Patience

Attracting birds is definitely one of those things that teaches you patience. For 3 years I have hung gourds in the trees in our backyard, hoping to attract wrens, and for 3 years the gourds have remained empty. This year, we have wrens nesting in 2 of the 3 gourds so far, and to say I am thrilled is an understatement.

Mya

About a year ago, my husband and I started fostering dogs for some of the local rescues. Although it is heartbreaking to let them go to their adoptive homes, we always feel like we have made a difference in their lives and given them a better chance of succeeding in their new homes.

The photo above is our newest foster dog, Mya. She is a year old and appears to be a yorkie mix. Mya was found dumped in a creek, less than 24 hours after giving birth. Her puppies were not found. She ended up in a rescue in Missouri, and from there, several people helped transport her to us. Yesterday we drove 4 hours to pick her up, and she is now settling into our home and making friends with Zeke.

Surprisingly, Zeke has almost gone into "big brother" mode. Every time Mya whimpers, Zeke stops what he is doing and goes to check on her. We're hopeful that they continue to get along better and better, as we are seriously considering adopting Mya ourselves.

Bath Time

Here are a couple of photos of a female house finch in the bird bath......

An Interview

I was lucky enough to have artwork juried into the Beneath The Surface exhibition. As part of the promotion for this exhibition, they interviewed each of the artists. My interview is below.

1. How do you describe yourself? I'm an artist, lucky enough to work in multiple mediums.

2. What is your creative process? Generally, my topic is something that has emotionally impacted me. It could have started with a photograph I took, or an experience I had. My first step is to loosely write down my thoughts, kind of an initial artist statement. This statement helps to keep me focused on my goal for the work. Once that is down on paper, and I have a general idea of the design of the work, I start painting cloth and/or paper for it. Then it is a matter of cutting and piecing it together on the design wall until I am satisfied with the base layer. After the base layer, I go back in and add more layers of materials and more paint until it is finished.

3. What's your style? Abstract. I am never happy when I try to create something figurative, so I have given it up. I love that abstract pieces can incorporate so much personal meaning, yet leave so much open to interpretation by the viewer.

4. How long have you been a quilt maker/fiber artist? I learned to quilt about 20 years ago, but I became a full-time artist in 2004.

5. Do you listen to music when you make art? No. I love jazz music, but when I am creating, I want silence.

6. What do you do when you are blocked creatively? I take my camera and head out to one of my favorite haunts. A few hours of photographing nature or urban deterioration, and I am ready to work in the studio again with a fresh perspective. Sometimes, all that is needed is to switch to a different medium. There are so many options and choices that I rarely feel blocked creatively.

7. Do you teach? Not any more. I have gotten stingy with my time, and I want to spend it all on my own creative pursuits.

8. Are there artistic endeavors that you have yet to do? Weaving. A couple of years ago, I learned paper making and bookbinding. I have enjoyed being able to incorporate those processes into my newer work. Now I'd like to learn weaving.

9. How do you balance your family life and art? I am lucky to have a very understanding and supportive husband. He readily pitches in when I am busy in the studio.

10. What is the best part about what you do? Being able to start each day in my studio, doing whatever I want. I feel lucky and blessed, and I am thankful every day that this is my life. When someone connects with my artwork, that is a bonus.

To read the interviews with the other artists, click here.

A Perfect Day

Do you ever have those days when you know, without looking, that the stars have to be perfectly aligned? Today was one of those days for me. I had a follow-up appointment with my cardiologist, and it was good news all around to start my day. So I celebrated by buying a new pair of high tech walking shoes (on sale). Then I got the stepping stones put in two of my gardens, and they look great. So I went back out to do a little more shopping. I actually found sheers to match my living room drapes --- I have been looking for these for about 6 months, so this was a great find. Then I stopped at my favorite coffee shop for an iced mocha expresso. What a fabulous day!