Natural Dye Journal

WIP - Riding Out the Storm

2012-01-25T20:10:00.000-08:00

WIP - Riding out the Storm - digital prints on silk organza fabric and stabilizer, machine stitched. I'm working on finishing a pile of WIP's while contemplating my newest body of work.

Artist Date

2012-01-20T14:56:00.000-08:00

It snowed, it's cold and slippery out, and we are down to one vehicle which John has at the moment so this weeks artist date was spent finding a cool container, in the house, to put my crayons in, and time spent coloring because... well I can! Mindless fun at it's finest.

Studio Redux 012012

2012-01-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

the top portion needs to be finished, the edge of the top shelf needs to be painted black, and then we are ready to put the shelves back into the unit.

WIP - grumble grumble

2012-01-19T13:43:00.000-08:00

WIP - starting somewhere, anywhere, am determined that I WILL produce completed works this year!

It's the Precious Things in Life

2012-01-15T21:02:00.000-08:00

John and Thomas hanging out watching tv. My uncle Gary, my dad's youngest sister's husband, passed away tonight at the young age of 56, the same age my mom was when she passed away in 2005. He's one year younger than John, deaths of loved ones sure make you take a second look at what is the most precious in life, all else is just fluff or unnecessary stress.

Pen Organizer

2012-01-08T14:10:00.000-08:00

In August John asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I told him a desk organizer for my pens, copic markers, gel pens, etc. Well being married to a woodworker is a lot like being married to a cobbler, family always comes last, customers come first! Any bets on how soon I'll get my christmas present???

My plan is to clear coat the inside with some polyurethane and paint the outside, I just haven't decided on which colors yet.

If you are interested in purchasing an organizer please send me and email and I'll shoot you an PayPal invoice, please allow three weeks for delivery.

Studio Update 010512

2012-01-06T18:12:00.000-08:00

Emptied and ready for the shelves to be removed so that I can paint the bead board back a very lovely shade of fern green. John has some repair work to do to the shelves, I'm hoping to be able to load it up come Monday or Tuesday. Until then...

I have a ton of stuff on both my work table and my drafting/drawing tables! Working on some storage solutions, for all of the ink I seem to own, for the hutch.

Angels New Bed

2012-01-05T23:35:00.000-08:00

polar fleece, poly fill, 24x30 inches

2011-12-26T20:45:00.000-08:00

Getting Started with Natural Dyeing

now available in my store

2011-12-22T13:53:00.000-08:00

Redid the studio last night, we moved my sewing table to the west side of the studio space where there was better lighting especially during the daytime, the east side of the studio has a cave like feeling.

Lots of lovely natural light!

Some natural dyed WIP's on my sewing table.

WIP - Bin

2011-12-21T19:22:00.000-08:00

WIP - Stitched up this small bin piece after I rearranged the studio this evening.

Mark Making with Nature DVD & eBook Christmas Special!!!

2011-12-21T13:49:00.000-08:00

Mark Making with Nature

Christmas Special!!!

Mark Making with Nature DVD and e-Book Combo Pack

Retails for $89.00+$4.95 shipping

$60.00 + $4.95 Shipping World Wide!

For 48 hours only!!!

Sale Ends on Christmas Eve at 6pm

(US Central Time)

Silk Carrier Rod Stream Update

2011-12-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

After reviewing my last live stream, the one where I was constructing a silk carrier rod cuff, I've decided to redo that stream. Why? It's just too painful to watch! This time I plan to record it and not worry about doing the recording live, and it may come in multiple segments so that I get the camera in the correct position.

More later from the wet studio :-)

The Wall

2011-12-08T14:07:00.000-08:00

As an artist have you and your artwork hit "the wall" yet? More thoughts on this one tomorrow.

Some Thoughts on Teaching 120811

2011-12-08T14:05:00.000-08:00

The reason I teach technique only, instead of teaching exactly how I create, is so that the students vision is extracted into the work, NOT mine. The approach I have taken to teaching has led to frustrations in my classes and workshops, I just recently realized this from a discussion with a former student, because many do not realize that their inner vision deserves a voice. She revealed that she took the class, a mixed media 3D class, believing that she would basically be creating a replica of one of my works "Pet Cemetary". Instead what she got was a class where she was encouraged to draw upon her own vision, creating her own original art. The result was after much contemplation she quit her job and is now persuing creating her own art full time. Once the inner vision was revealed it could no longer be kept silent.

