Thinking....

....you know where the brain is going with this. I love my big composition books, collaged and filled with journal text, so why not do something with those LITTLE composition note books???
Debating the merits of trying to put staples in the black binding or leaving them as is, where the pages can be pulled out, for little notes to take along.
Decisions, decisions.....
Still cropping photos to show the finished piece of art that I had posted the beginning of the background~~my poor mind has been going ten different directions at once, and putting a post together seemed impossible.
MAYBE TOMORROW.
In the meantime, I value input on whether or not to *try* to staple the edges of the baby-books!
Hope your day is creative and productive!


Pax....

Fiber Art Progress~~or~~She Actually Has ART On The Blog!!!

At last, I am able to post some progress of this on here. I had put the photos on FB first, but I can explain details here better. Work has been slow due to a number of things and I am frustrated from that aspect. On the other hand, the tree is developing in a rather amazing fashion, and for that I am very very happy! All of these are larger images, which should be able to be clicked on to see more detail.......should be......still don't like the new Blogger photo uploader AT ALL  ....grrrrrrr.....pfffffft......rant......

Due to where the piece is hanging in the studio, and the amount of *stuff* (and yes it is all vital! SNARF!) around it, my photo is sort of off kilter. The edge of the piece is actually quite square, but the tree is not distorted. That large piece of leafy section on the left is what has been giving me fits.

I start with the plain sections, which you can see on the brown paper. That is traced onto waxed paper, then from there I break it down into smaller subsections. This is tedious because every piece is a *puzzle piece* that must over or underlap the previous piece in the right direction. I also have to consider contrast, pattern, fall of the *leaves*......blah blah blah.

A LOT.

Just getting this front piece of the trunk/root section pinned in place, sewn to the trunk proper and  shaped took over an hour. The felt, after being decayed with a heat tool, is very difficult to stitch through (think melted plastic) and does not have the flexibility it had in it's original state.

However, the texture is simply to die for! I mean, it begs to be touched! That is good---worth the effort.

This side view also gives an indication of why this was such a pip to attach; there was padding behind it to bring the piece forward a bit. So while I was freemotion stitching, I was also pushing that puppy UP and trying to keep the digits free of the sewing machine needle. Oy. The two roots that are with this part had a heavy iron on under them, but the thickness of the fried felt made it extremely difficult to get it to fuse. It was a matter of heating the BG and then slapping the root down quickly, then holding the iron hard against the pin board. My upper body is in a state of revolt.

The worst part? I have to hand stitch the rest of the trunk down due to what overlaps where...pliers, big needle, heavy thread. Do four stitches and take a break. I am almost at the point of testing E-6000 on some of the felt scraps. I have this vision of it melting the pieces right on the wall! LOL!!!

And now to the section of leaves that has been occupying sooooo much of my time. As you can tell, there are numerous fabrics used in this. Every piece has a seperate waxed paper pattern made, it is moved around over the chosen fabric until the right elements are in place, to give visual texture and depth. And part of it was not too hard (other than the decisions of which should be lightest, medium, dark, etc) until I came to one leaf section that had to be subdivided again. The offender is below.

This was exactly what I wanted in terms of pattern, color, balance of light and dark.......
BUT!
All those leaves were going straight up and down on the fabric. Thus, another paper pattern was made, cut apart, the waxed paper was laid over each section, the plain paper piece slipped in, pinned, seam allowance added, then the whole was hand stitched together with paper pattern still in place, fitted under the large waxed paper pattern and finally, fused to the other pieces.
Kiddies, that was a full days work.
Still, I refer to the top photo and like it so much, a section of tree catching the light differently, leaves more distrinct........I think it was well worth the time!
Hopefully, you all can understand why I have been falling back on photos for the blog and have not visited as I should; this thing needs to be done, cannot be hurried, and my brain, well, it has been less than cooperative.
But, it is ART!  .........finally.........  LOL!
As this is further progressed, I'll do another post.
It will be a bit, so don't hold your collective breath.
I like blue, but not on my reader's faces!!!!

Pax....

