Archive for June, 2013

evolution of the ‘can do’…

Sunday, June 16th, 2013

I am again immersed in the Earth Stories work. I lost my way for awhile. I was just piecing and sewing but not feeling the vibe. So I showed parts in progress to my art group this week.

Normally I don’t want input of work in progress…it diffuses my vision. This time however I needed input and this wonderful group of mixed media artists came through for me.

I was reminded of my original idea of layering pieces on top of each other which I’d dismissed solely because of the tricky nature of neutralizing the background color after photography. The cart was not only in front of the horse but half a mile down the road! Make the work first, figure out the photography later. Immediately it came to me to hire a professional to neutralize background colors…duh!

We were both raised by Depression-era parents with that ‘can do’ attitude which has applied to our lives ever since. Only with age has come the wisdom that while we ‘can do’ most things we need not! Just because I can do (fill in the blank) doesn’t mean I have to…

One of the essential components of my work is there needs to be a problem for me to solve. This piecing of fabric is like working a jigsaw anyway but now I find I want to learn something new with each new piece. Perhaps the greatest thing I have learned so far with this project is I don’t have to do everything….again! That and I am once again enthused and excited to be working on it.

 

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new venue for my work…

Monday, June 3rd, 2013

My work was recently juried into the Arts Guild of Sonoma. This is a 30 year old artists’ cooperative with a gallery just off the plaza in beautiful downtown and historic Sonoma, CA. I could not be more pleased to have a new venue for my work and will be showing this year in June, July, October and December. This morning I took my work for the June exhibit over to be installed tomorrow.

I have always loved the town of Sonoma and have said that had we seen it first we would have made our home there instead of here. Mind you we love our hometown equally as well but that extra 15 miles inland brings with it more sunshine, less wind and of course higher property values! In a previous life I worked for a doctor who had a second office in Sonoma where I occasionally worked. Then and now every trip over the rolling hills I am smitten with what a visually glorious part of the world this is. If one can look past the cars speeding on the two lane roads and take in the hay being baled, the cows languishing in the field and the miles and miles of vineyards….just gorgeous! So I think my four trips/month to Sonoma to take work, bring home work, work the gallery and attend the receptions will not be too difficult to manage. The trickiest part might be capturing the changing colors from the side of the road.

Meanwhile back in the studio….I am continuing to work on the altered book homage to my late parents. I am anxious to finish it as it pretty much covers my downstairs print table. I have learned a lot about the altered book process including I will probably never do this again! It’s never been my intention for this to be exhibit quality and that is a good thing as I continue to be educated in the limitations of gel medium.

And then there is the Earth Stories project….dominating my design wall and beckoning me to come into the studio and piece!

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