So on behalf of those of use who have barely influenced you, we may have influenced you far greater than you'll ever realize. The teachers I've had, in the past be it at the university, in workshops, etc., that I now respect the most are the ones that demanded that I draw on my own vision, not theirs. The teachers I respect the least are the ones that demanded that their way was the only correct way.

Is it All the Same?

2011-12-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

If you have stopped recently and suddenly realized that everyone else around you is creating works that are similar or almost identical to yours remember this:

There is nothing new under the sun, only your interpetation of the sun makes it different.

Others may be creating nearly identical but their intent will NEVER be the same, the true art lies in pushing a piece as far as you can and knowing when to stop.

Barn

“There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are others who... transform a yellow spot into the sun.” Picasso

More about this later I have some thoughts I'm compiling about teaching, and why I teach the way I do - I teach techniques and I teach the student how to bring out their inner vision, I do not teach students how to create artwork just like I do through those techniques.

More Trees

2011-12-05T20:49:00.000-08:00

WIP's more Ghost Trees

Constructed Cloth from Silk Carrier Rods

2011-12-02T14:51:00.001-08:00

I'm thinking of reshooting this video!

Solo Show Installed

2011-12-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

For some reason I forgot to take a photo of the entire display, will try to remember to do so when I take the show down the end of January 2012. Over all I'm very happy with the way the pieces look, I have to give credit to Diane Hall for hanging the pieces, I would have hung them in a straigh line and well that's boring!

Rivers and Trees Solo Show

2011-11-29T18:05:00.000-08:00

And decided to take my three Wild Flower pieces along with since there will be extra space in the display case at the education center.

Mark Making with Nature eBook Package - Cyber Monday Sale

2011-11-28T07:05:00.000-08:00

Mark Making with Nature eBook Package - eBook

Cyber Monday Sale

$30.00

Progression - Poppie Sketches

2011-11-27T13:11:00.000-08:00

Now to add a little bit more background color and texture and then to finish the edges. As you can see I need to update my sketchbook sketch of the poppies as well. I started this small piece way back in 2009, I may finish it yet.

WIP - Poppies

2011-11-26T21:58:00.000-08:00

From this...

To this... the flowers need more stitching.

4x6 inches

painted timtex and natural dyed silk fabrics

free motion embroidery

Bins in Blue No. 1

2011-11-26T16:13:00.000-08:00

Available in my store.

Rusted Silk Carrier Rod Cuff

2011-11-25T20:13:00.000-08:00

Rust dyed silk carrier rods made into a constructed cloth cuff, now to add embellishments.

Bi-Focal Adjustment

2011-11-23T23:14:00.000-08:00

It's taking some getting used to, today I put on my cheater glasses thinking things would be much better only to discover how bad those cheater glasses really are! I officially have "Elder Eyes".

WIP - Untitled Vine Piece - 112311

2011-11-23T13:51:00.000-08:00

I finally figured out what it was that was bugging me about this piece and I concluded, this morning that I was getting way to literal with the vine interpetation. So back to the drawing board and time to remove some stitching.

WIP - Untitled Vine 112211

2011-11-22T21:00:00.000-08:00

The hand stitching to the far left is bothering me, am setting the piece aside and will pick it up again in the morning, maybe I won't feel so froggy in the am.

WIP - Untitled Vine Piece 112111

2011-11-20T22:03:00.000-08:00

Now with more stitching, I'm thinking I seriously need to go dimensional with it though using coils, etc.

Vine Piece

2011-11-20T17:37:00.000-08:00

From this

to this.

Now to dye some more threads and yarns tomorrow for additional vines.

Not Convinced

2011-11-18T15:38:00.000-08:00

I stitched the flax down and now wish I had not done so, I was hoping to capture a creek here locally that has several ox-bows coming off of the main stream. I may cut some back, may add some hand stitching not sure yet. Thinking.

