End of a Project

For months I'd been preparing to sing a 25 minute set for the folksinging groups here. And I did. That was enough for my day, can't wait to get back to my other jobs.

 

What Goes Around

Packing prompts for Design Camp with Australasian Quilt Convention has me finding and sorting through older montages. I can see the beginnings of the work with Within the Frame, a technique I've loved using lately, and sharing as well. This is just calendar images, or perhaps from a recipe book, but are strong.
 

The Never-Decreasing Pile

From each workshop comes a stack of unfinished pieces. They wait and wait. And this interruption in printing the layers makes for a more interesting and responsive addition. The urge to finish in one go is tempting, I've done that, but a pause brings fresh perspective. And so, no hurry.
 

Leftovers

A January virtual class and a February in-person class left me with bits and bobs of thickened dye. I can't toss them, and haven't much time this week, but I'll try to use them up. The holes or slits allow for the spoons to stick out, something I have to wash. I'll check strength on cloth, process, and add dye if needed. 
 

To Go

I made this for my mother who liked all things pink. Now it can go to her great grandaughter. Like that it will be in the family.
 

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.