Black, White and Red

This piece was started 4 years ago as part of a series that stalled out.  It is complete - quilted and all, but needs to be trimmed, bound and have a sleeve added.  I got excited when I measured the height - 40".  But I cannot make it 40" in width unless the red squares are bisected.  (the printing block is not actually square, but is 4" x 3 3/4".  Thus - the quilt cannot be trimmed to a square.  At least, not nicely.

Painted Doodles

This whole cloth piece fits the theme of "Pattern" but it is too small and would require a border of a few inches.  I doodled with resist and painted with fabric paints.  I have always loved this piece of fabric, but it looks too sloppy to me now.  The paint ran and I am not sure it is up to my standards as a stand alone piece.  This one was probably painted 8 years ago,

Montana Mudcloth in Vertical Mode

Is it any better in this orientation?

This piece is one that was originally printed with the idea of slicing between the printed rows and inserting contrasting strips.  I never intended it as a whole cloth piece. However, once finished, I fell in love with it as a whole cloth rectangle.  I don't care for it nearly so much as a square.  I have thought about cutting it into quarters and rotating them to make something a little more dynamic.  I think I could use some daring colors on the inserts to make it come alive, too.  I am reluctant to cut it up, but I can probably man up and do it.  .......

More choices coming up. 

Montana Mudcloth in the Running

 I really loved this piece when I printed it several years ago.  The fabric was eco dyed using wild sunflowers.  I carved a series of printing blocks with this format in mind.  Once it was printed I admired it on my design wall until I needed the wall space for something else and then it went into a drawer for 3 or 4 years.  This whole cloth piece could be easily quilted up and bound and ready to go.  It easily fits the theme "Pattern".  It easily fits the 40x40 dimensions. It is actually a rectangle, so several inches would be cut off to make the 40 x 40" size.

But is it too dull?  Too drab?  Too simple?  These are the questions I ask myself as I consider it.  Tomorrow I will post it in a different orientation with some of my other ideas for making it more artful.  Interested in your ideas, in the meantime.

Looming Deadline Forces Decision

 I have been fortunate to be invited to present an entry for the Dinner@Eight annual exhibitions over the past 6 years or more.  I always jump at the opportunity because it is such a great group of artists.  There is always a theme and a size restriction.  This year the theme is "Pattern" and the size is 40 x 40".  We are given advance notice of about a year to create our entry.

Usually, I have something done well in advance of the entry date, but this year I have barely been in the studio, and when I have been in the studio I am working in Mixed media - not fabric, and not making anything even remotely right for the theme or size.

A few months ago, I began pulling UFO's out of the drawers and closet to see if I might have something already on the way to meeting the criteria and satisfying my critical eye.

This is one of the first things I came across.  Probably printed this 4 years ago or more.  It is appealing because it measures 40 x 40".  It is problematic because it will be smaller after quilting and I don't see a border being beneficial to this design.  I put this one away, but recently pulled it out again, along with some other possibilities - which I will present here on the blog this week. 

I usually do not solicit input, but I am really not "into" the process this time around.  Input welcome. 

I think I can do better than this.

Monday Mail Art - April 25

Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering - and it's all over much too soon.

           -Woody Allen

Zebra Iris

I like the way the late afternoon sun lights up these iris fans.  This iris is known as Zebra.  My maternal grandmother raised these iris in her yard.  I am so thrilled to have them growing in mine!  (these were handed down through the generations).

Golden Pea

This wildflower is a legume which I have identified as Golden Pea.  It blooms right after the daffodils.  It is happy on the hillside and the deer don't eat it (I believe it is poison to them).  I have used this plant for eco dyeing.  It made some nice soft yellow fabric.

Epimedium

First time for this to be blooming at my house!  It is called Epimedium.  I  planted this perennial last summer in a dry shady area.  I am so excited to see it blooming - so delicate.  Flowers are about 1/2" diameter.

Miniature Dwarf Bearded Iris - Veri Gay

So tiny.  It is only about 5" high.  This iris was introduced in 1953 by Welch.  It opened the same day last year!

April Sunshine!

 We've had several days of good rain and I am grateful for that.  Also for the sunshine of today.  My yard may be in the best shape it's ever been.  I have been through twice to weed and dig out iris rhizome rot.  I have fertilized at the proper time.  Today, I used Roundup on the driveway.   The power company has been here digging holes in our driveway to install conduit for the power lines that go through our property.  They have made a small mess.  Not a big one, as before.  Daffodils are in bloom nicely.  Trees beginning to leaf out.

Monday Mail Art - April 18

Did you ever notice that the first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone?

              -Erma Bombeck

Orchid - What's Blooming Inside

 This amazing orchid is filling my kitchen with a wonderful lily-like fragrance!  I can't believe I found it at Lowes!    The tag says it is easy to grow.  Maybe I won't kill this one - the stems are very succulent like.  I have especially enjoyed this one on those days when the spring snows are covering the daffodils!

Daffodils Blooming at My House

Almost Spring Group - Design Wall

I pinned this group of 12 entitled "Almost Spring" to my design wall in order to get a good look at them as a group and individually.  I am not sure they are finished, but I am going to put them aside for now, I think.  Maybe I will have some inspiration or ideas for going further, but right now - no......Once they are finished, I plan to square them up and mount them onto cradle boards.  I have just ordered some from Dick Blick that I want to try....

Almost Spring #10 - 12 Works In Progress

 Almost Spring #10

 

 Almost Spring #11

Almost Spring #12

Monday Mail Art - April 11

Children make your life important.

Erma Bombeck

Almost Spring # 7 - 9 In Progress

 Almost Spring #7

 Almost Spring #8

Almost Spring #9

Almost Spring #4 - 6 In Progress

 Almost Spring #4

 Almost Spring #5

Almost Spring #6

Almost Spring Series #1 - 3 Works In Progress

 I've added some printed circles in Raw Umber and some screen printed branches to a few of these.  I have decided to call this series "Almost Spring" and I have numbered them 1 - 12.  I do not think these are finished yet, but they are getting closer.  I often discover the next step by photographing the work and looking at it on my laptop screen. 

 Almost Spring #1

 Almost Spring #2

Almost Spring #3

Up Close and Personal - Works In Progress

More White Over Spring Colors

White Paint and Print

Here is the series, now, drying on the floor after I have added white paint brushed on and lifted and block printing with white, as well (reverse letter printing block).

Monday Mail Art - April 4

I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying.

          -Woody Allen