Who?

A new print that just dried in the blistering sun over 3 days. This guy came to me while watching the kids at the swimming pool... the good old Moleskine is a good traveller. Thinking of printing this one on a few t-shirts for a change. Keep cool!

New Projects for 2012!

Ok, the new year sort of snuck up on me... while putting away Christmas stuff and thinking about how to run the kids' energy into the ground over the holiday break. But, I didn't want to pass up a chance to start something new. Fresh starts and new calendars have an effect on me.

So, after much thought over the past few days of January, I decided to break up the year into 3-month chunks. For the first 'quarter' (ug, it sounds so 'financial'!) there will be a series of woodcut faces. I'll be posting them on Thursdays... no real goal per week, just how ever many 'happen' over the week. You can also see them over at my Flickr page... I'm going to post all of 'em there. This is going to be exciting! The next 3 quarters? Who knows... they are up for grabs. I hate to commit to something this soon for the whole year so, this is the 'wiggle room' that's necessary to keep things spontaneous.

My other project this year is to find more venues for showing art and get myself 'out there' much more. I mean, if I'm going to make it, then... people have to see it! :)

Happy new year, everyone! Please don't be shy, leave a comment if you like. I love to read them and really appreciate hearing from you :)

Bonfire of the Fish Spirits- Carved Version

Originally this image was an art quilt... but, I really like this one and thought it would translate nicely into a woodcut. Here is the actual carved Shina wood. I printed this version, made some revisions and have printed the final cut. (oh, that IS relief printmaker lingo :) So, I'm going to share as soon as the ink is dry and have painted.

On another note, we are expecting our first big snow storm (already had a dusting that melted) so, today I've been getting ready... sweeping all the pine needles that fell after a nasty windstorm. (It's much easier to shovel snow without those things on the ground - and I'll be doing the shovel duty so, I'm making it easier on my arms.) Also moved all the patio/deck stuff out of the elements. Plus, we went grocery shopping, returned the library movies and bought some scrap booking stuff for Christmas pages. A swimming playdate was cancelled this afternoon because of the forecast and as of 5:15pm, still not snowing. Hmmn.

New August Woodcuts

More ballet... this time in the form of woodcuts. These were test prints to see what they're looking like. More decisions to make now. My least fave is the last photo but, maybe I can make it work.

I'm hoping to escape into the garden today to pull weeds and trim hedges. But first, the eucalyptus oil will be slathered on. I'm the perfect meal for bugs and nasty blood-sucking black flies (they're rampant in Spokane this summer!). But the oil really does work. Try it if you are one of those 'lucky ones' who seems to get bit no matter what.

Happy Friday!

Celebrating the 'New'

A new quilt that's been coming along very quickly!

A new woodblock based on a drawing from an art quilt I did in Jan/Feb of this year. Still needs a bit more tweaking... this is the first state printing.

Easter table before the feasting! Yes, those are paper cups, they look so tacky but I was feeling lazy about clean up. May have to commit to doing dishes next year :)

The egg coloring happened on Easter this year and ended up being a great 'craft' for all the kids.

Well, the leaves and blossoms are finally coming out little by little... I'm so glad. We're starting to feel the newness of spring! I'm working on new woodcuts and hope to share more this week. Happy Wednesday :)

From Pennies and Markets...

Here's a new woodcut of an outdoor band at a summer stage. I love the atmosphere of art fairs and farmer's markets that are soon to open. This is where the inspiration came for my show at The Ruby Slipper. There are several market scenes of the fruity and foody variety and more than a few musicians thrown in as well as the penny rugs mixed with woodblock printed embellishments. I'll be sharing more over the next couple of weeks but naturally will keep a few things secret til after the opening on April 30!

I'm really excited to start up some new ideas and projects after all the work gets delivered to the gallery in a few days.

Candle light

I'm fascinated by flames. Firelight, tapered candles in candelabras, tea lights on trays, big fat candles on stands etc. It's the warm glow that gets me - to be in that space where the glow of fire is... it feels good and welcoming even comforting. I'm sure it's one of those primal things humans naturally respond to. While gazing at flame(s) I often think of cave people and their fires & how important they were to their existence... or light houses - the flame guiding sailors in the darkness.
I didn't realize it but I have several drawings and carvings of candles... so I'm going to continue with a series.
This one needs a little more carved away before it's finished... and a bit of color added too. Have relaxing Saturday - light some candles at dinner tonight!

Village Snow

Here's a new carving in progress. The image is from our New years trip to Portland... we'd just arrived and a blizzard engulfed us! (posted about a few weeks ago) This is the toy shop hubby and the kids were at as I made my way back in the snow. I love it when a sudden thunder or snow storm comes with out warning... just as long as the snow melts the next day :)

Mother and Child

Here's a new print I just painted for the first time today. Will likely take out the line by her mouth! I can't help myself... love that bright orange - can't get enough of it! I've been experimenting with some dreamy, half surreal drawings but have to work up the courage to show them. They are not the usual fare although there are plenty of female figures and water. Maybe later in the week after color has been added they'll turn up.

Painted Lilly

Here's the Lilly and the Daisy triptych all painted. I also did a blue version that's hanging in the * Ruby Slipper right now along with the rest of the Winter Seedlings show. The opening was on Friday and went pretty well. It was quite slow, though because of Spokane's annual art fair, Artfest starting the same day. But, I'm glad the show is up. An old friend called me out of the blue after seeing the show which was a silver lining. :)

*click and see the shop (although you can't see the show). If you click on handbags you can see some of my purses!

