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My first monotype!! It is so much more difficult than I had imagined as I don't think backwards..hey, I barely think forwards anymore! However...it is gobs of fun...and such a surprise when you pull the print and it looks cool but you had no idea it was going to look like that! My goal?  To know what it is going to look like before I pull the paper from the plate.

Mixing the inks is very fun...cleaning up the mess afterwards is not!! They are oil based and make a very big mess.  It has been taking me twice as long to do each step than I had anticipated.  So..long hours in the lab working with the press.  I pick a time when no one else is there, and it is calm and quiet.  Working during the class was total chaos for me...made lots of oopsies!!

I've got a martini design and a chicken one in the works....also working on big paper with watercolor effects and lot of loose images!! New work coming up!!

Here is yet another reason that I am a firm believer that I live in paradise.  When I moved here in 1991 swans could be seen north of my home starting in November.  Now, they fly by the front of our bluff.  I saw three flying fast and west just two days before Carolyn and I set out on our ladies's day off to take photos on the flats.  The universe was in alignment as that day was absolutely spectacular.

Swans were in every field north of the Skagit River....it was incredible. They were close but on hearing the car door close they waddled away. Trying to get a good shot of them was very difficult....to catch them landing or taking off proved even harder.  They are very cute running along just before takeoff....not graceful a all.

Thursday night John and I are heading out to see a special presentaion on swans in Everett at McCollum Park.  I'm going to learn some cool stuff about them and the best places to see them.  First it was eagles....now it's swans.....I hear the Great Snowy owls are here this winter as well...now that would be a photo!! 

The time has come...Gerty is off her nest and so am I. My printmaking class at Evcc is in full swing. There are going to be challenges for me in this class.  First,  figuring out all the equipment..lots of new tools and ways of doing.  Second, organization of materials..lots of ways to mess up if you don't keep your "process" in the front of your mind. And..the most daunting of all...we are to focus on the subtle.  Subtle is not my usual operating mode. However, after the wonderful demo on inking a background last night, I am starting to see just how cool this could be. My thought before this demo was you just ink it all up in one background color and run it through..you're good to go. How hard can this be?  Why the fuss? Then...she showed us just how beautiful and fun it could be to do a very interesting....soft....background. I'm hooked!!! I had a hard time going to sleep last night because I was thinking of all the ways I might like to try.

 Our teacher is very organized and good at doing a step by step demo that really leaves you feeling.... Yes..I can do this!!  I'll be down there on Wednesday creating some really soft, subtle backgrounds....that's my expectation anyway....we'll see if I can really do it!! I'll have to have the subtle mantra going!!

Keep checking in to see my progress on the printing!!

Yes, I'm a lot like my broody hen Gertrude. She's given up production and just sits on her nest and thinks.  Hens and thinking??? I'm sure all kinds of exciting ideas are zipping through her mind.  Just like me!! I've made lots of lists of new ideas for my art work...even started testing a few paperclay mini sculptures. I'm incubating..that's what I'm doing. So far these really cool ideas aren't ready to hatch.  Good ideas take time to grow into great finished projcts.  That is at least what I'm thinking about while I nestle into my Studio with my herb tea, cookies, and new Cds.  And then there is the rain, the wind, the short grey days and all those mysteries I can get on my tablet.  Unlike Gertrude I am being thoughly entertained through my broodiness!! Which means I have much less of a reason to snap out of it....she's going to win unless..... next Monday's printmaking class demands I get going again. Perhaps I need to set higher expectations of Gertrude as well??? So, 4 more days to drfit..I'm off to read and listen to the rain.

 

 

 

Felted soaps seem to be in at the moment, and I know this because?? there was an article in the newspaper with a lovely photo of some brightly colored felted soaps. I went online and watched some utube videos and decided to order some wool.  I picked he natural colors because I like the idea of soaps that look like stones(goes with my granite counter tops)....I made four a couple of days ago and started thinking...felted, fuzzy, soft looking centers "hearts" for my paintings...then the leap....why not just pressed right into the molding paste like I do yarns??? This will allow for wider areas of wool texture along with the long strands of the knubby yarns. So, off to the Studio to test it out. Finishing the surface may prove to be a problem but I'll worry about that later ...or not.

