Starting Anew

It helps to have a design wall. And it helps to clear it. I've taken a dive in the pile of prints from this summer to jump start the next piece. We'll see how it evolves.

Inside / Outside

Colleen Buzzard curated a show "Inside Out" that deals with the space either interior or exterior (or both). This cardboard group (and I'm sorry to not know the artist) sits on a clear plexi shelf that gives a group of strong shadows from the single light source. Such dynamic shapes!

Up and Delivered

I've finished the piece I'll call "Duck's Breath" in time to drop it off for the Rochester Contemporary Art Center's member's show. A statement in minimal piecing, this is all about leaving the print to do the work. The show opens December 7. If you're round Rochester, NY, stop and visit!

Sleeves. Can't Go Without

Always, even for a functional couch quilt, add a sleeve. That will save looking at your work nailed, pinned, taped or clamped (between wood cleats) to the wall. It happens; I've seen it. I've sewn a sleeve with wrong sides together so there's a finished seam when I look inside, which is never.

On the Machine

I say this to whoever will listen: I love to quilt the lines that I've drawn with dye. They might be from silkscreen, monoprint, or directly drawn with a thin pointed bottle. But accenting what is already there just feels like the right thing to quilt.

Meeting Up

Now, I know the second piece was a demo for some class. I was using a "fun foam" sheet that I got from Walmart. Great for monoprinting. Same thickened dye formula for both pieces. I love that there is white background in both half yard pieces.

Starting Off

When I teach surface design workshops I demonstrate methods on a half yard piece. This may be one, can't remember. It's got various printing techniques. I'll pair this with another to make my entry for the Rochester Contemporary Member's show.

What I Use in Between

I often forget just what I use,and people often ask. Today I opened a new roll of batting. Mine is wool. This gives me a fairly flat sandwich, which I like. I've stopped using cotton because wool is so much lighter to work with, carry around and packs beautifully for travel. All good reasons.

Shirting the Issue

I'm revisiting the images I've captured from the Quilts=Art=Quilts show. This Piece "Spin Cycle" by Helen Geglio has me standing and lingering long. It's not just the fabrics -- cotton, linen, and found white dress shirts -- but how she has stitched them and presented them that please my mind.

RIght Side Up

I was reminded that I've returned to and upstate New York fall from leaving Australia's spring. These eucalyptus plants, for example, left an impression of the wild, strange forms I saw left and right. Those with me had to slow down and look as well. I've not forgotten the kind beauty I saw.

Begin November

These reds, golds, yellows will be left for gray, brown and bleak pretty soon. As November rolls in its time to turn inward and inside to work. I'm giving myself the weekend to put back my house and take care of chores. Monday I'll head to the studio.