Prairie No. 1 - No. 8

Praire No. 1

Praire No. 2

Praire No. 3

Praire No. 4

Praire No. 5

Praire No. 6

Praire No. 7

Praire No. 8

WIP - Prairie

WIP - Prairie

8x8 inches

machine stitched/sketched natural dyed fabrics on canvas

Exhibition Update - 6 of 8 pieces almost finished, these will be matted and framed. John is making the deep frames for me out of poplar which will then be painted black.

Triptych Update

I was all set to quit working on this particular piece, the triptych that is, and decided to try backing the panels with canvas in hopes that doing so would make stitching the interfacing easier.  I was correct, it did I have yet to have to clean a goober off of my needle, I'm not sure if it's the coarseness of the canvas or what but WOW what a difference it is making.  I'm hoping to have the core stitching done tonight so I can apply the rest the paint tomorrow.

Bump in the Road

I encountered a bump in the road last night, on my journey to churn out 21 new works for a show we are haning on Sunday.  Last night, while attempting to cook dinner, I managed to get my finger jammed into a drawer, thusly crushing my right index finger tip -  yeah I was in a LOT of pain!

I'm feeling a little better today just not using this finger, which is not only slowing me down but is now causing me to become more inventive, innovative maybe, in finishing my works.  Stitching isn't working out so well today, maybe tomorrow. 

So now I'm "what iffing" what if I try just glueing my fabrics directly to the canvas, w/o stitching, instead of stitching them, applying matte medium and the whole process.  Is the meaning and intent the same?  What does the image say?  Is the story now different somehow, and if so then how?  More tomorrow.

Prairie at Dawn - WIP

WIP

Painted Interfacing

Machine Stitched
3 Panels 48x20 inches

Pushing a Deadline

It would not be natural for me if I wasn't pushing a deadline!  Seems that my ah ha moments are lot richer, and more frequent the closer I approach the deadline, well at first blush this is what it would appear to be.  I think the reality, that is far more likely, is instead of entertaining a multitude of ideas I'm more brutal in my choices, rejecting everything but the strongest of ideas for a piece.

In this current bout of decison making I've decided that stitching fabrics that have been treated with matte medium is far more exciting, and a whole lot easier, than stitching painted interfacing. There's less glue gobbers, from the manufacturing process for making interfacing, to remove from the needle etc.

Change of Color

Was contemplating my new color palette today and was questioning myself as to WHY I'd ever want to go back to working with bold or primary colors.

And then I remembered what my work looked like hanging at the Fisher Art Center last summer, how each piece blended perfectly into the natural red brick wall.  And then it dawned on me subconciously I automatically started working on a bold primary color palette for this new body because the walls at Cafe Diem are also a natural red brick!   There's no sense making 24 new pieces that will simply disappear into the brick wall, or is there?

Will share WIP photos as I work this issue out!

Ghost Trees

I started these several years ago, finally stitched them up tonight.

Something Pretty

This is my favorite color of brown!  Lovely brown velevt ribbon.

Sampling

Natural Dyes:  Cochineal, Kamala, Weld, Indigo, Copper dye silk

Cotton Quilt batting

Compost Dyed Silk Organza

Machine Stitched

9 x 5 5/8 inches

Studio Organization!

I'm hoping to have all of my fabric moved out of my closet, where I can no longer get to it, and into the cubbies by next weekend. 

In reality I don't have much in the way of commercial fabrics anymore, since I took up dyeing my own with natural dyes, rust, and compost.  But it would be nice to be able to see, and access maybe, what I do have somewhere in this mess I have the fabric for a quilt for our bed. 

John helping me to set this up today was the best Valentine's gift ever ;-)

She was Third Class Solo Show

She was Third Class Solo Exhibition
Fisher Art Center, Marshalltown, IA
September 1st - September 30th.

Explore Class and Social Status in Fly Over Country with artist Kimberly Baxter Packwood. 

Kimberly's latest body of work encompasses the topic of social strata in rural America using the medium of Encaustic and 3D Mixed Media.

Prairie - Past and Present

Prairie - Past and Present
New solo exhibition coming up at Cafe Diem in Ames, IA
March 15th - April 11th, 2010

Natural Dyed Goodness

I have yet to decide what I will do with this pile of cochineal dyed yummyness!  The doiley was dyed in an exhausted madder root bath yeilding a lovely peach color.

Smocking Yummyness

Found this lovely smocked trim at a thrift shop.

Valentines Special ~ Mark Making with Nature DVD set

I've reduced the price of my Mark Making with Nature DVD through the 15th!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39881799

Mark Making with Nature DVD - Back in Stock!!!

Mark Making with Nature DVD - Now back in Stock!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39881799
By Surface Designer Kimberly Baxter Packwood
Over 2 hours of Video Instruction (5 Discs) & 53 Pages of Supplemental Instruction Included(PDF)
Everything you ever wanted to know to create unique cloth using natural dyes is covered in thisDVD Set, an excellent companion to the Compost Dyeing and Other Fermentation Technqiues Book.

Topics Covered Include:

• Compost Dyeing: Several methods of compost dyeing are demonstrated.
• Screen Printing with natural dyes, using thickeners and more.
• Bound Resists with natural dyes how to obtain rich layers of color on fabric. Monoprinting & Stamping with natural dyes.
• Create additional depth and design to your fabrics by stamping and printing them using natural dyes and pigments.
• Dye Painting with natural dyes using thickeners, gutta resists, and much much more. Pigments: using pigments with natural dyes to create additional character to your art cloth.

Included is a 51 PDF booklet (this booklet is on a CDROM which you can then print out) that includes additional images and details on how to obtain gorgeous art cloth using natural dyes.

Winter Survival Gear for Your Car

RePost from 2006

This is obviously going to vary depending on the part of the country you live in. NOTE: I own a truck w/topper and I'm a military brat so I am programmed, by my dad who was insistant on teaching us winter survival skills, to be prepared for every possible situation.  I also live in Iowa and my most likely winter survival situation involves being stuck in a ditch someplace, Lord willing my vehicle is not in water, upside down, and/or not on fire!

It can get dangerously cold here (Windchills of -30F to -60F are possible which can freeze you to death in minutes) in the winter. If your vehicle is trapped in snow STAY with your vehicle it makes for a much bigger target when searching in the snow! And buy a car color other than white for Pete's sake!  So that being said here's my list:

TOOLS (The big Stuff for your vehicle):
Shovels - two differnt species: large scoop shovel and a flat blade shovel (Make sure the handle length is appropriate for YOU and this will make shoveling easier and faster producing the least amount of sweat).
Ice Scrapers and Snow scrapers
Tow Chain/Strap - A TOW CHAIN because someone like me might come along and can pull you out of the ditch!
Chains for your tires
Kitty Litter/Sand for those slick icy situations that don't require a tow chain/truck
Spare Tire, and tire changing tools - you know this should probably go without saying but you should ALWAYS have a spare tire in your vehicle - I carry two, for my truck, in the winter and 6 when I'm pulling
my tandem trailor!

Hammer, Screw Drivers, Ratchet Set, Wrenches, Channel locks, Vise grips (all in a small tool bag) -whats that you don't know how to work on your vehicle - well someone may come along and can fix it for your if you have tools!
Jumper cables - Make sure you have a new battery for your vehicle every few years.
Flashlights with fresh batteries
Flares/Emergency placards you put on the ground
Oil - 6 quarts and this one comes from personal experience
Antifreeze and if I'm really going to be in the middle of nowhere I take extra hoses and clamps

Gas - If I'm going on a really long trip and I'm not sure about the area, better safe than frozen to death!
NOTE: Most folks end up stranded because they have run out of gas - so fuel up before you head out.

CLOTHING:
Thin wool Hat and Gloves
Insulated wool Mittens that fit over thin wool gloves
Sheepskin bomber style hat that fits over wool hat
Down Parka with hood
Thin wool sweater
Down vest
Thin winter coat that fits over sweater and under the vest and under the parka
Carhart overalls - the insulated variety
wool long johns
wool scarf
Wool Socks a thin pair and a thick pair to go over the thin ones
Boots rated to -40F
Cleats (boot cleats) for walking on ice - you'll have to go to the bathroom eventually

Wool removes moisture from your body and doesn't allow it to freeze on your skin. Cotton and other fibers promote hypothermia!!! Wet and cold equals a quick death if one is not careful. In extreme colds a lot of the fashion fibers will actually break and they can catch on fire easily - nylon being one of those fibers that burns easily. Wool doesn't burn so easily.

FOOD:
Peanut butter crackers - well if you are allergic to peanunts then substitute accordingly - can be bought in bulk at Wal Mart for very little money
Snickers Bars
Beef Jerkey or those sausage rolls
Gatorade
Extreme cold means you burn a LOT of calories protien is the way to go!
If I'm traveling with my dog I put a bit of kibble in the truck for her as well.
TP (Ok not food but I'm including it here anyway)
Handwipes - well you know, do I really have to explain???
Charger for cell phone - might be wishful thinking here but it can't hurt.

TOOLS: The necssary stuff!!!
Gerber multi tool (tis what I have)
Big knife (not sure what the brand name is)
Trowel/small hand shovel - for bathroom breaks (see TP above)
water proof and wind proof matches
instant light mini logs - if you need to make a fire
Those pocket/glove/boot heaters in the sporting goods section
Down Sleeping Bag rated to a minimum of 0F -40F would be better and is attainable with a down insert (Mine is Mountain Hardware)
4 Season Tent designed to withstand high winds (Mine is a Mountain Hardware)
the tent is in case you have to leave the vehicle!
2 wool blankets

Other TOOLS/SURVIVAL GEAR:
MSR Stove and Fuel Bottle
Water purifier (I think mine is a MSR) & tablets - btw ditch water isn't all that yummy
small pot for melting or boiling water
Head Lamp (Flashlight on a strap that you can put on your head) these are great when you need to change that flat tire in the middle of the night.
Fishing pole and small tackle box, small hand net
Edible plant book (small pocket variety)
Walking Stick with pointy end - gives you extra balance on the ice

FIRST AID KIT
plenty of band aids & butterfly bandages.
Kotex (heavy duty pads) - can be used to absorb blood from major wounds (lets say your hunting and get hurt and then end up stranded due to an injury) each heavy pad holds approximately a half pint of blood and this lets emergency personnel know how badly you are bleeding!
Styptic pen (men use those for shaving) stops bleeding on small wounds.
Scissors
Tweezers
Small mirror

Extreme Embroidery

Extreme Embroidery
January 14th February 16th
4:30-6:30 pm
Fisher Art Center, Marshalltown IA.

Blog Update

I updated the look of my blog, now the twenty million dollar question is how does one get rid of those annoying wrenches all over the blog - the ones that denote editing.

Sandstone No. 3

Rust and Stitching

Earth and Stitching

The details Sandstone No. 3 circa 2000 Compost Dyed, Natural Dye Painted, Rusted, and Pigment Painted Silk Dupioni Fabric.  Machine Stitched.

Removing Excess Rust

Removing Excess Rust now up on

The Natural Surfaces Zine!

How to remove heavy areas of rust from my rusted fabric?

Question of the Day: How to remove heavy areas of rust from my rusted fabric?

You neutralize the rusted fabric with baking soda water first and then if there are chunks left behind, ok I leave mine because I like the look, you can put a baking soda paste on the fabric to help break it down. Keep in mind that sometime...s the rust chunks simply do not go away but it's worth a try.

Rubbing in with a toothbrush also helps, I have done this but gotta admit I have one piece of fabric that was super chunky and decided to work with it instead of trying to get rid of the rusted areas.

Coneflowers No. 2 Small Textile Art - Matted

Coneflower No. 2

Small Textile Art Works 4x6 inches

Available in My Shop

Forest Harvest Box 1

Still working on the whole less is more concept with my boxes ;-)  This box for the most part is done, although I may alter this one when I get it back, I'm not sure how I feel, still, about the silk flowers.

Scorched Wax

Well what can I say at least the wax didn't catch on fire!  Scorched wax is bad enough but yes I'm glad it didn't catch on fire.  Tomorrow is a new day and I'll start over with a fresh batch of encaustic medium.

WIP - Encaustic

A Dab of Gold

WIP - Heart

Adding New Goodies for Christmas

Large assortments of sizes available at Hackberry Studio's

Beaded Bag

White Flower - Encaustic Painting Sample

Sample made during today's encaustic painting workshop.  This piece demonstrates texturizing, cutting away wax to reveal previous layers and using a form for building up select areas for dimension.

Olof - WIP

John has been helping me with the construction of my latest pieces, running the saws and drills for cut outs etc., he cracked a huge grin when he put Olof's eyes in place which he picked, I was going to use gauages for the eyes, but John decided that Olof needed gears for eyes instead.  The gears definately changed the mood from dark to spry, Olof has a joker side, he loves playing practical jokes on people and may even revel in scaring them a wee bit.  I'm currently auditioning mouth pieces and body colors.

Acrylic Peel

It's turning into a mess is what it's doing!!!  I didn't realize my plate had a slight tilt to it, will make sure it's level next time.  Shelley Finch gave me the instructions on how to make these, lets just say it's juicy!

Drying

Painted watercolor paper that has been glued, with gel medium, to a piece of ordinary plywood.  I may come to regret having used ordinary plywood in the future but for today's sample it will be fine.

I'm waiting for the gel medium to dry! Dry times are the hardest part about mixed media and my work shelf is currently unavailable, its one of those black wire shelves, actually dh combined two of them for me, that has 9 shelves that are approximately 7 inches apart.  So now I wait for this piece, and several others I have in progress, to dry.

Wedding Dress

I had been visiting this dress for some time, see pics in previous posts, and it finally came home to live with me a few weeks ago!  John is planning to hang a rod in the stairwell so that I can hang my vintage dress collection, three dress to date, there.

On my desk

Vintage pearl cotton thread I picked up today for a project.

Button Button

Button Button whose got the buttons???

WIPS

Latest bits I'm working on in my wet studio.

500th Sale Etsy Sale!

Woooooooooohoooooooooooo I made my 500th Sale today!

Mixed Media Class begins November 4th

Instructor: Kimberly Baxter Packwood
Days: Wed
Times: 5:30-7:30pm
Begins: November 4, 2009
Ends: December 16, 2009
No Class Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Holiday)
Cost: Members: $99 Non-Members: $110
Place: Fisher Art Center in Marshalltown, IA

Fall 2009

Fall colors to be inspired by

Burr Oak - taken at Ledges State Park