for the third batch of fabric-- the Pacific Northwest Art School in Coupeville, Washington, June 15-19, and before that Schweinfurth Art Center May 29-31, and first Alegre Retreat, Colorado April 27 - May 1. Seats still!

 

Why We Need Guest Rooms

My guest room is off my kitchen, much like my grandmother's bedroom I remember from the 50s. My office too, and it's the heart of administration. It affords me a landing place for packing -- this time for Melbourne, Australia and the AQC in April. Exhibition, workshop, and lecture make for full cases.

 

Tweeking

I'm trying to get these three blocks ready to ship to Crafty Monkies for the project that involves five other fiber artists. I needed to unpick stitches that were over the given size for this block, and also add quilting up to that line (pinned to delineate). Tedious is something I hate, but I know this needs my attention. 

 

Travel

Headlines around the country relate long lines at security gates for American flyers. I had no problem with flights, with the exception of lousy seat mates, but that's the luck of the draw. I'm landed, in the washing clothes phase, and now repacking for Australia in a couple of weeks. Lots to do ahead of that. 
 

Simple is as Simple Becomes

 Mark Rothko at the Portland Museum will always have me believing complex can be simple. These color field paintings continue to impress me especially when I'm at the printing table and see the color shifts that mixing dye can do. As well as driving home that abstraction is swell, and enough.

Art Imitates Life

A visit to the Portland Museum of Art and the David Hockney show brought this juxtaposition. I asked the visitor if I could take his picture, and gosh, it's just like David was here himself. Life keeps doing this -- bringing me these dual images. 
 

Give Me a Panorama

Up on the rooftop of a new build in Portland, Oregon is a panoramic view of the hills (mountains?) around the city. Mt. Hood the most noticeable but also the dome of Mt. St. Helens (off this view). We finally had a clear day with warmth to boot. So, a good sightseeing day for contemporary design. 
 

Obsessed with Color

Near the workshop space in Vancouver is an exhibit of fiber works that used a challenge to express an assigned color. The High Fiber Diet group is a part of the Columbia Fiber Arts Guild in Portland, Oregon. Beautiful works, abundant talent!

Mutual Admiration Society

My favorite circle is to ask the printers to choose a piece they admire of another printer. It's the best time to hear why they admire the work, what parts they love, and especially the surprised happy response from the maker. I had a glorious time in Portland/Vancouver, even this brief time for Just Silkscreens..
 

Evolving Line

We've lucked out with columns to string clothesline between to hang our prints. Keeping to "Just Silkscreen" isn't difficult, there's a myriad ways to use them. And we'll explore one more day before rolling up the floor and head home.
 

In the Thickener of It

First day of Just Silkscreens in Vancouver, Washington and we're printing a storm, which matches the constant rain outside. Blessed with an expanse of space to spread out, and talented and knowledgeable fiber artists, I expect we'll see more great prints hanging up tomorrow. And more rain.

Setup Time

 An odd photo of Bob where we take a moment to capture the space behind us in Vancouver, Washington (across from Portland) where he spent the better part of the day setting the room up for a printing class. I've never been in a such a spacious hall, it takes the cake. Thank you Bob, Katie, and Karen!

On the Road

I'd not a lot of time to get in the wonderful artwork that is throughout Portland, Oregon's airport. Believe me, I'll be lingering on my way out. I'm here for a lecture, then a three day workshop "Just Silkscreen" where we'll be printing like crazy. Time is short!
 

Rembering

The weather made a walk around the block easy, and I visited the weeping cherry planted in the nearby church yard landscape in honor of my mother-in-law. The identification tag is gone, and the reason for being planted is fading from memory as well. How life cycles, remembers, then forgets.
 

Two Sided for Complex Carrier

I spent way more time on this than I had wanted, but then, making something always beats anything else, except maybe ice cream. It's 12'' high, and will go on to the Allegre Retreat in Gateway Canyon for their auction. 
 

Half-Way in the Bag

My Allegre auction bag is half-way finished. I've to add the seams and handles and maybe sign it somewhere. There would be another bag if I hadn't procrastinated on this one. Today the weather hit 74 degrees, with lighting and thunder, as well as sun and a good melt-down. See? Distraction!

Doesn't Cut It -- Yet

You know that I toss fabric up on the design wall to see how it behaves with others. This one isn't there, and that's all right. Not every thing has to work, and lord knows I've hundreds more to choose. This photo is a great way to know it's not a good match, and it's the start of the process for design work.
 

Back to Normal

I've set the studio to its rightful orientation after hosting a printing class. With a returned quilts from Shop One, and a platter full of bottled water, I'm ready for First Friday at Studio 301. My guess is that most of my faithful readers are not in Rochester, NY, but should you ever visit, I'm happy to meet you here.
 

