Putting the Fringe on

I have four or five different projects going on in my studio. I am in the process of tying the fringe on a bed scarf to finish it off. When I have done that for an hour or so, I move to the spinning wheel where I am spinning some really cool yarn for necklaces and scarfs!

I really enjoy using my Lendrum Spinning Wheel. I am so glad I have it to work on.

Next I move to weaving, I have just finished warping the loom to make some purses. I will start weaving this evening. I have some really great ideas for the weft on these. They should be really fun when finished.

I have included some pictures of the new Art Fiber Necklaces, scarfs and purses in the fiber Gallery. Check them out when you get a chance. I have so much in the works for the show in Grapevine. Speaking of which, I better get to weaving!!

Warm Earth - Acrylic on Canvas 60 X 48

I just finished a painting on a 60X48 canvas. I wanted to do something very calm and earthy for my son’s home. I used acrylics and tried out the new Golden acrylic Iridescent Copper and golds and the Interference Violet.  They were perfect for this painting and really fun to work with! I had a great time working on this piece and it looks wonderful in Colby’s new place!

Karen's Fiber Art hanging at the show

Although the weather was a bit dreary, we really had a great time at the GAP Art Show at the Lancaster Theater in Grapevine, this past Saturday. Karen and I had a great spot, thanks so much to all who braved the wet weather and came out to support the arts.  I was able to get in some painting and Karen and I were able to visit with so many great people about our art. People loved Karen’s new “Fiber Art” and it was so interesting to hear her talk about her loom.  It’s a whole new vocabulary; one which she has learned well, and is excelling at. I am working on a new piece featuring Clematis flowers which are going crazy on our trellis in the side yard. I’ll keep you posted on it’s progress.

Painting in our booth

Here they are, my completed Weaving projects. I made six scarfs, I am in the process of tying fringe on each end of the scarfs. Two of the scarfs are the ones I call Hobo scarfs, One is for my daughter and one for my sister. They are my favorite ones! I really enjoyed making these scarfs, They are like a painting, each time you put a thread through the shed and beat it into the weave, it’s like putting a brush stroke of paint on a canvas, the picture is building with each stroke, each time the shuttle goes through! Here are some more pictures of the pieces.

Summer and Sunflowers revisited in progress

A couple of weeks ago, at a GAP meeting, I had the opportunity to speak with a fellow artist, I had met at a GAP show last summer. She wanted to get together, visit and share ideas. So, I invited a couple of other artists, I had met recently and we set a date. We met at the Corner Bakery, had some lunch and then spent about 2 hours brainstorming. We shared ideas, encouragements, fears and frustrations. It was such a great experience. Those opportunities to share real life experiences of doing art, marketing your art and building an art business with other artist are priceless. I came away with some great ideas, three new friends and a date to meet again next month. You can find information about two of the artists and there work below:

http://www. shellyburden.com

http://paintpalettecolors.blogspot.com

One of the things I love about creativity is the diversity of its expression. Sharen and I both have been lucky, we have been creative people all our lives and it has taken so many forms. From painting to sewing, we have imagined and then created some really neat things. Not long ago, I was reading a book Sharen had given me and with in its pages, one of the characters raised angora rabbits for their fur. The author painted (in words) such an interesting picture of spinning and weaving that it inspired me to get a loom and try my hand at it. I started with a great book, Learning to Weave by Deborah Chandler. My first piece was a sampler, where I was able to try different techniques and learn the workings of the loom. My second piece was a scarf for my daughter. The pictures are of that project in progress.

My goal is to do art weaving, wall hangings and rugs. I love the whole process and hope to continue creating with yarn.

VISIT DOWNTOWN GRAPEVINE DURING THE GRAPEVINE ART PROJECT ANNUAL SHOW & SALE
OCTOBER 2 & 3, 2009
LANCASTER THEATRE

Friday, October 2nd:
Art Show – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Artist Reception – 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 3rd:
Art Show & Sale – 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Our first annual show for Grapevine Art Project members
with over $1,000 in prizes awarded to winning artists.  Cash
drawing of $100 for attendees who participate in the People’s
Choice art competition.  Raffle for gift certificates and framed limited
edition art piece for attendees who buy tickets to support the Grapevine
Art Project.  This event is free to the public and will also provide information
on membership in the Grapevine Art Project.

Doing Art

Just thought I would share some of my favorite quotes about art:

A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What one can be, one must be. -Abraham Maslow

Art is Man’s nature.  Nature is god’s art.  ~James Bailey

Art is when you hear a knocking from your soul – and you answer.  ~Star Richés

A painting is what you make of it, besides which, ‘Moon, Weeping’ has a better ring to it than ‘Paintbrush, Dripping.’  ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

Art is not a thing; it is a way.  ~Elbert Hubbard

One of the best things about paintings is their silence – which prompts reflection and random reverie.  ~Mark Stevens

Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better.  ~André Gide

This represent a little food for thought. Be creative, open up your heart and let it flow!

If you have only one book in your artist studio, it should be “New Artist’s Handbook” by Ray Smith. This book is packed with information on the visual arts, featuring over 1000 full color illustrations. It is a guide to the tools, materials and techniques of the artist’s craft. Mr. Smith covers many exciting modern processes, as well as a wide range of traditional skills, something for ever artist, no matter what your media. There is instructional material as well as inspirational challenges for using more creative techniques.  This book is for beginners and accomplished artists alike.

There are chapters on Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, digital media and photography and many more. With the step by step photo instructions, it offers each of us an opportunity to try new techniques and improve our skills in what ever media you currently use.

I have used my book over and over through the years. The most current addition is updated to include the ever expanding world of digital media and computer art. Get a copy today.