Much Gratitude.....

.....for all the kind comments and urging on of friends during the long project and my fits of pique. I deliver the banners Monday morning, weather permitting so Tuesday---hopefully!!---I will have photos to post of this major accomplishment! I am excited and in fear; they go hand in hand on a delivery.
Today, this simple morning, seems quite odd, sitting here enjoying coffee and I am not sure what I am doing today! I seriously am considering dragging out the needle felting machine (I've had it well over a year and used it once to make sure it worked...), a pattern for slippers I have owned for two years at least and a lovely sweater I felted that Linda at Marbled Musings sent me a while back. An old collegiate sweater, in the days of well constructed wool knits, it felted down nicely and that would be something different and fun. I have a basket of fibers, wools and novelties, some left from knitting, some from fiber art, and I am thinking there could be the makings of something interesting, gaudy and warm! Who me? Gaudy? LOL!!!! Oh yeah.......
Of course, there are the ATC blanks I purchased that I could drag into the house to work on....they couldn't be too messy......and I would have to print some of my photos for that.
If it's sunny today, and believe me, right now there is no way of telling, I saw an area as I was driving home from the errand run that looked like it would yield some good photos---that's a possibility. Remnants of an old building and lots of bushes laden with red berries...the leaves gone on some. Quite the thing for a holiday pic.
It just is ODD to go from full throttle to an almost dead stop. At least for me.
Of course, there is that BOX of yarn tucked in the laundry room calling my name.......now that the *almost stockings* made it to real stockings and are off the needles, I could start the lovely Fair Isle scarf that I would like to wear this winter......
Or I could decend to the wet studio and not surface until it was time to deliver the banners on Monday. Hmmmmm.... 
Decisions, decisions.......
I can't complain because it is enjoyable to have a little down time to try and pick what, out of many projects, to start next! ;-)
Whatever you do today, have fun. Enjoy the day and don't let it pass---there is too much to see and do and just not enough time! Make use of every moment!

Pax.

The Tangles Of Thought

It is surprising, after yesterday's abundance of replies to my post how I realized that I have been contemplating this transition for longer than I can recall. I am not sure what it is in my artistic make up that keeps me from moving on from one area to another. The known, no matter how miserable, is KNOWN. No surprises, the same old, same old. No risk, just do it. The unknown, is...well....who knows what is out there! I can coach on this but applying it to myself seems to be another story altogether! ;-)
The three photos I am using in this post were from a day last year when it was frigid, but I had grabbed my camera, hopped in the car and flew, looking for digital fodder. I had no thought of time or work on the table, I was in between large jobs and life was in this state of "Seize the Moment!"

I shot and shot until my fingers were so cold I could not feel with them and my face felt like the skin would peel off in frozen flakes.

It was exciting and wonderful! It was miserable and wonderful! It was just damned COLD, as only Indiana can be and look so blasted sunny and nice.

Why I picked these today was a reminder to myself that I have obviously, somehow.....through the influence of another.....lost a part of my life that I enjoyed very much. Yes, when you lose something like that, you (being ME) allow it to happen. You get on another tangled path to avoid confrontation and to prove your worth.

And while there are those who have nothing to do with the change that benefit from it (those I design for) the real artistic spark is reduced to an ember. I have found that often, there are those who find delight in this, and sadly, it is often people with nominal artistic talent themselves. They have an agenda. Real art terrifies them, no matter how much they sugar coat it. They have to be the center of attention, and will go to extremes to keep it that way.

It has taken me a full year to get to this point, to write this, to admit that venom from elsewhere pushed me back into work that keeps me isolated.....and away from what I love most. Away from my real art. I have done the work I've done because I knew I could do it well without much thought; it is in public, and brings in money. It is, somehow, a large phallic symbol. (yes, women fall for that trap too....you know what I mean...)

On the other hand, that year of semi-isolation has allowed me to build this blog and meet wonderful artists who *get it* and who encourage each other without agenda. We meet and talk, we push each other gently when we need to, we support, we laugh! We understand the ups and downs of life and don't have the need to steal ideas or misguide each other for personal benefit.

