The Cooking School

A quaint little house that's been turned into a cooking school in a Pacific NW beach town. (I liked how it was perched up on a hill from the sidewalk). I used gouache on this ink drawing plus a bit of colored pencil. I'm working on being more 'rough and immediate'. More to come... This will probably land in the etsy shop but first, we're going for a good long stroller ride. The weather is legendary today and we must bathe ourselves in it! Happy holiday weekend :)

Sunflower Saint

Here's a sunflower I did last week... it was pretty blah so I added a lot of yarn to add shading and dimension. Now, I'm happy with the way it turned out. It's going to be mounted to another piece of black wool since I worked right to the edges. But, who knows what it will be in the end?! Pillow??

Trees in a Chair Forest

I got my battery charger back, yay! I've been working a lot while my camera was out of commission... Now I have more new things to show off and I always welcome your comments. What do you think I should do with these new felt pieces? Purses, wall hangings or pillows??? I've made purses in the past but am wondering if a change is needed. I'd love to hear your opinions if you'd like to leave a comment.

Tea

Tea, by Brenda. 28" x 38" acrylic on canvas

Here's a painting I did a few years back... it's one of my favorites. It sold right away and I did a small woodblock print of the image. I did a 'Tea' series of women having tea and they all sold,
I guess there are a few of us die hard tea drinkers out there! I should pick up where I left off and do some more, I've been wanting to do some larger paintings again.... it's just finding the time to actually finish them. (I have a few going in my studio that I need to finish - maybe with school starting again I might have the chance.)

Arm of the Starfish

I know, I know... they call them 'Sea stars' now but I can't seem to make the change. These starfish had little nubs that looked like electric lights - especially the purple one on the right. These colors so so gorgeous, it's amazing how nature creates these combinations! Hmmm, I feel some inspiration coming on...

Beach Kelp

Another beachy felt piece. I'm not sure I want to keep the long yarn but it does make it more like real kelp... a kind of seaweed. I may do a version that is more randomly placed on a blue background... like it's floating or swaying in the water. I miss that sea air smell! Every time I do a beach or pool piece of art I feel a sadness that summer's almost gone. Autumn's my favorite season but the threat of the cold, dark winter is foreboding... where's my mantra?! Oh yeah, 'Live in the moment, live in the moment!'

Ocean and Beach

Inspiration from our trips to the beach in felt! I used different sizes of yarn and some random shapes that looked like waves - not quite sure I'm done with this one.

Printing on Linen

Sorry, I know this is a pretty bad photograph!

I did these little experiments today not in the studio but in my kitchen... while my daughter played with the pots and pans. These are hand brayed because it's just too messy and risky to do it on the press. (My blankets would really get trashed!) It was kind of hard doing the woodblocks on fabric... but I tried a few things and rocking a wooden spoon while applying pressure to all parts of the block was the best method I discovered. I also used some stamps I carved out that white eraser material... they were great to work with on fabric.

I did some larger pieces too. First, I cut out 'fat quarters' but they seemed too big, so I cut 'em in half and made some pretty cool pieces - I'm happy with them! They probably will become purses and wallets. Tomorrow, I will be printing larger images on linen using the press... much easier - I forgot what a workout hand printing is!

Little Shrines and Crepes

Yes, I'm a bit paranoid about showing my kids photographs on the Internet... call me crazy but covering their photos will help me sleep at night!

Almost finished painting this one... but I have to fill in the Crepe menu. Hmmm, what sounds good?! I've been working on some more summer paintings and little shrine ornaments made with rubber stamps. They are so cute, made by Rubbermoon stamps. There's a little box that goes behind the cut out and that's where you put a photo or whatever you want... then with the 'frame' attached it gives depth. So much fun!

Little Trees

Tree Specimens

I spent most of the day yesterday making several needle felted pieces. I love geometric and organic shapes and repetition... here's an example! I know it's a bit early, but I'm already thinking about fall and all the colors. I want to make more in that palette... it's my favorite season.

Bed in Winter

Bed in Winter - in progress

Portrait of my Pfaff Felting Machine.

I have been having a fabulous time with my felt colors, a pair of scissors... and of course, my trusty felting machine. The machine is kind of like glue in a collage only less sticky!

I used wool roving for the first time, it's pretty cool - it makes a different texture than cut wool. Also used - several different kinds of yarn. This piece will probably be a pillow or a wall hanging. Functional pieces are always nicer, I think.

Kite Shop at the Beach

I couldn't resist painting this kite shop. It seems like such a care-free, barefoot kind of a place! Only in a beach village could I imagine such a shop with it's weather-beaten shingles, bay windows and driftwood quasi-fence in the front. It looks like it was some one's cottage at one time. I still have not finished the lower left corner or the windows quite yet. This will be a great image to gaze at in the thick of winter!

The Swimming Class

Swimming Class II

My son is starting 2 weeks of swimming lessons pretty soon, he is so excited! I took some photographs last time he had lessons... it's a challenging task for me, painting water - everything is pale and blue. I think I may try to be less literal on this subject.

A Hint of Blue

My little collaborator wandered over to my painting station while I was getting the mail! Now look at my drawing that I was about to paint with gouache :( Whah! Well, now that it's shot to 'H' (as we say around here) I may paint it anyway for fun and see what happens... with unlikely colors... get a little Fauve!

Painted Villa

Don't really know why but I'm fascinated by this house in the South of France... I painted it on a wood box (jewel box) and now, this India ink drawing on paper. I will probably put it in my etsy shop soon. It's supposed to by in the 100's this weekend... blah!

Loving Orange!

Here is some irresistible yarn I found in Portland. I will make a scarf out of this... I'm so loving orange lately, in painting and most other aspects of life. :) I will be starting some new drawings probably tomorrow... I did not have a moment to do it... there was lots o' crazy, loud family times which does not equal good drawing time! (I need calm and quiet... kind of like study time).

As soon as I finish some I'll post new work, but for now, it's gonna be wild card fun stuff! Stay tuned.

Back from the Beach...

Sand sculpture contest

Purple Haze Lavender

One of my favorite 'secret beaches'.

I'm back home, after going to my hometown and having a good visit with my mom, grandma and extended family. I missed my paints and art supplies... now that I'm refreshed, I'm ready to get to work on new pieces. I'm planning on more drawings, some needle felting and lots o' gardening before summer is over.