Non-Linear-Arts

Rhythm

2012-02-01T19:24:00.000-06:00

A Certain Price

10" x 10"

Watercolor and collage on paper

More Geometry

4" x 6"

Watercolor and collage on paper

This week, I've been thinking about how all projects have their own rhythm and timing .I've scheduled art shows until December 2012 in the Art Gallery in the Police Station. (More on that in a future post)

I'll be speaking at the 19th Century Charitable Association on the 20th of this month about my police work.

I've got some ideas for a new project (as I have been hinting about for awhile). Various permissions are moving along. The beginnings of all projects have a certain excitement and anticipation. This week, I've been enjoying experimenting with materials and shape.

January Cleaning

2012-01-29T19:05:00.003-06:00

Cotton on Linen

7" x 9"

It's a New Year and New work is percolating in the studio. I have spent a good part of today clearing and cleaning. This is always a good sign. I cleaned off my pallet and pulled out the colors I hate. I sorted out all the hopeless drawings from the ones that I want to salvage and re ordered my drawers. Even though it's January, I feel like my recent creative surge and this attendant cleaning binge holds the promise of Springtime growth.

Circles, Cycles, Rings

2012-01-26T17:12:00.001-06:00

10" x 10"

Collage on paper

Central Idea

10" x 10"

Collage on paper

Epicenter

Seems like I'm not the only one obsessed with circles lately. Go check out Carole Reid's Circle journal

Janet Echelman

2012-01-16T10:06:00.003-06:00

Janet Echelman's brilliant sculptures hug the cities she builds them in.Now this is thinking outside the box! I also love the part of this story where she is rejected from 7 art schools!

Beatrice Wood

2012-01-15T05:50:00.000-06:00

I am always on the look out for artist's who live a long creative life. Beatrice Wood is one of my heros both because she died with her boots on, and worked nearly up until the time of her death at aged 105 but also because she worked in a joyful, experimental way.

PVC Vessels

2012-01-13T12:53:00.000-06:00

20" x 25"

graphite and oil pastel on peach Canson paper

Nothing delights my husband more than if I, the professionalpurger of unused household things, discover a use for something I had formallytagged as detritus. I found, lying in a dusty heap in a deep, dark corner ofour basement , a bunch of PVC pipingleft over from Craig’s monumental re-plumbing of our bathroom. Washing them off I saw to my delight, that they very nicelymimic, in miniature, the kind of industrial landscape I’m interested in rightnow.

Drawing geometric forms also keeps an artist honest. Their forms are uncompromising!

9" x 12"

Graphite on paper

Extreme Art Sheep

2012-01-12T11:41:00.004-06:00

This only confirms my deep conviction that art belongs EVERYWHERE!

Water Vessels Series

2012-01-11T16:29:00.000-06:00

Water Vessels Series

mixed media on paper
10" x 10"Bottom line is: CARE FOR OUR WATER. Our life depends on it!

Sketchbook ideas

Water Vessels

Embroidery Sketches:Circles

2012-01-03T08:52:00.000-06:00

Cotton and wool on linen

8" x 10"

Even with my new camera, I'm still having issues with how to photograph my new embroidery work. I think this had best be left up to professionals. I'm still going to post my embroidery experiments but will show you them again when I have them photographed by someone with really impressive experience, and an equally impressive camera.

As I walk a portion of the Des Plains River trail, I pass this handsome piece of industrial design that is a portal to the huge project that people do not understand and take totally for granted. Water issues will be a huge part of my work in the New Year so this image will, itself be a portal into my new portfolio. Over the next few weeks, I'll be outlining this new direction so stay tuned.

Last Day of the Old Year

2011-12-30T21:56:00.001-06:00

Fog on the Des Plaines River

Thatcher Pond : End of 2011

2011-12-29T09:01:00.000-06:00

Oil pastel and graphite

sketchbook 9"x12"

Wanting to return and sketch THIS phenomena, I returned to Thatcher Pond but the weather has been so warm that the ice melted. We are still waiting for our first snow fall and the Winter holidays are almost over.

I wish all of you a healthy, happy and creative New Year! Next month I hope to post information on a new and exciting direction. For the last 2 years, I have been dreaming up a new residency that is connected to the Waterways Project but this is all I can say for now as I'm in the "delicate" negotiation phase. I'm looking forward to reading all my favorite blog posters and their projects in the coming year!

Photograher Monika Bulaj

2011-12-23T13:43:00.003-06:00

I love this video about the work of Monika Bulaj Monika Bulaj. Her work is luminoius and spiritual and filled with hope. I admire her courage.

Winter Solstice

2011-12-21T20:04:00.002-06:00

Hawthorne Branches

embroidered cotton on linen

May your holidays be bright and filled with love, Dear Readers. After today, the light begins its slow return!

Water Usage Journal

2011-12-20T14:15:00.003-06:00

"Only A Fraction"

Mixed media on linen

22" x30"

In November, I started a Water Usage Journal Project. I kept track of all the water I used during the month of November: how many flushes, drinks, cooking, washing..etc.However, as the title says, my daily water usage is only a fraction of the water consumption story. I was very surprised to learn that only 10% of fresh water is used by households. Turns out, our food consumes the most fresh water. Agricultural production requires vast amounts of water and the production of beef is the heaviest user of water. A vegetarian diet is much easier on the planety water resources. Here is a quote from a reliable source

Worldwide, agriculture accounts for 70% of all water consumption, compared to 20% for industry and 10% for domestic use. In industrialized nations, however, industries consume more than half of the water available for human use. Belgium, for example, uses 80% of the water available for industry.

This water is syphoned off from rivers, lakes and under ground aquifers. What is even more disturbing is that only 20%-30% of this water is not being replaced. As a result, fresh water will be come even more scarce as time goes by. A discussion about this issue was recently published in the New York Times written by Julene Bair

"Only A Fraction" Detail

I really like this book format and will probably push the distressed look of the linen background even more that I have. I'm still trying to work out how to best mount it on a board so it can be framed easily and securely.After learning that household water use only accounted for 10% of fresh water usage, I almost abandoned the project. But then I decided to include my journal entry on the day I discovered this disturbing information. The art process and the learning process collide in realistic fashion.

Sketchbook idea for "Only a Fraction

Watercolor and ink

12" x 12"

This sketch helped me define a way to combing art and clean water issues. I want to work with this idea about how humans impinge on clean water. I hope to have more information about a new project in the New Year....but for now it's only a twinkle in my eye.

Ice Rim on Thatcher Pond

2011-12-18T19:09:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, when the conditions are just right, an unusual ice formation appears at the margins of Thatcher Pond. One night this week,the rain swelled the pond then the weather turned cold enough to freeze. As the water level dropped, the ice stayed frozen at it's higher water level. Plates of ice are suspended above the water in a magical, mysterious way.

In February 20th at 1PM I'll be speaking at the 19th Century Club about the process of creating my Tools of the Trade Show: A Residents View of Law Enforcement.

Use Drawing to Really See the World

2011-12-13T07:06:00.004-06:00

Here is an introduction to a powerful project involving sketchbooks from around the world:The Sketchbook Project. This is a time of year when so many people struggle with loss, challenges, health issues, financial issues while swimming through a cultural expectation of joyful anticipation. This week, I want to really look into the faces of people around me. Sometimes a small kind word or action can be very meaningful to someone who is struggling with life. Ask for help....give a smile....put money in someone's nearly expired meter....hold the door for someone....be kind to the cashier......and .......I want to use my drawing to really see the world.