Somhow, here in this little blog-world, we just do what we were meant to; make art and make friends.

And there is a contentness and happiness. There is joy in seeing someone else succeed, in adding helpful commentary on a work in progress, in looking at something we've done and having a laugh at our not-so-brilliant idea that went wonky. (or turned into something else wonderfully different!) How delightful, how real.

I'm sure this is vague, but it is how it has to be. I also find it appropriate that the photos were from an old cemetary; the end of one life, the beginning of another.

So here is to vagueness, and how it can cleanse the heart, and to how long I have wanted to write this........one or two of you will understand exactly who and what it is about. For the rest, garner what wisdom you may, and know that creativity is above all else something to be savored, cherished, and used as YOU see fit.

Pax.

As a Post Script, yesterday I found a letter I had written had been posted on Robert Genn's site; here is a link as they must have come to the blog to pull one of the mixed media images to add to the post.

http://clicks.robertgenn.com/bad-moods.php

Maybe, at the end of the day, this was a sign for me to take my art a bit more seriously, since they found something they liked enough to publish.......

Wrapped In The Quiet Of Fog.......

......both literally, mentally and physically.

I took a day off.
The emotional upheavals of the past week have been more than enough; DH is better thankfully (and thank you's to all who wrote on his behalf sending spiritual help!) but still on the mend, I am okay as things go, and finally gave in and decided a day of total rest was in order. And possibly another today. As of this moment, it does not appear I have contracted whatever he has been coddling and incubating.......*it* has stayed at bay.
It's amazing what a few good nights sleep and some down time during the day can do for the body. I might want to try this more often....though I know it won't happen. ;-) I was sitting thinking of all the things I could be doing, but the body refused to move.....for once, it really did know best.

Sometimes wrapping yourself in solitude is a good thing; you think things out, you get creative problems solved, you have the opportunity to catch up on small busywork while the mind wanders freely, not that mine doesn't wander enough.

My musings have traveled to the possibility of an Etsy shop for small things I make, how I want to simplify the Holidays, being truly thankful for what we have and that includes everyone I have met through this blog this year, and getting back to a pace where I know where the year went instead of almost being in tears that it's November.

I have been thinking also about what projects to take on next year, when my current committments are complete and whether to continue in that same path, or choose something more managable. I certainly am not getting any younger and trying to fight the weight of 12 yards of fabric going 20 different directions is beginning to lose it's appeal. (and my ability to manage it)

And then, as I said, there is that niggling idea for the Etsy shop, to put a few small things *out there* and see what happens.

And mostly get back to a point where I am making art and not killing myself.

I would like to revisit some of my mixed media fiber art and the time has not allowed that. There is more I want to do with my current series of canvas pieces. I made the mistake of assessing the amount of yarn I have in the knitting basket last evening and decided I could knit tights for Giant Octopi for the next twenty years and not get that stash lessened much.....

So when does one start change? At what point do you say, no matter how much I enjoy parts of the work I do, the whole of it is too much for my body, eventhough it does pay? When do you become more stingy with time and talent and focus smaller and for what your own artistic soul is telling you to do? And where do you start?

It should be obvious, after this post, why I don't take much time off.

I tend to THINK.

I am not always sure that is a good idea, though this time, there have been some good questions that have bubbled to the surface.

As an aside for humor:

My blue budgie has figured out how to open his cage door. I went to cover him last evening and there he sat, giving me *the eye* with the door wide open and him inside. That bird soooooo belongs in this household--ornery in every little ounce! From here on in, I will have to watch him cautiously.

I am thinking, mostly, it is because I have paid more attention to DH than the *Boys*. (Joey, the green one, has been quite GOOD......)

Men.

With or without wings...........  ;-)

Pax.

Last Green of Summer; A Productive Day

Random thoughts from a lovely, sunny Fall day........

It seems of late I have posted about a lot of things NOT getting done or going well. Yesterday was one of those rare days you get many things done, but it feels like it went quick and easy.

