Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone. I want to thank you all for visiting and participating in my blog. I really enjoy getting feedback so if you have any thoughts send them my way. It makes the effort seem worthwhile. I hope the new year treats you all well. Happy blogging.



I thought I would include one of the images I am thinking of using for my next work. You see, I can't keep my brain focused on one project at a time. I am always thinking too many steps ahead. It is funny because once non-artisians view my work they almost always ask me how I can think up such things. My answer is always the same, I can't stop thinking up these things.....I wish I could sometimes I would probably get some rest! I definately feel slightly obsessed sometimes. What a crazy internal life we creative types lead.

Here are some good examples of obsessed artists....(just a sample as I am sure there are many others!) Mind you, I'm not comparing myself in talent nor obsession for that matter:
Michelangelo
John Keats- poet
Van Gogh
And here is an article that may be of interest:
Medical News Today

Did I forget anyone....smile. Post me your obessed people!

Beading Details on Dreaming

I have started beading "Dreaming" and have found that I don't like the red. So now I have to go out and find a good red. However, that said, I may drop the red all together and go with another color. I have alot more beading to do and now that I will have to rip out the red it will take even longer. Such is life. I love the beading part anyway. If you have the desire, I have found some great sites and information on beading. You can visit The Lone Beader, and BeadLust. Both of these are blogspot addresses. Thanks for sharing your great sites folks! Some others are; Cartwright beading supplies, and for inspiration - Japanese Embroidery Center.

Next Phase of "Dreaming"

So here it is. This is the whole work and a detail showing the portrait and the smaller embroidered figures. In the next stage I will be adding bead work and possibly more embroidery work. The whole work was pieced together in the manner that a quilt would be, but the pieces are very large.

The middle piece was done on canvas with charcoal, glue and acrylics. This was then stitched to the vinyl sections on the sides and top with the seams facing the front. I then pinked the seams. Working with vinyl was a challenge but I love the texture, sheen and especially the contrast with the canvas work.

"Dreaming"

The next three images are from a work I am doing currently. It is a mixture of painting, simiplified quilt and embroidery. I am a painter by history but enjoy many ways of working and thought I might try combining them. I am working on a conceptual series about woman as represented in history with the eye of the beholder being myself (a modern woman). The techniques and materials are chosen to suit the concept.

This is the work in which I have been using the French Knot....and yes, it is quite easy. Keep in mind, these are excerpts from a much larger piece so they are out of context to some degree. Also, remember it is a work in progress so it is by no means finished, cleaned up or photographed quite the way I will ultimately want. Next time, I will post a photo of the full, unfinished piece so you can see where I am coming from.

For those of you who are interested, this work is done with wool on white vinyl. Again, the choice of material has to do with the overall concept of the series.