Blog Posts

I had a couple visit my studio yesterday, interested in my "Stitch & Slash" art so in getting all that work from storage, reminded me that I needed to change all the labels on my art that referenced old addresses and phone numbers.

So that's what I am doing now and have decided to re-make my wrappings to include a transparent pocket so I can print out information and slip it inside if things change instead of sewing a permanent label to the wrapping.

But in doing so, I am re-discovering some pieces I had completely forgotten about.

This one is called "New Urbanism" and was the first and only piece I made using a photograph as my pattern. I disliked the process so much, I never made another piece using this technique. But it DID win "Best of show" in an important quilt art exhibition in Longmont, CO.

Most of my early work is not on my current website but maybe I should change that.

I think it's interesting how an artist evolves over the years.

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This week, I've been experimenting with some techniques I learned from Jane Davies. Totally fun.

In this video, she uses deli paper to spread acrylic ink around on a piece of paper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJw1VqlTF2E

Jane uses Golden Liquid Acrylic but I didn't have any of this paint so I used Golden High-Flow Acrylic instead. I tried using craft paint as well as Liquitex Basics but both were too heavy to spread freely. I guess I could have diluted the paints with water but I wanted a high concentration of color so I didn't.

Before using the deli paper technique to apply color to the paper (I'm using Canson Mixed Media paper) , I brayered a loose abstract design using a neutral color chalk paint. The final touch was addingI some white acrylic paint by flicking the paint onto the surface with a brush.

I'm still experimenting with different color combos but thought I would share one of my first pieces inspired by Jane. As usual, first attempts are rarely masterpieces but not only was this a fun way to spend a day, I know I will get better as I make more pieces using this technique.

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Many of you might know that I mount all of my Stupendous Stitching pieces onto wooden panels. My Stitch & Slash pieces hang freely or are made into totes or pillows. My Conversation series also hang freely since they are too large to be mounted on boards.

So, I had several panels left over this year and decided to see what I could do with them.

I started watching some YouTube videos made by Tom Quigley. I fell in love with his friendly and easy-to-listen-to instructions (not so true with other YouTube instructors!). This video was one of my favorites (since I love TEXTURE!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGhn6oWirNQ

I had a lot of fun combining all his techniques into one piece of art. Of course, I knew of some of these techniques before (like using coffee as a paint) but learned some new things like creating a crackle effect with shipping tape.

Watching artists work is one of my favorite pastimes. I always learn something new and am always inspired by hearing what is going on in their head while they are creating.

While viewing several videos during a week can make you feel a little disoriented (what to do???), my advice is not to follow someone step-by-step but to view the video as giving you some new ways to approach your next artwork or to pick up a new tip. You always need to create your own work, not by copying someone else (although this alone can hone your skills) but accumulating enough information in your brain so that when you ask "what's missing?" or "why do I like this part?", the answer comes naturally.

Am I making sense?

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Moving On.....

4/3/2021

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Piece inspired by Janet Skates

I finished all the classes at Sketchbook Revival 2021 and bound my sketchbook with everything I created. Some pages are wonderful, some are silly, and some were awful. But it didn’t matter. This course stretched my imagination, honed my skills, and gave me inspiration and mission for a couple of weeks. Definitely worth my time. the classes are still available until the middle of April so take advantage of this free course!

So now, I’m going in a new direction.

I found this artist, Janet Skates, whose work I love for her use of color and mark-making. Here’s the video that inspired my work today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEUdUSFuQIk

Sometimes, I try to copy another artist’s work in my sketchbook, just to learn their techniques, but it never turns out that great so I try to look and learn and then go my own way. Janet uses a lot of white in her work and that results in pastels. A color palette I never work with. But I actually loved the results I got today so thought I would share it with you.

My Mom’s favorite color was pink. Perhaps that’s why I never used that in my work. But now, seeing pink actually brings fond memories of her so maybe it now, can have a place in my palette.

How does color affect you?

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Sketchbook Revival: Shari Blaukopf

3/27/2021

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One of the things I'm learning lately is that I CAN draw and paint! Who knew?

Because I'm mainly a fiber artist working with fabric and stitch, drawing and painting was a mystery to me. But the more I do it, the better I become at these skills. And, not thinking about whether I'm good or bad compared to other artists, makes me more confident following my own ideas.

A ,lot of instructors give you a step by step way to draw and paint from a reference photograph. I watched and listened to Shari's video but chose my own photograph and did my own thing. Perhaps her voice was in my head while I was doing this but regardless, I was very happy with the result.

Here's her website:
https://shariblaukopf.com/

Enjoy!

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