a work in progress

A little over a week ago, I held a Studio Play Day in Paper Making and was thrilled to have a weaver and a potter attend. (Guess which one made the sheet above?) Since I am a big fan of Arnold Grummer’s Paper Making Supplies and have maintained a relationship with them since back when I was into writing how to projects, I have recently added a post to their blog about what happened when these two artists tried their hand at paper making. They will also use a version of that little article for their upcoming newsletter, so I guess I’m kind of still involved with the crafts industry even as I toil away in the world of fine art. Suits me fine, I really believe in the Arnold Grummer products and I am happy to stay in touch with his wonderful family. If you check out their new blog, you’ll likely notice that it’s a family business.

Still working on those honeybees. They need legs and wing work and then, I think she’ll need more of them.

I’m still enjoying thinking about Jitterbug Perfume, especially since it has influenced the development of this 6th girl painting. There is a long way to go with it, but I am pretty sure it will include bees, a symbol of rebirth and community.

It sounds like it’s raining. The painting is still wet. I’m going to bed with a good book. Tom Robbins again. Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates.

It was another fun day of experimentation and mess making in the studio. I really enjoyed the flow of ideas between the participants. It was great for me to have artists in the class, they taught me new things! And at least one, a potter, discovered a new medium and techniques that she can incorporate into her existing work. Her work has a strong dragonfly motif running through it and she really liked Arnold Grummer’s Paper Castng Dragonfly Mold. I’ll be blogging about what happens when artists try their hand at paper casting over on the Arnold Grummer’s new blog later this week.

More colors. More skin, hair, eyes and background work.

getting closer to a title

I’ve been gathering my supplies for Saturday’s paper making class and today the icing on the cake arrived.  Arnold Grummer’s Hand Papermaking Supplies are my favorite and I have worked with them for several years. I really value the quality of these supplies and the knowledge and experience Mr. Grummer shares through his instructional books.  I taught myself paper making and casting using Arnold Grummer’s supplies and, back when I was designing and writing how-to projects for the crafts industry, I created several items for their display at the Craft Hobby Association Trade Show. I have always used their supplies when teaching paper making and I am delighted that they have been so supportive of my teaching. Today I received a large box of all the wonderful items in the picture above. I now have enough hand molds for each student in the class, as well as a large assortment of templates-what a luxury!  Kim, who put this package together at the AG HQ, also included some of their new products. Check out the Arnold Grummer’s website to learn more about paper making from the master himself, or to shop for some wonderful supplies.

Not sure exactly where I am going with this painting, but that is part of what I love about doing these girls. I just enjoyed another reading of Tom Robbin’s Jitterbug Perfume and I love his descriptions of New Orleans and have felt homesick for it. I also have been reading about honey bees, fascinating creatures, symbolic of community and rebirth, and also prominent in Jitterbug Perfume. I’m enjoying playing with my palette and developing some richer skin tones. I am still amazed at how many colors I can coax out of three or four tubes of paint. Here’s what the palette looks like now.

During last September’s Studio Tour, David and Anita Wolf came by my studio, admired my paintings, bought a little something for themselves, and invited me to check out their gallery in Claremore, OK and consider offering my work there.  A Gallery of the Arts is in an incredible historic building which David and Anita have restored with great attention to detail. The building alone was worth the visit! It is airy and bright, spacious and has a surprisingly cozy feel for its size. I really enjoyed visiting with David, admiring his sculpture, one of which I just had to purchase for myself, and taking in all the art work he and Anita have so beautifully displayed. David and Anita chose a large variety of my limited edition prints to offer their patrons and we went over one of the best contracts I have had the pleasure to sign. This gallery is surprising me with its sales of my rather contemporary paintings. I guess those nostalgic Route 66 travelers have a keen eye for  what lies ahead!