Week 13 - in the Studio

I was thankful to get more time in the studio this week....I always feel that creative time lets me think life through in ways that I cannot in my home....some big thoughts, some little thoughts, some important and some not-so-much!

There was more gel printing - some landscape ideas that will need more work, or perhaps tearing them in strips for collage...hmmm. I've been watching some Youtube videos creating landscapes with gel printing - HERE 

But I did build a registration plate for printing which gives me a "fence" to lay my papers down for a more precise placement, the ones to buy are so pricey....do you think the grandkids will notice some of their Lego missing?

I was asked for a photo of me, making art for the 2022 Sea & Cedar Virtual Art Exhibition through the Vancouver Island Regional Libraries. You can see some of the exhibition here: https://my.nicheacademy.com/virl/course/31655

So sitting in my studio, I gave the phone to DH and he clicked away for me...I think its time to get some new headshots!

I'm finally finishing some of the works on vintage paper that I've shown before....still haven't come up with a name for the series but very happy with them. I wonder if I am moving to the dark side - paper only? Yikes! I'm taking a couple into town this week to see about framing...

These ones don't have all the pieces fastened down yet, but I love the shapes and movement that is happening...plus the indigo ink on some of them is right up my alley!

I spent a few hours in our local gallery and painted on some book pages, adding asemic text and a bit of colour - so enjoyable! I'll add a bit of collage and maybe some stitch - these are small and rather sweet!

In the midst of this, I finished a 3D group of vessels for "Food is Everything" a themed show at the Gallery. My work is three pieces titled "Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner" with paper collage, text, stenciling and button fasteners. Breakfast is yellow, with eggs as its focus, the text has every way that eggs can be prepared. Lunch is salad and is green with lots of "lettuce" words and then the large piece is Dinner with spaghetti words...

It was a fun experiment, but I am feeling its a bit too literal and not as refined as I had hoped. While I would like to explore the concept of "vessels" more fully and in far more depth, I wonder if this study is taking me further away from the focus in my art that I am striving for....I have a major solo exhibition this fall and I really need to work on more pieces for that (there is a part of the exhibition where I think vessels might play a minor role) so this experiment might (will) be shelved for the time being.

Thanks for being part of my creative journey...til next time!

Exciting New Workshops

I've spent a few days writing and designing some new workshops and updating my most popular ones. I'm so excited about the choices I can offer my students! You can check them out here:
Or here's a run down of the latest ones:

 

Design Explorations

 Using basic design principles in piecing, applied layers and stitch, students learn to create dynamic and exciting designs for their quilts and develop their own visual voice for future explorations. Students begin by using their chosen ideas and themes and with a variety of small format exercises each day, working towards developing and creating resolved pieces. Students will be encouraged to set personal goals and use a journal/sketchbook for visual record keeping.

 

Creative Sketchbook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A blank piece of paper can be daunting but a sketchbook of colour, design and texture is so rewarding! Release your inner artist with simple, easy exercises to get the creative juices flowing. You will play with paint, paper, glue stick, crayons, markers and more and get ideas and inspirations for quilt design, new projects and unique ways to see, document and inspire. 

 

Mrs Matisse Does Applique

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What if Henri’s wife had great fabric and fusible web to play with? Design a unique mosaic-style foundation with painted and dyed fabrics then cut out shapes for a still life or floral arrangement. Additional interest can be added with paintsticks, markers and coloured pencils. Explore the many design options possible with fused collage. Stitch and thread choices will be discussed.

Playing with my Gelli Plates

Last week I took my Gelli Plate to our cottage, pulled out my paints and paper and had a good time messing around with colour!
First I put some colour on the plate:

And spread it around with my brayer. The more fluid the paint, it shrinks up with the tension, wonderful texture:

 

Then I printed off a page of paper or two......

 

Then I printed off more pages, then I ripped them up:

Then I put some of them back together again:

Intrigued? Stay tuned for my new online workshops starting in January....the first one is Print It, Print It - Gelli, Block and Roller Printing!