Making Marks

Workspace messes

I would like you to think that this mess is an anomaly, but it's not. I tend to work on several projects at once and pile things on top of things until I can't find what's in plain sight.

On this day I was working on earrings, carving a rubber stamp, and painting substrates. You can see one of my favorite and well-used items here, my water cup for painting (on the right with the polka dots). I went to a you-glaze workshop and had a lot of fun painting this cheerful piece.

Do you want to see more of artists' work spaces?

This and that

Around here summer is the time to get stuff done. I've got a long list of things to do (such as make a shell button necklace), and I decided on a mantra for the next two months - I finish projects.

It's easy for me to see some inspiration and gather materials. Sometimes it's a challenge to find the time to follow through. That can result in lots of art and craft supplies hanging around here!

I have had packages of shell buttons for about a year, and I finally found some good cord to string them. I like it! Now I just need the cone findings (to hide the end loops) and the clasp. This should be easy now since I finish projects.

What are a couple of projects on your current list?

Black Pens, Anyone?

So, you need a black pen? I might have you covered. Brush nib, waterproof, calligraphy -  yes, yes, and yes. I've collected all of these in an attempt to find the perfect pen when of course there is no such thing. There's only the right pen for the job at hand. It's like having the right knife for what you are doing in the kitchen. The right tool can make you look really good, and the wrong tool can make you look mediocre.

Right now my fave for everyday use is the Micron .05. I do use the others for certain jobs, and I prefer the Faber Castell grey pens for shading. Do you have a fave?

Farm Friends Cut Outs

Paper Source has come to Portland, and now I don't have to pay shipping (although it might be cheaper than gas!). I have been there twice since it opened almost a year ago, and each time they bring in new and fun things.

In my recent visit, I picked up these Farm Friends that look like fun to make. I was also thinking about painting over the printed animal images to give them a custom look.

Upon a little more investigation, I found that Arctic Friends, Safari Friends and more are also available. If you make any of them, please, please let me know and send a pic!

Also, if you like this kind of project, go and visit the Toymaker.

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!

Fragments

I swear I saw a mouse scurry into my studio office the other night when I was brushing my teeth. (One of my night-time rituals is to brush while I survey what needs to be done the next day.)

My sweet husband came to the rescue with a bucket to trap the thing, and he set about looking through the stack of flat paper I have behind the door. No mouse to be found. Michael suggested that midnight was not a good time to tear my office studio apart to look for a furry beast, and I agreed. (I'll ignore the damage that could be done and accept that I probably don't know half of what goes on in our house in terms of unwanted guests.)

The next day I sorted through the paper to put it back and found a file with painted paper from a forgotten project. I still love the house.

I also sorted through my papers from the final few days of school, including some meeting notes. I found these little sketches and am proud that they actually look like humans. However, they most certainly don't look like the "models".

Goat Infatuation

Apparently it's the baby goat season. I've been seeing little goats on my commute to work. I wonder if they've always been there and I just recently noticed them. In any case, they are so darn cute.

Goats seem to have more personality (goat-lity?) than sheep, and that's one reason they've caught my attention. They do like being in a herd, but it seems more like a loose cluster of animals. They'll come up to the fence when a stranger stops for a photo, too.

I've seen a variety of sizes and types on my drive. Some of them have long, floppy ears that are irresistible.

What has caught your attention recently?

10 things on my art to-do list

1. Finish up felties by attaching eyes

2. Finish up clay sculptures

3. Paint papers for making collages

4. Draw more every day. Take some ideas from The Little Book of Drawing

5. Learn more about value and shading my drawings

6. Go through my old work and toss what I don't like

7. Update my website and include current work/illustrations

8. Plan an art retreat with a friend. (Sitka is renting space in an open studio format)

9. Work on translating illustrations into collages

10. Continue to clear out the clutter in my workspace. Think about what I really need.

Another Nostalgic Moment

I love that embroidery and the "soft crafts" are making a comeback in the stores right now. Looking at all the old Aunt Martha transfer images reminds me of my grandma and her sewing supplies.

I found these dancing dishes and many other terrific designs at Acme Notions. I also was inspired by the Sublime Stitching designs, particularly Country Cool. I think that could be a summer project -  decorating a jeans jacket.

For the tea towels, I originally bought some retro fabric, purchased embroidery floss to coordinate, and stitched the towels. Upon consultation with my husband, we decided the fabric was too modern of a design, so I *had to* go to the fabric store to find another coordinating print. Fortunately, Let's Quilt is convenient and they have a wonderful selection of fabrics.

Now my problem is that I can't bear to use them! They're on display, draped over a kitchen cupboard door.

10 things

10 things on my desk:

1. 1. sketchbook
2. 2. Aveda hand relief lotion
3. 3. empty Diet Coke bottle
4. 4. newspaper clipping for a local restaurant
5. 5. Airborne
6. 6. BINGO cards
7. 7. three custom rubber stamps
8. 8. Photoshop elements 7
9. 9. Canine Heritage breed test information
10. 10. silverware to return to Dansk

What's cluttering up your workspace?