artwhispers

May TIF

This is my completed project for the May TIF, a little tongue and cheek. The photo of the cow with horns was taken at my sisters, played with the color in photoshop to match the challenge, then printed out on a silky paper with an adhesive back. It was layered with batting, machine quilted and given a fabric backing. The "name tag" says Hello, They call me Art. I got the idea to change the colors when a friend did the same when painting a vintage paint by number. There wasn't enough detail showing in my print, therefore the whacky quilting. I'm playing with another version that was printed out on a soft silk and will be hand quilted and some painting and beads done over that. This makes me smile.

May TIF thoughts

These are my grandchildren who call me an artist. Not sure what I call myself yet. I've been reading online about the topic of Sharon's TIF this month "what do we call ourselves?". I think this quote sums up my feelings(author unknown): " My art is what I make, my craft is the skills I have learned in order to make it well". Not sure what I will do with this topic but the thought process has been stimulating.

Treelady

Playing around with an image looking up at the curly willow and another image of a hand carved wooden sculpted.

TIF April

                                                                            

I think the best thing about the challenges I've joined is the thinking, then the making. Todays post shows my piece for Aprils TIF. Again one can do the colors offered, or the subject, which this month is change. Mine fits into both categories, kinda. I'm a firm believer that change is a good thing, propels us forward, even if we don't like the change itself. I can't help thinking about all the changes that have already happened this year. Here are three:

My mom has disowned me because I was instrumental in getting her into a nursing home and having her declared incompetent. Her partner of many years had been requesting her to move for several years but then would sabotage any attempts and make negative comments about the siblings. Numerous trips to the Midwest made with no resolution but increased anxiety for all involved. My change is the fact I did the best I could and am at peace with my part in this situation and realizing how it has affected me. I am the oldest sibling and the one who probably reached out the most. She has never been an easy person to be around and chose to live with someone for 15 years that was much like her. If they weren't being negative about one sibling then they picked on someone else. I gave myself permission to be at peace with my participation and not reacting or doing what I think is expected, instead of what I want to do. I am aware of the ramifications of dementia but believe the words spoken by her were truly her feelings. At this point I am taking myself out of the equation, not visiting as planned, and trying to feel the lightness of not being surrounded by crazy making. I can say I'm feeling more hopeful, motivated, inspired, and less anxious. Amen. She is by the way safe and being taken care of, visited by one sister and her "partner".

Another change, my photo studio is now almost ready for the etching press and all the other printmaking supplies to be moved in. One more coat of paint on the new floor and good to go. My head is spinning with ideas for printing. Sadly, I've turned down many requests to do studio portraits since the first of the year but will not miss crawling on the ground after little munchkins. Not having the press in the house means I will use some oil based inks and not have to worry about fumes in the house.

The third change is dealing with Polaroid discontinuing production of there film. Still sorry about that, but am learning new techniques to use Fugi film and have met some wonderful people because of it.

My piece has many layers. Fabric, paper were collaged onto acrylic felt then sewn randomly. I covered areas with Elmers glue then torched it until several places burned through and the glue turned a nice gold.  It will bubble up then dry flat, looking like popped bubblegum. I then added more collaged paper and tree bark, a polaroid image transfer on silk, and placed on fabric with batting and stitched together with random beads. It had to be done randomly because the glue becomes very hard and cannot penetrate it with a small beading needle.  The back was covered and binding applied to hold it together and frame the piece. The words on the closeup view say "time is given wings"

Tif March

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Here is my March Challenge for Tif. An embellished crow from recyled materials, mostly from the Goodwill. At $1.39 a pound its not hard to find art supplies! Although I did use some of the colors, it was mostly what I had on hand. The Embellisher is addicting at best.

Easter

Hope everyone has had a nice holiday. This is Big Al, enjoying the sun on the deck. Now I have to go clean the camera lens after he licked it.

Not blogging but making, will take photos this week.

Choices part 2

Two posts in one day! The Polaroid Manipulation class at Art and Soul Virginia has been cancelled. I was told that the students all were in favor of closing the class knowing the circumstances. What a relief: to have it settled, to know they understand. However, I will still  do transfers and possibly offer classes once I know the ins and outs of using the Fuji film.

Choices

Boy, did I have a surprise yesterday. A former student alerted me that Polaroid was shutting down it's film production and factories. They are not going out of business, just changing their focus and will be doing more digital. This hit me hard. I've been a long time user of the peel-apart-film and the already extinct Time Zero film. My dilemma revolves around teaching Polaroid Transfers. I'm scheduled to teach this May but am concerned about students being upset and rightly so that a newly learned craft will most likely not be possible in the near future. Fuji does make a film that transfers and was told it needs to be done in the dark, not easy at an art retreat that doesn't have a darkroom. I'm trying to weigh in all the factors. How would you feel if you were a student? I absolutely love doing Polaroid Manipulations and will continue to do so but I do have a darkroom. Today I hope to get more information, find out how to use the Fuji film, if it can be used in the machines I now use, etc. Keep your fingers crossed.