Drawing with Threads

2011-12-09T14:58:00.003-06:00

cotton on linen
5"x 5"

The Textile Blog is a great place to explore some very creative approaches to fiber arts. It's well written, abundantly illustrated and each article has a list of recommended reading. Today's post is on embroidery and you can read it here.

Embroidery Sketches

2011-12-08T08:11:00.002-06:00

cotton on linen
9" x 12"

Here is today's embroidery freehand sketch. This is helping me to gain confidence and to create lots of interesting texture/line combinations.

I'm moving in to finals week for the term and girding my loins for the tsunami of grading coming up.

Sketching in Embroidery

2011-11-29T18:27:00.003-06:00

4" x 4"
Cotton on linen

Since such a large part of my current project will be executed in embroidery and that embroidery is quite precise, I'm giving myself room to play. This is an example of free hand embroidery sketching. I work off any inspiration and my only rule is that nothing is sketched or planned out in advance. I'm just taking needle and thread and having at it. This is so much fun and allows me plenty of freedom to experiment. Building in play is a wonderful thing!

Life in 1620

2011-11-28T16:25:00.001-06:00

I love this sort of documentary. I've always enjoyed learning about Medieval Life. Watching this video makes me very happy to be a modern woman.

Post Cards from Nova Scotia

2011-11-22T08:12:00.006-06:00

Creating Artist's Books From Raw Data

2011-11-17T02:35:00.000-06:00

Early ideas

Part of the fun about an artist's book project is playing around with ideas on how to represent data. Since it's mid month on myWater Useage Journal, I wanted to give you some raw data I've collected and a peek into my studio about what ideas I'm working on. I'm not measuring ammounts of water used just recording when and how I used water.
So over a 15 day period, here's the raw data:

Brush teeth 31
Bath 14
Laundry 12
Flush 73
Wash hands 77
Cooking 10 (clearly Craig did some cooking too.....)
Dentist office 1
Plants 2
Dishes 15
Studio 10
Work 7 ( steam iron in the class room
Cleaning 12

Set of maps hanging out in the studio (almost threw them away)

Deciding what calander format to use has been fun also. Here is a brief history of the Ancient Bulgarian Calander.

If you would like to do a little reading on ancient calanders you can visit this site.

Melding ideas

Links for the day:
Interesting artist-film collaboration using pottery, social justice ideas and film making

A short film about conceptual artist and mid century feminist, Barbara Kruger

Finally a political party you can have fun joining: the Art Party

Waterways Project: Niagara Falls Suite

2011-11-15T12:16:00.003-06:00

This month and next, my Niagara Suite will be on display at Dole Library in Oak Park, IL. This will be their first public display. You can see more work from the Waterways Project here.

Niagara Suite #1
Watercolor, ink and mixed media
22" x 30"

Waterways Project : Nova Scotia

2011-11-14T03:59:00.003-06:00

Digby Harbor
Nova Scotia
Watercolor

Last Summer, Craig and I visited Nova Scotia. We fell in love with the Canadian people, the beautiful coastline and stuffed ourselves with the freshest seafood we have ever had.

The South Shore
Nova Scotia

See what researches are using for water treatment in
this video.

Witness the life and death of a plastic shopping bag in a new documentary film:
Bag It.

Waterways Alphabet

2011-11-11T05:50:00.006-06:00

"Atrapa" In progress
cotton on linen
9" x 12"

I'm working out a few new ideas for the Waterways Project.Experiments are important: especially this early in a project. This is a fossil Atrapa that I sketched when I visited theField Museum last spring. Paul Mayer, collections manager, was kind enough to allow me to work behind the scenes with the specimens. I'm not sure how this will fit into my project, but I'm sure something will click.

"Deet" Cotton on linen
8"x 10"

My other idea is to focus my Waterways Project on the theme of water awareness. I live near the shores of Lake Michigan: one of planets largest bodies of fresh water. People who drink this water take it totally for granted. All of us contribute to water pollution just by nature of being biological beings. I'd like to figure out where my art can help bring awareness about issues around clean water and what we all need to do to protect this amazing resource.

I'm returning to my fiber roots and using embroidery on cloth. Water is deeply personal and so is cloth.....Long ago, young women created embroidered primers to help them learn both embroidery stitches and the alphabet. I'm using a similar concept to create a water awareness primer and am embroidering 26 words of substances that are in water but don't need to be. (26 ....one embroidered piece for every letter in the alphabet.) Craig in his infinite practicality said " you are gonna do 26 of these?" I can't seem to help myself...It's in the nature of artist to follow their obsessions!

"Fecal Bacteria" Cotton on linen
8" x 10"

I found this charming film created with hand drawn sketches. You can watch Flawed and be charmed yourselves.

Falling Leaves Project

2011-11-09T21:28:00.001-06:00

oil paint and graphite

This is from a project I was working on last spring. Just some play with materials. Pointless play again is very important!

Steel wool, rust on paper

cotton, matte medium, paper
T

collage and water color

Walk in the Woods: Nature's Sculptures

2011-11-08T06:29:00.001-06:00

I love the colors in the woods at this time of year! If anyone knows what type of fungus this is please let me know.

Water Usage Journal Project

2011-11-07T18:20:00.002-06:00

Book with raw data on water useage, coins, rubbings.

For the next few weeks, I'll be posting a series of discussions on my process of creating an artist's book.As mentioned earlier,I'll collect data on my own water usage and this means keeping track of activities like, drinking, flushing, cooking and studio work. I have already been surprised by some activities I had not traditionally thought of as water intensive: ironing my clothing, and visiting the dentist to name two. Already, I'm noticing a shift in my thinking.

The challenge is finding a way to use anArtist's Book as a way to wrap my idea so that the format supports the information I wish to convey.Books can take the form of a scroll, a traditional book with pages, a box with cards, or a totally unorthodox form invented for a specific idea. One of my books was created around remembering my Grandmother.You can see Isla's Dress here.

I'll be posting an interview in the future with a professional Crime analyst whose job it is to make visual sense of raw crime data for the community, law enforcement officials and government agency's.

Here are a couple of interesting links you might want to check out.

Levi Strauss is recognizing the value of water conservation.

This Ted Lecture given by artistBéatrice Coron shows some of her work in the artist's book format.I especially enjoyed seeing how she translated her books into works of public art.

Tools of the Trade: A Citizens' View of Law Enforcement: Current and Upcoming Events

2011-11-02T06:48:00.007-05:00

For the month of November," Tools of the Trade: A Citizen's View of Law Enforcement"will be shown at the Public Library in Darien.

On February 20Th I will be speaking at The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association . This talk will be about how and why I set up the residency with the Oak Park Police Department, how the residency changed my studio practice and my view of an artist's place in the community.

I will be including a peek into my "real" sketchbooks, images of all artist's whose work was shown in the departmental art gallery and a few surprises. Hope to see you there!

Waterways Project: Water Use Journal Challenge

2011-10-31T11:49:00.004-05:00

Thatcher Pond-Late October 2011

I'm working on a water usage project right now. For the whole month of November(and maybe longer) I'm documenting my personal water usage as a way of focusing attention on the issue of clean water. So, every time I use water, I'm going to make a note of it and include it in an artist book. Already, I can see that I will be bringing to consciousness, all the many ways in which I use water. For example, today I visited the dentist. What would a visit to the dentist be without a rinse and spit?

So , Dear Patient Reader, I will be opening this up as a challenge to you. If you would like to create an artist's book or a work of art around your own water usage for this month, please send me your links by December 15Th and I'll create a special post including your contributions.