Studio Update 110811

2011-11-08T19:13:00.000-08:00

I still need to clean out the hutch, paint the inside, and then load my painting and drawing supplies and still life goodies.

Studio Redux 110211

2011-11-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

Working on the drawing/painting space portion of the studio. I still need to move the canned goods out of the hutch and then paint the inside of the hutch a hot carnation pink color!

From peach to black in less than 30 minutes! The hutch is the future home of my painting and drawing supplies, along with still life objects and inspirational items.

Rivers and Trees

2011-10-30T15:24:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for my upcoming solo show at the Grimes Farm Conservation Center, Marshalltown, IA. I will be showing my Ghost Trees Series and my Blood River Canyon Series.

Paint Layer No. 1

2011-10-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

In progress new deep face frames for my artwork.

New Frames - In Progress

2011-10-22T16:15:00.000-07:00

John set up some stations for me, with lots of clamps, so that I could sand the frames and quickly. Tomorrow they will be painted, right now he's sanding them with 220 grit paper for the final finish, I sanded them earlier with 120 grit.

11x14x2.75 inches each
Poplar

Mark Making with Nature DVD

2011-10-18T06:43:00.001-07:00

Just a few copies of Mark Making with Nature DVD left.

Getting Plastered!

2011-10-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

Am streaming live tonight at 9pm Central - http://www.ustream.tv/channel/plastered-and-waxed Plaster, Earth Pigments, and if I have some time will add some wax to some of the pieces. Come on by and chat a bit while I experiment in my studio!

Book Sale

2011-10-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

As I finalize my new studio space, aka the former living room in our house, I am unpacking the last of the boxes. In those boxes are left over books from my retail shop I closed a few years back. Over the next few days I'll be listing these books for sale on a new page I created here on my blog, see the "Products" tab. I also have a few knitting needles left and I plan to package those up into lots and sell them by the lot.

If I can get it all figured out I'll be adding PP buttons!!!

Solo Show Hung

2011-10-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

Hung my solo show in the "Ding Darling" Gallery at the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge Center today. It looks great, there will be info sheets hanging between the large panels. It took us, Doreen and I, an hour to hang these panels.

I can see I need to work on my hanging mechanisms, it's picture wire on the back but for some reason they really lean forward.

Knowledge and Sharing

2011-10-03T11:50:00.001-07:00

Knowledge is for sharing but remember some of us work VERY hard to provide this information so please give credit where credit is due!

Fields Series Solo Show

2011-09-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

Spring

Summer No. 1 and No. 2

My "Fields" series was accepted by the staff at the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge, in Prairie City, IA, to hang from October 1 through the end of November. I cannot wait to see all 22 pieces hanging again!!!

Peter Irniq Installing Inuksuk

2011-09-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

City Employees drilling holes into the stones so that large screws and rods can be inserted into the stones.

The Artist

Peter Irniq Installing Inuksuk at Brookside Park, Ames, Iowa. Peter will be giving a talk tonight at the Ames Public Library. You can read more about the project here.

Angel Toes

2011-09-11T14:36:00.001-07:00

Mark Making with Nature DVD Set Special

2011-09-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

$39.00 + $4.95 Shipping

Normally $49.00

Now through Sunday, September 11th.

Inspiration

2011-09-07T22:13:00.000-07:00

On my table, antlers from JB Knacker.

Mark Making with Nature Special Extended

2011-08-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Mark Making with Nature Special Extended
August 24th!!!

I went to sleep last night thinking that something wasn't quite right with yesterdays sale, but couldn't put my finger on it until this morning when I realized that the service I used for the digital downloads hadn't contacted me. Response to the book special was overwhelming, so why wasn't I hearing from my digital service? One good nights sleep and I realized that I had used the wrong buttons for the special, techie I am NOT, and yesterdays snaffu proved that one to me!

So I am extending the sale until Wednesday, why Wednesday you ask? I have a LOT of garlic dill pickle relish to put up and a zine to finish and don't want to mess with the buttons again, now that they are correct. If you should pay for your books and you do not recieve an email from me for the digital download instructions please contact me at prairiefibers@hotmail.com For everyone else that bought a copy yesterday, but didn't recieve a digital download I am popping it into the mail for you!

