Next up and currently on the “ponder table”, Carla’s stuff! Some very cool textiles including dyed cheesecloth, cowhide and lace edging. The glasses I might snarf for myself.

Only four more days of the Tour and then I’ll be back in the saddle again … the training [...]]]>

Check out the coolio glasses!

Next up and currently on the “ponder table”, Carla’s stuff! Some very cool textiles including dyed cheesecloth, cowhide and lace edging. The glasses I might snarf for myself.

Only four more days of the Tour and then I’ll be back in the saddle again … the training saddle that is, as my knee feels ready to start tackling something other than walking. The last set of shots has taken longer to get over so I’m hoping those ligaments are finally tightened up for good.

Have a bunch of new projects to whet my appetite … an altered shoe show courtesy of Tricia’s Ten Women Gallery and my interest in canvas work has been peaked too. Took this photo of Granddog Figs & Stella hanging out watching the world go by and I can just see it as one of my scenics. Time to haul out the Epson to the studio!

Dog Days of Summer

Once I got over the fear that the muriatic acid was going to eat me from two feet away, I was able to get on with the task. It’s a lovely warm [...]]]> OMG! OMG! OMG! I etched today and I am COMPLETELY stoked. Why didn’t I know how to do this before today?!?

Once I got over the fear that the muriatic acid was going to eat me from two feet away, I was able to get on with the task. It’s a lovely warm sunny day perfect for playing in the shade. I tried copper, 22gauge brass that I got for SOME reason and regular sheet metal. I did the bird (lower righthand corner) in the first batch and it changed the acid/hydrogen peroxide bath this weird rusty colour complete with puffy stuff floating on top of everything. Oh No! I’m ruining it! I thought and hauled it out and dumped it into the soda bath. Upon washing with baking soda paste and rinsing, rinsing, rinsing, I realized that, Nope! the acid was just doing what it was supposed to. (fyi – the middle sheet metal piece I left in longer on the second go round)

Another thing I found out by accident which I will try more pointedly next time, a piece of tape had wrapped around on top of the metal and of course, created a resist. (duh!) But! This could be exploited in so many wonderful ways. My original thought was as a simple border but using a combination of stencils and tape, it would create some really neat raised relief parts. FYI, I found duct tape to be more durable (and easier to grab hold of) than masking tape.

Project 3 from Semiprecious Salvage

After playing with etching for the better part of the day, I made Project 3 using a piece of my etched sheet metal, some plant roots and, I confess, an already made resin piece. I just wasn’t up for mixing a bunch of resin today. Likely the charm will change as it doesn’t quite fit the theme here. I am in LOVE with this rolled piece of metal though. Mrrrowwwrrrr!

OH! And just in case you get a serious case of etching envy, Stephanie provided a fantastic tutorial on her site.

So. ArtFest. It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. The best because [...]]]> … and still struggling with the time difference. It is SO much easier to go East to West than West to East. That whole Spring forward/Fall back thing I guess only with a FOUR hour difference. heh.

So. ArtFest. It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.
The best because I got to meet face-to-face with some long time online friends and there really isn’t any substitute for ‘in the flesh’ time. Hanging out at Camprunamuckus was perhaps the highlight of my time at Fort Worden. We’d give a daily Show’n'Tell of what we’d learned/accomplished in our classes and were as varied as the dozen or so of us that were billeted in that dorm. We’d finish projects, journal (though honestly? I HATE  using that word as a verb! ), play and kvetch. Some of the ladies kept us in stitches, tears pouring down the cheeks laughing.
The worst because frankly, being surrounded by 500+ women scared the bejezus outta me. I am not an outgoing person in a crowd. I prefer smaller, more intimate settings and walking into a dining hall FILLED with unknown people? Yah. Panic attack mode. There were a few folks I recognized but didn’t have the confidence/gumption to walk up and introduce myself. (Ms. Katie I forced myself at Vendor’s Night because I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again. But we were in the same dorm. *sigh* I am SUCH a wanker!)