I've also begun work on a very large project that must remain under wraps for the moment. But here is sneak preview of an embroidered piece that will make up part of it.

Embroidery Detail- Cotton on unbleachedlinen

Waterways Project: February and March Sketchbook

2011-03-29T17:41:00.004-05:00

I've been walking the trails along the Des Plaines River and one day, the air temperature was 60 degrees and there was ice covering the back washed areas. Now, the light is back. Spring has officially begun but temperatures are in the 30's again.

I'm collecting information, sketching and seeking permission still on my new direction for summer work on the Waterways Project. No official approval yet so I can't say anything definite .....but as soon as I know, you will too.

Kurt Jackson

2011-03-28T02:58:00.000-05:00

My favorite landscape painter Kurt Jackson, has a new book:A New Genre of Landscape Painting. Although his work has a serene and lush appearance, his wife Caroline has shot footage of him toiling in the field and it's about as blue collar as it gets. She has even shot film of him drawing underwater in a tidal pool! You can see the films here

Here is a great article about a new show at the Lemon Street Gallery.

Waterways Project: What happens when you flush?

2011-03-14T08:09:00.002-05:00

Most of us take for granted the water that flows so freely in our homes but what happens to the waste water? The folks at your local water treatment plant insure that we do not suffer from diseases like Typhus and Cholera any more.

Marilla Bisson and Janet Jones

2011-03-08T21:19:00.002-06:00

Here are two collage artist's whose work I'm interested in lately.

New Way for Waterways

2011-02-22T19:03:00.002-06:00

Embroidery sketches
Organza, thread, wire, gold paint and other stuff

I've been working on a new direction for the Waterways Project and since I have not yet received permission to go ahead with this new direction, I'm going to share a few pages from my sketchbook.

One of the huge disadvantages of showing work on line is that more subtle works are not shown to best advantage. These tiny organza sketches represent an idea I have for making transparent, human sized pages in an artist's book. I'm not sure exactly what materials I'll use for the up scale pages but one thing I'd like to do is use uncommon materials for bead work and embroidery. Gathering research and playing around with materials is so much fun!

silver and gold media on black canson paper

Teatro di Piazza d'Occasione: Farfalle (Butterflies)

2011-02-11T15:06:00.002-06:00

Antony Gormley's work

2011-02-10T07:19:00.002-06:00

I love that in 3 minutes, Antony Gormley can say so much about what art means in our time.

Visiting Yosemite National Park in March

2011-02-08T15:30:00.002-06:00

More Leaves from The Book of Leaves

2011-02-08T07:06:00.007-06:00

The Clipperton Project

2011-02-07T07:51:00.006-06:00

Clipperton, a strange atol in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico will be the subject of a joint scientific/artistic project. You can read about the project in Art Daily and visit the project web site here. ,

Wikipedia Article about this Pacific atol

Tools of the Trade: A Citizens' View of Law Enforcement: Coming in April 2011

2011-02-03T13:14:00.004-06:00

My work as the artist in residence for the Oak Park Police Department will be on view at the Indian Head Public Library in Darien, IL for the month of April 2011. More details to follow.

This is a photo of the show opening in June. If you'd like to see more photos click
here.

Book of Leaves: Work in Progress

2011-01-31T13:35:00.001-06:00

Book of Leaves WIP- 2 layers and more to come
Silk and wool

The Book Leaves Page 10-11

2011-01-22T08:59:00.009-06:00

Mulberry paper leaves

Connect the Dots

The Morgan Library and Museum in New York City has a show called
The Diary going on right now.

The Long Good Bye: Book of Leaves

2011-01-14T07:14:00.018-06:00

Page 1 Vanishing Point

Page 2 Puzzled

I knew when I began this project that I would need to draw lots and lots of leaves to perfect my larger drawings. Suddenly, as I tore down sheets of print making paper, ideas for experimentation with media and ideas began to really pop! "Leaf" is also a book binding term for what's sewn together to create a book and form the "pages". So here are few early pages from the Leaf Book.

Page 8

Worth Seeing:

My friend Claudia sent me a link describing a wonderful exhibit by the late photographer Vivien Maier on view now at the Chicago Cultural Center. Again, too bad an artist has to become famous after her death.

The Art Insititue of Chicago is free this month and there is a beautiful exhibit onContemporary Fiber Arts right now. Very much worth the trip!

Re-Entry Into Blog Land

2011-01-13T07:11:00.009-06:00

Des Plaines River Trail January 2011

It's been an anxious 8 month dry spell. After completing the Tools of the Trade Project I did not feel the relief some might expect. The pressure to make the work (over 30 drawings in 18 months), have it funded, framed and presented represented a huge leap of growth.At the end, I felt hollowed out and anxious about what would come next. "How could I make better work that this?" was the sort of question that paralyzed me.

Stepping on the heals of the opening were family health issues and preparation for our youngest child to leave for college. I felt bereft last autumn.

Then, miraculously, after the thunder and jungle of the holidays, a single branch of oak leaves suggested a humble project: The Long Good Bye. Oak leaves hang on,some of them until Spring. The sturdy connection forged all through the green Summer turns into a protracted grasp. This is a small detail of a large idea sketch: a work in progress.

So, Dear Readers, Happy New Year and Happy Beginnings to you all.

Detail:Long Goodbye
22" x 30"
ink and watercolor

In Praise of Rest

2010-11-09T14:09:00.002-06:00

Yellowstone Sketchbook

After several years of intense creating and blogging, I've been enjoying a well earned respite from web life. In art, as in farming, fallow time provides and opportunity for future productivity so I've been collecting ideas, messing around in my sketchbook and in the words of my sister, "growing down". I have a few ideas for a large project that has not come into focus yet but expect some movement in the future. Blessings to you all!

Tools of the Trade: Opening Night

2010-05-19T14:39:00.007-05:00

The long awaited opening of my show Tools of the Trade: A Citizens' View of Law Enforcement is right around the corner. If you are in the area, I hope you will stop by to hear us speak and for some lovely refreshments made by friends and family.

I'll be taking an extended break from blogging this summer.(More than I HAVE been taking!) See you all in the fall.

Canoe Launch Spring 2010

2010-04-13T07:37:00.012-05:00

Quite suddenly, it's now canoe season. Just a couple of weeks ago, Craig and I were biking around trails with snow. But this is what we saw over the weekend on the Chicago River. It's such a relief to have sunny warm weather again. We begin our training for the annualDes Plains Marathon in June.

This week I scanned the last of the drawings for my other project so my spirit is free to wander back to Waterways and the work ahead. I'll have lots of surprises coming up. Somehow after such a long dry spell with this project, I have about 5 years worth of ideas and a new organization to approach.

The symbol of an empty water vessel is a potent one for the coming weeks of the project and here are a few sketches done at the Field Museum recently.
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=13362463&postID=7041478872851882997

One More Lake Michigan Dune

2010-04-06T08:15:00.002-05:00

Watercolor on paper
10" x 15"

Mt. Piz

Here is one more from last November and I've cleared the table for new Spring work.

The Cats of Mirikitani

2010-03-26T08:00:00.007-05:00

I recently watched The Cats of Mirikitani, a film by Lynda Hattendorff. The film is about an artist interred in the Japanese camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After the events of 9/11 envelop the film makers lower Manhattan neighborhood she take in the homeless artist and helps him put his life back together. It's a gem of a picture and you can see a clip herehere.

Purchase the film on the film's web site.

