A Quick Look Back

I thought I'd post one of the whole pieces from one of the last posting examples to show the other ways I combined cloth, papers, wire, stones and gold leafing. I placed them tightly together for the photo but they can be hung a variety of ways. Each canvas measures 4"x4". "Gold 9"

The new work will have some of the same materials and an addition of new things such as photo transfers and a few surprises. For the first time I am going to first work out some details in my sketchbook...I usually just begin and let what happens happen but this time I want to experiment and make a beginning plan. I know the materials, I know the theme or journey so the sketchbook will help me clarify.

Cynthia over at Oasis Writing Link has given me a great award and I will post all the details this weekend...again, thank you, Cynthia!

A Gathering We Will Go

These two small canvas pieces are from two separate works on my flickr photo stream. They are examples of my collage/paint process I created last year. I put together several layers of material, papers and created circles ....denoting divine circles within. I added paint, silver and gold leafing, wire and stones. Now I'm captivated by squares and all the symbols connected to the square. I don't want to repeat my process from before but am willing to combine fabrics and things in a new and different way and let the squares find a way to "fit" with canvas, paper and paint. I like this gathering business...I was at the fabric store buying bits and pieces of fabric, trims and beads...now I'll take my search to my grandmother's trim box and then maybe a trip to the thrift store. This is a time of little discoveries, anticipation, hope and mystery...I like this!

My sewing skills are pretty basic...cushions, pillows, curtains and quilts. Once I took a class in clothing construction at an adult education center in Los Angeles. The teacher had worked in the film industry and she was very helpful in teaching how to sew and fit properly...that was 100 years ago and I've forgotten everything so again my sewing skills are basic. I have my new machine threaded and I feel confident for now.I will slowly add stitches but what matters is I can work the darn thing!ha

click to enlarge for some details.

The Remains of the Day

That's right, this is what remains today from several days and weeks in the studio. The red and gold pieces were about angels, the textured pieces are what is left of two other ancient waters. The blue fish from a series of prints and stamps along with maps and a great big moon hand sewn to several layers of painted paper. I've done this many times with works on paper but foam core is hard to cut and thick for collage. The level of emotional relief is wonderful, I was at a dead end and now these little sections have been saved...recycle...who knows?
My new sewing machine has arrived and after I post this I'm going to unpack it and glance over the instruction booklet. It has 60 stitch choices, made with plastic parts, lightweight and electronic and I could afford it.
I've been drawn to squares, squares of all sizes, squares within squares. I looked up squares in my symbol dictionary and it said: the square is related to the four Elements, the four seasons, the four stages of Man's life and especially the four points of the compass...all sources of order and stability of this world. It gave many more details of the square and it's symbolic meaning so I have a lovely base to build on with my other chosen subjects of mapping and restoration. I'm full of new promise and am interested in sewing these squares as part of my mixed media painting!
Speaking of paintings, I have sold my small" Ancient Waters 2" that I featured in the previous post! It doesn't happen often for me but it is so sweet when it does happen.