The Classes:

Who’s Your Dada? with Linda & Opie O’Brien.
We were all given the same head and block of wood to start with. The end results were ANYTHING  but similar. I was absolutely astounded by the depth and variety of talent in this class. Or as I’d later learn, at ArtFest in general. Truly mind boggling! Remember, I had limited how much I took with me so each class was a challenge in working with what I had. We were also introduced to a new product called Apoxie Sculpt. I am in LOVE! Truly this stuff rocks the Free World. (the heart is made with this stuff with a bit of red acrylic mixed in) The advantage of it is it’s long workability time, 3-4 hours then dries to a hard finish that can be drilled, sanded or otherwise "tooled". PLUS it is a strong adhesive. Seriously rocks!

Transparency Collage with Michael deMeng.
The first class with Michael – his classes were held in the Art Asylum – a room that is set up with all manner of detritus that other artists bring for everyone to play with – and a good thing too, because after looking at my paltry selection of stuff for 8 hours the previous day it was obvious what I had brought specifically for this class was NOT going to cut it. I managed to find a box – complete with folk art painted apple and checkerboard if you please – to house my frame in. A couple of cuts with the dremel and a judicious coating of Dap adhesive (another new-to-me product that rocks!) and it was ready to house my transparencies.

Michael went into great depth of "his" painting techniques and I was amazed to learn that we use very similar techniques – base layers of watery washes with "The Uszhhh" (aka The usual) – Quin Gold & Mars Black (though I often use Payne’s Grey but I digress) and I tend to bring up more colour with a final coat of Titanium White applied with my finger. But similar enough. It felt as though I was being validated if that makes any sense at all. I also learned that burning transparencies creates totally cool edges. I was also thrilled that I was able to complete the project in the given time frame. Something that concerned me as in the past I’ve often needed more "pondering time" to grab a theme and go with it. Guess all these weekly challenges have paid off!

The (infamous) Morpheus Box with Michael deMeng.
The class that made me go to ArtFest in the first place. And it was all worth it. Again, I didn’t learn a whole lot in technique in any of these classes, I so fell in love with the structure for this project and can see using it again and again. One of the best things, maybe THE best thing was the critique at the end of each of Michael’s classes. Starting with his playing of the theme from The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (and frankly, it will forever induce a panic attack when hearing those opening bars!), wherein at the end of the song, we’d all "put down our pencils" and assemble at the table to receive a critique of each and every one of our pieces. Finished or not. I learned SO much from these – from Michael’s ability to find something positive in everyone of our creations, as well as how he’d make connections with our choice of colour or material and why these were important. LOVED that!

 In the end it was about the connections with people. The classes, the projects were almost incidental. My brain is overflowing with ideas. Now if I can just get over this jetlag to implement some of them. Don’t forget…new challenge on Friday!

I sat down this morning and cracked my new 2008 journal pondering my goals for the New Year. A retrospective glance told me it was a pretty good year overall. I was given the "All Clear" from the doc for my DVT, did my first – and likely last - 14 day cleanse, visited [...]]]>

I sat down this morning and cracked my new 2008 journal pondering my goals for the New Year. A retrospective glance told me it was a pretty good year overall. I was given the "All Clear" from the doc for my DVT, did my first – and likely last - 14 day cleanse, visited Cuba, and NYC, participated in a number of  collaborative ventures including The Gorey Project,  20Things, The Global Shoe Project, finished 31 pieces for Artsomofo and made some wonderful and hopefully enjoyed Christmas presents.

My art goals for the year are modest. I am once again participating in the 100 Artists Show for Zeek Gallery and that is my first priority tomorrow when I head out to the studio. The theme this year is "What’s Inside" and while I’m pretty sure I know what I will be doing with the box I have under 2 weeks to complete and send it off to Salem OR.

Second on my list is to complete 2 more in my "Angel of …" series – the first two being Angel of Mercy and Angel of Death. Someday I hope to show these in their entirety. Five mixed media canvases to use up all the images I have kicking around my computer and then having thoroughly enjoyed the wee house ornaments I made as Christmas presents, I think I’d like to make one of those per month maybe themed around the months themselves.

I’m also planning on adding some extra content here. A weekly challenge as much for myself as for anyone else. I work best when I have deadlines it seems. As well as I’ll be continuing my Eye Candy offerings. I really enjoyed getting out’n'about while fantasizing about fabric and craft this pre-holiday season. So. Yah. Lots of stuff on the burner. Stay tuned and may you have an inspiration-filled 2008!

