WOODLAND WONDERS, WORK IN PROGRESS...

 Wandering the woodlands around my home is a favorite past time.  I often garner inspiration for my artwork during these treks, then find ways to interpret what I see through paint, stitch, and wire.  I have had this fanciful textile idea in my sketchbook for quite some while now.  Mushrooms inspired by photos taken last autumn...

Pounded and stitched leaves that have been in my stash since November of 2007, the natural plant dye has held its color well...

 I did a little stitching to loosely mimic Smartweed, taking liberty with the leaves which are actually lance-shaped.  A found, hatched, Polyphemus cocoon and its wings (left overs from a birds meal and enhanced with paint back in the summer of 2013) make a nice natural elements to enhance the design...   

Soft fibers imitate the moss that carpets the forest floor.  These are just a few of the woodland wonders that will embellish my new textile artwork. 

blessings,

Sandy

A HAPPY ACCIDENT...

Usually an artist treats their work with kid gloves, a tender touch, a loving look, with the utmost of care.  That is not what happened here.  I did a nature themed canvas piece that was used as a demo for an art lesson for children to show how I used elements from nature in artwork.  It was sort of a Naturalist collection of specimens and finds.  I was asked to do this on short notice and had to put something together quickly that I thought would generate interest from the children.  I was not exactly happy with the results but it was the best I could do on short notice.

After the lesson I put the canvas in a corner of the studio where it sat gathering dust for several months.  Every time I looked at it I thought, "I don't like that."  One day while cleaning the studio I decided to take it apart, salvaging the parts I liked to reuse in a future project and toss the rest.

I put the canvas base outside intending to toss it on the burn pile and promptly forgot about it. It got dusty and wished it had a bath. Its wish was granted as it got rain soaked then it longed to be warm and dry. Its longing was fulfilled as it became sun beaten and parched wishing it was cool.  Another wish attained, it was buried in ice and snow where it once again desired to be warm and dry.  Wild winds blew it dry and fallen leaves blanketed it where it rested, faded, crackled, and tattered. 

While blowing all the leaves off of and around the back deck I unearthed the canvas.  My first thought was, "Holy Cow!  I like that!"  then I wondered if it was ruined.  I peeled away the sodden collage backing and a few dirty hanging bits, gave the whole thing a quick brush off, tested the canvas to find it was tight and in great condition despite it rude treatment and placed it lovingly back in the studio for a thorough cleaning.

Its resting on an easel where I can look at it with loving looks and arrange elements on its perfect surface with a tender touch and the utmost care as I dream of what it will eventually become.  This is not how to treat your artwork but I am pleading the Bob Ross philosophy on this one, "We don't make mistakes, we just have happy accidents."   

blessings,

Sandy

WHAT'S ON THE WORK TABLE AND OTHER NEWS...

Thank you all so very much for the sweet support during my recent illness, I am headed into week three and finally feel human again.  I am beginning to heal  and get my energy and strength back.  I was able to spend one entire glorious day in the studio and made a lot of progress on the first piece of my new heritage collection.  I thought I would give you a sneak peek...

The image used on this piece is my mother, it was taken in the mid 1940's.  I have almost got the base piece done and then it is on the fun part...embellishing!

I also wanted to share an update on the Elements of Nature book I submitted for the Seth Apter (The Altered Page) 5x5 challenge. 

 I received notice last week that it, along with many of the other participating artist work, has been selected to be published in an article about Seth and the challenge in the Nov./Dec. issue of Somerset Studio.  Very unexpected and very exciting.  

 My thanks goes out to Seth for yet another wonderful opportunity and for being the generous soul who has a true passion for not only art but for people.  His focus on building and connecting the art community has opened up so many connections with artist I never knew were out there until I found them through his Pulse of Mixed Media posts on his blog.

 Last but not least, two more bits of news, I am gearing up for a give away so stay tuned for that announcement later this week.  And, I wanted to ask your opinion on a post project here at the Quill.  In the past I have done a lot of free step-by-step tutorials to share with you and always gotten really positive feedback from them.  I have not done a tutorial in a while due to life changes in helping to care for my mother.  I just don't have the large chunks of time I used to have and tutorials are very time consuming to create.

Here is my proposal:  Would any of you be interested in following along with a new tutorial that was presented step-by-step on a weekly basis, where a project would be built from start to finish over a span of several weeks?  This I could manage.  Depending on the feedback I get I will decide whether to go through with this plan.  If you are interested I would love to hear what it is you would like to learn, a technique or a specific project you would like to try, that way I can develop a free class based on those ideas.  Let me know what you think!

I hope your day is graced with beauty!

WHAT'S ON THE WORK TALBE...

 With crumple of paper and spill of button...

 With pile of lace and stain of stitches...

  A new work is begun...