Bag Prototype

 

Thanks to the random algorithm from Instagram, I learned from a random post how to make that flat bottom on a bag. So I've practiced and figured out how to stiffen the fabric, how to trim, how to treat the edges, and weight of the bag. Now to get it made!

Many Moons

I'd have a hard time trying to capture tonight's full Snow Moon through this thick cloudy night. But I've got better -- a whole slew of moons printed on 7 ounce painter's canvas. I love the lightweight of this and use it for covering chair cushions. I plan to make a bag (!!) for the Allegre retreat, for auction. 
 

Surprise

I've had the hot water tank stoked to 'very hot' and results are in. This is a large piece, perhaps yard  by 60". I can't say what it'll become; I'm tempted to make a garment, though it may be a bit bold. I'd have no problem wearing this as a coat.
 

Wash Day

I had a full car load of materials to get back to the home studio from the week long class in the city. These screens all needed a good hosing down. They'll go back into service soon, as I try to catch up with works that are half-finished. 

 

More Music

Third night of music, this time at the Eastman Theater to hear the philharmonic. Lovely evening and in a spectacular setting. I'm thankful to have music all around me, its a constant companion.

 

Songs of Protest

The concert's organizers were moved by the killings in Minnesota as well as the state of the union. They assembled 20 singer-songwriters who volunteered their time to sing to a packed house and offer songs of protest. I feel honored to know many of these people who performed, and be part of that dedicated crowd.
 

A La Carte

I was tasked with selecting two quilts to send to Allegre for the week I'll be there in April. Knowing I'll be traveling directly to Chicago afterwards, I thought this work "A La Carte" would speak to printing (Allegre) as well as Within the Frame's design's workshop (Northern Suburban Needlearts Guild).
 

Birthday Flowers

We've had a winter of show and getting fresh flowers for my birthday is always a treat, if for no other reason than we need that dose of spring-to-come-soon feeling. I topped the day with a jazz performance in a small theater setting. Good way to usher in the next year.
 

More On the Line

I spent another day in the design studio that I'd turned into a print studio. I experimented with a soy way screen that gave me an allover design. I'm hoping to use these for garments, although can't say just what, but washout will help determine.
 

What Is THAT

When I printed with my 'strong' turquoise, it was as dark as the mixing blue. The turquoise was the first layer, the blue the second. I got severe lightening being in a cool room, so it did not bind as it could in warmer temp. But this effect of the first layer blocking the second is gooey! You are seeing it washed.
 

I Was at QuiltCon, Sort Of

It's hard to miss social media flooding works from QuiltCon. I was surprised that I had a piece there, sort of. Sharron Sarchet purchased this piece from my website (above as it appeared) added  lovely quilting for a wholecloth quilt. I'm not sure I got credit as designer or co-maker, but was seen an admired.
 

Impromptu Critique

I love an impromptu discussion on the merits of a piece, which is what we're doing here with works done after class for a few tudio days before the studio is returned to a sewing/design space. I'll have some time next week to work on some larger scale pieces, but then need to return to design. 
 

Fashion Show

Tonight's fun was a fashion show organized by Gabby, an RIT student with a theme of Afro-punk at the University Gallery. The style was cool, glittery, edgy, and metallic. Kudos to the crew and support team. I enjoyed the look and the power it brought.
 

Leaves Even in Winter

I have great hope for this print, is has a varied background with defined leaves. Washing out is tomorrow in between getting taxes ready to go. So, the good with the dreary. 
 

Good Day, Nothing to Show

I printed in studio 301 today, the one that was set up for last week's printapalooza. And totally forgot to take photos. At home I landed, clicked on the fire, and did all I could to not fall asleep. How does time fly so fast? This is my only photo for the day. Promise tomorrow will be documented.
 

Trip Out but In Town

Half hour out of Rochester and it's country, rolling hills, little towns, sweet life. I spoke tonight to an artists group who were gearing for their April Exhibition. They were wonderful and kind, plus they found some of my jokes funny. That's worth the drive out! Thank you West Wayne Art Group.

 

Four Square

 

Prints through the wash let me know lots. Is this new motif strong? Are the colors holding, or are some wimping out? Which can I combine, and which will lend themselves to a minor role? And is there one that has text or letterforms? I'm eager to prints more. This is a set of four pieces.

Studio Flip Design to Print

My dear blog friends, you know what the my studio looks like when I'm designing works, hosting a First Friday, or working on a project. Here is a view of midweek where printing is in progress and works are getting built. A different way to use the studio, and keep in mind, we were only six in the room,

Finger Lakes Fiber Artists

I belong to a small and diverse group of fiber artists (Finger Lakes Fiber Artists) that gets together every couple of months to share work, their goings on, and information on exhibitions, opportunities, and professional well-being. Plus, it's just a nice group of friends. 
 

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.