CityScape

This was my very thermofax screen that I have burned myself and then tried. I had been using my old art/history notebook as a sketch book for my theromofax screens. This allows me to recycle (one of my new years resolutions coming up) and to try out my screens prior to putting it to fabric. This was a sketch of a city scape. My favorite aspect is that it is less than perfect. There is something so unique about the sky line of the city.

Whisper

This quilt was initially conceived during a thermofax screen printing class that was given by Lynn Krawczyk. She actually made the stamps and thermofax screens used in this quilt. This technique is so addicting. Looking back you may remember me covering my art and history notes in screen prints.  The background fabric which is green started with actual handwriting in white paint. The magenta circles were added with a pool noodle cut cross wise. That makes an amazing stamp! The purple fabric received it's print with a piece of orange construction fencing. Using paint, the fence was used as a stencil. The black circles were made using a cardboard circle. Finally, the whispering birds were made using a thermofax screen that was designed by Lynn. The quilt was then hand embellished with embroidery thread and buttons. Machine quilting was done along the main portions of the quilt. One of my new year's resolutions is to make more of these types of art quilts. They are really relaxing and enjoyable to make. Even more interesting is that you could never duplicate one of these due to the organic nature of the stamps that are used.........

Living the Artful Life

Surrounding myself with my art supplies is always inspiring. I love interior decorating and design. Looking at houses decorated in modern simplistic lines, to eclectic vintage rooms gets my creativity flowing.  In my home however, I find that I don't really have a style. Not quite modern, certainly not minimalistic, not pottery barn nor vintage, not eclectic or colonial, not shabby chic or cottagelike.  I tend to surround myself with my art supplies. I love looking at them and the bright colors always put me in a good mood. I enjoy being able to see my art work mixed amongst those that I admire most. Months back I featured these shelves bare. They were made from shelves that were used at the Rug Works in cross village that has since closed. Mike's unique vision, flipped them on their side, and he added an addition. These shelves are one of my most treasured pieces of furniture....and whatever the style they are, they are mine to treasure.

Fish......

While on a recent vacation I was able to paddle board. In the hotel there was this amazing painting of a sword fish. I couldn't wait to draw it. Although my rendition is lacking the detail of the painting is does capture the cartoonish depiction of the real thing. Sea life is amazing!  This was done with my shapries and watercolors....

Practice Makes Perfect

Well as the saying goes.......Practice makes perfect. Free motion quilting can make any quilt really stand out.  It looks very easy, but it does take practice. It is like drawing, but instead of a writing utensil, you use the sewing machine. That adds another set of "situations".  Every master of this craft states that practice is essential. Some do it daily to fine tune what I think is already a perfect technique. At one of my favorite thrift stores in petoskey, I was able to find these upholstery samples that already come with metal rings. These were extremely inexpensive, but perfect for practicing quilt squares with machine quilted stitches. What makes them so much fun is that some of them are solids, and some have patterns. I love the fact that I can practice without using expensive fabric, and I can try out different types of thread....

HOPE

This is one of my favorite doodles. I was able to draw using my favorite sharpie markers. It has been said by many that you will find your favorite tools, and I must say these fine tip sharpies are by far my most trusted writing and doodling instrument. I filled in the detail with metallic markers for the border. The actual letters, background, flowers, and paisleys are done in water colors. I feel cheery just looking at these colors.....

Glass Brimming

Embarking on the path to doodling was not an easy one. I wasn't sure what to doodle. So I figured I would try. I sketched this in pen first and then painted this with water colors using my koi brush. It didn't have any deep meaning when I started the doodling but as I got done I had read a book in which the woman said, "The glass is half full doesn't seem enough, then it must be brimming!" Hence how it got it's name.  Even more special this piece was completed in perfect warm weather, hence the happy color pallette.

Grow......

We all have room to grow, it is just where we choose to spend the energy. I started taking classes from Alisa Burke a while back, they are featured on line and they are amazing. She has such a way with small portable supplies. On a recent trip I brought a small sketch book, a few markers and my watercolor palette.  It was so relaxing to doodle and paint.  When making this painting, I felt that growth in the direction of the types of art that I experiment with should be a new goal.