Doll for a cause

These are the 3 2inch squares I made for the Pink Artists contributing to: www.girl-gone-thread-wild.blogspot.com The fabric based squares will be made into a doll, sent to Art Doll Quarterly and then finally auctioned off to benefit  the Susan G Komen for the cure. It is such a satisfying feeling to be taking part in a benefit and look forward to seeing the end product. It's not too late to still join. My squares were done from recycled fabrics on the embellisher with hand stitching. Those small squares are addicting, needed to only make one.

Cone bra

This is the image I'm thinking of using for the February challenge (www.sharonb.wordpress.com/take-further-challenge ). Not sure I'll incorporate the colors but have just started thinking about images of what I remember in my past. Makes for a great conversation and DH and I had a fine time remembering some of the icons from the 50's that are no longer. It cracked me up that this was listed as a cone bra. Thankfully this is out of vogue now.I may use this image with printmaking or some hand quilting. Am also considering Tinkerbell and some others. I signed up for this because I wanted a challenge and I like that it does make me stop and think and plan within a time schedule. I tend to just "do" and let what happens, happen.

Challenge Jan 08 finished (finally)

Just finished my piece for the challenge and looking forward to the next one. I ended up sewing most of it by machine which I just got a few days ago and then hand beading it. The colors aren't quite in the scheme but close. The portrait was from an original photo of my daughter, made into a line drawing through Photoshop, then printed on silk. There is another patterned fabric beneath the portrait leaving a trace of pinkish lines. I haven't sewn by machine for quite awhile so this in itself was a challenge, but a pleasant one. The sequins, beads and funky applique were done by hand. I chose the fabric with the swirls and circles, because it made me think of one of my daughters best attributes-her perseverance no matter what and finishing what she starts.

Challenge

I have decided to base my image for the Challenge based on this encaustic image I did of my daughter. The original image was taken on the beach while in Africa. She was a Peace Corp volunteer and I was fortunate to visit her for almost 3 months. I'm doing  an art quilt and in the suggested colors as well as honoring her as someone I truly admire.  That time changed my life in many ways. Would love to go back there. I was in the middle of a photo course and would like to revisit with better cameras and more skills. I took many pictures with a Holga camera and lost some great shots when the back of the camera fell off, especially  a large sheep draped over the back of the shepard up in the mountains of Lesotho. All my Holgas wear rubber bands or velcro now. The planning stage for the project has been very thought provoking, about the subject and techniques I want to use. So will sew a quilt and embellish with beads or embroidery, hoping to find everything in my stash.   

Challenge

Not sure about making resolutions but have good feelings about the New Year. Maybe some of it from a wonderful day of hanging out with artists, all females, laughing, talking, trading, eating, selling art and a gift exchange. Goods energy, good time, good peeps. I joined a monthly challenge starting today: www.sharonb.wordpress.com/take-it-further-challenge  This months challenge is to do a piece in either paper or fabric about someone you admire and or using the colors suggested. I was totally stumped this morning but as I drank my coffee and read blogs I came up with a plan and did a little sketching, which is very out of character. I tend to use angels in much of my work and want to showcase other interests so this should help me stretch a bit. This is not something we will have to mail off but show on our blogs or flicker accounts. You can check into the blog above to get a link to each participant. I'm excited to see what others do with the topic, including myself. I normally just do, no time spent planning, just let it happen for the most part.  This feels different than doing a round robin, doing this just for myself. Stay tuned!

My Mom was taken off her meds for anxiety and dementia but slowly adding them again. Without them she is more alert, talking more, but more anxious, angry and depressed. She did talk to me last week but didn't seem real pleased to hear from me nor happy to be in a nursing home. The week before (on meds) she claimed to love the place. Hope they can find a happy medium so she will move on and maybe accept she cannot go back to the condo. She is resisting being "part of things", being placed where other patients are higher functioning, doing her therapy so she can be independant. 