Farm Stand

Here's a fresh woodblock print that's so very summer! In the rush to complete all the work for the show I ironed the prints between 2 papers to speed ink drying time! (Thanks Gretchen... she gave me the tip and it does work if repeated over a few days and no steam) Anyway, ink had to dry before painting could begin.
This print makes me yearn for the farmer's market... should be opening in a week or 2. Inspires me to grow a veg garden! (have only done basil and tomatoes thus far). I love wandering around those places with the warm weather, acoustic live music and all the colors of the stalls. Usually, the only thing I leave with are fresh flowers and kettle corn :)
My son's 6th birthday is coming up and he wants a pinata in the back yard.... we'll steal away today and start gathering party stuff while he's at school. The hardest part is finding a hiding place - he's got epic gift radar :) Happy hump day!

Farm Stand Crayon Rubbing

A new woodcut started yesterday... I'm almost done but need to figure out the lettering for the fruit stand sign at the top of the image. Think it'll look nice painted. I have a few more in the works too... and when I'm all done with this show, all I wanna do is knit socks and make a quilt!!

The Last Daisy

Well, it's 'Sketchbook Thursday' and no sketches to be found. Everything's sort of put on hold until late May... then, maybe I'll be back to the usual and posting more on the Artslice blog too.

Here's the 3rd 'Lilly and the Daisy' woodcut I hope to complete today. I've taken a few days off from carving to let my hand rest. If all goes well I'll be printing 3 before Saturday.

Here's naughty Mr. Darcy chewing on something he shouldn't. When will he be a teenager?!

Scent of a Daisy

One of a triptych I'm working on... this wood is harder than my usual stuff (left over from woodblock camp in Victoria BC!... nice, big piece though) . Have had to take a break from it (hello numb thumb) and work on paintings today. Actually, I started a new one today with a mystery flower... I'll post it this weekend. Hoping someone knows the name of it :)

Happy Friday.

Sniffing a Daisy

Here's a new woodblock started today!! It goes with the same theme as the paintings/winter madness/ only-spring-will-make-it-right. I like the way it's going... this is actually going to be a triptych.

We've had wind, sun, hail, snow and thunder showers all in one day! Pretty moody weather :) I'm banking on the theory of transitional weather is a sign of sunshine as the season changes.

Hope y'all had a nice Easter... we did. I baked an apple pie and my brother cooked the real food, just the way I like it!

Easter Eggs and the Strawberry Patch

This Strawberry patch woodblock was just printed... think will take even more dark out of the leafy part and then, will paint it which will really add more umph. The Speckled Eggs - it's actually a card. I made some cards for a local bookshop that are colorful, Spring-y and a few for Easter as well. Talk about last minute!! (can't believe we're this close to Easter, must get the candy baskets together - so much fun to watch all the kids hunt for eggs.)

Wishes have come true in our town... the sun is finally shining. We spent most of the weekend outside, playing in the dirt, cleaning out the flower beds and bringing out the umbrellas and lawn chairs! Not to mention playing sand table, sidewalk chalk and taking the puppy (Mr. Darcy) for long walks to tire him out and get plenty of sun. It's a whole new world!

Color from Food and Yarn

Knit print... drawn from shadows on the knitting needles (in the round) and ball of yarn. This was a printing experiment. Next time I'll use white paper and other ink colors. (not too crazy about the green ink!) Was a fun print tho, I have another one to show soon, I'm doing a series of these.

I'm definitely not a 'foodie' or even much of a cook but I do love the colors of fruit and vegetables. Was planning on making strawberry shortcake this week... the kids have never had it before. (hmm, how could I incorporate chocolate to get them to eat it?? :)

Fruit and Papaya Milk Stand

Papaya Milk for sale here... this is the 4th Asian influenced woodcut for the upcoming show. Another Night Market stand of exotic Asian fruits... bitter melon, and giant carrot looking fruits. Sorry to say I don't know the names. I'm almost done with this one... just need to add and subtract a few more things. (I love the purple paper... it was left over and laying around the studio just begging to be printed on :)

Here's a crayon rubbing of a boy - from a drawing in the sketchbook. To the side, the Chinese characters I had to trace and reverse for the other carvings... makes him look like the boy from Empire of the Sun - I think so, anyway:) Have a happy Monday.

Dumpling Stand

The second Asian-themed woodcut... this lady made wonderful dumplings for sale at the Taipei night market. This is a test print - still a few things to tweak before it's done. I printed it on a map for fun.... it's actually tissue from a shoe box that was too cool to throw in the trash! Hopefully I'll finish the last 2 by Friday and test print... my thumb has a nice callous now :)

Taiwan Print on a Snowy Morning

Printing party last night in my studio!! This is one of 4 I'm working on for the April show... there is an 'East meets West' theme. (it's a work in progress) I finally referred to some photographs of a trip to Taiwan several years back. This is a footbridge (Cihmu Bridge) at Taroko Gorge. We drove on the stomach churning, 'fear for your life' East/West highway. (mostly one lane, carved on the side of a mountain... ) Amazing how drawing can be like time travel!

Front yard this morning. Where are all the daffodils and bulbs?! We had quite a blizzard yesterday... luckily only a few inches stayed.