Not Going

Player Piano was sent to Quilts=Art=Quilts for submission along with another work. This one was not accepted, but the other was. It's about 9 feet wide, or maybe more. I still think it's a strong composition, but I can see that having two accepted is rare. 
 

Portland and Hockney

I can't remember if I showed you this picture. While in Portland this spring I went to the Portland Art Museum with a friend who knew David Hockney when he was just landed in New York and she was a teen. During the exhibit I was struck by the resemblance of this visitor to Hockney's self-portrait. Hm.
 

Turning

The majority of the house reno is over, but there is still a lot to finish as well as unpack. The view from my deck in early morning hints at a change in weather, and soon I'll be back in the studio where I long to be for more of the day than I can spend during this transition. That is the change I'm longing for. 
 

Using the Past

Tiles that were purchased for the other house thirteen years ago became the back of the powder room vanity. I've always loved these tiles and it would be a shame to never use them. The walls match the tiles, this photo has poor color representation. I love that they are finally being put to good use.
 

Kitchen Taking Shape

 Doors and drawers appeared in the kitchen today. We're still a way to go, but it's nice to see how things will look. I've a ton of painting to do, and massive cleaning up, but at least we can see that this is worth the trouble. 

While Tornados Hit

After working on this townhouse all day, mainly painting, I took myself out to hear some live music. I did see the tornado warnings, and yes, they were in the counties I was crossing, but all seemed ok. When they touched down, I was safe in a concrete building, satisfied with the choice I made to hear some tunes. 
 

Details

I wanted to show as much variation in surface design techniques in my detail. Some of the printing I can figure out, some I can't. Although I aim to have a definitive strike, I often have elements that 'appear' through happenstance of dye left on a tool or picked up from another print. No need to know it all.

 

QN and the Way They Do

Each year, starting sometime, the Dairy Barn and host of Quilt National, make a personal poster for each of the entries they allow. Cleaning my flat files had this surface. This entry was 26 years since my first acceptance in 1983. I was a mere babe then, and could have gotten the young artist prize (under 30), sigh. 
 

Recon Mission to Ikea

The studio is needing these legs from Ikea. They telescope from table height to counter height. Perfect. Saw them on my visit to Syracuse to pick up more items to build the kitchen. It will end soon, let's hope.
 

Music on the Porch Day

The International Music on the Porch day was today, and here I'm waiting to go on after my friend Phil. I sang my little set, then came home to finish some house reno stuff. This afternoon I gave a talk in Naples about their historic quilt collection. I forgot to take photos, so we're going with music. It's been a full day.
 

Details Details

Quilt National 2027 has the submissions open for entries. I dug around to see if any of my works qualify, mainly, if they had been exhibited elsewhere. I found three, and this is a detail of one. I try to make the detail a horizontal shot with an interesting composition. Now I've ticked QN 2027 off my to-do list.
 

Eclipse of the Moon

Tonight's full moon promises an eclipse, but I'm not staying awake for that. I'll tease you with this perfect cantalope and a shot off the bow (from the deck) of my moon playing among the clouds for comparison.

 

My Favorite White Plastic

Having a complete long roll of white plastic, the kind we use in my printing workshop,  makes for a decent slip and slide for the East Coast hot summer.

Telluride and Printing Fabric

 A look at my demo and work table at Quilting by the Lake last month gives you an idea of the size of prints we make in class. Think of joining me in Telluride in September 23 - 28 printing fabric. It's at the Ah Haa School there. Check my website for details.

The Grout Color Card

Bleached Wood is the color I want, but in reality, it is much lighter. So, learning that wet thickened dye on fabric gets lighter when 'dry' and a bit lighter after washing, I'll apply that lesson and get Warm Gray. 
 

Yellow is the New Color

I stopped over to see my old garden today to find that the golden yellow has taken center stage. Deer have started to ravage, er, eat many of the plants, but seem to have left these alone. I love that they are carring the same hue, just different shapes and scale. Hey, just like a good design.