To anyone who reads this, thank you. Feeling part of a big community is inspiring.

studio sale

Download holidaypostcard11.doc Things are finally coming to a head. I'm having a Holiday Studio Sale this weekend with 4 other artists so have been getting ready for that and doing some new digital art as well as collage and felting. I'm mostly using the embellisher but have done some welt felting as well. It's something I can do and still be available for all the phone calls dealing with my mom and the issues of placement and guardianship.  I feel like a load has been lifted, Mom was hospitalized this weekend and will be going to a rehab center for 3 weeks. Hopefully she will be stabilized and be less confused and depressed and then go to a group home near my sister in Michigan. Right now she won't speak to me but think that will pass once she is less angry about having to leave her condo or she may continue to disown me. It must be easier to do so than accept that her partner of many years has asked to leave move her. I'm waiting until she calms down before I go back and visit.  Didn't apply to teach in Phoenix next summer, just couldn't think about it with all this going on but I have been doing some new things. I think because I don't really think or plan when I use the embellisher, that is my choice art supply right now. Just reach and grab and felt. My DH had a good time helping me search and gather silks and wools at our local, by the pound, Goodwill. I feel somewhat guilty tearing up good clothing but at that point the items would probably next be made into rags. Some of the silk blouses are used for doing Polaroid Transfers. My students really like the silk for the image transfer, little lift off and the softness of the technique enhances the silk. I'm looking forward to teaching at A&S in Virginia next May and need to decide by tomorrow if I will take classes as well. After the studio sale I am turning my photo studio into a print studio. My press is in the basement with not much room to move around it. Somewhat sad to give up studio portraits but will still do on location shooting. It's reassuring to realize I can indulge in something equally as appealing and creative. Here is one of the images I just did. The original was taken at a game farm.

getting older

I've been very busy making but not photographing or writing. Am wrapped up with details of an out of state incompentancy hearing for my Mom and all that entails. Am thankful I can submerge myself in making art to take some of the stress away. Somehow, using the Embellisher and pounding on wool and whatever else gets under those needles is therapeutic. hope that makes sense to someone!

My photos explained

I apologize for not getting the new images in the actual post. This time 3 were added to general photos with a brief explanation of where, why or how. I know there is a better way, I just don't know how to do it.

"Kabin" in the woods

On Tuesday we are taking the grandkids to a KOA campground in Sequim, the sunny side of Washington. We are not quite camping but have a "Kabin" with beds, no bathroom or cooking facilities. So it's really like camping, cooking outdoors, no tv, computer, refrig etc. Don't even know if they have electricity but they do have a pool and lots of activities nearby. Packed up tons of art supplies, both kids like to draw and paint. My hubbies b'day happens then so will make crowns and celebrate once my daughter comes for the weekend. I've been doing more rusted shibori, using vintage jewelry findings that I let rust and tie them individually in silk. Have a nice collection going and plan on making scarves with some added screen printing. Finished a printmaking class and have fallen in love with Polyester Plate Printing, possibilities are endless. You laser print an image on the plate then ink it up and print. Can also draw with a sharpie or pen and ink that up as well. This is my new favorite art tool. My prints are still drying at school and will photograph them when I return.  I've been waking up at night planning my next image and how I want to combine them with collage and Polaroid transfers. Also have been doing collagraphs and making plates, printing with water based inks. I have a Photography Studio (portrait) and am phasing out of studio work, so will make it a printing studio after a studio sale this Nov.  It's hard to give up however, makes a great room for classes but the printing press needs to be in a user friendly area, not squeezed into a corner of the basement. Also can set up the kiln there, bought one a year ago and still not out of it's box. With all this going on will never get bored. Actually can only remember 1-2 days when I experienced any inkling of boredom. Feel fortunate I am easily amused. Will add some photos of a few recent things.

Home again

Had a great time at Art Unraveled teaching and taking. Taught Polaroid Transfers for 2 evenings, took a polymer clay class from Lisa Pavelka, and did vendors day. Well worth the headache of packing for the trip but glad to be back home. Definately not a hot weather gal. Hoping my students send images of their work to post, just didn't have room to pack my Nikon. Really do need to get a little digital for everyday memory taking. Came home to 70 degree weather, now in the 80's but due to revert back to our normal 70's. That is quite comfortable for me. Busy cleaning my photo and art studio, having a group of artists over next week so am highly motivated. Plus the grandkids are on vacation so have no distractions. I wish I had a better memory for names and faces. After blog reading today, see that many people I've read about or even met in the past were there. If I didn't acknowledge anyone please don't be offended, just say hi next time! Off to take a nap in the hammock, nice breeze blowing. T

nno

Packing madly for Art Unraveled in Phoenix. I'm up to my usual, waiting for the last moment. Also haven't photographed any of the new work I've done. I'm a photographer, what's up with that? I'll be teaching Image and Emulsion  Polaroid Transfers, vending, and taking one class. Have a printing class today and a neighborhood potluck tonight. It's for neighborhood night out where the street is closed to traffic, set up grills and picnic tables in the middle of the street and you encourage the kids to literally "play in the street". It's a countrywide celebration for those who want to celebrate. You just have to register your street with the city. We have 4 new babies on our street, should make for an enjoyable evening. A great way to get to enjoy your neighbors.