Waterways Project: It's Easier to Forget-

2010-03-23T01:58:00.000-05:00

Cup
paper and watercolor

If you are a regular reader, you know I've been struggling with what to do for the next step in Waterways. After much discussion with friends and rumination, I had an idea hit me like a thunderbolt yesterday.

At one time, it was possible to dip ones cup into the Des Plaines River and DRINK clean water. As modern people, we just assume that no body of water may be drunk from safely and it's much easier to forget that fact.Remembering this fact is a painful reminder that it was not too long ago that clean rivers, streams and waterways were taken totally for granted.

I am suddenly flooded with ideas for projects and this small, fragile paper cup is going to be part of 300 other cups placed on the floor somewhere (don't know where yet!) as part of an instillation illuminating the above fact. The cups will be arraigned like a meandering river across an expanse of space and remain vulnerable to crushing underfoot, the wind of an open door, etc.

Studing the work of William Kentridge. has inspired me to think larger and more fluidly about my art practice. I'm feeling almost giddy about the possibilities. Working on my police project has really given me the confidence to branch out and think about working with large government departments as art partners.

So do something to support clean water today!
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
Don't flush the toilet as often. (OK, I know it's not polite to talk about but it helps!)
Purchase a rain barrel and use it.
Write to your legislator and demand stricter clean water laws.
Write to companies that persistently pollute the water.
Savor your clean tap water.

Here is a page from my sketchbook with my initial thoughts and ideas about the instillation.

Willliam Kentridge's Art

2010-03-22T09:25:00.000-05:00

I'm captivated lately by the South African artist William Kentridge. Kentridge was born during Apartheid and it's convoluted logic has informed his work though out his career. The Metropolitan Opera in New York recently mounted a production of Shostakovitch's The Nose and Kentridge designed the production.
You can see a promotional trailer for The Met's production of "The Nose" and interview with Kentridge.

His work was also featured in the public television series Art 21 and you can see a clip from that segment here. article on Art21

Many of his films can be seen on You Tube and in one of his best,The History of the Main Complaint you can see how he uses one sheet of paper and charcoal with erasures to create a film. All the drawings contain the erasures of previous drawings and lends his work a power of immediate history.

His work intrigues me because of his use of simple materials and excellent draftsmanship to deliver his ideas. He also has at his command, many different forms of expression: drawing, animation, sculpture and set design. He uses all of his skills in service to his view of the human condition.

Just as an aside, the mother of a co worker of mine knows Kentridge personally and said that unlike other art luminaries, Kentridge is a real gentleman and a very nice person.

Waterways: Origami Paper Canoe

2010-03-10T16:02:00.018-06:00

Lake Michigan Dunes: November 2009
Watercolor and Ink
300 lb watercolor paper

Today, Dear Readers, I had a lovely knitting date with my good friend Kelly who also happens to be gifted in the "bright ideas" department. This little tutorial is an homage to our enlightening conversation and a tiny hint of things to come in the Waterways Project.(Thank you Dalink!)

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

What's happening here is that you gently turn the whole form inside out (without ripping the folds!) to form the canoe.

Using a bone folder helps set the creases more firmly.
If you want the outside of your boat to have a pattern, fold with the pattern side of the paper down on step one.

Here is a You Tube video with a slightly different approach

Here's an origami sampan.

Now I need to figure out how to fold a paddle.

Waterways in Transition

2010-03-01T16:01:00.006-06:00

I have a small series I've been working on since.....last November. It's taken me so long partly because I've been busy with my other project. But mostly it's because I'm shifting gears and this and the pieces I'll post later this month are transition pieces.

Last weekend, DH kindly drove me all over the gritty South Loop of Chicago so I could find just the right amount of grit. Here's a slide show of where we went. The images are of both the Chicago River and the Calumet River.

Though I won't have time to work on Waterways intensely for awhile, I'm crawling along an idea chain.

Artistic Influences

2010-02-20T07:55:00.003-06:00

Stefan Sagmeister's Things I Have Learned in My Life So Far
(This is the cover of the "book". It's beautifully designed as a number of smaller books tucked into this box.)

I want to take a moment to honor the work of artist's who have inspired me recently. Great teachers,weather in print,on line or in person comfort me as well as inspire me my journey. I'm working on my Tools of the Trade Project more than the Waterways Project for the moment. I'm feeling a bit stuck on the water work because I'm changing artistic directions and have no idea how this will shake out in the end.
Will I end the Waterways Project?
Will I have a rebirth of the Project?
Will I find a totally New Direction?

All I can do at the moment is honor the strong pull of my artistic influences and yield to the powerful pull of my Tools Project. (Not unlike the movement in our local rivers during flood times!)

I first learned about the brilliant and sincere designer Stephan Sagmeister on TED and his use of text and message opened my eyes to the visual power of the written word. Lately, I've been thinking alot about his brave decision to take a year off from commercial work a few years back. He said at the time that he was worried about what taking a year off would do to his business. (He has designed some very high profile music CD covers and other prominent design work.) This particular projectThings I Have Learned grew out of his year off and also inspired me to want to give something back to the community and begin my won project. The really amazing thing is that after a year off, his commercial business was bigger than ever. He also received numerous offers from companies willing to underwrite this very non commercial project. Just goes to show you what can happen when you let go of the money piece.

Man Bites Man:Two decades of Satiric Art

This book, hidden away in the drawing section of our local library was revelation. I ADORE these guys. The book covers a particularly rich period of this now rare art form. My favorites, listed below, command a line quality of strength and vigor. There is so much intelligence behind the drawings too that stirs my imagination. To call them cartoon artists is akin to calling Michelangelo a marble cutter. Satiric art has up rooted and moved off the pages of the newspapers on to Comedy Central. (Jon Steward for example) All modern political satire stands of the shoulders of these greats.

Paul Flora
Ronald Searle (Look for "The Arrival of God"
A Ronald Searle Tribute Blog
David Levine
Edward Sorel
Ralph Steadman

I'm posting the verso of the book because power of each artist's signature says so much about their work.

Man Bites Man (Verso)

Changing Creative Gears

2010-02-05T01:49:00.000-06:00

Rust Moebius Vest
I dyed the wool and cotton yarns together with a fiber reactive dye. You can't believe how easy this was!
Gloves knit with Icelandic wool and a Dickey. (Looks like a ridiculous garment but it actually helps to keep you warm with any open necked shirt.)

Occasionally, I like to change creative gears and return to my fiber origins. Lately, I've been knitting and it's been a lovely way to occupy myself on the train, fill a few moments in the doctors office or just enjoy a respite from grant writing. I love knitting with Elizabeth Zimmermann's patterns because in every project, she teaches a knitter just what she needs to be her own designer. Her percentage systems allow me to use what ever yarn and needle size I wish and create my garment to suit my needs. The only unfortunate thing is that no one has invented a way to knit without mistakes and I've ended up knitting this rust vest about 3 times with all the mistakes I've made!

The vest is a Moebius Jacket found in her book Knitting Around (scroll down to find it in this link) as well as many more patterns. She also tells the story of how she grew up in post war Europe and how she and her husband fled to the US after the Nazi take over.

Grant Writing (Or How I Spent My Winter Vacation)

2010-02-01T01:05:00.000-06:00

Guide to Getting Arts Grants

Most of January was consumed (and I do mean consumed) by writing three grants for my Tools of the Trade Projectand my left brain certainly got a major work out. Although not the most stimulating activity in the life of an artist, writing grants has helped me to really solidify what my art work means. It has made planning other parts of the project a snap because I've clarified exactly what I want to do with the project, how I want to market it and what it's success means to my career. It is VERY helpful to have a second person read through the requirements and the writing. In my case, my DH found several large discrepancies between what the grant funder was asking for and what I wrote. When a foundation or state agency is processing hundreds of applications, not following directions in a very detailed way earns you a big fat disqualification.

