Lookie here!

I was somehow entered into a drawing I didn't know anything about when I posted a comment on ArtSnark's blog last week, and, hey! I WON! My winnings came very quickly by mail. They are 4 ATC's (Artist Trading Cards), from Melanie at Studio27 on Etsy. They are very cool! (Click on them to see them larger.)

I purchased some blank ATC's quite some time ago, but have never done anything with them. These make me want to go search for them in the studio cupboard and get busy playing with them! Maybe when I get more things on my ToDo list checked off.... In the meantime, I have some really cute tiny easels that these Just Fit on, so I can enjoy them and be inspired by them while I work. In fact, they reminded me again, Where is that old photo that I want to make into a Heritage tapestry? Remember that I was searching for it several months ago? It still hasn't been found...

Little 'somethings'....

My small paintings have been doing very well in the Blue Pig Gallery. In fact they have all sold, so I am a bit frantic, trying to get some done to replace them. I began this little painting yesterday afternoon, and have completed it this morning, except for setting it aside and looking at it with 'fresh eyes' later to see if any adjustments are needed. It is 5x7" and I painted it from a photo of Wooster, though I don't intend it to specifically be Wooster. It will just be called "Yellow Lab."

This afternoon, I hope to do another small piece, so I can get three into the gallery as soon as they dry. I have priced them pretty low, as it is increasingly clear that people still want art, but don't have a great deal of income for it right now. At least that is true here. So, for now, these little pieces are at least helping to pay my expenses.

What has, and hasn't, been happening...

As you can see, not a great deal has been happening lately on the weaving front. I have been getting a wee bit of painting done, but am feeling a bit blocked there, as I really am feeling that I should be at the loom. I have to confess that my days have been disappearing into some foggy place lately, and I feel as if I am running far, far behind the pack! I've been put on a new 'headache-go-away' medicine (for this same headache that has been my almost constant companion since Nov. 2007). The med makes me feel a lot groggy in the mornings, which is usually my studio work time, and a bit droopy for the rest of the day. It doesn't seem to have rid me of the headache so far, either. Curses, stupid medicine! Double curses, stupid headache!!!

Our spring and early summer has been cool and wet. All of these things have made me want to just sit in a rocker or on the porch glider and do nothing more than read light novels. So that is pretty much what I have been doing. I have had several batches of company in May and June, so I did add some grocery shopping and a bit of cooking to that very small ToDo list that I'm working from. My parents just left today, and they'll return next weekend, right before I go to Boston for a week. I have determined that, when I get back home, I will set a deadline for the piece on the loom, as that is the best way to motivate myself.

I have played a bit with a design for the June tapestry, for the calendar series. I have the upper 2/3's designed, but am not quite ready to share it yet. I may get that design done this week. If so, I will share the design and the process with you.

Well, I think that about brings you up to date with what has been - or perhaps really has NOT been - happening here in my studio and life. The 'lazy days of summer' seem to have quite overwhelmed me!

IF: Worn 2

Rub-a-dub-dub,
What is worn in the tub?
Nothing!

Illustration Friday: Worn

The IF topic today is "Worn." I don't have time today to do anything new, maybe later in the weekend. But, for now I will post these two digital images I did of my grand-daughter, who stuck two wire coat-hangers on her arms as bracelets and said to me when she was just two, "It never hurts to accessorize!" When she gets to choose her own clothes, she puts on pretty much all her current favorites from both the closet and the dress-up box. Both images were done in both Photoshop and Painter.

Here is a more current photo of her, from last Thanksgiving, when she 'dressed-up' for the holiday celebration. As her grandmother, I am so pleased to see her be creative in every aspect of her life, even down to the clothes that are worn to express her uniqueness.

Illustration Friday: Drifting

I'm posting this little oil sketch of my grandson drifting in his pool 'donut' for this week's IF topic. The water was fun to paint, and it was also fun getting the transparent look to the donut. It is 5x7" - just a sketch. My grandson is very laid back, and what he does in the pool is just to get himself into his donut and drift around. His older sister paddles around here and there in her donut, but he is happy to just drift where the pool and his floating donut take him.


We spent the past few days drifting, as well. We were back up to the lake to go fishing. Last weekend was too windy to fish, as the fish just don't bite when there are whitecaps on the water. But this weekend was perfect! Between us, we caught 18 keeper-sized rainbow trout. We only kept 6 of them, and released the rest, as we don't really need a lot of fish to eat, with just the two of us. We caught most of the fish with worms, but when they ran out, we used lures, and I caught the biggest one (16 inches) on a Rooster Tail lure. (Just a little detail, for anyone who might wonder...) Fishing is a wonderful activity.... as it alternates times when you really are just drifting along doing nothing with short bursts of excitement and activity. During the drifting times, I had an idea for another of the Calender tapestries, for the month of June. I'll keep you posted as the design materializes!
Gus went along again, and enjoyed watching the fish get cleaned through the screen door window.

¿Que pasa?

My studio has been looking like either two people work there, or someone who has a somewhat split life occupies the space. There are paintings in various stages of dryness propped in every available space, including, until today, against the loom. Today I moved those aside and decided I'd better do a bit of weaving before I forget how to weave!

I think I may have enough paintings to keep my space filled at the gallery for awhile. I have, so far, only had to replace one that sold.

I am keeping up my 'resolve' to paint a bit each day by doing small warm-up paintings and sketches in my Moleskin.

Outside, my Peace Rose is in riotous bloom, and my lavender is due for the first harvest. We are having a very wet early summer, with cool weather that is un-natural, but quite fine with me! Hope yours is going well, too!