trolls

This has been a crazy week. Had cataract surgery which went very well and encourage anyone contemplating it to go ahead. The list of possible complications is very long and intimidating but I know it will be great to see more clearly again. Plan on having the other eye done when it's time. Need to photograph some new artwork, been felting, printing. Took a weekend class on collagraphs and next week take a 4 week class on Polymer Plates and printing from photos. Belong to an art group called "no rules" and this months theme is trolls. Not that you have to follow the theme but sometimes it inspires me. I actually bought 2 trolls from Ebay to photograph and manipulate and did a collagraph from an image. Today we are going fishing (g'daughters b'day) and to a movie. Tomorrow will drive to Sequim to the Lavendar Festival. Fun to sample the foods with lavendar flavors and photograph the fields. Plus it's an area that gets more than the average amount of sunshine. Taking the kids there for a week at a KOA camp end of August-has a swimming pool that the kids will love and near many other things of interest. Hope you all are having a great weekend.

the 4th and chin hairs

Ok it's after the 4th, which is my birthday. This was an interesting one, had, have a tooth abscess and drugs are not helping. I've never experienced anything quite like this. The more injections the dentist gave me, the more it hurt. Hopefully the antibiotics and painkillers will start kicking in. Now would be good. My granddaughter asked if I had grown up with chin hairs and assured me she didn't want them. Grandson said I didn't look any older on the 4th, but the next day granddaughter thought the aging had set in. They do not hold back! We are going to the ocean this weekend, hubby, dog (hubbell), daughter and kidlets. I want to gather more flat, black, smooth stones for drilling and they are in abundance on one of our favorite beaches. Ocean Shores is rather touristy but we usually go to some out of the way places. Kids love the swimming pool and can stay in it for hours which is probably where I'll be. Hope you all have a good weekend.

Summer has finally arrived

No posting but busy working in the garden, (still looks like a jungle), reorganizing the studio and spare bedroom. Worked on two teaching proposals and samples. Dying fabric with rust and fabric paints, designing screens to print over the fabric. Some of it is just for fun and experimenting, some for 2 studio sales this fall.  Doing some shibori on silk scarves then will overprint these as well. Ordering for cards and finally opened up an Etsy shop, although only have one item in it. Had a huge cedar tree taken down since some of the limbs broke off during a severe wind storm last winter. Our house is much brighter and I'm sure will be much hotter this summer. We are revamping the garden because of this and relocating plants.  Between us and the neighbors we had 4 trees to take down and now waiting for the stump grinder to do his thing.  We lost another tree last winter during the same mentioned storm and will be glad  to get that area replanted. Will post photos soonly!

Art and Soul class

Uploaded 3 more images (on left side column) of the great work done by students at the Polaroid Manipulation class at Art and Soul in Virginia early May. They were a fun group to teach and loved the varied  and great images they produced. (And who knew so many others liked angel images like I do!) Nice to know many will continue to do the transfers once they get their CopySystems. Was dissapointed the Polaroid Pinhole camera didn't make it to take individual portraits of each of the students. They brought some great images to work with and know how hard it is to prepare for the classes, especially if flying.  Like so many I tend to overpack to make sure I have everything I want to use. I'll upload as I get more images from class. Am working on some new ideas for offering something different with the transfer process. 

back at last

I added a few images from my trip to Toronto, all digital and put them in their own photo album.  I took tons of images at great cemeteries in Toronto and outside of London, Ontario.  Teaching at A&S in Virginia was great, just wished I had brought my camera. I have another new album for the works of the students but only have two added so far. I'll write more about the class when I get more images but suffice to say it was a class that produced some beautiful work by very enthusiastic folks. Meeting husband after flying into Detroit from Virginia, then driving to Toronto made for a long day but well worth. Toronto is a great city and although we had a car mostly took public transportation. Nancy Donaldson picked up us one day and we visited cemeteries with great statues. Surprised by one cemetery which had rules forbidding the photography of the headstones. Nature and landscape were ok however. They did have some great trees but some of those headstones just got in the way. We ended up at Nancy's house for a fantastic dinner with her husband and Lenny and her husband. So sorry I live so far from them. Even my husband said that was one of the highlights of the trip. Nancy's website will be listed on the side after this, does beautiful work with photography, collage, and jewelry. I did get carried away taking photos in her backyard and was like a little kid taking photos of their reflections on the glass table top. The trip to Detroit had it's happy moments but mostly sad. Great to see my family but bogged down in details of planning for mom's future which seems very limited and not with her blessings. I vote if you get dementia to keep your sense of humor and forget the anger. Someone remind me of this in a bit. Can't believe I ordered from the "senior" menu for the first time. Grateful to get home to Seattle but imagine will soon be back again. Made some felt beads at night in the motel, can"t wait to embellish them.

