current projects in the studio...
This is a great place to see what I've been working on in the studio. It's never boring and I may switch directions and work between many projects at once. I add a layer of paint over here and set the project aside to dry. Then I may hand stitch for a while. If I find myself not being able to decide what to do, it helps me to go thru my stash and supplies. That will always get the creative thoughts going. I hope you enjoy taking a peek into my creative world.
playing with acrylic ink.
I've always admired the work of Australian artist, Tracy Verdugo. The beautiful bright colors of acrylic ink all melting together to create such beautiful combinations. In my world, working completely flat is a near impossibility. I just don't seem to be able to manage it, never really have, in fact. I'm a true mixed media girl. So, I decided to play with acrylic ink on this cradle board onto which I previously applied texture paste thru a couple stencils to get that texture that I love so much. I officially love working with acrylic ink. It's almost like a permanent watercolor when you water it down. It's gorgeous. Definitely need more time with this medium.
repurposing vintage textiles.
I have always admired the amount of work that goes into making things like doilies, lace, table linens, handkerchiefs, etc.and how exquisite the craftsmanship is. A lost art I believe. Over the years, I have been gifted many beautiful vintage items to add to my stash. When people find out you're an artist and you love vintage things, all kinds of gifts appear. Winter time is a great time for slow stitching and over this past winter I did just that. I also decided to be brave and deconstruct some of the vintage items I have been saving to use in some upcoming projects. Most of these items are various shades of neutral, ranging from white to deep beige. Beautiful in their own right but I decided to add some color. Of course, I began with my favorite blues and greens. I loved what became of this experiment so much I decided to add more colors to the array. As I look through this parade of colors, I can't help but feel joy. Now, I've added a whole new realm of goodies to add to my art.
working in my "winter" journal.
January 2024. Every year around the end of November, I resurrect my wintertime stash of art supplies, a collection of special items that I squirrel away for this particular time of year. Perhaps my favorite item is my special winter art journal, an old repurposed book entitled "If Winter Comes." This year I worked on some cheery holiday elements, a wreath and a vintage Paris storefront. I have also included some pages from years past as well. It's a fun practice to make a dedicated journal for this time of year. It makes working in it more special. As if I needed an excuse...
spring flowers.
May 2023. Whenever spring rolls around there's always excitement in the air when things begin to awaken outdoors. It's so much fun to see nature come alive after a restful winter. Inspired by this, I decided to make some whimsical flowers, large and small.
shrink art beads.
Shrink plastic is so much fun to experiment with. I've always loved Julie Haymaker's whimsical style and her ability to push creative boundaries. It's been a long time since I've made shrink art beads and I've got the bug again. I use the elements I make in jewelry and mixed media projects.