The creative cycle begins with the idea and the studio work, moves into the grant writing/ marketing phase and finally into the gallery part. I'm learning not to fret about the lack of studio time as I attend to all the parts of this project. However, my reward for all this good grant writing behavior is to dive into the studio and some on site winter sketching on the water.

The Very Stuff, Poems on Color, Thread ....

2010-01-21T08:19:00.007-06:00

Calm day
7" x 12 "
oil on canvas

I know this looks strange to see an Autumnal painting in January but this is a very nice month in which to clean out the studio and complete unfinished business.

Some of you know I teach a textiles class and I'm always on the look out for new information in this vast field. However, recently I found this book: The Very Stuff: Poems on Color, Thread and the Habits of Women by Illinois native Stephen Beal. He is an author and an embroider. The whole book is a rich celebration of his love of DMC embroidery floss colors. He has an essay at the beginning of the book describing the DMC company's process of manufacturing the cotton floss. Here is just a small sample of one of his poems. The title is the number assigned to a particular color. This color is a particular shade of red.

3607

I have to admit I'm suspicious of this color.
Wary, even though I've come to use it alot.
For one thing, if my daughter were going to the prom,
I would not select this fuchsia for her gown.
On the other hand, she might.

later in the same poem:

What do you do with a color like this?
Lock her up?
Take away her ankle bracelet?
Make her enroll in data-entry?
No, you old stuffed shirt, just let her be,
soaring on her own wings of neon
to the lipstick chorus line.

Projects for the New Year

2010-01-15T12:10:00.000-06:00

I can hardly believe that it is time to make all my New Year folders for all of my projects! Now that the holidays are over and the decorations are put away for another year, I've had time to reflect on what I'd like to accomplish creatively in 2010.

1) Continue promoting and writing grants to fund my Tools of the Trade Project. This is coming along nicely. I've written 3 grants already and sent out 18 proposal packages to date. More news on this later. (Keep your fingers crossed!)

2)I've signed up for a class in 20th Century Art Theory and Criticism. I have not written a critical paper in 10 years. Pray for me!

3)Waterways is on the back burner but not forgotten. I have a large new project percolating but no time to develope it yet. I'm very excited and you should see some movement on this in the fall. Stay Tuned.

4)Take a seminar for tax changes. :>(((( Thankfully, Craig is going with me.

5)Make more time for real life art people and events. I'm cutting back drastically on my Internet time. It's been a HUGE time waster for me and I want to work in a more focused way. I'll be writing fewer (hopefully, richer ) blog posts. In the past few weeks, I've attended a gallery talk, a critique, the Art Institute and the Cultural Center. I've also met friends at a cafe and attended an open knit night at our local yarn shop. All this is soul food in a way that is deeply satisfying.

6)I want more creative play time this year:time to just mess around with materials, ideas, books and spacing out. This sort of play time has yielded such a rich vein for me in the past.

7) Pay more attention to the Spirit! My Yoga practice has become a very important centering for me and a way to quiet my "monkey mind".

Happy New Year everyone!

Waterways Project Christmas Card 2009

2009-12-13T14:41:00.004-06:00

Waterways Snow Globe
Watercolor and ink on paper

The card is finished so now all we have to do is mail it out! Is it just me or does the season seem to be moving at warp speed this year. Still have lots to do!

I want to wish all of you the very best this Winter Season. May you have peaceful moments, cherished memories, and lots of creative energy. Blessings to all.

This blog will be resting a bit while I finish preparations.

A Better Scan

2009-12-06T20:00:00.003-06:00

Here is a better scan of my new Flying Pictures Project. The colors looked really washed out in the photo below.

Animators Life Told in Sticky Notes

2009-12-05T06:59:00.004-06:00

I recently watched this video about the challenges of a creative life. It is all told in sticky notes. I was inspired to think about sticky notes after seeing this exhibit post.

I'm thinking about starting a new(mini) project and wondering is so much fun.

Seems I work best when I have several things going at once. So much to create: so little time (sigh),

The Grand Finale for Flying Pictures

2009-12-03T14:53:00.002-06:00

All the books have been packed up and are winging their way home across the Atlantic. The project is over now and what a great time we had.

Now that the show is over, I decided to re cover my book and finally attach the back. I like it much better now.

The days are getting so short now and the holiday's are approaching. Time to crack out the hot chocolate and seasonal music.

New back covered in an unfinished Waterways canvas

When cleaning out the studio, I found more of the blue paper and re made the inside envelope too.

Fire and Water: Waterway Matches?

2009-11-26T07:20:00.004-06:00

I must have some sort of "making" disease because I really can't help myself. These are large kitchen matchboxes that my twisted imagination could not resist covering with some Waterways images. Yes Paste works great. My mother will probably laugh when she see them.

Happy Thanksgiving. And I'm so fortunate to have your support here! Thanks everyone.

Waterways Project: November Sketchbook

2009-11-23T14:35:00.010-06:00

Mid November

I'm a bit behind posting my sketchbook for this month. We've had really warm weather this month after so much rain in October. Not much chance to see the fall colors...the rain washed all the leaves off.

Much as I love spring and the light of summer, there is something really compelling in the linear quality of the trees and the gray light.

Light Rain

Bright Day

Natures' Lace

And this one left over from summer. I almost abandoned it but after a bit of reworking, I thought it worth posting.

Left over from summer
Fox river

The Charter for Compassion

2009-11-19T17:36:00.000-06:00

Waterways Project: Controlled Burn

2009-11-18T10:58:00.004-06:00

Controlled Burn

Walking the trail a couple of weeks ago, I smelled a peculiar, acrid smell that I had never noticed before. As I approached this spot on the Des Plaines River Trail,
this was what I saw! Over the weekend, the County had performed a controlled burn and this is a great gift for the land. Next spring, so many native species will finally have the space to populate this patch of land.

The burn is also a rich metaphor for renewal in life after disaster has struck. Everything looks dead now but clearing away all the brushes and invasive species will make room for woodland flowers. It's also a fine metaphor for creative life: the times I feel empty and drained creatively are only a pause, a rest for the inner landscape. There will be plenty of room for new images, ideas and projects.

Posted Notice

All Sorts of New Work

2009-11-16T20:59:00.008-06:00

8" x 12"
watercolor, ink and Japanese paper collage on
400 lb watercolor paper

I've been very busy here resurrecting the Flying Pictures Project. Last Thursday's talk went very well and I could almost feel the wing beats of my fellow flyer's somewhere in the room with me.

I've also been working on the Tools of the Trade project and you can see a new piece and read a book review here on the blog.

I'm having a job review this week too. Just when I think my life is nice and sane, stuff piles up. The semester ends in a few weeks and I'm soooooo ready!

Waterways Project:Japanese Paper Play

2009-11-11T09:38:00.003-06:00

Watercolor, acrylic ink, India ink
300 lb watercolor paper

I've been playing around with some Japanese paper and collage. But mostly, I'm preparing for a speaking engagement tomorrow night. If you are around, stop by and you can see all the books in person. I've just up loaded
Nina's whole book also.

More later!

