Sketchbook Challenge

Surface Design blowout

"The state of our heart at the moment of applying paint to canvas gets into the mix somehow. What our audience actually 'gets' when they regard our work is simply how we felt while we were doing it." ~ Eleanor Blair

Spring is just so amazing!

Hazy, Hot and Humid

It has been really hot here lately and due to get even hotter!  Up in the 90's today!  These temperatures are good for swimming, but for not much else!  The humidity zaps my energy.  I only hope the weather holds with good drying conditions for the upcoming Surface Design Blowout Weekend.  We'll see!

“Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” ~ Albert Einstein

Surface Design Blowout Weekend

It's that time of year when I start to organize my annual surface design blowout weekend!  It will be next weekend June 11th & 12th.  Two (count them 2!) whole days of outdoor surface design fun with like minded friends.
It will not be at my house this year, so if you are interested in coming to this, please email me and I can tell you more.  I have it featured as an event on my facebook page, as well.
Yee Haw, I'm ordering supplies and getting myself packed for this amazing event.

“When we engage in what we are naturally suited to do, our work takes on the quality of play and it is play that stimulates creativity.” ~ Linda Naiman

June

“The great thing is, if one can, to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions in one's "own" or "real" life. The truth is, of course, that what one regards as interruptions are precisely one's life.” ~ C. S. Lewis

A Yard Sale kind of weekend

Word of the day

Cleansing

"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."   ~ Anais Nin

Memorial Day weekend!

Lichen growing on a boulder

It's the end of May.  Can you believe it?  Everything is greening up nicely. I am off to a yard sale today!

The word of the day: 

TEXTURE

 “There is one thing one has to have: either a soul that is cheerful by nature, or a soul made cheerful by work, love, art, and knowledge.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Nature as inspiration

The artist must raise the cup of his vision aloft to the gods in the high hope that they will pour into it the sweet mellow wine of inspiration.    ~ Paul Brunton

Getting ready to Mono print!

Quilts made with my mono-printed fabrics

My mono-printing class is this weekend at the League of NH Craftsmen.  I am preparing for it now and pretty excited.  I enjoy teaching and watching my students create.  It should be a great time.

This will also get me started on my upcoming projects.
I have a bit of mono-printing I need to get done to prepare for upcoming shows!

I love this time of year.

"Happiness comes when you believe in what you are doing, know what you are doing, and love what you are doing." ~ Brian Tracy

Camouflage

“The only rule is don't be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in.” ~ Paris Hilton 

Artist Entrepreneurial Workshop: May 12, 2011

This spring, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts will continue its fifth year of offering free work shops for professional New Hampshire artists who are seeking to enhance their business skills, promote their work, and network with other artists.

The following workshop is free and open to the public, but you must register by calling (603) 271-2789 or email elaine.loft@dcr.nh.gov.  In lieu of a registration fee, registrants are asked to contribute canned foods or pasta for the local food bank.  These sessions will be held at the Brown Building Auditorium at 129 Pleasant Street in Concord, New Hampshire.

Approaching Galleries: 10am – 12 noon
Presenter Sarah Chaffee, Gallery Director, McGowan Fine Art
In this workshop learn how to prepare a high quality artist’s package, including a biography, artist statement, articles, retail price list and digital images. Ms. Chaffee will also address how to research and approach galleries, the ins and outs of contracts, and how to promote yourself to the press.

Pricing Your Work: Art or Science?: 3 – 5 pm
Presenter Gary Chabot, ProfitPoint Business and Finance Counseling
In this workshop attendees will explore the facts, fiction and mysteries of pricing works of art. Is it all about the numbers? Is it all guess work? How do your perceptions of value differ with other buyers and sellers of art? Learn how “price point” passion and real world economics mix it up in the world of art and business.


I am attending this!  I called this morning and there was still room!  If you are planning to go, let me know!  We can meet for lunch!  : )

My Book

Reverse Applique techniques for my book

So, what's happening with my book you ask?  Well, it's happening, but not very fast.  I have a lot of work done but I need to make more samples, document them and write the directions out in an easy comprehensive way.

So, I continue working on it.  It will get done when it gets done.

“Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those, who do not write, compose, or paint can manage to escape the madness, the melancholia, the panic fear, which is inherent in a human condition” ~ Graham Greene

Textures

Wood pile textures

"Texture is the most enduring and ubiquitous underpinning of form... certainly a calming, meditative and appealing world for both the eye and mind." ~  Lynda Lehmann

Studio time

Close up of one of my quilts

“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be”  

~ George Sheehan

It's May! It's May! The gorgeous month of May...

A Georgia O'Keeffe Morning glory in progress

Abstract quilts in progress, mono-printed

Working in the studio, I am starting to use the camera to capture my work.  It's a good exercise to document things.  I need to break into the habit, and I see already how it helps.

I am playing with multiple projects at one time.  My friend, Marci Howarth gave me a large coffee table book on Georgia O'keeffe's flowers, which I adore.  So I was inspired to try a small version of one of them in fabric.


I have also been looking at the use of reverse applique in my work.  I show two examples of reverse applique here, as a starting point in my abstract work.  This will be one of the chapters in my book, "Art Quilts: Methods to the Madness".

Today is May Day.  It is gorgeous out.  I am torn between my gardens and working in the studio.  So, I hope to find balance and do a little of both.  The sunshine and fresh air will do me good... creativity inside and out!

Last night I enjoyed a night of drumming with friends.  That was so amazingly good for the soul.  I hope to incorporate that more into my life as well.  Have a great day today!

“In the garden my soul is sunshine” ~ anonymous

Working in the studio again!

7" x 7"

3" x 3" in a black floater frame

7" x 7"

SAQA Information booth

My SAQA information booth at the NLQG show

O.K. Today I need to get down to business and sew. I have recently updated my fabrics, so I have some yummy material in graphic patterns and great colors. It's time to get in the studio and sew. Bye!

“If you believe in what you are doing, then let nothing hold you up in your work. Much of the best work of the world has been done against seeming impossibilities. The thing is to get the work done.” ~ Dale Carnegie

New York City

Last week we took our vacation in New York city.
It's amazing to realize that while we live in our quiet home in the country, this place exists 24/7.
Fun to visit!

Times Square, April 2011

Signs of Spring