Rescue in Red

This began as a connection to the color 'red' and I started off with a glue resist using black on red cloth with an addition of bronze foil. Everything went wrong when I applied a cream like texture that was supposed to dry clear. Oh no! I soaked, I scrubbed and when dry I added gold leaf (second photo) and although pretty in colors, I had lost my way in purpose and composition. Out came the scissors and cutting away, adding fabrics until I had lost one circle but at least I had a surface to begin again. I've titled the piece "Tower Markings" and the circle shape (to me) feels like an ancient compass or maybe a star map. I added stamped fabric for leaves and some free sewing with the sewing machine as well as some loved stitches. I'm not against giving up on a piece but this one is only the second in my series on color and seemed in the beginning to have captured my heart...just couldn't give up! Need I mention the 42 other ideas I had and some I tried? The journal writing coming to terms with a pretty crappy cloth? Need I mention the calming myself, reconnecting to my personal memories of the color red or the many times I just didn't reconnect with the color red? Several days and nights went into this red journey and now I'm just fine with all that didn't go my way and all that did fit into this finished piece. Ready to start another color...a few more efforts in color to see if this is the way I want to continue.

Beading Along

I'm not really very good at beading but I like the trying part. I also like the variety of beads. I especially like the glass beads as I just bought small tubes of red, green and gold. My fingers are no longer nimble and my eyes strain to thread the needle even with the help of a magnifying light. I enjoy the slow adding, building process and here I have used a combo of turquoise and the green glass beads on hand stamped cloth. .Sometimes I think while I'm beading that I have stepped into the ancient world when someone beaded beautiful ritual robes ... my fantasy for sure!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Leonard Cohen "Dance Me To The End of Love"

This is my first time to post a video and I won't bore you with the details but I will just say I had some struggles finding the video that worked for me and then struggled to post it. For me, this video combined with Leonard's voice is a wonderful combination for Valentine's Day...romantic, sad, sexy and true...Enjoy!

Pablo and I are exchanging cards, possibly with a personal note. We will drop in on an opening in the early evening of a group show where I have one of my "Oasis" pieces hanging. Little smiling, little snacks and maybe some photos. We plan on a quiet dinner at home. I will wear something red! ha

Yes, It's Time

This little red Viking muse has her own life and story...I can hardly remember putting her together with paint, crayon and collage. She measures 14"x14". I know I started with a red background and just stayed with red...adding the clock placed as a balloon with string...to remind again it's time. I was trying to access the seven year old of me. The one that felt strong and confident with a box of crayons, watercolor tin, colored pencils and paste jar. She has always reminded me of that pure joy of artmaking....with simple tools and materials equals a fun place to play and create. Her expression is for me a straight ahead annoucement....It's time, time to keep the promise, time to get to the easel, the table and paint.