Detroit, Virginia, Toronto here I come

Getting ready to teach at Art and Soul in Hampton, Virginia next week. Then meeting husband and going to Toronto then back to Detroit to visit family.  I'll only be gone 2 weeks but while I'm in Detroit need to investigate a new living arrangement for my 81 yo mom, who is not happy with the idea at all, but refuses to be part of the decision process. How  or why did she let that happen? She is becoming more and more forgetful and belligerent if questioned. It's very sad. I would like her to come to Seattle to be near our family here but doesn't want to leave Michigan. This seems like a no win situation. I have been doing lots of photography and collage but haven't photographed them to show here. Also using the Embellisher more and making machine felted beads.  It's very addicting to take little bits of different fibers that seem to have no relationship to each other and make it into one cohesive fabric. I have been wet felting the machine felting and sometimes applying heat after that.  Amazing to see what can happen. Using a heat press gives it another dimension (flat and smooth). Then comes the fun part with the beading. I hope to get to know my sewing machine better when I get back, want to make aprons with all the stenciling I did recently and use some of the fabric I've collected from recycling old clothes. Actually some of the clothing is very high caliber and feel somewhat guiltly tearing it up. But only somewhat. Got a great shirt that I thought about using until my husband saw it and claimed it as his own, guessing it was a very expensive shirt. Having more hours in a day would have an advantage right now as well. Made chicken soup from scratch today at grandkids request.  Takes me back to the days my Grandma would visit and make it as well. The grandkids have pretty sophisticated tastes which makes it more fun to cook for them. The 4 yo made herself a spinach salad for lunch today. She started asking for it at 10 am.

Paler shades of grey

Is anyone interested in a trade with angels?  Years ago I took part in a round robin altered book using only grey and white colors with angels as the subject.   You probably have guessed this is one of my favorite subjects to photograph (ok, not real ones, just the stone ones in cemetaries).  It doesn't have to be a book, maybe ATC's.  Leave a comment here or email me at tbartog@yahoo.com

Sunday drive

Yesterday was Easter and since we weren't seeing family and the weather was nice for most of the day we drove 70 miles north of Seattle to La Conner, a small town known for it's tulip fields.  Perfect day although windy and hard to photograph in macro.  Had a great time enjoying the sun, being outdoors and playing. I'm going to go back again with daughter and grandkids this week and will do some family portraits.  Some years I've gone several times during the bloom season. Great time to experiement with different cameras or new angles. I uploaded 3 pics, click on them to see enlargements.

screenprinting examples

I've posted some samples of my screens for printing made from my orginial photos, plus one for the back of a postcard.  I've always wanted to make my own stamps and this comes pretty close.  The images can be printed on paper or cloth.  I'll scan some samples in the next few days using these images on cloth. I'm having fun putting them on patterned fabric, brings a whole new dimension to the image. Am having a good time in photoshop learning different ways to make the photos into more of a line drawing.  The screenprinting class is sadly over but I know I will be continuing to explore this medium. I have a ton of images to play with.  The postcard stencil is going to be printed on fabric to put on the back of the postcards I'm making with the embellisher. I've picked up lots of scarves and various silk and wool clothing to cut up and use in the embellisher. This is one incredible machine, makes felt using just the fabrics without any thread. Also just ordered Moo cards to have on hand for vendors night at Art and Soul in Virginia.   

Again

Thanks, Sue, for featuring me as the artist today.  My email on my website is not working so please use tbartog@yahoo.com  You can find the link to Sue's blog listed in blogs of interest.  Stop by and take a look and wish Sue a Happy Birthday today.

Featured artist

I was honored to be invited as a featured artist this Friday on Sue Whittick's site  www.artistsprogress.blogspot.com. Thank you Sue!

the latest news and photos

I finally am showing some of the encaustics I did during a class last month at Pratt in Seattle.  It was a class full of adventure and experimenting like burning wood glue to make a design. I loved the flexibility of the medium and transparency of various papers when encased in beeswax. Many of the papers were from previous printing samples or inkjet copies of them on very thin paper.  Some transfers were made by photocopying images on the wrong paper then transferring to a thinner paper in the etching press. Using the wrong paper means it won't dry so it makes a good transfer.  Try using transparencies or slick paper, although it is a hit and miss approach. Have transferred images without using the press just by rubbing on the back of the image with a barren or even my hand.  So far I haven't damaged my hp photocopier.  The one titled "Brianna" was an inkjet print on Oriental paper with fibers which are still apparent in the final product.