Looking at Next Saturday

The exhibit in Naples, New York at the Cleveland House Museum, is where I'll be this Saturday, August 29 to give a talk about their collection of quilts. Several that were money makers for orgainzations by asking for donations to add their name to the quilt. Charming group of these signature quilts.
 

Quilting Tools

One of my christmas gifts sat unopened until today. I asked for a laser leveling tool and hadn't bothered till now when I needed to match the existing tile to the new flooring to complete the laundry room's floor. Now that I see it's simple, I'll take it to the new studio and use it to square up large quilts. Can't wait.

 

Evening with Stars

Somewhere on that stage Brandi Carlile is singing her heart out. She was still going strong, and I mean strong, after 2 hours. CMAC is in Canandaigua, around the corner from Rochester, and it was a brilliant clear night. So, stars would be expected.
 

Odd Things Happen

Tonight was music at Tunes by the Tracks. Greg and Dave are seasoned, gifted musicians. Thinking I'd capture them my camera did this. Some setting, some function, some odd thing I can't figure out made the background disappear. I think this might be usable for the leaf pics I love, but darned if I can figure how.

 

Taking in the Heights

The ceiling is going back, but this time to 9 1/2 feet instead of the 7 and 8 feet previously. My days are keeping ahead of these two detail orientated men with the where, how, what, and when answers at the ready. This is the kitchen which got most of the attention, and it needed it. Onward.
 

Summer's Break

This is sunrise from my deck. You can see my neighbor's stair to their deck, but that's about all the intrusion there is on this view. I realize that my summer has been wrangling this townhouse into shape, and I know that this vista will still be there when I've more time. But I do love this changing sky on the ridge.
 

Random Items from Unpacking

Unpacking the studio boxes is slow, and as I go through them, I find parts from the past decades that offer a glimpse of the workshops I took, often as the host for my regional quilt club. These paper-pieced blocks I made in a one-day workshop with Karen K. Stone many years back. She has a beautiful sense for pattern.

Back to the Grind

 The floor project continues. I've taken out partial tiles and we'll see how plugging in new ones goes tomorrow.  Oh, I did use a grinder.  Big help.

Formal Garden

A friend visited today and we had a little time to grab lunch and poke around the Eastman House Museum. We think this is set for a wedding later on this weekend. This museum is a treasure, and its collection of prints and film is formidable. I'll go back when I've more time. 

Behind Me

I'm standing at my front door looking out, which is the stance I need for a positive attitude. Behind me are sheets of drywall about to go up, lighting cords dangling about, and stacks of tile that need to be processed. It's a good chaos and a quiet summer, but looking forward it'll be wonderful.
 

The Definitive Mark

Printed marks from my work in a class this spring show the infinite variables in motif and lines. I'll be in Telluride, Colorado this September 24-27 at the Ah Haa School for a class I call 'The Definitive Mark'. There's room should you want to join us; it should be magical.  https://canvas.ahhaa.org/classes/656
 

Scale in Motif

I had a query about motif on work that scales up, 14" to 28" for example.  If the motif stays the same in relation to the size of the 'frame' then it is either too large (for the small work) or too small (for the larger work) It becomes -- if small-- background, or busy if medium, or the portrait if left large to fill the frame. Here is the same motif in two applications framed and edited.

 

Training

At the paint store I was directed to the paint that would be used on tile floors. So, I got a kit to match my existing floor. The kit has only one color; I choose buttercream or something like that. When asked by the paint rep if I knew how to mix color, I said I was trained to do that. See, years of study pay off!

 

The Archetypical Flower

Tobight was pasta Sunday with friends, and in the garden I found the flower most perfectly "flower". It's as if a kid drew it, added the big fat center, and dotted each petal with a dot to show it off. The humidity broke, the temp was down, and it was a nice time to sit back and declare 'summer'. Tomorrow is work.
 

Trees Company

 Every house I've lived in I've added trees. The view from my daughter's house includes some that are growing nicely. The lilac is super happy. For those who come after.