First off, I love this heart shaped leaf from a volunteer Redbud tree. We have lost a lot in Indiana to some blight brought in from out of state trees sold at cheap discounters. Bleah! This one was so perfect.......that bit of bronzey-red atop the large green leaves. Click the pic for better detail; I left the size fairly large.

The Rose Live Forever along the drive has managed to survive quite well. I've run over the edges a few times with the car, the raccoons had a hey-day in it, the bunnies *prune* it. It just grows. And blooms. I can ask for nothing better!

I spent most of the day checking things off my to-do list:

Car tire fixed.

Grocery shopping done.

Laundry in some stage of *done-ness*.

Changed settings on FaceBook Apps.

Worked a lot in the studio on the church banners......though, again, that doesn't *show*.

Cleaned the kitchen, somewhat.

Had time to sit and laugh with hubby.

Did some lengthy art related research online for a possible purchase.

Spent time doing some heavy decision making.

Took a break to wander through the yard for a moment and enjoy the last of the green.

Finally, sat to deal with e-mails, etc. that had piled up and print out some necessary paperwork.

Avoided the dreaded cleaning out of photos from the blog folder and also other places on my computer, as that is a two day process and I needed to sew. That's okay.

My post count is rising and it seems that just yesterday I was setting the blog up, wondering what to write, or who would read. What was the purpose? Was it for my own benefit? In the interim, I have found out otherwise. I've found my voice again, I have found delightful friends, I have learned, I have shared my knowledge, I have shared laughter and tears and triumphs and the skinned knees of life. I've become part of a larger vocal and visual chorus that I enjoy immensely. Heading into the dark of the year is not as daunting with my network of fellow followers and casual readers, and those whose blogs I visit regularly. I wish (selfishly) that those who visit, even once, would post just a hello to have an idea how far this reaches. But it's okay anyway.....

Thank you. We are each a link in a long line of voices and visions. Let's keep it unbroken.

And now, I am off to work, sewing most likely, though something else always seems to get thrown into the mix. I think there is a cake that needs baking too.......

Pax.

Candles All Aglow....or....I Sew, Therefore, I Am

Well, after waking sick yesterday and deciding that the dreaded "Allergy-From-Hades" season was upon me, instead of giving up, I managed to get some serious work done in the studio. Not nearly as much as I would have liked, but when your left ear and sinus cavity are pounding out a thumping rhythm that would propel a proper Conga-Line........there is only so much that is going to get done. At least, done where it is acceptable to those who are paying for said banners.
Sometimes, you have to know when to stop and take a break.
I did.

If you look closely at the reddish violet candles, second set up, you can see they have had the first round of zig zag with the rayon thread. I don't care HOW MUCH I have sinned in the past, this is penance above and beyond. Plain and simple. Don't move, don't twitch, don't take your eye off the needle, thread, where the whole thing is headed........there is nothing fun about this part! It is just necessary, and needs to be close to perfect. (and after all my whining, it usually is....)

The metal gold organza halos turned out nicely, even after considerable fighting with the thread in the machine. I hate stitching with metallic thread; they all act different and generally have me saying bad words......... I was, though, completely pleased with the iridescent *wax drips* on the white fabric. It shows up enough without being overpowering. These, the Christ Candles, will have beads or pearls sewn on at regular intervals, following the pattern of the fabric. This is what I had used in the altar cloth and stole----I love it much as it is not too bad to work with and is still affordable, which is becoming a thing of the past with traditional liturgical fabrics.

Finally a close up of the vintage Korean silk I used for the rose colored candles, since the other I ordered was sold out by the time the company was informed they had sent me sheer olive green??? I was a bit hesitant to use this; it was a gift to my mother from a friend but hey---it's perfect. You can see the holographic fabric for the flames a bit better here. I think, when it is all put together it will be gorgeous from a distance! And the B.G. fabric is in the shipping process so I am a-okay! (well, other than the allergies....and the mental stability is questionable too, but you knew that!)
So, hopefully today will be a bit more productive! Morning is such a peculiar time as I am not sure what state I'm in until a copious quantity of caffeine has entered my system and awakened the vital organs.......
Hope there is something out there that awakens your creativity today and gives you the punch to make art!