The buttons have all been fixed and should take you directly to a PayPal invoice after which you should promptly recieve an email with download instructions.

~ Kimberly

Mark Making With Nature Book Package Special

2011-08-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

All three books in on great package! Special for Sunday, August 21st ONLY!

$30.00, normally $40.00 USD

WIP - Hot Flash

2011-08-18T18:46:00.000-07:00

Hot Flash in progress.
Silk Crinkle Crepe, wool batting, cotton backing.
Natural Dyes, Compost dyed.
Machine stitched so far.

Added additional stitching to the surface this afternoon after much encouraging from Brenda to take the plunge and use some bold colors in it, and I am think fuschia and firey bronze gold. It's definately starting to pop now, but, there's aways a but isn't there, I have tons more stitching to do and the silk crinkle crepe is a major pain to machine stitch.

I missed the deadline for the QAQ/Schweinfurth I thought it was a post mark deadline but alas it's a recieved by date. One of these years I'll get the application actually sent off.

Thomas

2011-08-16T19:41:00.000-07:00

Thomas sitting in my basket of natural dyed silk organza's, wondering why I'm bothering him.

Silk Carrier Rods

2011-08-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

Am working on the new zine this afternoon, so far InDesign has locked up on me only once :-)

WIP - Corn No. 1

2011-08-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

7x7 ish inches.

Silk Organza, Dupioni, Cocoons, Cotton, Natural and Compost Dyed.

Still have lots of hand stitching before this piece is finished, and then on to finish the final seven pieces.

Iowa from 1000 Feet

2011-08-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

8 x 11 inches - ish

Now for some more hand stitching. Natural dyed and compost dyed fabrics cotton and silk. Natural dyed silk eyelash yarn. I found it hiding in a pile of UFO's (unfinished objects) I started it several years ago, added the dark velvet circles for the bins and silo's this evening.

Cloth

2011-08-10T13:29:00.000-07:00

Yes this is the same piece of cloth I've been photographing the the past several years now, it's still sitting outside on the indigo vat waiting for something... what I don't know yet.

Crow Card No. 2

2011-08-06T22:19:00.000-07:00

I think I may have made it even more confusing by using a varigated thread, two different varigated colors actually, to do the stitching. And then I remembered that the Crow is a Trickster...

Hand stitching and some possible beading will ensue with this piece tomorrow.

Studio Redux 073011

2011-07-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

If all goes well I may actually get to watch Paula stream live tonight from my new mixed media area in my new studio! John hasn't found the ends for the dsl wire yet, he has to make a new longer cable for me.

The knee is feeling slightly better, after last nights horrific fall on the back landing. John didn't look to pleased when I told him that I was going to be putting non-slip rubber duckie decals down on the floor. It's the one place in the house that I have consistantly hurt myself on in the last 10 years and it's because that floor becomes ultra slick with even the slightest hint of moisture. This time the moisture was left by a 12 pound tri-color sheltie who decided she couldn't wait any longer.

Angel the puddle maker.

Thomas

2011-07-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

My boy Thomas, the cat with the great big hairy feet, I'm thinking he's got some hobbit in his bloodline somewhere :-)

Corn - A New Series

2011-07-18T21:11:00.000-07:00

I am working on a new series of pieces around the subject of corn. There are seven pieces, so far, in the series and they consist of my natural and compost dyed (eco-dyed/printed) fabrics and machine stitching. Each piece is approximately 7x7 inches and is machine stitched onto a timtex core.

As many of you, my followers, know I struggle with wanting the prairie of 200 years ago versus the prairie that we have today. My mother told me once that I was born about 250 years too late, that's how much I love the rugged primitive prairie. Where I expect to see a bison rounding over a hill instead I'm greeted with a tractor or a combine. Where I think there should be teepees and other primitive housing I'm greeted with silos and barns instead.

There is, however, one piece that binds both the past and today together and that bit is Corn! In doing a survey of the artwork I've produced over the past 15 or so years there is one theme that seems to be repeated and that is the theme of corn.

So with the idea of corn in mind I am setting out to create a series dedicated to that which intrigues and haunts me, corn.