Line Up

Toward the end of a printing week, this from QBL, the prints become more distinct, more identifiable to who made them, and often a clearer print. The Independent Study group came with ideas in mind, and it was a treat to see their series of works. I suspect my Telluride class, some experiened, will be similar. 
 

Putting Things

Today everything stopped motion to devote time to help stage my daughter's house for sale. I managed to get all three bedrooms in order. This is the guest room where I spent many nights visiting. I brought a quilt from my collection "Ocean Waves" purchased on my trip back home from Minnesota in 1981.

 

Slow Start

I got a feel for how this room will work. A work table on wheels got a fast cuttin mat so that I could ready a curtain to stage my daughter's house. The studio needs proper attention, and lighting for certain, but the ease of moving in the space will be a great needed  change for working. 

 

Bird's Eye of Camping Out

A take on the kitchen cabinets and the disaray of a long day's work from the balcony above. It'll be sorted in time, and I've not been too botherer with the inconvienience. Yet. It helps that I had a week away from this at QBL, and a chance to see some terrific works from the people there. Food for the soul.
 

My Vantagepoint

I'm winding down from a fast paced week at QBL, trying to chip away at the studio set up, and keeping ahead of construction in the new townhouse. I'll admit that after the workers left, I napped here below deck. And yes, the heat did break long enough for some delirious breezes.
 

Typical But Not

 A typical shot of the workshop with tables padded and wrapped with plastic, then surrrounded by screens, rubbings, sketches, fabric. It may look like chaos, but it really does work out famously. We had twelve people ringing the room, a good middle open for discussion and a demo table. QBL made it happen.

And We Got Happy

More great prints from the week at Quilting By the Lake and Laurie's wall with some examples of her work. We had enough room, a decent sink, and lots of ideas to share and bounce from. This was an unusual workshop as it had "independent" in the title, so agendas were encouraged. 
 

The Apron Wraps the Night

The closing banquet for QBL (Quilting By the Lake) has several events like a basket raffle, quilt raffle, lovely dinner and Apron Auction. Each of the four instructors made smashing aprons, mine was bid embarrisling high, and Lisa, one of my indepentend students for the week bid highest. I love that it's hers!
 

All In a Day

By Thursday the studio mates are in the routine, and happy to work on their own prints and compositions. We've figured out spacing, tools, where to place wet prints, and how to pace through several pieces. The only thing we can't control is the weather (hot at times) and the humidity (pretty high = no dry). 

Full Moon for July

While waiting for my zoom call with England's Crafty Monkeys, I spotted this space-age looking pendant light in the common room of our dining hall. Couldn't resist having this a fill for the full moon. Mainly because this is the best shot my camera can do (off my deck overlooking the 'valley').

 

Which to Choose

Tuesday night at Quilting by the Lake is vendor night and it was difficult to choose, so sometimes you have to buy the bunch. Aside from the eveing's gathering, I also talked to Crafty Monkies via Zoom, taught a day at the independent studio set up, and came home to a gutted kitchen (work started!).
 

Monday is Go Day

Lisa wasted no time getting to print, and this dress will be ready to wear tomorrow, if only we had a washer on hand. It was a day to do EVERYTHING all at once. So I was on my toes getting the materials out, but not always as quick as I wanted. And some fine stuff is cooking, and looking good. Independence!
 

Toss 'Em In

The day started with a 'kamikaze' run to weed my old garden, then clean up to get to Quilting by the Lake, organize and set the classroom, then dinner and lecture. After driving home, a bit of hunting for missing items we'll need -- glue sticks, table risers, duct tape and containers. All tossed in the rolling suitcase. 

 

It's a Start

Thursday I cut out and tore away the kitchen sink and cabinets that were in the studio. Yesterday the wonderful plumbers installed a new utility sink. Today I mixed 24 quarts of 8 colors for Monday's print class. I have a long way to go before it's smooth operation, but this is the start.