A Special Gift

Sometimes you just get it right. I love this quilt and so did my 2 1/2 year old grandson, my chief critic for this piece. The fabric came with these adorable cats. I added the border and quilted it. Oliver immediately knew to put it on his bed. It makes nap time even easier.

These cats have attitude!

Non dominate hand portraits

Several members of the EDM group are practicing drawing portraits with their non dominate hand. I had to give it a try. Think that it slows you down so think before you draw. Hey, that is a good idea for me!

Lines and Grids

Moving right along, although slowly at times, I've done some more pages for my Lines and Grids journal as part of the Sketchbook Project. Later, when we finish the quilt I will post the completed project. This is a gift to a service person who has served in the war,  through an organization called Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Didn't want the journal too get to serious so I added the quote regarding ice cream cones. One of those silly quotes you get on the internet

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The triangle is after an artist IL Lee. His work is predominately done in ballpoint pens and I was lucky enough to see a show at the San Jose Art Museum a few years back. I have plans to include piece after his style.

The last piece is influence  by a local artist, Laura M. Manthey. I had such a delightful time viewing and buying some of her pieces. Since I like line, this was a perfect match.

My list of ideas is growing. Daily I can observe line and grid work. I positive bonus of this project.

 

Sketchbook pages

Lines and Grids is the topic for my Sketchbook Project. That is pretty safe, since most of the tools I use leave a line. I have developed a new perspective on what I see. Look at what that artist has done! See the magic of those lines! How did they do that?! The above is lettered with homemade Logwood ink that was a gift. The quote was by Madeline L'Engle. 

This pattern came from the book, 500 Wooden Bowls. I mean, there it is again. Observing and appreciating what others have done.

Needlefelting

I had to try it. This is study number 2 followed by study number 3. Don't think that this is going to become my passion, but at least I now know. Again, the process is to punch, with needles, the felt, fine wool or silk or other fibers into the base fabric which, in this case, is felt.Quilting and beads were then added.

The first step

OK, I've taken the first step. This is a page in the Art Sketch Journal. There are so many thoughts that went through my mind before starting. Yes, I changed the paper as I know that most of my work will be in pen and the original paper was too thin. The subject is lines and grids. One bonus of this project is that I am more aware of lines from nature and from other art pieces. Getting over the thought that this is really not meant to be a piece of art for final publication in a book for all time, I was able to grasp "journal". I'm looking forward to the rest of the pieces that will go into this project.

Thought I'd share a plant from my backyard. I call this a Lion's Tail, but I couldn't find the official name, so it may go by another name. It's fun to watch as each stalk keeps growing and may add up to 10 "tails". This is the biggest it has ever gotten and summer is not over.

Lettering in my jornal

It's been a few years since I retired as a freelance calligrapher. I really haven't done any lettering since. Suddenly-this was what I wanted to do. I have to keep reminding myself that it's my journal and I can put what I want on the pages. That is such a comforting thought. Yes, onward to combine lettering and drawing. It may happen.

If nothing else, I've enjoyed going through my old collection of quotes. My students were always encouraged to keep a file of special sayings. Then, when you want to practice-you have something to write. When I first started lettering, I would sit in the garage with the door up so that I could keep an eye on the kids as they played. At that time I would letter the name of each child in the neighborhood. Dang, the kids are all grown up.