Thomas the Watcher

2011-07-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

I was sitting at my table merrily away sketching images onto canvas cards, for my new thank you card series, and suddenly realized I was being watched. I looked over into the suitcase and there was Thomas watching me sketch, he really does love sleeping on silk fabrics and is such a silly cat he'll even pull out a piece to sleep on, when I'm not looking!

Poor Angel is trying to stay cool.

Studio Update 071211

2011-07-12T21:24:00.000-07:00

Tonight I spent the better part of the evening in the wood shop helping John construct another shelf system for my studio. The end result of our time out there was not one but two different shelves being concieved for my new studio space... which he is more than willing to do so long as it means that I'm NOT bolting anything into the walls. Tomorrow night we will finish the first shelf and Thursday we will finish the second shelf.

I'm loving my new studio space, I was stressed that I wouldn't be able to create in the new space but much to my amazement the creativity has been overflowing. The lack of central air during these very hot and very humid days has been the biggest deterent so far.

WIP - I am going to create a special page for the new pieces I've created this past week, all proceeds will be going towards my new central air unit and furnace. Seems when the new smart meter went in most of my appliances went "uh no I don't think so and died" this would include the central air and furnace.

Artistically Speaking with Rebecca Parsons

2011-07-10T22:05:00.000-07:00

Rebecca Parson's will be interviewing me on Artistically Speaking 8/21/2011‏! I recieved my info packet today and cannot wait!!!

Chipmunk Update

2011-07-09T22:40:00.001-07:00

The chipmunk is deceased and is no longer eating my madder root, bran, or cochineal bugs! Oh and it's safe to say the the organic soy beans are safe as well now, as am I!!! No more jumping chippies from a corner!

Thursday evening I discovered that I did indeed have a chipmunk in my basement and subsequently my wet studio. The little bugger has now met his maker. How can I justify this you ask? Easily they carry rabies in addition to three different forms of the plague, that's how and this little bugger was so comfy living in my house that the pets (two cats and a dog) were treating it as if it was another family member. And that had to come to an end!

Prairie Potholes - WIP - Detail

2011-07-06T22:00:00.000-07:00

Detail from a new piece I worked on today. Little did I know whilest I was creating in my studio that I would be needing a replacement furnace and central air unit :-(

Central Air I can live without, well 28 days out of the month during the summer months that is. The furnace, however, is a major must have for the northern climate I live in, more tomorrow. We still haven't purchased a house fan replacement, am still waiting to hear what the electric motor repairman has to say. Which leads me to a question: How did we end up with such a disposable society that even furnaces and central air units are no longer repairable???

Third Quarter Woes

2011-07-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

It' never ceases to amaze me when God gives me what I need before I actually need something. Friday I sold three pieces of art to a new collector! That is certainly a Praise! Nothing is more validating to a visual artist than to be able to sell their artwork and at full market value. Usually when I have a sale I put a little aside for savings, my 10% for tithe, and typically replace materials used and any equipment needed in the studio with the remainder.

As of yesterday the guessing game was new tires for John's truck or taking my truck and having it fixed OR buying a new house fan. As of today that question has been anwsered and we will now be having the central air repaired/replaced and the furnace serviced.

When I got back from shopping with my BF Brenda, this afternoon, I noticed the house was exceptionally warm. Looked at the thermostat and sure enough it was set to 73F but it was 78F in here. Went down to the breaker box and it had been tripped. Me being the chicken little that I am refused to touch the breaker and had John flip it back on and I'm glad I did. Pop, crack, and flames shooting out of the breaker box. We'd been having electrical problems all weekend John has been blowing circuits in the garage, etc, which has been happening since the city replaced our old meter with a new digital smart meter but now things are getting way worse and I'm looking the large appliances.

I'm not happy, but I am grateful that the Lord covered this one in advance! Here's to hoping and praying the CA can be repaired and not need to be replaced, this year.

Down to the Wire!

2011-07-02T13:20:00.000-07:00

One corner cleaned and ready to go!

The junk gone and soon the studio table will be in place!

John and Keith trying to figure out how they are going to get my six legged sewing/work table back into the house!