Studio Warm Ups

2009-11-04T13:29:00.003-06:00

4" x 4"
watercolor and ink on paper

I've been using these small sheets of paper as studio warm ups. Great way to get the hand and the paint moving around.

A recent favorite pod cast is this one on stem cell research. Did you know that fetal stem cells are too developed to be used in research. Takes some of the emotional punch right out of the arguments not to use them!

Pamphlet Stitch Journal Tutorial

2009-11-02T01:23:00.002-06:00

Assorted Pamphlet Books
All made from recycled materials
Making a Simple Pamphlet Journal

In anticipation of my demonstration at the library, I wanted to post this demo for creating your own pamphlet stitched journal. I used a discarded watercolor drawing for most of the journal covers shown here and a cereal box for the one in the upper right had corner. A cereal box makes a wonderful, light weight, inexpensive cover for the books. The cardboard is just the right weight and can be embellished any way you wish. This one has a picture of a Robert Motherwell drawing on the side not shown and I call this book "A Spoonful of Motherwell" in homage to the master.

My books are created with a rather casual approach as I'm interested in filling them up more than creating a perfectly bound book. Keeping a relaxed attitude helps make the process "no tears" too.

So here are the instructions:

Tools
Awl or nail to punch holes
Card stock for cover
Filling paper
Sturdy thread and a needle
Bone folder or spoon to crease signatures and cover

Choose a cover paper or cardboard and the paper you wish for the signatures. I usually make the signatures first and fit the cover to it. To make this book, I folded a sheet of 8.5" x 11" resume paper in half (the hamburger way not the hot dog way, though you could make a book in that shape if you wished.) You can use 3,4 or 5 sheets of paper to make your journal but the more pages in your signature, the larger the swell will be. Make sure you use the bone folder to crease each page and then nest the pages. Bone fold the completed signature too.

Make the cover 1/8 " larger on the top, bottom and opening edge.

Make a jig
A jig is simply a pattern used to create holes in the spine of the cover and the signautres that line up perfectly. Using a piece of scrap paper, cut a piece that's 2" wide and as long as the spine. Fold it in half the long way. Fold in in half the other way. This intersection marks the middle hole for the jig. Create 2 more placement holes by folding the short edges to the center and creasing.

Line up the jig inside the folded cover and poke three holes in the spine.
Do the same for the signature.

Now you are ready for some minimal sewing. Nest the signature inside the cover, lining up the holes. Leave a nice long tail.
Thread up your needle and poke the needle through the center hole from outside to inside.
Next, poke the needle through the top hole going from inside to outside.

Now, sew through the bottom hole going from outside back to the inside.

Last stitchs: Poke the needle through the middle hole and bring it outside the spine again and tie off the 2 ends. Your finished. If you like, you can tie on beads to these end threads or make a tassel and tie that on.

Update on the Flying Pictures Project

2009-10-31T13:09:00.007-05:00

Des Plaines River
Watercolor and ink

Today's big news is that I finally scanned Glen's Flying Pictures Project journal and created a slide show over at our blog. That completes all seven books documented! I'm getting ready for my lecture/demonstration next month and having a really wonderful time reminiscing. It's so amazing having the books in my hands and reading all the annotations people wrote to go with their pictures. Getting ready for the presentation makes me miss all of my fellow flyers.

The weather has been rainy and cool all month. Almost all the leaves are down now and DH and I hope to get out side on the next sunny day. Happy Halloween everyone!

The Last Flowers of Autumn

2009-10-28T12:56:00.006-05:00

Here are a few pictures from my garden and neighborhood with the last few bits of floral color. I'm really loving how the more linear aspects of the trees are beginning to peek out from the falling foliage.

On my other blog , I'm taking today about my process on how to bridge the gap between an idea I have and how to express that idea visually. What do you do when confronted with a problem of visually expressing and idea?

Flying Pictures Project Grows Wings Again

2009-10-21T09:00:00.020-05:00

Five of the Seven
Flying Pictures Project Journals
(This photo would have been much better had Robyn taken it in her Italian back yard!)

In the Spring of 2008, I invited three web friends in distant countries to help me plan a traveling artist's journal project. Our group eventually became seven artists on three continents united in our desire to have fun and exchange art and we launched The Flying Pictures Project. Now the project journals,( unfortunately not the participants), will be united for a display at the Oak Park Public Library. I'll be speaking about our process, fun and art work Thursday evening November 12 at 7PM at the Oak Park Public Library. The journals will be on display for the month of November and you can see them up close on the night I'm speaking. They are really beautiful in person. The photos do not do them justice!

I'll also discuss how anyone can start a journeling project and demonstrate how to make a simple pamphlet journal. With very simple tools and daily paper ephemera anyone, even people without art training, can create a rich, satisfying visual journal.

For information about other events at the library you can look at the November calender here.

Turtle Lore

2009-10-20T20:07:00.001-05:00

Walk Slowly
Listen Gently

Sketchbooks

2009-10-14T14:32:00.000-05:00

Through some really nice contacts from the gallery, I have been offered this top notch flat file for a really great price and some sweat equity. (Thanks to DH and the other team members for shoehorning these babies into our modestly sized car!) all my paper is now safely stored and not cluttering up all the corners. It makes me feel so professional.

I've been appreciating this fallow time in the studio. I'm drifting, dreaming, collage and of course, playing in my favorite way: mixing media. Here are a few pages from my sketch book. The safest place I know to experiment is between it's black, inexpensive covers.

Tools of the Trade Sketchbook #1

Here are a few of the ideas I've been absorbing this fall. All of these ideas are fermenting away and I'm beginning to get inklings of a new direction for my work.

This show by Robert Motherwell in the Block Museum at Northwestern University was absolutely wonderful and well worth the trip.

Tools of the Trade sketchbook page #2

I've been listening to a program calledRadio Lab and their most recent episode is about death and the after life. I know this sounds like a morbid subject but actually, the show was very interesting. Given that no one has come back to tell us what life is like on the other side, RL has found many interesting takes on the subject; eleven to be exact.

Tools of the Trade Sketchbook page #3

I love this art show and for a limited time you can see this show on line: Art 21

This is an interesting series too:Craft In America

Tools of the Trade sketchbook page 4

More later......

Kiswaukee In The Rain and Norman Ackroyd

2009-09-27T07:29:00.000-05:00

As Craig and I paddled along last Sunday on the pristine Kiswaukee river, we were suddenly in a light rain. Craig had suggested, providentially, that we pack 2 ponchos and so we remained quiet dry and comfortable.

Recently,while enjoying my current art break, I've found the most beautiful etchings by Norman Ackroyd. I'm inspired by his luminous and spiritual landscapes. How elegant and simple black and white can be! Makes me want to break out the charcoal.

When I was painting plein air this summer, I went out mostly in June and became very attached to the filtered light of a rainy day. There is something other worldly about the soft focus of that light.

Conscious Tool Use

2009-09-21T12:06:00.022-05:00

North Avenue Beach
September 09
Watercolor sketchbook

I've been thinking about life's many rhythms lately.

Internal Rhythm
Breathing, heart rate, digestion and rates of healing require time and can't be rushed.

Natural Rhythms
Today is the first day of Autumn and I want to pay attention to the subtle daily changes of the season. It's my favorite time of year.

Web Rhythms
When I'm logged on to the web, my goal is to remain aware of the first two kinds of rhythm (especially my breath) while working and learning. The ability to move quickly in the digital age is a double edged sword for analog beings. I'm aiming for a more conscious use of digital tools. The computer is only one tool in a long succession for us homo sapiens.

