Since I let so much time go by the past two months, there really is more to write about than I thought.

It's funny, since my artwork often seems to be slow-going  (due to life/work/interruptions/favorite tv shows/and the types of processes I choose), sometimes it feels like I don't ever get anything done. 

But putting things together for the blog makes me see that I do get things done!  it's just really small parts of larger wholes, that over time finally will add up to being something finished...

...so it's like a plant. it takes all year, and then all of a sudden, it's got flowers to share with you to celebrate life! This is my begonia that is from a crooked fallen-over one at a greenhouse I worked at about 25 years ago. (yikes. should not have done the math!) I love this plant. and it's made many babies that live with good old friends that I hope enjoy them as much as I do.

So the pieces above here are all my new mixed-media pieces in progress.  I've painted with acrylics and walnut ink, and then layered my dyed fabrics on them, then added some highlights with my favorite watercolor pencils...

They are just  awaiting some hand-stitching. which is a little tricky since the layers are thicker than just fabric (it's all on top of gesso-ed canvas)...so I'll have to wear my leather thimbles or else my  fingers will get hurt. Which makes me less nimble,  which is funny because it rhymes with thimble.

In any case, I'm excited by these. While they're different than my all-fiber pieces, they stand well with them in spirit.  They remind me of monoprints, which I like since I used to do a lot of printmaking before discovering my love of textiles. They are hopefully going to join their big sibling piece ('Mountain Fog' that I finished in the winter-time) at a local gallery when they're done.

Today was an exciting day for me! I was able to batik this piece that's been hanging there, just waiting for me to decide what's next.  It's a large piece that has rust printing first, and then I did some stuffed tucks, and now the waxing. Next I'll dye it and decide if I'll keep waxing the different color layers, or if I'll take the wax out and then continue to color it by painting the dyes on...

It will have a lot of color layers once it's done, and it might also have some  silk organza layered too...depending on the effects I'd like to pull out of it.

Well, Spring is finally Sprung in full force here  in Vermont. It's been BEAUTIFUL lately, so this is the weather everyone puts up with the winter for.  :)

I can't believe I didn't post in April, and almost all of May. Krikey! Time Flies!

I'll try to do a two month re-cap....there's been a lot going on!


Lately, I've been busy with Exhibit openings and Artists' Talks.  Pictured here is a photo from 'Tangents: fiber diversified', an exhibit of fourteen Vermont members of the Surface Design Association. I'm so glad to be a part of this talented group, and am excited that we are getting our work out there together.

It's a really wonderful show, and runs through May 31st (tomorrow!!)  in the Third Floor Gallery of  Studio Place Arts in Barre, VT.  AND....Our next group show is almost here!

'In Our Element - Expressions in Color and Texture'
June 5 - July 13, 2014

Please go to my News & Events page for all of those details!

Much of the month of April found me preparing for our local Capital City Farmers' Market here in Montpelier, where I bring all the other things I like to make that don't take as long as my wall art. So it's my fun Inside Out Studio work that is colorful vegetable and fruit inspired block-prints on t-shirts, flags and cards, as well as patchwork hats. I'm not a weekly vendor there, but am glad to substitute when I can for market regulars who can't be there any given week.

While on the one hand, it takes time away from my wall art, I enjoy that people love this work for a totally different reason than they might be drawn to my landscapes.  And I love seeing people wearing my art around town, or hearing where they might be traveling to!

I've always enjoyed local markets, even way back when living in Bucks County with my batik clothes at Rice's Market. It's just fun to be out in the community.  It's also fun to watch all the dogs that get to play.

Here's a couple shots of the multi-panel piece I've been working on. It's bigger than my pin-wall!
I really want it to be a large piece, but am such the practical girl -  I need to measure my car, and contemplate my options. I might not stretch the piece as I normally do so that it can be rolled for easier transport.
But I'm not sure...
Anyway, four panels are completed, and I'm in the midst of the fifth. If I make it one large piece, I think it will be the five. If I decide to stretch over frames, I might need to make it six to have two dyptychs...
Decisions, Decisions!
Not much more to go on the stitching, and then I get to do the dyeing. FUN!

This is a new smaller piece (12"x12") in progress.

It's raw silk and silk gauze, that have been shibori-dyed and layered together.

I'm doing some hand stitching...

Here's a close up shot that shows that stitching better.

Here's another new smaller piece in progress.

It's a vintage napkin that's been dyed and also has silk organza that was shibori dyed.

I haven't even gotten to the stitching yet, but it's on the to-do list!