Pax.

P.S. I think, sadly the bug has it's grips on me. Posted this yesterday after working.......today I can neither talk nor breathe, so it is NOT going to be a fun Labor Day weekend here. I may be off-blog for a few days of R&R.
At least at this point I can still knit.

Part Two of CHEAP CHIC!

(the following work is a copyright of Anne M. Huskey-Lockard, 2009)

Now comes the fun part, continuing from yesterdays frame dissection! Gather together a lot of different types of papers; old books, text books, phone books, etc. I love a selection of whites, taupes and beiges. These will be a bit more toned down later, but for the moment, you want some contrast both in paper color and text.
A bristle brush for scrubbing and Golden Regular Matte Gel Medium are what puts this all together. I like a lot of gel for texture and the bristle brush helps with that; this is something you will have to experiment with to find what you like and how much. The matte gel leaves a finish that accepts other media after the paper is on.

If you click on this photo you'll be able to see the different types of paper I have collected. One note: on any texts that are considered a religious text by any belief group, I only use from books that are falling apart or have sections missing. It is something that I personally feel is the right thing to do as far as having reverence for all beliefs. That's just me........

Here is the work in progress. Whenever you begin working with gel medium, ALWAYS wet your brush and then squeeze out the water. It will leave the bristles damp but not wet. What it does is help protect the brush from the medium, and keep it flexible. This stuff can dry QUICK.
Put a good coat on part of the panel, then lay the piece of paper on (this has to wrap to the back) and smooth it out with the brush. Turn the panel over, add gel to the edge and back and smooth the paper tight. Use gel to help in the smoothing. Sometimes the paper tears, and that's okay because you just put the next piece over the top.

This is a close up of the panel in progress, building torn piece by torn piece. There is medical dictionary text, shorthand, Hispanic text and I believe a page from an old book on the temperance movement in Indiana! (that's not applicable today, eh?)
Keep building, and if you have an idea of what you are going to use this for, you might decide on certain pieces in certain places. Keep an open mind.......these are things with lives of their own.

The finished panel with LOTS of gel medium over the top after everything has been put on, smoothed, wrapped and allowed to wrinkle from the dampness of the gel. Those types of wrinkles are good--don't fight them. Just get the paper on as flat as possible to start. All ages and types of paper handle differently, so be prepared for surprises. Some of the oldest paper I have used, from the 1600's, handled absolutely brilliantly with a little care!
I chose Hebrew text at the top and the dark page is from a very old and incomplete bible. I felt they complimented each other well and will work with what I *think* I will do with the piece later.
At this point (read my lips!!!!) LET THIS DRY WELL!!!!! Overnight usually is not enough. Sometimes a day or two, depending on humidity. I set the panel on top of a jar of gel with the lid on, or any other jar for the most air circulation. There is a lot of wet that needs to be DRY. It should have no tack what so ever when you hold it in your hand.

And, after drying, a test fit into the inner plastic piece. I like the papers better than the print it had, and we're not even close to done!
Okay, get a cool drink, process this, try it if you want and tomorrow we'll start doing some work on the papered panel.
One note: If you think this is something you could use, then do several panels at the same time. Then they are papered and ready to go. You can go with standard sizes that can be framed later, or if you have oddball frames at hand, cut the panels and go for it.
Now off to your creative day, and I'm off to work some more!

Pax!

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAN!!!!!! :-)

Art; Redone! "Madonna of the Garden"

(please click the photos for more detail)

I am still amazed that the work you see pictured above started out from the square pictured below. Art is the most wondrous thing. Oh yes, at times frustrating beyond words, at times elusive to the point one wonders if anything is going to happen, and you're almost afraid of what might! (yes, we've all had those projects.....)
The whole point of this is change. I was willing to change what was there. I was willing to change elements I thought had to be in the piece. I was willing--sort of--to be quasi-patient while things dried and give it a good look and think.