I recently watched an interesting documentary film calledManufactured Landscapes The film follows photographer Edward Burtynsky to his chosen locations in China and Bangladesh. His photos are beautiful and haunting all at once and film is a work of art in its own right.

You can hear Edward Burtynsky speaking in thisTED Lecture.

Happy Autumn to those of us in the Norther Hemisphere.

Creative Recovery

2009-09-15T13:31:00.015-05:00

Some thoughtful friends have suggested I do a few gentle posts from time to time to let you all know I'm still alive and kicking.....and tell you how I'm recovering from creative burn out.

I'm cooking more and here's my latest cook book:
Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone The author is a sympathetic omnivore with some really interesting flavor combinations.

I'm getting out doors as much as possible and preferably in a quiet, natural setting.

Visiting with family and good friends.

Not making art if I don't want to and being gentle with myself about not wanting to.

I'm doing my yoga and yoga breathing when things start to feel overwhelming.

Spending time doing nothing.

I'm living as much as possible in the REAL world. This means I won't be visiting blogs for awhile but it's been heavenly to not be feeling obligated to spend so much time on line. I was starting to feel numbed after hours on line. I also found myself obsessively checking my site stats.This is such a HUGE time waster and was strictly about vanity; a sort of adult version of the high school popularity contest. I turned blogging into a J-O-B with all the heavily weighted baggage that denotes.

I highly recommend the web restricted diet if you are feeling burned out. I'd be interested to hear how others cope with creative and web burn out.

Post Card Tag

2009-08-27T18:36:00.014-05:00

Road Man
5" x 4"
Rubber tire and paint on paper

I have somehow painted myself into a really crowded corner, so crowded in fact that my creative out put has dwindled to a trickle!

After reflecting on my last year's creative endeavors, here is my list of accomplishments:
6 shows at the police station You can see all six shows here
Began an artist residency at the Police Station and completed 30 drawings
Set up 2 web sites and a new blog
Joined Watermarks
Joined and had to take a sabbatical from Sketchersise
Completed 2 printing workshops
Taken a semester class called Experimental Drawing
Participated in a group show in August
Started painting plien air oils for the Waterways Project
4 large drawings inspired by my visit to Niagara Falls last May

Makes me tired just listing these! So I'm finding ways to rest and get back to more playful ways to be creative. I've been cooking and loafing: reading and resting.

These post cards are a fun, light weight project I'm doing to stay in touch with my with my son who has started graduate school this fall. My son, an avid cycler, will receive a post card from me and send on back with a sort of conceptual snap shot of his life at the moment. I'm very much looking forward to this visual game with him.

I have no idea where I will be going with any of my projects. This creative roller coaster has never been dull and never failed to deliver something after a long wait. I'm trying to be patient and meanwhile, my studio is looking very tidy!

Two Wheel Flock
5" x 4"
Rubber tire and paint on paper

Road Rash ( This is a bikers euphemism for what happens when soft flesh meets pavement unexpectedly)
5" x 4"
Rubber tire and paint on paper

Lake Michigan Views

2009-08-15T07:49:00.000-05:00

Craig and I are fortunate enough to live near a beautiful city. Chicago has many moods and a Byzantine political history but the jewel in our crown, is the park that runs along the length of the city and allows public access to Lake Michigan.

Dog Park

Pilons

Clouds over Lake Michigan

Chicago from the North

Churchill Park, Another One

2009-08-01T01:19:00.006-05:00

Church Hill Park Afternoon
oil on canvas
9" x 12"

I'll be taking a few weeks off from blogging but I'll leave you with an interesting link:

If you'd like the real low down on painting plein air, you can watch THIS. Plein Air paintings is not for wimps! When placing your order,please specify how many bugs you would like embedded in the paint. They cost extra. (You are paying for that pound of flesh!)

Happy Summer Everyone!

Canoing Lake Michigan Near Chicago

2009-07-30T04:56:00.000-05:00

Early one Sunday morning, Craig and I checked the Lake Michigan marine report and decided to launch Sherry from the Howard Street Beach. It was really exciting to be on the huge lake and it made me feel young and dangerous. The canoe almost swamped in a swell and we quickly figured out that we needed to turn much faster. We packed it up when the swells and the wind picked up. The weather can on Lake Michigan can turn on a dime and we did not want to be caught too far from shore.

Plein Air Painting

2009-07-27T10:43:00.006-05:00

Churchill Park Morning, July 09
9" x 12"
oil on canvas

Last week, I attended a plein air workshop locally. Although the workshop leader had planned the logistics very well (good location, nice breaks and brought water etc), the content was very weak. Her demos were very sketchy and her information disorganized. I expected some real teaching moments about value, composition and handling of color. Instead, it was really a paint out. However, that said, I did learn a considerable amount by painting for two whole days out and watching one student who was the best in the group.

I focused on shapes, experimented with moving elements around and created deep space. After I got over feeling like I had wasted good money on a poorly taught workshop, I enjoyed myself. The spot was absolutely beautiful with lots of flowers in bloom and a pond (ah, water) in the middle. Very few people visited this park and only one person stopped to talk. This made it easy to concentrate on painting. So note to self: painting and studying the masters is really excellent instruction it itself!

Churchill Park photo

Waterways Project: July Sketchbook

2009-07-26T00:05:00.000-05:00

Thatcher Pond, July morning 2009

oil in sketchbook
Jeanette has started a Rock Challenge this month. Stop by and see what she's been up to. Her part of the world has very dramatic rock formations and I can see why she's inspired.

Lake Michigan Near Oak Street Beach
Watercolor
4" x 11"

Rocks Near Northwestern University
July 09
Oils in sketchbook

Attachment to Place

2009-07-22T00:47:00.001-05:00

Two Maples: Study
July 2009
10" x 10"
oil on canvas

Monet had his water lilies.

Cezanne had his mountain.

And Andrew Wyeth had Kuerners Farm.

I've been looking at his watercolors in the book Wyeth at Kuerners, a deeply satisfying, large format book compiled by his wife after his death. Many of these paintings were found on the floor of his studio and one painting had been repaired after Wyeth accidentally cut out a piece from the reverse side for another watercolor. These paintings, drawings and studies were mostly executed in the winter months as Wyeth spent his summers in Main. The high contrast values, the dramatic vistas and quiet,spare designs show the master at his most elegant. To see him expressing such a deep love and understanding of the farm and it's family with such confidence inspires me. As I move my own work into plien air oils, I could ask for no better teacher.

Speaking of attachment to places, you must see what Ronell's been up to in her mountain retreat! I especially admire all the imagination it took to see what that basement would look like after clearing out the leavings of untold numbers of farm and wild life left behind.

The opening for the show at Prairie Title went beautifully. Lots of people showed up to lend their support and I also had a chance to organize aspects of marketing that will be useful for my up comingTools of the Trade Exhibit. Many thanks to family and friends for showing such great support.

There is still time for you to participate in Vivien's Tree Challenge.

New Tools of the Trade Web Site

2009-07-12T13:38:00.010-05:00

Money Game II
22" x 30"
mixed media on paper

I'd like to officially announce the opening of the new Tools of the Trade Web site

I've up loaded all the drawings to date as well as the narratives for a few of the groupings. I'll be adding to this over the summer and will up date the site as new drawings are completed.

The state of Illinois has not passed a budget yet so my grant application for framing is in limbo. Keep your fingers crossed that the arts budget is not decimated. Craig and I are brainstorming some creative framing solutions here, just in case. To be continued....