Here is the result in light molding paste with the materials rolled in with a brayer... this gives a cool look to the paste as well. I'm thinking this will be great for the making of plates for printmaking next month ...We will see in a few weeks.

New ideas are always out there just ready to be "found." It is just a matter of looking at things that interest you and then seeing how else you can apply them. I knew I liked the look of those soaps..and now I have turned that idea into  a new material for my work.

AND...making the soap was fun and sudsy!!!

I've missed being able to play with clay...now I have found a paperclay material that works just like clay but is light weight and..I'm not allergic to it!!  These figurines are destined to be added to my molding paste flows in the new series that is on the drawing board.  I also plan a Moon Face Women series some time...soon.  Next month I start a printmaking class so better get them under way before January 9th. I'll be busy after that learning how to make cool prints.

I have known about paperclay since my sister, Kahtleen, sent me some years ago... I have just rediscovered how cool it is.  Now to test how the paint will work with it.  I really want to make it look old like carved bone....we'll see.

AND..I loved checking that adult content box..how insane.  Hope I didn't shock anyone on fb!!!

Allure is one of the first paintings you see when entering Seagrass Gallery. She is there to welcome and entice people to come in and see all the lovely objects Doris has gathered into the gallery.  It really is amazing; there is something for everyone. My paintings are combined with Dolors Ruscha's glass sculpture in a very dramatic display.  I love that our work is together as her glass is also in Allure. My latest gyotaku are also available in the gallery.  

I've fallen for some jewelry with big hunks of dreuze??? and I really need some of those cool fish Ms. Goff  makes that can go outside.  She was my pottery instructor back in the 90's......awesome creations from her!

When you drop in, be sure to tell Doris you heard from me just what a wonderful job she is doing!

Fourteen of my paintings have it made for the next couple of months as they will be hanging out in the very lovely Skin Care Lounge located in Stanwood, Washington. It's right across the street from Bartell's on the hill. Bella Salon and the Skin Care Lounge are partners in the space and it is a lovely space to hang paintigns....lots of soft colored walls and beautful lighting. The art work looks more like it is in a home than a retail space. You will just have to pop in and see it to believe how lovely it looks in there!

And..while you're at it... check out the services these businesses offer. I'm going for the AHA Peel myself. I 'm hoping the girls don't get any ideas and run up my bill with a lot of fufu fun treatments!  Save it for the humans ..right?

                          www.theskincarelounge.com

Gina when you come to visit we will have to go for a treatment together.....you're my spa girl!

Casey is my sales person there and is confident that my work will do well. I love confidence!

Lots of reasons to be celebrating....so, I am.  First, Romance is headed to Texas to the home of my nephew, Marshall, and his new wife, Tessa.  I know my girl will be happy there as long as they keep the air conditioning on in the summer. Second, Rejoice is headed to Colorado to the home of a friend of mine from junior high school. Third, this is the first sale that can be directly tied to my web site and fb....now, how coo lis that?? Fourth, I finished these paintings on 11/27/11....the paint is barely dry and they are headed out the door.... a totally new experience for me. And finally, with the sale to Colorado I have met my 2011 goal!!

Many of you know that I donate 10% of my sales to good causes. This year it was Lima Sunrise Rotary Club's  clean water project. I sent them the money in August with the firm conviction I would sell enough to cover it.  And...I did.  The power of positive thinking!

The goal for 2012 is in the works.  I'm leaning more to growth as an artist verses growth in sales.

The holidays are upon us and all of my girls are out trying to catch someone's eye.  They are really wanting new homes...very crowded here and they can't all fit on the dining room wall during the holiday feasts.  It's like sitting on the bench during the big game.  Here I am taking Allure and Bejeweled into the Seagrass Gallery.  I now have six paintings there and five gyotaku. 

Go in to check them out and tell Doris you saw it here!!! I believe in my Blog!