Playing With Inktense Pencils

I decided to start playing with the Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils, which I recently purchased.  I am looking for a less labor intensive way to produce some small fiber art.  I am finding more and more fiber art venues in which to enter my work.  I need to expand my work to include the many views of South Florida that I have in digital images, which are usually the basis of my art work.

My process is usually fairly lengthly, as I photograph a scene, sketch on fabric, paint the scene, perhaps add overlay fabrics, perhaps add found objects.  If I trapunto part of my design, the process becomes more time consuming.  I put a lot of thread in my work, so the quilting/ thread painting process takes me a while.

I think I will try to cut down my time commitment on some work, by making some small art work.  I will see what this looks like as I progress?  My intent is to gallery wrap this on canvas after the thread work is completed.

The Thought Process Continues

The thoughts and pictures form in my mind as I pin bits and pieces to my painted whole cloth background.  Try this.  Try that.  I am working from the picture that I snapped in my backyard.  I live on a canal that leads out to the  Caloosahatchee River.  These fabulous birds land in my yard, brouse and then take off in beautiful flight, that makes you marvel at God's wondrous hand in all of his creations!

Can I capture that?  Probably not even close......but I can try!

Setting the Stage

Composing the background of my fiber art, or setting the stage, is important to transmit my vision to the viewers' eyes.  How important is that to you?  If I am painting a bird, where is that bird, what is the action in the piece, am I telling a story?  These are the thoughts that go into composition for me.

My work is often based on my photographs.  What caught my attention?  Why did I snap that series of photos?  What made me decide to compose this scene in cloth, paint and thread?

Seahorse Dream Project

I applied to become a Seahorse Dream Project artist and was accepted.  The seahorses are made of resin and are 5ft tall and you had to submit your design and why you should be chosen.  I did that and now I will get a seahorse that will be sold or auctioned to Benifit The Gollisanno Children's Hospital in Ft Myers, Florida.  I am still hoping to find a sponsor for Seahorse #23.  Contacttheseahorsedream.org if you want to help.  And, thank you for your support.

Odd Hours for Art

Well, this is an old habit of mine.  At 1:45 AM, I decide to put a little paint on some fabric for an idea  that is percolating in my mind.  Perhaps this is why former nurses often turn to art when they retire?  We've worked rotating shifts, 8 hr shifts and 12 hr shifts.  We've blended night and day and the work goes on because you take care of people 24 hrs a day.  So dabbing a little paint on cloth and heading to bed at 2:00AM doesn't seem odd at all!  When I can't sleep, I have been known to flip the switch on the long arm and away I go, to that creative space that knows not how to tell time.

Is Anyone Reading My Blog?

Dimensions in Art at The von Liebig

Unfortunately, I forgot to snap photos of my two new pieces on display in Naples at The von Liebig, after my final trimming and binding.  One piece is Sanibel Island Light and the other piece is, " All About Art," which pictures The von Liebig Art Center.  Both are painted whole cloths.  I do have a third piece in the show, called, " Young Egret."  All of this work and most of the work that I do, is based on my own digital photography.