Now I'm in the middle of a screenprinting class and will show some samples later. I'm having fun making graphics with my images to use in class.  Last week I screened on baby onesies with little images.  Way too much fun. The hardest part is doing the manipulations in photoshop to convert the photo to a graphic, some images make better graphics than others.  I've been playing around with making stamps for a long time then realized some of the images could be useful in screenprinting as well. I'm working on a series of trees from photos I've taken around here, mostly along the beach and a local cemetary.  Those lonely trees standing by themselves are my favorite.

Have a show hanging here in West Seattle at Arts West showing some of my Angel Images.  Just when I think I'm done photographing angel statues I realized I will be Toronto this spring and know the cemetaries there have some great imagery calling.  DH wants to photograph there as well so apparently I'm not over angels yet. Off to play with grandkids!.

waxing

I'm in the middle of a 4 day encaustic class using a more modern approach.  Because of the ice and snow I've been hitching a ride with one of the instructors so getting there early and doing encaustics for 9 hours.  I have played with coating a collage with wax  with maybe a few layers but never knew all the finer techniques and am having a great time.  Only complaint is waking up early because my mind is going too fast thinking about the possibilities.  I have samples (too many) of my printmaking or photography that I'm trying to incorporate into the work and will take photos when I'm done.  Am in awe of the instructor and his work and excited about the possibilities.

post Christmas

Christmas Day was quiet.  My youngest daughter left early in the morning and we went to movie. So nice to see one on a big screen. Saw my older daughter and grandkids on Christmas Eve and John made crabcakes. Grandkids did not like them, usually they have very gourmet taste. Seeing more family this week. With families so extended now it's hard to see everyone at once. Our basement had flooding again yesterday so will have to contact the contractors.   Plan on doing some cleaning down there now before I call them ( and before I can do any art projects). Have put it off this morning, enjoying knitting a thick wool hat for hubby.

happy holiday

Somehow just didn't get the Christmas Cards out this year except for family so am sending this photo and wish to all who read this.

more tree saga

Hadn't realized a large branch from the cedar tree had also fallen on the roof, just feet away from the electric line.  John and a friend worked all Saturday morning removing that limb and cutting up the fallen tree as much as they could.  In the afternoon, neighbors came by with a chipper and did away with a lot of branches.  I was struck with the kindness of them all.  We still have half a tree in the yard and lots of firewood to be cut but seems minor compared to some of the stories we hear.  An interesting side note from this storm is the shortage of gas available at the local gas stations.  Heard it was a city wide experience.  My husband works at Costco so hopefully he will get lucky there, have less than a 1/4 tank left.  Feel for the people still without electricity, gotten pretty cold at night.

Mourning

Just realized how long it has been since I posted.  We had quite a wind storm last night.   One of our favorite flowering trees fell over, narrowly missing the house. A gust of wind measured 69mph at the airport, the same time the tree fell.  Hard to sleep after that. It landed on the Camelia bushes and one branch went straight into the ground. School was cancelled and so the grandkids are here and having a great time climbing the side lying tree.  Can't get out our front door but feel lucky there wasn't more damage and we have electricity.  Many around us don't.  Of course I was going to finish up some Christmas presents today but not with the kids here, or without any sleep.  Procrastination comes so easily!  Hung some wine related images at a wine bar this week,  made this week of course.  Opening is tonight but might be cancelled because of the power outages. Also had flooding in the basement from all the rain yesterday but did find the hammock that was missing.  I posted a photo titled "mourning", seems appropriate. I think I took the photo in Virginia last year after Art & Soul.  Kids just finished eating a Seattle Baby Pancake, like a big Dutch Baby.  Recipe is very easy, let me know if you want to try it, only 3 ingredients.  It's been a family favorite for years.  Hoping the electricty goes on for those without. 

thanks giving

First time in many years we won't be having family for dinner on a holiday.  It's strange but nice in a way.  Wasn't going to make a big deal out of the day but my husband, John, went and ordered a fresh turkey and bought all the fixings.  I thought we could go out for dinner and catch a movie, but he wanted to stay home, cook, and watch videos. So I could work on projects while enjoying the movies.  Pretty thoughtful I think.  He is going to do the cooking, I only have to add the spices.  What a deal.  Roast turkey with stuffing and roasted winter vegetables.  I'm in a Holiday Sale next weekend ( not at my studio this year) and a show after that, so can work on projects today.  We'll see the kids this weekend, so glad we will have leftovers.  Going to Portland this weekend, taking in art shows, seeing friends, and the baptism of our granddaughter, Lucy Nicollete.   Just love saying her name.  Hopefully, the scanner will be working tomorrow so can upload the recent works.  Happy holiday everyone!   

