What's in My Head?

About a week ago I had a hissy fit about what path my life was taking. Lots of factors hinge on this subject... family, the house, my husband's career, the ages of our kids, the mess making dogs, the garden/yard, social life (or lack there of) and mostly: what will I do when our youngest is in school full time? (in a few years) This question produced many more questions and the tears flowed.

Since it was such a 'boiling point' moment, I decided to dump it all in my sketchbook. It felt SO GOOD to get it out. It ended up looking quite chaotic, (love that) I decided to put it on fabric. Will be doing more on this subject matter - it's serving as a kind of map for my life... past, present and future. This particular one is pretty much in the present moment.

Our son's super cute book about a day in his life

Marching teaspoons

Pie Factory Sugar cube dash

Here are a few more monoprints in the Factory series and the masterpiece... my son's portrait of our family. I just love getting stacks of completed school work. Especially when they include his drawings - they make me smile from the inside out!

We've looking forward to sunny, summer weather this week! Hurrah! I can always use some sun to fuel the artmaking process. Happy Monday.

Cuppa Tea Machine

Monoprint... I used Akua ink and a paint brush. Am doing a series of factory-based (or automated) teatime. (Based on a woman/mom fantasy of food and chores being done by machines) Next, I'll be experimenting with hand coloring these... we'll see what happens!


PS Check out the new artist's site created by abstract painter, Mary Ann Wakeley at www.artofthisworld.net
Thanks so much to Mary Ann for including me in this incredible circle of artists!

Mastercarve Me!

Here are a few stamps carved this week... out on the deck during a few sun breaks before school pick up time. (in other words, the precious few quiet moments of the day! :) I'll be adding a little more detail but they are kind of fun and very 'off the cuff'.

I've been walking a lot lately, trying to store up every inch of sunshine before the darkness sets in. Yesterday I noticed the beautiful colors of autumn just starting to turn and fall from the trees. I picked up Walden at the library - on CD- thought it would add to the enjoyment of the changing season. Love it! Happy almost Friday.

Settling In

Our son's new hobby :) Had his first lesson today. It's not going to make the neighbors happy!

Well, school's been in for about 2 weeks and I'm finally getting into the new 'groove'. It's amazing how you think you've got it covered... when everything changes again. With our little girl now in pre-school 3 days (half days, that is) and our son doing more after school activities -

Mama's adjusting to a newly formed schedule - with art making included, of course!

Today I got up while the house was still quiet and gave myself an hour to mess with the Akua ink that's been waiting to be used down in the printing studio. SO much fun! I'm already hooked and will plan on getting up even earlier tomorrow :) However, the bed is calling much earlier in the evening. No one around here does very well without ample sleep.

We are so thankful for the great weather that has returned this week. Life is good! How's your September going?

Dinner and a Quilt

And now... dinner's ready! Check out a nice, new dish I made... Stuffed, baked eggplant! It was yummy but time intensive - has 3 layers inside each eggplant shell. The recipe is from an older cookbook, the Vegetarian Epicure.

Here's the 'Bedtime Rituals' paintings sewn into a quilt - which was a family effort. Tried to choose starry, night time style fabrics. (including Eric Carle's 'Very Lonely Firefly' fabric :) Now, to finish the hand painted border with the lyrics to 'Blue Moon' on it and have it machine quilted. Then, we'll all have to fight for it to decide who's bed it graces first!

What in the Sam Hill....?

Vineyards at Maryill... on the Colombia river.

On our travels back to Spokane, we stopped at the Maryhill Museum in Goldendale, WA for a picnic and some art. Samuel Hill was a wealthy business man who built the Colombia river Highway... and collected art. He had a mansion built, perched above the Colombia river, thinking it would grow into a nice farming community someday. It never really happened and he never even lived in the house. His famous dancer friend, Loie Fuller, convinced him to turn it into a museum.

There's a nice collection of Rodin sculptures, a collection of gems, paintings, furniture etc. from Marie, Queen of Romania... a fashion display from the 40's-50's, as well as a stellar chess set collection. Currently, William Morris - a glass artist - has a beautiful show inspired by the northwest and walks in the wilderness. (I believe he's a teacher at the Pilchuck Glass School).