New Eyes

I sent this photo to my family, and thought you (my blog family) might want to know as well. Yesterday was my second cataract surgery, and today I feel I have the eyes of a 14 year-old. Corrected for near, I love that I can work up close without glasses. And now must rethink my lecture on mixing color!
 

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.
 

Portrait Before

I will use the term 'portrait' lightly here, so allowance please. This was on the print table with an editing frame to see if there was a suitable image for the upcoming portrait show this January. I've since added some subtle color, washed it, and will begin quilting and finishing to meet my deadline. 
 

The Artist at Lotusland

Today was drop-off day for the portrait 2025 show that opens Jan 3rd at Studio 402 at Anderson Alley Art Building. I find these fun to make, and a great collage type exercise. I ended up sewing raw edge for the majority of pieces, and adding a quilted stitch over that edge as well. It's 20 x 26 and for sale in the show.
 

Last Glance

I'm happy this has a new home. Here's a last look at the entire work. I must say that I wanted a bit more time to spend with it. I don't often raw edge machine applique anything, but this yearly series has been a good way to experiment and change. I'll start earlier next year to spend more time with it.

 

First Friday

The portrait exhibit, a yearly extravaganza, opened tonight in Studio 402, the floor above my studio. I nipped in to see it, check my piece (just to the right in this pic) and learned later that it has been sold. So, a good night for me! Works will be up next First Friday as well, so if you're in Rochester, NY, go.
 

Portrait Step Sewn

I'll get this quilted soon. Here the raw edge is machine applique, if you can even call it that. I've crudely sewn it onto the background, leaving no finished edge. My plan is to quilt along that edge as well, to establish the edge of the area for each "piece". 
 

Portrait Step 2

The first Friday in January opens the annual self portrait show in Studio 402. I'm trying my hand at raw edge applique in a small work destined for that show. I've a lot to do -- there is a dog/pig to fix, heads to elaborate, and of course, finishing. But, hey, there's time.
 

Selfie Selfie

Alien Walking Her Dog is in the bottom half of the pic here. And I realize that it needs to be flipped. Which doesn't explain why I look odd, just my out-and-about look here. You get the idea of how large it is (it's small for me) by what is around it. Do that. Use your work in context so we know its scale. 
 

Self Portrait Time

Each year artists are invited to the self portrait show in Studio 402 in Anderson Arts. Why I wait till the last almost minute, I can't say. This came to me, it's 26" x 20 and titled "Alien Walking Her Dog". Tonight I'm binding it, so done. I've got wrapping to do!
 

Portrait for January

I spent a bit of time in Studio 301 today while the sun was bright. I tried to sketch out a portrait for the portrait show I've been part of a few years now. Somehow I see an alien walking a dog -- or critter -- so I'll see what I can do with this. It's for fun, and it's fun to do.
 

Selfie?

For the past few years I've put a self-portrait in a group show. This may be the beginning, or not, but I've got to get something going by the New Year.
 

Studio Shots

I think this is the era of "looking at yourself". Asked by a magazine to supply an image of me in my studio, it took me days to get the courage, another day to get set up, and more time than I'd like to admit to get a printable shot. I've dozens now, all with that same mug. This is an out-take.
 

On the Wall

And out the door. Delivered to the portrait show at Studio 402 of the Anderson Art Building here in Rochester and in good company. I'll stop in and see the show in a couple of weeks -- but masked and not staying long indoors. 
 

Self Portrait with Hat and Cigarette

Quick work if you have a longarm. And fun to just draw around what's there. The hat has "feathers" and there emerged a dangling cigarette. I use wool batting and just a few thread colors. I do like the drawing part of the quilted line. Delivery is tomorrow. 
 

Reconfigured

I managed to pull a figure out of that print. Bonus points for adding a hat and cigarette. There is quite a bit of piecing, but I didn't add anything that wasn't there in that one half yard piece. What started as a demo for printing is now a character with attitude. 

Portrait Round Two

I  wasn't feelin the love with the first portrait I started. It was all right, but not something I'd want to hang in a show, so I've selected this half yard piece to work with. Let's see if I can make a "me" out of it.
 

Foreground Background

Trying to get the silhouette to stand apart from its surroundings. I've got lots of fabric to play with, and this should work. It's about 18" square here. The fabrics are printed with monoprints and rubbings. These are my 1/2 yard experiments that are just perfect to use for a small piece. 
 

Back to the Drawing Board

I've a portrait to make for an upcoming show for January, so my plan was to draw it out and use freezer paper to assemble. I'll check the fabric choice, but methinks there'll be some changes afoot. Yes, I had to go back and label the parts, as well as give it the outside edge. No escape!

First Friday

Nancy Valle's studio hosts this eclectic group of artists for Vision 2020. Mine is just about dead center in this shot, and this was taken while the crowd had cleared a bit. A great gathering, exhibition openings are a great way to reconnect and SEE art. Find one and go.