the last month

It is way too easy to fall behind on posting so will do a quick catchup.  I had a great time at Art and Soul in Portland last month.  Thoroughly enjoyed my classes and even finished a few projects.  I was impressed with the work my students did in the Polaroid Transfer class but wish for 2 things: 1. photos of their work and 2. forgiveness for wearing my shirt inside out on the day I taught.  Two of the gals from previous years came back to enjoy Seattle.  Stacie Kentop and I had great fun with them on the way home, stopping, shopping, and eating.   Michelle from England and Linda Sickmon from Illinois had some wonderful weather while they were here.  We spent hours enjoying the sun on Alki beach, collecting rusty metal, stones and whatever else looked collectible.  The time ended all too soon.  Then off I went to a photo shoot that a friend had won at an auction.  John Clement took us around the Pauloose for several days, showing us his favorite spots to photograph.  We traveled roads that seemed impossible but he was well aquianted with the area.  He has photographed this area for many years and has done wonderful book on the area.  The company was devine and the sheer joy of photographing for 3 whole days was subperb.  I've not been much of a landscape photographer but can see where I would enjoy it now.  Even getting up early had it's rewards. 

leaving for art and soul

Had meant to send an email to everyone taking my class in Portland at Art and Soul that I am bringing a bunch of postcards from Paris to use for making transfers.  I will check my messages tonight if anyone has a question. I'm probably off line the rest of the day, granddaughter (4 y. o.) is in the hospital and hopefully will be released today.  Between that and my being in the hospital 2 weeks ago it seems a little hectic here. Doesn't help to be packing the last day either.  Yep, I'm old enough to know better!   I'm hopefully leaving in the morning and back October 10. Terry

Getting ready for Art and Soul

Getting ready for Art and Soul in Portland next week and teaching and taking.  There is something so special about spending time with your art buddies, both old and new.  Blogs, emails and art retreats have made it easier to have friendships that might not have been possible.  I've been having fun printing calendars for vendors night.  I took some photos recently of a fence that was painted outside a daycare on a very busy street.  I'm including just some of the photos that I took, some digitally altered.  Wish I knew how to get the photo into the main body of the message, however.  Can anyone help me?  Otherwise just look under the photo and art list. 

Time in general

I feel like I should close the blinds so no one will know how much I've been on the computer today.  Does anyone else feel like that???  Mostly is was business, some browsing.  Finally got caught up on exchanges.  Need to think seriously about attending Artfest.  Last year I filled out the application and 1/2 later tore it up.  Having a morning cup of coffee, my husband looked at me, shaking his head.  I just felt that I needed to stay home and not learning more "things".  I usually take classes at the retreats where I'm teaching.  No, I always take classes where I'm teaching.  My interests are so varied, have taken many different classes and bought so many different supplies.  At AU my classes were mostly geared toward making jewelry except for Sylvia Luna's class.  I enjoyed all of them.  It was great fun to get to know Marie Otero, spend time with my roommate Nancy Donaldson, Denise Marie Warner, Doris Arndt, Barbara Mathieson and all the others I met.Denise took Doris and I out shopping at Paper Studios, Thank you!  Bought only a few supplies for classes since I had most of them already.  But, I need time to do it all at home.  Am getting the jewelry "station" organized, need to get some electrical work done and ORGANIZE.  Having too much stuff is overwhelming.  Spending some time in the garden, however, have harvested only one, yep, ONE, tomato.  Either the squirrels or raccoons are enjoying them.  They have been nibbling on the green beans and lemon cucumbers as well.  Off to do those dreaded domestic chores. 

