New Penny and the Happy Clogs

Restless Sea... in progress. (wool felt and thread)I've started some new fiber art... the idea came as I was tread milling and watching a PBS production of American Masters - Andy Warhol. (one of my FAVE artists... love his use of repetition, his love of faces - Andy was attracted to 'beauties and talkers' - and most of all...his work ethic).

What does Andy Warhol have to do with penny rugs and fiber art? Nothing. But, for me, inspiration happens when reading or watching someone else's creative process. I thought of doing something like a penny rug that you can see 'holes' through but was more of a composition/wall hanging/piece of art. I'd like to hang it so it slightly sticks out from the wall... so the viewer can see a cast shadow of the piece on the wall. Although the idea is still in the nebulous stages, thought I'd share the very beginning. Hope I can pull it off.

Check out my 'Happy Clogs', they are the perfect thing for this time of year... springy and flowers. What could be better? (You don't know this, but I'm a major clog freak - have many pairs and love them all equally :) Happy hump day.

New Stuff...

Check out the new stamp I just carved out of Mastercarve. Boy is that stuff soft and lovely compared to wood... and no wood grain to worry about. I really only use it for lettering... wood is much more tricky when carving letters. Anyway, it was so much fun, I want to do more!

Check out this lovely tin I found at 'Wet Paint' as suggested by Laura at 'Laura's Watercolors'... (March 12th post) thanks, Laura! I'm very excited to have a real travel size palette...(fits in the palm of my hand) recently acquired some compact travel water containers too. I'm ready to sketch 'on location' as soon as the weather gets warmer.

On another note, we just got back from delivering my prints and paintings to Port Angeles for the April show at Itty Bitty Buzz. What a long drive... but we did treat ourselves to an Ikea visit in Seattle. I think I could easily live in that store :) Happy Spring break!

Fireside - apres swim

Fireside - apres swim, originally uploaded by Tea and Ink.

Without even realizing it, I've begun a series of water/swimmers. They just came from some more 'big paper sketches' done recently. These 2 friends have just been out at the beach sunning and swimming. Love the idea of a warm, bright fire after a day at the beach... sand in the toenails, salt on the skin and a good feeling of exhaustion.

More to come - click on photo to see more at flickr.

Makers series -

Makers series - , originally uploaded by Tea and Ink.

These are hat maker's molds, part of ' the Makers series.' It's actually the only canvas painting... all the rest are drawings and woodblocks. But, I love shelves full of similar things - like spice racks and well stocked pantries. There's something about the order and repetition that appeals to the eye.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Arlesienne Woman study

Arlesienne Woman study, originally uploaded by Tea and Ink.

I love doing sketches on the BIG drawing paper. No rules, no commitments... pure freedom. Kind of like the dogs in the off-leash park :)
There are several more on my flikr page. I've been working all week on finishing up some woodcuts and re-working them after printing. Soon, will be framing up all the stuff for the drive over to Port Angeles, WA for the April show at Itty Bitty Buzz.

Now I'm off to walk the Corgis in the sunshine... happy Saturday.

Dumpling Resturant, Seattle.

Dumpling Restaurant, Seattle., originally uploaded by Tea and Ink.

This drawing has made me think about the feeling of 'outside looking in'. I took the photograph on a 'sky bridge' to the parking garage looking back at Pike's market.

To be in the inside... a warm world within, the smells, lighting, conversation, shelter. The outsider looking in can imagine all those things but experiences none of them. There's a sense of longing or 'wanting' being on the outside. But, it can be a good thing too - in a less desirable location. Like seeing prison windows from the freeway!

Hmm... I feel a series coming on. Happy Sunday!

Balloon Guy

Balloon Guy, originally uploaded by Tea and Ink.

This man made the best balloon hats and other fun stuff. He was at Pike's Place Market in Seattle.

On another note... I've had crazy bad luck this past week. We were in a car wreck (someone pulled into traffic without looking and hit our car... my daughter in the back seat) and my computer crashed on the same day. (all our photos on there of the kids from birth til now!!! Shudder, shudder, sweat, sweat) Plus, the week before, my cell phone died.

I hope this run of bad luck is over. I'm now *ahem* 'borrowing' hubby's computer for now.