I am so excited to have begun work on my new "Heritage" collection!  I have brainstormed and sketched ideas, culled through supplies, and even taken on learning something new to make this artful vision a reality.  I have three pieces in mind to begin the collection and it may expand should time allow.

This collection will be based on the thought of heritage, things that might be handed down from generation to generation, with an artful twist.

 Do you have something special that has been handed down in your family that reflects your heritage?

I'd love to hear your history.     

IF YOU LEAF ME ALONE...

 If you leaf me alone for very long at all...

 While waiting on something to dry, I will begin to sing melodious woes...

"Glue, despair, agony waiting on thee!  What excessive misery!   If it weren't for slow dry time I'd be havin' a ball.  Glue, despair, agony waiting on thee!"... or some such nonsense tune as that.  If you leaf me alone for very long at all, I will inevitably wander over to pilfer through a pile of this...

 And if you leaf me alone a little longer I will pick up things like this...

 Leaf me alone even longer and I will pile it all on a tray...

 Leaf me alone long enough and my fingers will begin to play...

 Then I will once again begin to hum a happy tune!
" Put on that grin and start right in to whistle loud and long
Just hum a merry tune
Just do your best and take a rest and sing yourself a song

When there's too much to do
Don't let it bother you, forget your troubles,
Try to be just like a cheerful chick-a-dee

And whistle while you work
Come on get smart, tune up and start
To whistle while you work"
(from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)

So, if you leaf me alone for very long at all while waiting on something to dry, I will inevitably start another project!  At least this one is small and portable, a couple of custom lace and fiber cuffs.

What happens if you a left to your own devices during the project process?

P.S. In case you are wondering, I am waiting on resin, glue, and paint to dry oh my!  I am starting to think I am never going to finish my series pieces!  Patience, perseverance, and a new project are helping the process along.

EARNING MY STRIPES...

 EARN ONE'S STRIPES:

Meaning:  To gain specialty for the performance of a service, labor, or work through accumulated experience and hard work; a recognition for accomplishments; to do something to prove that you have the skills or ability.

 Example: She earned her stripes by serving for 30 years as the World Vision coordinator.  

Origin: This 1800s expression initially referred to a military promotion or award, indicated by strips of chevron or braid added to the recipient's uniform and known as stripes.

 The other day I was bitten by the green eyed bug of jealousy.  I am totally not proud of my reaction to another persons success, in fact, I firmly believe in applauding others success and cheering them on.  I had the whiny thought of "Why does all the good stuff always happen for her and not for me?"  I was abruptly brought up short by a gentle whisper of a thought as it flitted through my mind, "She has earned her stripes." 

 It is true, her success is based on her hard work, not by happenstance or luck of circumstance.  She has labored over her artistic process and accumulated experience and knowledge proving her unique skills and abilities as an artist and is now receiving the reward of recognition for her accomplishments.

 Creatively speaking, I am not heading where I want to go and obviously I need to work on my character flaw as well as my artwork.  I had to ask myself some really hard questions, one of them being, "Have I really earned my stripes?"  The answer to that is a resounding, "NO!", at least not to the level where I will obtain my own creative goals and not covet those of others. 

 Ephesians 4:32 says that we are to be kind towards one another.  I believe this applies in both thought and deed.  I am to strive to possess a good or benevolent nature or disposition as a kind or loving person in my actions, words, and thoughts. I have a really long way to grow.  So, I have began from the beginning with a repentant heart, a note of sincere congratulations, and earnestness in earning my stripes of humbleness, humility, and creative growth.  Kermit the Frog said it best, "It's not easy being green."  

 I and my art skills are still very much a work in progress... 

 But, we are both back on the right track of earning our stripes.

BIRD WATCHING...

 Spring is quietly creeping in here at the Quill.  With it comes the return of the birds who have wintered in warmer climes.  We have the usual fare of plump robins decked out in their rusty red vests and brilliant blue birds singing happy trills.  I am most excited to see a pair of wood ducks at the nesting box out back...(Please excuse the clarity of the duck photos, these were taken through a window)

I sat and watched them for a long period of time as she checked out the interior...

And the leafy lawn...

He was only interested in the view...

They have made several return visits but have yet to decide between an old hollow tree, a decidedly rustic summer house in the east wood, or this fancier version of a ducky condo.

I noticed some unusual birds milling around the base of the sturdy old oak where the ducks were visiting, species of which I have never seen the likes of before...

A small flock of five hopping on rocks and posing near candy striped spring beauties...

Perky little beaks...

Beady little eyes...

And strange fibrous feathers...

They too are seeking homes, perches on new art pieces!  

They are nesting nicely in the studio...

Awaiting fashionable new digs...

I hope you have enjoyed visiting my new neighbors.

Any signs of spring in your neck of the woods?