Day 35 – The final piece to finish of artsomofo and a complete set of 7. I ran out of old collage pieces so this is on maybe 80lb watercolour paper with a base of Golden’s Absorbent Ground. I cut out the image as it was quite large for my 4 x 5" [...]]]>

Day 35 – The final piece to finish of artsomofo and a complete set of 7. I ran out of old collage pieces so this is on maybe 80lb watercolour paper with a base of Golden’s Absorbent Ground. I cut out the image as it was quite large for my 4 x 5" paper, leaving the intricate cat’s cradle intact. As a result much of the texture from the ground is visible and I used that to my advantage. I took the colours directly from the photo, Burnt Umber and cream (folk art paint), emphasizing the edges with the darker colour and applying the cream to the center portions. Very simple but a very striking image for Number 35.

Tomorrow I’ll be posting some new assemblage pieces I’ve been working on. Thanks for hanging in for the month of October. It’s been quite a ride!

Day 34 – LOVE the textural quality of Micaceous Iron Oxide! And it fits so well with today’s image – love that little guy’s concentration. The fish stamp is from MadRatRubber. Go see Gretchen’s rubber folks. Awesome! I used the mica right on the substrate, added a layer of Titanium white to brighten [...]]]>

Day 34 – LOVE the textural quality of Micaceous Iron Oxide! And it fits so well with today’s image – love that little guy’s concentration. The fish stamp is from MadRatRubber. Go see Gretchen’s rubber folks. Awesome! I used the mica right on the substrate, added a layer of Titanium white to brighten it then another watered down wash of Micaceous Iron Oxide on top. Initially I had planned on mixing in some Burnt Umber or cream or more titanium white but liked it just the way it was. Added my new fish stamp – LOVE – then punched in some holes on the top of the image. I was going to wire in some fish bones there but liked the simplicity of the holes as they were so wired in a sand dollar – a coat of micaceous iron oxide over a base of black gesso – at the bottom.

We’re in the middle of a hurricane. Wish us well! Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.

Day 33 – Using a base wash of Turquoise (Pthalo) – LOVE this colour – and Transparent Iron Oxide – LOVE this combination of colours *slurp* – I then glued down the image. I [...]]]>  hmmm. The photograph is a bit dark – I’ll try to get a better one. But not today.

Day 33 – Using a base wash of Turquoise (Pthalo) – LOVE this colour – and Transparent Iron Oxide – LOVE this combination of colours *slurp* – I then glued down the image. I wanted to create something that would emphasize the fist and frankly, being a product of those early Batman shows immediately thought of those BAM! and POW! graphics. So I drew some of those in. And used iron oxide as the main colour taking them right to the fist. Went in with full pigment turquoise to reinforce their strong lines. Iridescent Copper (fine) was used to pick up the bubbly texture. So simple. Yet striking.

Ross Creek Secret – In other news, there is a show/sale in support of Ross Creek Centre for the Arts today and tomorrow taking place at Argyle Fine Art Gallery in Halifax. If you’re local do check it out. All postcards are $50. The pieces are anonymous until you buy. Kinda fun. Some big hitting artists are taking part. Including me.

Day 31 – Decided to change the shape of the image by cutting it as a circle, keeping the focus squarely (heh) on the pointing finger rather than on the elastic about to be let loose. I decided on Cad Yellow and Payne’s Gray as my 2 main colours, creating a wash of [...]]]>

Day 31 – Decided to change the shape of the image by cutting it as a circle, keeping the focus squarely (heh) on the pointing finger rather than on the elastic about to be let loose. I decided on Cad Yellow and Payne’s Gray as my 2 main colours, creating a wash of yellow on the right blending into gray on the left.

Keeping with the circular theme, I used sequin waste to overlay the texture on the wash backround being careful to mask over the image, fading from a light gray on the right to a darker, full pigmented gray on the left. Once dry I then over lay the sequin waste again and added some yellow to the right hand side circles only. I faded the yellow to Titanium white on the right as well.

I thought I’d like some text and used a transfer of handwriting but for the most part it didn’t work though you can still see some faint traces on the right hand side which I rather like. While quite a bit simpler than my last few pieces, I like how this one turned out. But then,  I AM a sucker for circles!