My SAQA piece is coming up for auction!

My 12"x12" quilt was selected to be displayed in Houston this year again. It is going up for auction Monday, check it out here. http://www.saqa.com/memberArt.php?ID=2471

It is hand painted on hand painted fabrics with some collage, one of my vintage girls!

Old World look, new world materials

I love trying to create a faux look. I guess it stems back to my faux finishing days where I would paint things to look like other things. For example, marble on walls, windows on solid surfaces(tromp loie). Something that tricks the eye or makes you take a second look. I have been working on this art quilt that looks like some of the actual stove backdrops I used to paint onto marble. Then they were grouted to the wall behind the stove as a decorative accent piece. I thought that it would be challenging to try and recreate that look in fabric. To attempt to take something that is so hard and transform it into fabric which is so soft but keep that old world, tile look. This quilt was just accepted into its first show!  I had fun using many different mediums and techniques to get the look, I think it works! I will  be teaching a smaller version in July 2014 in Fallbrook, CA.

Wall quilt, done with inks, pastels, shiva paint sticks, paint, thread, wonder under, netting

close up!

Getting ready for Market

Hi Girlfriends, It's been a flurry of activity here with my fabrics arrival, designing new quilt patterns and a Christmas card class! I am wrapping it all up now and feel like I am trying to get another cold! Uggg, hate that! I love the excitement before the show, the energy at the show and the relief after the show! LOL. I wanted to share some of my pictures from class and some pictures of my new patterns and fabric.

My newest Fabric Line, Monster Trucks

My new little Monster bag

with a zipper mouth!

16" Monster Placemats for your Lil Monster!

Fabric, fabric, and more fabric

My attempt at a backpack, phew, glad thats over, no pattern, its for Blake

Tire tread straps

Then on Saturday I had my Christmas Card class. Everyone did an amazing job painting their cards to order in time for Christmas

Our lunch table, Penny's ready!

Christa waiting to eat!!

Randy poured us all almond champagne!

I am still working and will post more later, have a wonderful Sunday.

Taking a short break with a friend

I have been rushing trying to get everything finished before the deadline, when a friend called me to escape for 24 hours. It is just what I needed, some new surroundings to give me a fresh perspective and a bit of a break from the studio.  We actually headed towards L.A. and stayed at her families home. We ordered out, stayed up late playing games and watching movies, took care of dogs and laughed most of the night. As I sat outside during dusk with a glass of wine and my sketchbook, I was watching out for one of the elderly dogs in our care during our overnight excursion, Gumby. He was named Gumby because he no longer had any teeth, he was also deaf,blind and toothless. I watched him as he just seemed to make his way around the backyard, almost like doing laps, slowly, methodically. He was shaky but seemed to not be bothered by the other dogs or objects getting in his way. Dogs just deal with life quietly, accepting the inevitable.

When I sketch dogs or animals that are on the move I often will photograph with my phone along with watching them in person. This way I can freeze different positions, analyze movements and hopefully better capture the animal. I usually start my sketch with pencil and then once I am happy with my lines I can either start to paint at that point or use my pen and redefine the line and then paint. I do it different depending on how I feel, either works. Try both and see which way your prefer. Here is my first outline sketch, done while Gumby was doing his laps.

Gumby has cataracts so his eyes were not overly clear, I used artistic license to improve his eye. I wish it were as easy in real life.  

Here he is, the owners really loved the sketch, so I cut it out of my sketch book and gave it too them. A gift for the gift they gave to this little dog of much love, care and attention his last few years here.