There were so many different things used in this one piece I could not begin to list them; I think that would require a manuscript. But the main item was a mind open enough to toss pieces I really loved and wanted in here for pieces that worked much better. I could see the forest for the trees, for a change! ;-)
There is a particular serenity to the work even though it is busy, still has a fair amount of bright color and lots of texture. Really, the eye should be bouncing everywhere. It is not minimalist by any means. But it works for me. I'm happy. I'm ready for the multiple coats of finishing varnish.
I think!
And before I forget, a big Welcome to a new follower; most happy you are here with the blog! Join in when you feel like it!
I hope you have time to try something different, something you've started and then stashed, something that requires you to go a different direction.
It's such a good exercise for creativity and rethinking---changing the same old into something different.
Now get out there and enjoy the day ahead, creatively or just for what surprises it might bring.

Pax.

P.S. The flowers at the top of the piece are Angels Trumpets....I thought they would be appropriate to include for color, but for the name also!

Art Redux.......

The other day when I posted "The Lovers" I mentioned it was Salvage Art. You know, you start those collages/paintings/drawings with a great idea. Great! It's wonderful!
And then it falls completely flat.

Plop.

No resuscitation possible on the original design.

If you're like me, you stow it away somewhere until one of two things happens:

1. You totally forget about it for years and then find it on a cleaning spree and dump it,

-or-

2. You shove it where you can't be disgraced by it and THEN find it on a cleaning spree and think hmmmmmmm.....possibilities here.

I've decided on option number two for this one. And anything I do along the way, I'll post. At least until it hits the point where, once again, it goes PLOP or is disgracing me...... ;-)

First off, this is a 12"x12" canvas panel. I covered it with different papers, used liberal amounts of gel medium, then started adding a bit of gesso, ink and color. And then the three images.

I'm not sure where I thought I was going with them; then or now. They are just *there*....floating around in a somewhat triangular space and not doing a thing for me. I still like them--it just needs more.

A lot more. More color, more tying in to the whole piece, more rhyme or reason with them....MORE. So that is what I am going to try and work on bit by bit, in between a couple of other things that need done, and real work. And I'll take pics and post and I really would appreciate critique as this goes along.

You won't offend me.

And besides, with most of you, I don't know where you live! LOL!!! So you can be honest and say it sucks rocks (or glass, as the case may be!) and I'll just sob a while and then put my *big-girl* panties on and get back to the art and consider your comments!!!

Let's have some fun with this one, okay?
Now go have a great day and don't forget----GO MAKE ART!!!!!

Pax.

A Little On The.......

......drippy, feeling greenish-blue side as yesterday, for whatever reason, the hip, knee and leg decided they did not want to work, walk right or play nice in general. Couldn't sleep from pain; missed the next to last service with our present minister this morning and plan on a down day. Somehow the hosta seemed to describe my feelings exactly at the moment.
I know I have pushed myself too hard---I know that. I've put everything else before my own recovery. And I spent too much time on the concrete floor at the circus building for nothing----did I mention we didn't even get to photograph the one banner, Serena the Snake Charmer, we completed before being given the boot? Nor did we get to finish a small amount of outlining, which would have taken all of an hour or two before it was yanked off the wall, rolled and stuffed under another banner. Obviously someone doesn't see with an artists eye. I hope it was dry.....
I am hibernating. I quit everything (outside work) other than my liturgical work. My own artwork I will continue with. These were decisions I have had to make over a weekend of constant pain, and sometimes you have to learn to be like those hosta leaves and let it all roll off and do what you need to do. It is odd because I wasn't sure I was going to post this morning, nor what I had to write about, but this just flowed and I assume it is what I need at the moment to clear the air.
I look forward to the writing, and usually like to have it done the night before, so it's there for early risers. For that, I beg your indulgence.
Maybe I can actually make it to my own studio today and get things ready for sewing, providing I can operate the machine. Otherwise, I'm painting, and everything else that needs doing can just roll right off........ ;)
Hope you all have a good one and that anything hindering your own personal creativity can roll off like water---push forward---make something beautiful!