Textures and rust

I simply can't help myself even though I have a ton of stuff to get ready before I go to Phoenix.  I've been bitten by the rust bug and have been mark making with rust on papers and silk.  Yesterday I played with a digital paper that has a substantial coating over an adhesive backing.  When I put the rusted objects on it, the coating moves around itself and the objects after spraying with water.  First I had to rust the objects earlier this week.  I've been saving a pile of metals to rust just for this.  I notice I tend to play when I should be working but am very pleased with the results of this experiment.  I think the papers would make great backgrounds and want to do Polaroid transfers on top of the altered paper.  I let some the papers dry and tried doing a second "rusting" which gave it a very complex look.  I tried printing onto them with an Epson inkjet printer and the images came out a little "wobbly" where there was no coating on the paper.  Very interesting effect. Will post some when I get to the studio again.   

getting ready

Not sure why it always takes so long to pack.  We are going to Portland this weekend.  Teaching Polaroid Manipulations on Sunday at Collage, a stamp store in Portland.  I'm really looking forward to this class, will see a good friend, Maggie, there.  On the way down will see a recycling show in Vancouver, Wa and maybe a quick stop at Shipwreck beads.  Another highlight is seeing the newest grand baby, Lucy and having a barbecue with the family.  I finally started working on my fat book pages for Art and Soul.  I have the layout down, using images I took in Paris, just have to decide what embellishments to use.  hmmmm, 64 pages, should have started this sooner.  Maybe I'll take this project to Phoenix and at least work on them while on the plane.  I'm packing for that too, since I'm teaching and taking.  I seem to be gravitating towards jewelry classes, both at AU and Art and Soul this year.  I was accepted to teach at A&S Virginia next May and looking forward to that.  Last year my DH met me after teaching (and taking)  and we had a great time exploring Virginia and Baltimore, taking lots of photos, especially cemeteries.  I still have plans for several photos and want to do some hand coloring of the black and white. Have to laugh, when we first got married, DH didn't like to travel, so I went on my own.  Now he does enjoy traveling as much as I do but doesn't mind if I do some on my own.  Off to water the garden before going.  Have a great weekend.   

polaroid image transfers

Finally here are some image transfers done with the CopySystem using multiple layers.   The sheep image is actually two different photos with a found bit of ephemera that said look.  It was very faded and dirty.  The next two images are cut outs from a Sears catalog with words added.  I'm always a little nervous about the copyright issues but couldn't resist using these gorgeous gals.  Definitely more cutting to do.  I especially like all the underwear adds, but thankfully ,we don't have to wear corsets now.  Back to cleaning the basement, coolest place to be with the weather hotter and more humid than normal for Seattle.  Trying to get a space set up for some serious fusing and soldering.  Still not real good with soldering but figure I'll just keep playing.  I went ahead and ordered my kiln as an incentive to clean.  Off to the basement!   

going away

I just added 4 more emulsion transfer photos.  These are part of the samples for my application to teach at Art and Soul in Virgina 2007.  I will add more next week.  Going away for a few days with my daughter and grandchildren to eastern Washington.  My birthday is July 4th but the timing is just cuz.  Can't wait to go swimming at the pool.  Grandkids could stay in all day!  Have a safe holiday.

CopySystem

I have been having so much fun with the Daylab CopySystem and CopyCat, see in the photo album.  The first two are from transparencies I made from tape transfers that I did in Paris from an insert in the newspaper.  When I was there by myself I did pages of these transfers and am just now scanning them to use in my collages or to make into transparencies.  By combining different backgrounds, the same transparency can give you a completely different image.  I have taught Polaroid Manipulations for years using the Vivitar Slide Printer or Daylab machines and still use them for my personal work.  However, the CopySystem is so much fun for those who like to do mixed media collages and do not have access to 35mm slides.  I love the spontaneity they allow, doing instant collages on the viewing screen and without glue! I'll scan some more soon.

found art

The negative for the polaroid image transfer was literally taken out of the trash.  Normally the negative is dry when the film is allowed to develop fully.  In this case the negative was very moist and gave me an "aha" moment.  I was intending to make a fully developed image to use for an emulsion transfer but tried pulling it apart after 6 or 7 seconds then quickly closing it up to further develop.  This is always an experiment, always a suprise.  Sometimes the images on the positive and negative don't line up at all and just look out of focus.  Sometimes they just look interesting as in this case.  When I realized the negative was still moist I dipped it in water then quickly layed it down on the water colorpaper.  Pretty fun.

stamps

I'm fascinated with the idea of making stamps from some of my images.  The original is from a store selling statues in Michigan.  I like it better in stamp form.

hard to start

I have to confess to being intimidated by writing my thoughts for all to see, assuming of course this is read.  What prompts me to do this. however, is wanting to share my art, enthusiasm, new techniques, and invite comments.  And to show that my artwork does include subjects other than angels in stone.  I know, I do seem to be drawn toward the cemetary angels but I also like to photograph rust, old cards, snippets of scenes, peeling paint, things in decay.  Love to find skeleton leaves.  Last week I found a poppy seed head that is now a skeleton of its former self and will do some close up photos next week.  Today I have been playing with a Lomo fisheye camera, taking closeups of my grandchildren.   Can't wait to see these!