Prairie Potholes Past and Present No's 1-8
It's time to go rearrange and fluff before the collector arrives, he'll be here in less than 45 minutes!

Studio Redux - 063011

2011-06-30T21:19:00.000-07:00

Table is coming along nicely. John fixed the buckling veneer, filled in the divits and then sanded the top, tomorrow he will paint the top a very nice warm white color, will have to see what it is called made by Valspar.

New studio space is becoming congested, BUT I'm getting rid of some tolerances I've been hanging onto for the past five years and there will soon be room for my fabric on the shelves! I learned about tolerances as obstacles in a class I took with Alyson Stansfield last year... now that I'm a member of the Artist Conspiracy Project I'm learning how to eliminate those tolerances as they are obstcales to my peace of mind and success as a professional artist.

Every time I either come up from my wet studio or down from the new office space I bring a load with me into my new studio space. For the first time in about oh ten years I can finally see all of my studio supplies.

Studio Redux - Update 062911

2011-06-29T19:01:00.000-07:00

Studio Curtians: I was going to make some simple curtains/drapes from white fabric but after looking at this quarters issue of Where Women Create I decided to go out on a limb and add some color to my otherwise bottle green studio!

I'll have to paint more fabric this weekend, the trauma there is just unbelievable, NOT :-) as these two inspirations pieces won't be enough for one window even.

Studio Table, Etc.

2011-06-28T16:09:00.000-07:00

It's been living on the front porch for the better part of three years so I thought I'd give it a bath before bringing it into the house. In cleaning the table loose paint started coming off of the top, so I got a scraper to help remove the lose paint and smooth things out. As you can see the paint came off of the entire table top and with very little effort.

John using a teardrop scraper to clean paint off of the table trim.

We will repaint the table tomorrow, after a wee bit of sanding. Can't wait as this table is very sturdy I always loved using my 6500 on this table as it didn't vibrate when running the machine at full tilt, like my current sewing table does.

More thread and beads, half the bead collection is now in the new studio space. I also took time to seperate the threads, mostly, by colorways.

John put keyhole slots on the back of my Gutermann display rack this morning while I was sleeping in, using his router.

Thread Storage

2011-06-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

A rack for larger cones.

John hung my thread racks this afternoon and I'm slowly moving my thread downstairs into the new studio space... I've started calling it my "No Excuse Zone". Tomorrow he'll hang the storage bin, that is on the floor, underneath the cone rack in the first photo.

Studio Redux - 062511

2011-06-26T16:09:00.000-07:00

Cubbies! John and Keith moved these down from the second story into the new space. Floor has been washed and now the cubbies are almost full with fabrics, etc.

Now to start moving my threads etc., into the space. Eventually, maybe by this time tomorrow, all of the boxes, etc., to the left will be gone. I'm pacing myself so as to not re-injure my rotar cuff.

Almost There - Studio Redux

2011-06-25T20:57:00.000-07:00

Let me start this post by saying how much I hate humidity! I really really really hate humidity!

The cubbies are almost empty and ready to move to the new studio space, so much to do and so little time to get it all done in :-( I'm a day behind but otherwise am very happy with the progress being made :-)

The green wall is where the cubbies will be going, soon the boxes, filing cabinet, and the loom will be going bye bye along with all of the bags of wool in the wire cubbies to the left. On the red case to the right I will hang my thread racks, and underneath those will go my thread/bead bins. My studio table will live in the large open area, it all looks small in the photos but is actually quite spacious. The cubbies are approximately 5 feet by 8 feet by 14 inches deep.

The contents of the cubbies have been moved to the new studio and are hogging my cutting table space. It doesn't look like much but BON it does fill the cubbies to capacity. The cutting table will soon leave and my drawing table will take it's place.

Studio Redux 062511

2011-06-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

Color pencil tin. Organizing my new studio space, bought a new tin today... well actually have been waiting a year for Dakota Junction to open up and have their annual flea market sale... It is short enough that I can find my stubby pencils once again.

House Fan Croaked - Yikes!!!

2011-06-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

John and I were busily moving stuff this evening for the studio and the family room, at one point I commented that the air just wasn't moving in the house. Sure enough when I went upstairs I noticed the absence of noise that our house fan creates.

