Back in the Saddle! Chapter 3

Gracie has changed and started school in Elkton, and Sean survived and loved his first week of preschool! Yeah!! Time to get back to work!!

I've been procrastinating starting Chapter 3 - not enough time, not sure where to start, etc...

Last night I got inspired and started playing with a black and white cross image in Adobe Photoshop. I haven't used the program yet very much and, although I've bought 2 books about it, I'm still a beginner. I'm impressed with the results from some simple manipulation and less fearful of jumping in in the future. The corner right image is my original cross and the other views are simple changes playing with the software.

After playing in black and white, I decided to try one of the star pattern photos that I had found of photoplankton, and love the results of the treatments, especially the wave. I love the way the colors are manipulated and blended!! I can already envision printing some fabrics for use in other projects. I also like the idea of using the patterns in nature.

I am not a painter, although I am playing with that medium a bit, too, so I love seeing how the light and dark are manipulated and follow lighting patterns. I can definately use this in the future to help me see lighting variations.

Paper Cut Rubbings

I was looking at the paper cuts i did this morning and getting ready to do more when I remembered Sian saying something about rubbing one the pieces I had done in Foundation, so I grabbed some paper and rubbed the paper cuts and a piece of placemat I had thought of before. It really does give you a different perspective and depth, but might be more interesting if it had more layersand depths.

Kaleidoscope Collections Pictures

I had bought Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 because I loved some of the quilts I had seen where people used their own pictures to develop shading in kaleidoscope images, but I had not taken the time to play with it. I started playing with the program and then pulled up some of the pictures I had taken for the project and some hydrangeas that were in the complimentary colors I was considering. I chose star and cross shapes to go with the theme of the module and really like what developed. The close-ups of the hydrangeas shows texture and I like the mix of purple blue and the pale yellow. I was surprised by the garden picture and the cracked ground because of the interesting symmetry that develops from the trellis and the cracks. I like the program because you choose the shape of the cut and then a separate window shows a preview so you can adjust your picture in the cut-out and see the change simultaneously. Very fun!!

Paper Cuts

Again, between work, kids, house, prepping Gracie for County Fair, prepping for a show at Sutherlin Library, and the daily mini-drama at work, I feel like I'm not getting to play enough with this project. In the next couple of weeks, I'm hoping to be able to devote some serious forward movement. I had a great time playing with paper cuts! It reminds me of making snow flakes and playing with paperdollls as a kid. It also reminds me of how my grandmother showed me to cut patterns out in one sweep so that the remaining pattern paper was in one piece and not scraps all over the floor. I learned to like the challenge and it took the boredom out of cutting patterns when I was young. I like the geometric shapes and the negative space they leave behind.

More Stamp Prints

I did return to painting and stamping. After finding out how fragile the soft stamps are, I did carve a second slightly more sturdy stamp. This time I played with a gold-yellow color on my violet/purple papers for contrast. I had more fun with the stamping this time and made some wild variations. Once again, the stamp broke so I used both pieces. I think I may use the stamp to decorate a shirt.

Busy couple weeks but still working

It's an emotional summer this year, and, for about a week, I was afraid that I was slipping backward. When not directly working, I have been reading or sketching and trying to keep moving forward. I'm a little more sure of my footing now again and back to work.

A couple of weeks ago, I did try carving a stamp. I get caught up in decisions sometimes and felt that happening with my stamp choice. I kept being attracted to the photo of the garden mesh, but I wasn't sure about how to make a stamp of it. I've been wanting to carve stamps for a while. I remember carving wood in high school woodshop for block prints. I had bought some of the soft carve blocks from Dick Blick (great art supply source). I played with the mesh photo and found an angle I could use and gave it a try. The pads carve like butter! I finished and immediately tried the stamps on some of my painted papers. The stamps are fragile, though, and the next day, Sean broke the stamp quite easily. It can still be used and will but I have carved a second, slightly more stable stamp as well. I am so excited at how easy it is and now I want to try linoleum as well. I know, another project for the free time list. You know, like a wish list, it's a list of things I'd like to try if and when I end up with free time! I know, dream on!

So, back to business... tommorow morning, I'm going to finish painting and stamping with my new and improved stamp anf I may play with the broken one as well! Then, off to Jenny's wedding and more paper play on Sunday.

Life as Art

I did not get much accomplished last week. In anticipation of the holiday weekend, I was busy packing and cleaning. I have to laugh at how my perspective has changed since starting this program! Studying stars and crosses, I now see potential subjects everywhere. In Portland, Gracie asked me about a couple of cell phone towers and, as I'm looking, I realize there are some very interesting cross angles and backgrounds as we pass by. I've begun to see stars and crosses everywhere and potential for interesting studies. I feel like another part of my brain has been turned on that was somehow dormant. I like it!!
We're heading off to pick blueberries this morning at Haven Farms down the street, and then I will cut stamps and work on my papers!