Mixed Media Using Gelli Plate Ghost Prints

Most of the time I cover every inch of a painting with color.  This year, I plan to play with negative space and to leave more white, open space in my artwork.  This piece started with a gelli ghost print using masks to form the vase and flowers.  Then, I drew lines and added paint keeping the white line of the print masks. I want to do a series experimenting with this process.

Calligraphy and Drawing- an exploration

While attending the 2012 NW Calligraphy Conference, I heard Inga Dubay present her experience teaching a course in calligraphy and drawing at the Oregon College of Art and Craft. Ever since then, I've wanted to work through her syllabus.  I found a few friends who wanted to do this, too.  The first section features contour drawings. 

My 2014 guiding word for my artwork is synthesis.  I want to integrate what I know, practice and create.  These letters came from my blind contour drawings of the Imperial Latin alphabet.  I copied the word on tracing paper and transferred it to watercolor paper.

I'd like to repaint the piece with darker values so that the letters show more.  That's my comfort zone.  The abstract aspect of the pastel colors adds mystery.  One of my goals is to move from literal interpretation to abstraction.

Above the bold colors stand out.

Above is my attempt to play with my initials.  It needs more contrast in color.  The bright yellow and red dominate the piece.

For this 'W', the blind contour drawing is of the negative space that surrounds the Fraktur capital letter. Do you see the 'W'?  This exploration furthers my interest to combine calligraphy in my artwork.

Welcome to my Garden- Drunk with Love Wonky Quilt Blocks

This week, I received eleven drunk with love wonky quilt blocks, five more are to come. Sixteen of us from the Portland Art Collective participated in the exchange. My garden became the theme and helped in my selection of colors and fabrics. I'm really excited about the numerous possibilities for creating the quilt top, the quilting options, putting it all together. Being that it's my first quilt, I'm open to any suggestions from experienced quilters.

Text and Image

Combing text and image challenges me.  I want to be able to add my calligraphy to my artwork and make the two work together.  I do not know why this combination causes me some frustration. I need lots of practice to make it work.  I took Jane Davies' Text and Image online class this Autumn to learn some new techniques and ideas for design.  Some of these are more successful than others.  The simple ones speak to me the most.

Merry Christmas and Holiday Greetings

Blessings to you and your family for a joyous Christmas.

Happy Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice!  This morning, I hung my seasonal weather grams from my calligraphy friends. I chose the lilac bush so that they are seen from the front yard and can be seen out the living room window. After a cold spell, it's almost balmy here today.

I really like the saying each person pens.

Mine is the one on the bottom left, "Darkness, candles flicker, bring in the Light".

Wonky Drunk with Love Log Cabin Quilt Blocks

Fifteen of us from the Portland Art Collective joined a wonky drunk with love log cabin quilt exchange.  Each month we each receive a packet of fabric strips to make a quilt block for that person.  I thought I'd share with you some of the quilt blocks that I've made. This month, I hand out fabric strip packets for my quilt and will post the blocks that I receive in the future. I have never made a quilt and learned so much about color, cutting and piecing with this project.  It's a fun way to remember fellow artists' work all stitched up in a warm, cozy quilt.