THIS IS NOT GOOD PEOPLE!!! I only run the Central Air when it's so hot and so humid that it makes me physically ill, that is how much I hate artificial air.

BUT I really MUST have my house fan! It creates a draft that makes my 1905 Victorian wanna be enjoybable to live in :-)

So with that in mind I will be listing some yummies tomorrow, favorites from my studio, so that I can buy a new house fan by this weekend. Praise the Lord the high here tomorrow is supposed to be 61F, there is a plan for everything isn't there and you have to know how much I love my house fan that I'm willing to sell my babies!

Break

2011-06-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

Took a break from working on the studio space today, PT was especially vigerous and was the last one of regular therapy until Friday when pool therapy begins. I'm back to walking a mile plus a day again and the shoulder stretches and exercises have the wonderful side effect of tightening upper arm flab!

Angel reviewing the changes to her world, happily she has found where we put the sofa and all is well with her again.

Studio Insanity

2011-06-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

This is my future sewing area, it'll look completely different come tomorrow. It still looks like hoarderville in the dining and living rooms but we are making progress. Photos coming soon.

The Storm Before the Calm

2011-06-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

Chaos, utter chaos is what this is!

Pepper sleeping during the storm!

Shot of my new studio space from the stairwell. The floor is original and is in a picture frame pattern.

What is a dining room if you can't shove all sorts of stuff into it? It'll be empty of all the "stuff" come next Friday, even that peach colored hutch is going bye bye at the yard sale.

Our future family room, otherwise known as the Library but in reality is a catch all room. In 1905 this house was a true double parlor home, this room was the family parlor.

Studio Redux 061411

2011-06-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

The excitement and anticipation is starting to set in, I cannot wait to work in my new studio space! John is retrofiting an old book shelf to fit it's new space, then we will move three bookshelves into the new space and a final bookshelf will be retrofitted for the space. I wasn't sure as to how I'd fit everything into the space but with the two bookshelves being rehabbed it'll work! Photos on Thursday.

Until then my madder root dye bath, that I have been ignoring and horribly so had the good graces to turn red yesterday so tomorrow it's off to wet studio and will be dyeing a variety of fabrics.

Studio Update 061311

2011-06-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

Moved my silk cocoon collect from the shelf in the library to the chicken coop in my n ew studio space, they won't stay here long as I have plans to flip the chicken coop over 180 degrees so that the cubbies on the coop are in the correct orientation.

Once I'm finished unloading the shelf in the library John will break it down, it's nailed together, and then cut the shelves themselves down so that the unit isn't as wide, then reassemble the unit once again.

In the mean time I have lighting issues that need to be dealt with in my new studio space. The painting will be moving into the library/family room once everything is set up, for right now this is the safest place for it :-(

Studio Thoughts

2011-06-12T21:41:00.000-07:00

A few supplies, these will be moved into the new studio space this week, can't wait to have my supplies all in one spot.

Studio Redux

2011-06-12T16:34:00.000-07:00

Small bits of furniture now living the attic, chicken coop now in my future studio! The tv and the dresser will also be going bye bye. More later.

River Birch Stand

2011-06-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

Stand of river birch that have died long ago, the basis for a new painting that is O'Keefe inspired.

Mad about Madder Root Natural Dye e-Class

2011-06-02T10:48:00.000-07:00

Class starts tomorrow June 3rd! Membership at the Natural Surface Network is required. Cost is $30.00 (USD) This class is a self directed class.

Once you are enrolled in the class you will have access to video, instructions, etc. I will check the classroom daily for questions.

Pretty in Pink

2011-06-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

Pink Peonies. More from my studio tomorrow, I've been working hard in the yard/garden to get things done before the rains get here.

WIP - Barn

2011-05-29T20:31:00.000-07:00

Now with pigments applied to the bottom section, it will dry lighter than what's in the image. Pigment painting is all about layering and patience.

WIP - Barn

2011-05-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

From the Barn Series - I dug this piece out of a box in my design studio tonight, for some reason the indigo dyed bottom two thirds faded and horribly so I plan to pigment paint this section. I'll start with Mayan Blue and take it from there once it dries.

