So Excited!

I found out today that Netflix is buying two of my pieces, Stepping Stones I and II, that were on display at my friend Ann’s space down at Westside Market for the set of a show that is coming out next year. I don’t know if I can stand the wait to see how they place them. 

Studio coming along

Plugging along on the studio and almost everything has a home now. A few ads and ends to deal with and still need to hang some artwork. The tables have wheels and are right side up. They feel a wee bit taller than I anticipated but if it bugs me I can shorten the pipes the wheels are attached to. I’ve been debating on whether or not to stain the tops and I think I will but may wait until fall. My second rug is down and the colors are perfect with my other rug. Next weekend it is time to reclaim the dining room which has become a dumping ground for any leftovers. 

Art play date...

Saturday was an art play date with friends. Had a lively time and it was great getting to see one friend’s new home as she was the host this time. Our project was to try our hand at tie dye. Of course we were all watching video tutorials all week to prepare. It takes a lot of die. Here is the progression and I was pretty sloppy with my rubber band technique but pleased with the results.

Art studio update ...

Last weekend I put together a couple of Alex drawer units from IKEA. Instead of using the plastic casters I added some wooden mid century legs. I don’t know why it seems the rule these days but every project seems to need multiple trips to the hardware store. The legs have these things called hanger bolts that were too long since they were made for couches. Off to the hardware store for shorter 2” ones instead of the 4”ones. Settled in to get them all installed which swapping out screws is not as easy as it sounds. Anyway, down to the last two which were being even more difficult. Some of a gun!  I bought one set of bolts at 2.5” so I gave up since it was Sunday night. At least one was done.

I also managed to get one set of legs put together. Again, not as easy as it sounds. They went together pretty good but it is hard to get them all level since the threading isn’t exact. Also, since they don’t screw in all the way you find out they don’t match your placement of the boards you ere going to attach them to. Sigh!  Will require some squares of 1x2 added. 

The work continued this weekend. Friday night I was armed with two 2” hanger bolts to get the last two legs on, placed the units and added the wood top.

Today I finally got both sets of pipe legs attached and am now waiting for my wheels and adapters to arrive this week. I tried ordering wheels and adapters from different suppliers but the adapters never work even though the measurements are right. The two made for each other should work much better. Then the trick will be getting these puppies flipped over cause they are heavy as heck. 

An Art Retreat

The end of October I had an awesome vacation at an art retreat with ReMe Retreats.  It was a week of relaxation and creativity run by Jodi Ohl and Jean Skipper.  They tag team on on the projects for the week.  More on that below.

One of the things they do is send attendees a blank item to decorate and this time it was a wooden block shaped like a house.  One of the things I like is there is no pressure to finish it but it is always a fun project.  I decorated mine with gelli prints, some of which I doodle on.  It's hard to see but I had some wire tag frames from my scrapbooking days that I used to frame out the doors and windows.  Hammered them a bit to give them more texture.



For the retreat the first thing we worked on was what Jodi calls Zen painting.  We started with gesso board and played with a number of water soluble pencils to design shapes and lines. Then used paynes grey and nickle azo for shading along with some grey tones. Then more colors.  I still have more to do to add depth but it is a start.

Our next batch of projects revolved around copper etching.  So much fun and I may have to invest in some of the supplies to do this at home.  The etching is done using stamps, stazon ink, sharpies, and then etching acid. The acid eats away around the ink so where you stamped or drew is the raised portion.
This is another project using a box made from barn wood and hanging one of the finished necklaces in it.  Haven't figured out which wall this is going to hang on and I don't think I'm done with embellishing the box yet. One of the other things we did was a field trip to one of the local pottery shops.  They taught us how to use horse hair and coffee grounds to create patterns.  So much fun!

Here are some pics around the house we stayed at that Jodi and Jean so creatively embellished. Going back in February for a cold wax weekend retreat and can hardly wait.

-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Another Art Show

So, even more excitement because I’m accepted into another art show, at Tannery Row Artist Colony. Tannery Row is in Buford and is a wonderful place to visit with many great artists. The piece below is the one that was accepted and the reception is next Saturday night at 5 pm. Who wants to go with me? 😀



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

An Art Show

I’m super excited to get to participate in the SAAG National Juried Art Show being held in Blue Ridge. The opening reception is Saturday, October 7th from 5 to 7 pm. Holler if you’d like to join us. I’m really looking forward seeing all the other amazing artwork that will be on display.

These are the three pieces I submitted and were accepted.

Orbs


A View


Stacked


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A Little Collage

Today I got to spend the day with a good friend, talking, laughing, and creating a little. My friend Ann recently went to an art retreat centered around calligraphy and created some pendants with paper. She showed me how she made them and let me dive into her jar of paper scraps to make my own. I'm definitely going to make some more with gelli scraps. Here are the two that I made today, first the back, then the front.









- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Collages

I don't spend as much time as I'd like in my art studio but snagged some time Saturday with one of my besties.

Played with a simple monotype abstract,



And started a mixed media piece,










and when stuck, started making small 5x7 collages with deli paper monotypes. I'm still trying to decide if I want to add a word to each. Hm...















-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone