Last month, I created an accountability challenge for myself. “Is there an easier way of being with my work?” I asked myself. I wrote the words on the wall calendar which covers most of my studio door, knowing that I’d easily forget it. Initially, it was fun (and even ease-y;) to work with ease, but fairly soon after I set the intention, I’d forget and then land back in the mud.
After a number of times experiencing ease/dis-ease, I realized, “o.k., so this intention is something that I need to come back to over and over, like repeating a mantra." My immediate thought after that was "oh god, another item to add to the to do list, this isn't going to work. I need to come up with something else." I threw that thought out to the universe where it collided with a question: "how can I make exploratory work and work that my collectors like?" Out of the collision, came a solution.
It turns out that if I cycle between the two or three different kinds of work in a studio day, I'm actually better able to problem solve in each area. It's like the rest of my life; I'm a hummingbird moving from one blossom to another. I get things completed, but not by sitting down and powering through. It's in the spaces between each activity that my brain is able to relax and solutions arise. Who knew that just being myself would yield these results?
Surprised and Delighted
Thank you, thank you to all of you who purchased my Botanical Monoprint video. I'm grateful and surprised by all the places the video is touching down: Norway, Germany, Australia, Britain!
Lucky video. We humans have to travel by imagination these days. One of my great pleasures is thinking about the places I might visit once we are all vaccinated. Some of these spots are close to home: for instance, what it would be like to meet someone for coffee and share a scone? Doesn't that sound delightful?
If you purchased the video, (or even if you didn't and you're a monoprinter), I have a request. Because we're all staying close to home, I'd love it if you'd take a picture of one of your monoprints and send it to me along with the name of the place you're sending it from. I'd like to share them in the next newsletter. If you want to take it a step further, photograph it outdoors so we can see your natural habitat! Monoprint postcards flying into my inbox --I can't wait to see them!
In the meantime, if you're interested in getting the video and haven't had a chance, just use the button below.
Crossing the Water and Just off the Porch
A Gathering of Days
What a year it has been for all of us. Thankfully, now there is hope. Hope in the form of a vaccine, hope because we understand how to keep each other safe--even though we are longing to travel, longing to hug,, longing to see our families and friends.
Art has played a key role in keeping myself sane. Many of you know that I practiced art therapy for many years. This year, I turned the practice towards myself. I took the pressure to look for commissions off myself and decided to spend the year learning more about abstraction. I'm really happy I did.
And in a funny way, I've come full circle. I posted an image on Instagram the other day which I'd discovered in one those tiny files in my Instagram profile. It was a picture of two of my botanical prints, blown up to create large scale prints. When I looked at it, I saw a freedom that I haven't felt this year, an expansiveness. I began to see ways in which I can combine the lushness of those prints with abstraction. And as I did, it seemed my window into the new year of 2021 began to open.
My wish for all of us this holiday season is that we keep our eyes open to new doors, new possibilities.
Monkeys in the Studio & An Art Sale!
What's Happening in the Studio?
(A Lockdown Art Sale!)
Salal Berry Blues
As we near the year's end, I'm reflecting on my studio practice. To say it's been a challenging year for all of us is an understatement. And yet, there are gems hidden deep within the chaos.
I've spent my year exploring several avenues rich with possibility, taking my collages and monoprints further into abstraction and diving into wet cyanotypes and ecoprints. And the resulting artworks are piling up. So...I'm having a lockdown art sale!
While we here in Washington state are in lockdown, I'm offering this art for sale on my website. Beginning Sunday, November 22nd, I'll add one new piece each day for 21 days. I'll also send you a preview of that week's art offerings.
Like the Advent calendars of old, there will be surprises, small treasures and even some giveaways. Prices will be lock-down friendly and gift wrapping will be included. Many of us are having to forego seeing family and friends, and that's hard. But we can easily send a little gift--or give one to ourselves.
It's a Sock Monkey Challenge
One of the great pleasures during my years as an art therapist was my imaginary Mary Poppins bag of projects. I loved collecting new ideas that I could pull out at a moment's notice. One of my favorites was the sock monkey and I made them with all kinds of clients.
This year, with a brand new grandchild (yup, she's hands down the best!), I decided to make her a family of monkeys for her first Christmas.
It's a great project for this season of dark days and Covid uncertainty so I'm sharing this video, made by another artist, Kat Thorsen who got me started. I also have 4 extra pairs of sox. If you'd like to join me, and you are one of the first four to send me your name and address, I'll send you a pair of socks. If you take up the challenge, I'd love to see your creations!
It's a Sock Monkey Challenge
When I took the step of making a video, I had no idea of what was really involved. It turned out to be like learning the times tables; an initial big jump and then pleasure as I began to understand the structure behind the process. With a few tweaks to go, the Botanical Monoprinting video will be on sale in January!
Back to the School of Life!
Back to the School of Life!
Chance Encouters, 20” x 8”, Monoprint Collage
Born in September, I always associate early autumn with goldenrod and school supplies. Now, I've come to see fall as a time of reflection.
During this year of extraordinary challenges, I'm taking those that have come my way and squeezing them for all they're worth to extract whatever inspiration that lies within them.
In the studio, I'm working on two series of collages, each of which travels along a line. I'm hoping that at some point these lines, not being parallel, will intersect.
In the first series, Chance Encounters, I've taken pieces of cyanotypes, monoprints, and book text and mixed them up to create interactive quilt blocks of information. The other day, I looked at my bookcase and was struck by how much the collages also look like books.
The second series, Plum Time, explores a mixture of ferns and the redbud leaves called Forest Pansies. I'm looking for calm, for space with underlying texture.
Books, quilts, and textiles, these are all tactile objects that bring comfort and inspiration during these uncertain times, and I'm following the threads to see where they will lead.
Below: Plumtime 1 , 9" x 12", Monoprint Collage
Monoprinting; A Quick Look
Over the past several years, I've had inquiries from friends and followers on Instagram about teaching online classes. Initially, I was flattered, but teaching in person was still an option. I love the give and take that being together in a class offers. Inspiration flows, like air through the classroom.
Given that for now, we can't venture out to local art centers, and, that I'm married to a videographer, I decided to dive in and create a video class series.
I plan to begin with a class on basic botanical monoprinting, follow with a second on alternative botanical printmaking techniques and finally a third on how to bring it all together in a collage format.
I've made a short video to share with you. You'll learn what you need to get started and the basics of how to make a botanical monoprint.
Please enjoy and I hope that it whets your appetite for more!
I'll be taping the first class next week and hope to offer it as "Art Antidote" in early November.
Reflections from a Covid Summer
In my last newsletter I asked you what mind hacks and/or crazy fun things have you come up with during this time. I received some wonderful replies to share with you (lightly edited for style as the New York Times says;).
It is a consolation, in these troubling times, to live in a cozy place with endless skies, mountain ranges and nature so close by. When we head out for a hike around 6:30 am, all kinds of creatures can be stirring in the chamiso bushes, pinions, and flowering cactus. If we're lucky, we can hear a band of coyotes running through the arroyos howling their dawn and dusk songs.
Tori, New Mexico
You are reading my mind. I have wondered what other artists are up to. As I mentioned the illustration project about adoption has kept me busy. It is all in collage so those tiny pieces of paper have become my world.
Beth, Georgia
Last week I spied a Eucalyptus branch that had fallen...such a pretty color and textured bark... I snatched it up and proudly carried it home. My plan is to make a Spirit Stick. This one will be simple though to show off much of the beautiful bark. I was so happy to be inspired in the moment, grateful for tiny moments now.
Sara, California