Before and After

Thanks to everyone who took the time to give me their opinion on what I should do to the collage pictured above. I spent some time reworking it today, and I am much more pleased with it. I listened to suggestions that I break up the larger rectangle on the right side and add some visual weight to the bottom of the piece. Here is the finished collage, signed and ready to go.

Caricatures

At the opening reception Friday night, there was an artist doing caricatures. Apparently he is a docent at the gallery, and he attends all of the opening receptions and does caricatures of the artists. I've never had a caricature of myself drawn, but he was halfway done with mine before I realized what he was doing. I'm not sure if it looks a lot like me or not, but I like it, and it was fun to have it done. (The $ sign on my necklace is because another attendee informed him that I was the group's treasurer.)

"Kansas Art Quilters: Covers Blown!" Exhibition

Yesterday we drove to Topeka, Kansas to attend the opening reception of the "Kansas Art Quilters: Covers Blown!" exhibition. It is a beautiful gallery space, and the exhibition is wonderful! Above are photos of just a few of the colorful, textural pieces hanging in this show. If you get a chance, this is an exhibition that should not be missed!

"Kansas Art Quilters: Covers Blown!"
Alice C. Sabatini Gallery
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
1515 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka KS
Monday-Friday 9am-9pm
Saturday 9am-6pm
Sunday Noon-9pm

An Obos For My Garden

Ever since I first read about obos, I have wanted to make a small one for one of my gardens. I thought this spot on a piece of driftwood was the perfect place, and today I finally made one and set it out in my garden.

From the painter's keys:
"Obos is a destination, a sanctuary, a shrine and a focal point that reminds us that we work with our hands. We are builders and what we build is sacred. Obos may appear inconsequential and be unnoticed by casual passersby. It's a private tribute to something higher, something we might be striving for but find difficult to attain. Approach obos with a relaxed, curious mind. It can help with answers to questions not consciously asked. Obos gives pause, a contemplative thought or a new direction, a respite from clutter, a rededication to our struggle and an affirmation of the value of our personal effort. Obos is the carrier of a golden secret. Obos is like art itself. Obos is a joy to build."

Finished or Not?

This collage has been sitting on my drawing table for a month now. I love the way the fabrics interplay with each other, but something about it doesn't feel finished. I'm not sure if it needs a central image, or over screening, or........? If you have an idea, let me know.

When we went for our evening walk around the lake, Jim spotted this in the grass beside the path. I'm not sure what I will create with it, but it was too much of a treasure to just leave it there. We think it is probably from a bull snake --- thank goodness we didn't see the actual snake!

Mail Call

This is a postcard from textile artist Nancy Dobson. She used the materials that I sent her in a ziplock bag to create a postcard without adding any other materials to it. Refer to my April 21st post to see the postcards I created from her bag of materials.

This next photo is a VERY small book cover that Amber Dawn sent to me, and I added the pages to it. The dime is included for a size comparison. The pages in this book measure 3/8" square. I am amazed every time I look at it that someone can work this tiny!

The Cutest Addition to the Family

This is Aiko --- a Jack Russell terrier pup. She's 4 months old and weighs a whopping 6 pounds. Our son found her in a pet shop and couldn't walk out without her. She is now quite spoiled! But she's also a bundle of energy that never quits --- yet she is well behaved. (Sounds like she has me wrapped around her little paw, doesn't it?!?!)

I've been tagged!

Actually, I've been tagged twice, so I guess it is time to list some random facts. When you're tagged, you're supposed to post 7 random facts about yourself in your blog. So, here are my 7 random facts, in no particular order:

1. I'm an oldest child, married to a youngest child. It keeps life interesting!

2. I have two college degrees --- one in accounting and one in animal science. Originally I wanted to be a veterinarian.

3. I love hang gliding, scuba diving, kayaking, motorcycles and sports cars --- though I seldom get the opportunity to enjoy any of them these days.

4. I rarely watch tv, but I love listening to jazz music --- especially while enjoying a good glass of wine.

5. I've collected postage stamps since the fourth grade.

6. I love solving puzzles --- especially crossword and logic puzzles. But I hate games of chance like solitaire and slot machines.

7. My favorite coffees are dark roasts from the caribbean, and my favorite chocolates are dark chocolates.

If you feel like playing along, consider yourself tagged, and leave me a comment letting me know.

Screen Printing

This morning I tried out a new screen with little squares in it. My usual method is to grab scrap fabrics to test the print. Below are two sample prints with the new screen. I think they came out quite well, so they are probably destined to become the start of two new postcards.

New Postcards

#1

#2

#3

#4 SOLD

#5 SOLD

I spent most of today in my studios, painting and stitching on these postcards to finish them up. They are $30 each (4"x6"), or if you prefer, I will double mat them to 8"x10" for $40 each.

Morning Coffee Companion

This morning, as I sat on the deck with my morning coffee, this was my companion. Usually the squirrels eat the field corn that we set out for them, but this morning the tray of sunflower seeds must have looked more appetizing. I know, I know, I've heard all of the horror stories about squirrels and rabbits in the yard, but we still enjoy watching both of them.

This Morning's Pages

fabric, marker, acrylic paint, magazine page

fabric, marker, acrylic paint, clothing tag

I started by printing the black stripes with acrylic paint and a piece of corrugated cardboard --- one page with horizontal stripes and one page with vertical stripes. Then I challenged myself to only add minimal elements to the pages, keeping the stripes as a strong graphic element in the final design.

Joseph's Coat Climbing Rose

My new Joseph's Coat climbing rose is starting to bloom and looks beautiful! I looked all last season in vain to find one. This year I started calling the nurseries early, so that I was right there when the roses were delivered. Well worth the effort when I see these gorgeous blooms!

Opening Reception

Yesterday I traveled to Norfolk, NE to see the opening of "Virginia A. Spiegel: Boundary Waters". Virginia is a good friend, and I was excited to see her newest work.

Above is a photo of Virginia with my favorite piece in the exhibition. She captured the peacefulness of the water and trees beautifully, and her love of the boundary waters was very evident in this exhibition.

I also had an "aha" moment when I saw her use of Shiva paint sticks to write on black cloth. Until this point, I had only seen these paint sticks used for rubbings, and I wasn't that impressed with them. Using them to journal on cloth inspires some fascinating possibilities though.

Covers Blown!

"Endurance"

The art quilt pictured above (along with two other pieces of my work) will be included in the "Covers Blown!" exhibition.

Covers Blown!
Alice C. Sabatini Gallery
Topeka, KS
Exhibition dates: May 25 - June 29, 2007
Opening reception: Friday, May 25, 6-9pm

I plan to attend the opening reception, and I hope to see some of you there! Click here for more information.

Our Newest Additions

Joseph's Coat climbing rose ---
I have wanted one of these for two years and finally found one in the nursery this afternoon.

Purple Flag tulip ---
The newest variety in the tulip bed is just starting to bloom.

Rhubarb ---
A gift from my Mom, the stalks will get made into pies and jams later in the season,
plus the leaves will be used for natural dyeing.