New Year - New Beginnings

I am ready for a new year! I find myself drawn more and more to fabric. I love all the textures I am finding as I wander thru flea markets and antique stores. Vintage fabrics and trims seem to be calling me. As I start to work on a new design I wonder who made these pieces of trim and beadwork; what she was doing in her life, who she was sewing for... I am drawn to them especially because they were made by another womans hands. I can only hope that as I create works of art (from my heart) using these pieces, I give these unknown women honor and recognition. Women from past generations had a loving devotion to their families, working hard to feed and clothe them. I would somehow like them to know that their painstaking and time consuming handwork did not get discarded. They are being lovingly reused. My hope is that my art transcends generations and enables viewers to feel a connection both with the past and the future.

New friends...

I met so many wonderful people at the Bridal Expo in Charleston. I know they are business contacts, but I really want to be friends with them. Such warm good hearts from people I just met who are encouraging my creativity and explorations! God is good - all the time. Praying for a successful, joyful, full of adventure and new opportunities NEW YEAR!!!!

Wedding Expos

It's been a while since I've posted... been enjoying the holidays at home. BUT I have 2 big bridal shows coming up! The first show is at the Charleston Civic Arena on Sunday, January 3rd. Hours are from noon until 5pm. The second will be at the Huntington Big Sandy Arena on January 10th from noon until 5pm. Lots of door prizes for brides and I also have some free tickets for entry to the Charleston show. Please let any future brides know about these events!!!!

Native American Proverb

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we only borrow it from our children."

A quote that just seemed to fit this piece. I can't help but reiterate that art does have a mind of its own. This piece started out with titan buff, quin gold and purple. And this is the end result! Hope you enjoy.

A mind of its own - CONTINUED!

Like I said - art has a mind of its own! I ended up with something on the right side of my painting other than what I intended... A few of my friends were unsettled (shall we say) by the fact that I had not just left the painting alone. They insisted that it needed nothing more. I do realize that you can keep going until you "muck" something up, but I hope some viewers will understand that need to do what is inside of you. In my mind - it was not finished. I'm not what some would call a painter per say. I like fibers, and papers, and letters and, and, and ,,,,,. You get the picture?

I like the way the painting ended. I hope you agree :)

Sometimes Art has a Mind of its own.

Today I went to the studio with the intention of working on an envelope presentation. I've been invited to participate in a wedding show and I need to get working on my presentation, deciding colors and such for my booth and table. Lots to do. So off I go to the studio. My mistake was looking at magazines before I went to bed last nite. I drifted off with visions of - no not sugarplums - but paints; like paynes gray and quin nickel azo gold, splashes here and there of titan buff and zinc white dancing in my head. At my table I pick up envelopes, look at pointed nibs and next thing I know, I have a paint brush in my hand. The colors started to dance again - this time on the canvas as I first laid down a layer of gesso. Next came some alchohol inks mixed with medium, some fluid acrylics and tube acrylics as well. Rubber stamps next!

At the end of the day - I am satisfied. I have a piece of paper with molding paste painted with the same colors waiting to see if it stays there. I kind of like the painting alone. We shall see where the journey takes me!

Eye candy

What an awesome, creative weekend! Lots of letters. Lots of color. Lots of FUN! This weekend had us learning letters, thinking about placement, adding color before AND after letters, growing, experimenting, meeting new friends (and catching up with old ones), making memories...