Mad about Madder Root e-Class

2011-05-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

Available June 1st, 2011 a self directed e-Class dedicated to dyeing with Madder Root. Cost $30 USD

In this class students will learn how to use a traditional madder root vat to create a range of colors on silk and wool fabrics, ranging from deep scarlet to brilliant orange and everything in between. This class is self directed which allows students to work at their own pace.

Membership at the Natural Surface "IS" required and pre-payment is required before accessing class information.

Class will formally open June 1st, 2011 (12:00am CST that's Iowa)

Eucalytus Branches

2011-05-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

Working on two self directed online classes, available June 1st through my network The Natural Surface

Community of Artists Exhibition Acceptance

2011-05-20T20:33:00.000-07:00

Crow Field was accepted into the Octagon Center for the Art's Community of Artists Exhibition!

To Thine Own Self Be True

2011-05-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

And I haven't been. Last year I was approached by a big publishing house to write a book about natural dyeing. They laid out what they wanted and as much as I try I just cannot produce a book for their formula.

Don't get me wrong their formula is most excellent, it's just not me and when it comes to dyeing fabric, fibers, and yarns I put a ton of me into the work. I guess that's the epiphany when writing a book about dyeing with natural dyes I'm writing about me and if you were to ask me what IS wrong with my first three books is they exclude me!

The end result was I quit producing, I floundered, I quit producing cloth, finished works, and I quite writing about what I was doing. Why I felt shame and guilt about this is beyond me, it was after all their formula and they didn't want to know about me they wanted me to fit into their forumla.

So with that in mind the books, the DVD's, etc. will soon change and you will be seeing less mind numbing instruction and a whole lot more of "me". It's the effort of shutting out the other voices that tell you who you are and what you should be, that is the hard part. I've come to the conclusion that those who insist, no demand, on telling you who you are and what you should be really don't care two whits about who/what you are or will be.

Coming soon, "the real me", get ready world because here I come!

Studio Window

2011-05-17T16:20:00.001-07:00

My studio has a greenish cast to it these days as the light bounces off of the red oak leaves.

Love Knows No Bounds

2011-05-14T20:52:00.001-07:00

Natural Dyed Silk Yoyo's

2011-05-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

Details

2011-05-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

Color Pencil Redux

2011-05-06T14:43:00.001-07:00

I moved my watercolor pencils out of their larger tin and seperated them by color ways into tin mugs, I'm not sure if I like this set up yet or not, well I do for the greens and yellows.

Iowa - Inspiration at 55 mph!

2011-05-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

Iowa - Inspiration at 55 mph! Whenever I'm not driving I like to take advantage of the situation by snapping tons of photos, photos that are in motion. Every once in awhile I make a squealing noise indicating I really want to stop and take more photos of whatever that has captured my attention at that moment, but by and large images taken at 55mph intrigue me!

Sandford Museum Solo Show

2011-05-02T18:02:00.000-07:00

Installed, was hard to get a good picture of the entire set up.

Final Leg

2011-04-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

The final leg towards my solo show, finishing up four pieces in the Prairie Series.

Prairie No.'s 9-12
Natural Dyes Cotton and Silk Fabrics.
Machine Stitched

I cut each of these panels off of their canvas stretched frames and cut them down to size, which varies, as I was unhappy with them. With the addition of more stitching, and in some cases more silk fabric overlays, and then binding off the edges with zig zag stitching, they will then be re-mounted to 18x24 inch stretched canvas. More pics later.

Journal Back Cover

2011-04-25T22:47:00.001-07:00

Back cover of my newly retro fitted journal, and what can I say I'm a ham for very pretty papers!

Retro Fit Journal

2011-04-25T22:15:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the school year I purchased a couple of compostition books. I cut this one down to 6x8 inches and then glued a piece of scrapbooking paper to the front cover. Now to embellish the front, I will work on the back of the journal later.

Bleeding Hearts Fat Half - WIP

2011-04-23T20:03:00.000-07:00

Fat Half - 45 inches long by 18 inches wide. Fabric paint on Poly/Cotton Sheer fabric.