New Waterways Paintings: Show at Prairie Title

2009-07-09T14:41:00.016-05:00

Des Plaines River at Chicago Avenue
July 2009
9" x 12"
Oil on Canvas mounted on board
Matted and framed -Final size 16" x 20"
$200.00

This is the latest painting to get framed and delivered today.PHEW. The show is ready for the opening and I'd cordially like to invite anyone in the area to attend the opening on Thursday July July 16Th from 6PM-8PM
At Prairie Title
6821 W. North Avenue
Oak Park, IL

It's been a very busy week here at Non-Linear-Arts with preparations for the show, and working on the marketing aspects for my Tools of the Trade work. I'm considering moving the work off the blog and on to a static web site. What do you think? So far there has not been much traffic on the blog so I'm wondering if my time would be better spent in setting up a static web page and leaving it at that. Advice welcome!

Invitation Front

I'd also like to take this opportunity to make a little public service announcement:

Of all the many commandments of computer use, one that we ignore at our peril, is to BACK UP THY HARD DRIVE. Imagine how sad you'd feel loosing years of images. :>(

Here's a link for more information.

Before PS and After PS

2009-07-07T08:26:00.006-05:00

Before

After

A while back, onmyTools Blog I did a post on a recent drawing that I'd worked on dealing with foresnics. When I arrived at the shop to have all the drawings scanned, Franklyn took one look at the mixed media on this one and said it would be damaged in the scanner. Hum. Visions of a very expensive trip to the photographer were not exactly dancing in my head.

This morning I found this post on the famous Katherine's site about how to do color corrections in Photo Shop Elements. (This is a much cheaper version of the expensive Photo Shop and seems to be all the PS I need!) What a huge difference this very easy corrections makes! Try this on any drawing or painting before posting and watch how saturated all the colors become.

Canoe Trip On The Lower Fox River

2009-07-06T02:42:00.000-05:00

Lower Fox River # 2

Recently, Craig and I along with 6 other people had a chance to revisit the Lower Fox River. A sunny day for a change, we faced a different challenge this day. Gusting winds buffeted the bow of the canoe (30 miles an hour!) and under these conditions, it's the front person (me) who has to keep the boat on course. Usually, I'm not encouraged to do any steering. Much like dancing, only one person can lead. This leaves plenty of time for me to get good use out of the floating studio.

This day, however, I was really trying hard to attend to my steering responsibilities while dipping the brush in the paint pot occasionally. These were very fast sketches executed with some fancy paddling in between.

This is a dangerous situation for the inexperienced paddler. Any downed tree forces the current to be funneled into a much narrower channel and the water really picks up speed. One boat in our party swamped right in front of this beautiful sycamore tree. Fortunately, no one was hurt and several of the guys rolled the canoe over and righted her in 2 minutes! The two women were real troopers and were not discouraged about going out again.

River Weeds

Lower Fox River #4

Lower Fox Rive #1

And Yet More Rain

2009-07-02T20:58:00.004-05:00

Thatcher Pond, Dead Tree, More Rain Arriving
10" x 10"
oil on canvas panel

I've been working hard to prepare for a Waterways show in my village next week. I wanted to frame some of my recent plein air paintings. All the days I went out to paint, the light was flat and the weather threatening. They all hang together if for no other reason that they were all done in flat light! Hopefully, I'll have a chance to work on some paintings with good, strong light this month.

Waterways on Tony Moffit's Site!

2009-07-01T06:49:00.006-05:00

Waterways Project
DesPlaines River,Lake Street Bridge, November 2009
Mixed media on paper
22" x 24"

I'd like to thank Tony Moffitt, for highlighting my Waterways Project on his blog today. He's running his blog to help artist sell and market their work. Please check out his very sensible and generous site.

Inundated Trees

2009-06-30T01:36:00.000-05:00

9" x 12"
oil on canvas
Thatcher Innudated. June 2009

More rain has swelled all the creeks and rivers. We have had an unusual amount of rain this summer. This was the first sunny day we had in along time.

Four Needle Coptic Bound Journal

2009-06-28T02:26:00.000-05:00

Coptic Journal bound with canvas paper
Matte Board covers

I wanted to share with you how I make my hand made Coptic bound journals. I bind books out of necessity, not necessarily a love of book binding. Some of my techniques are a bit unorthodox but the resulting books are sturdy work horses.

Supplies

4 needles - if you have curved sewing needles these will work best but you can use straight needles. Just make sure the eye is big enough to accommodate your chosen binding thread.

Bone folder or back of a wooden spoon. Helps to really crease the pages and reduce swell in the book.

Waxed linen or other sturdy thread. I tried using crochet cotton on a bunch of journals and it just does not hold up. The waxed linen thread is really best

Paper torn down to the spread you want. I'm making a landscape book so my spread is 8" high x 20.5" wide and I folded the pages in half. Nesting several pages together makes a "signature". The signatures will be sewn together later.

2 Covers cut 1/4" higher and 1/8" longer than your folded signatures

An awl is hand, but you can use a nail too

A mallet is optional. A regular hammer will do too.

I'm making a book that will be an oil painting sketchbook so I cut down paper in a canvas pad for my signatures. You can use ANY paper and even mix and match the papers so you can have drawing papers, printing papers and watercolor papers. You can use the book to test drive lots of new papers too.

Cut your pages. Use the bone folder or the back of a wooden spoon to crease your paper. If you use heavy paper, nest 3 sheets to make your signature. Lighter paper can accommodate more pages in the signature.

This flimsy piece of paper is called a jig. Omit this step at you own peril. What you are making is a tool to help you mark consistent stitching holes in your signature and your covers. Make this paper as tall as the spine and 2" wide. Fold it in half. Then mark your sewing holes. You want the top and bottom holes to be about 5/8" of an inch in from edge. Place the other two holes where you want them.(Four holes in total...hence the name "Four Needle Coptic"). Use you awl to poke gentle holes in the jig.

Now you are ready to use the jig to transfer holes to the spines of the signatures. Mark them on the inside fold. Then use the awl to poke holes in the signature.

Using your jig again, mark the holes on the 2 covers. Leave about 3/8" distance between the holes and the spine.If you like you can stack the covers on on top of the other to make sure the holes are in the right place. Use the nail or awl and a hammer or mallet to punch the holes.

Now you are ready to prepare the needles and threads for sewing. Count the number of signatures and 2 covers. Measure using the thread, the length of spine. Multiply this amount of thread times the number of signatures plus 2 covers. Add 4 more cover lengths.(Just in case! You don't want to run out of thread at the end!) Fold (do not cut) the length of thread in half and make a book binders not on the end of the thread. Repeat this so you have 2 long threads with a total of 4 needles, one on each end.

OK, now you a ready to sew your book together. Stack you signatures and covers near by. Set up the first signature (not starting with the cover yet) by threading one of your double needle threads from the inside of the signature.Do the other thread too. Four needles should be dangling on equal lengths of thread from the outside of the first signature. Now grab the cover and stitch each needle into the outside hole of the cover.

Sew back though the first section and crisscross the threads inside the signature fold and bring the needles outside again.
Kettle stitch all four threads.

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Continue crisscrossing and kettle stitching for each signature. Use the wooden spoon or bone folder to crease the spines of all signatures. This reduces swell.

Stitch through the inside hole of the remaining cover piece. Kettle stitch through the last section and sew back with the last signature. Tie off with a square knot.

And there you have a Coptic book bound with your own paper. If you make one, please leave me your link and I'll post everyone's book.

In Search Of Greens

2009-06-26T02:59:00.000-05:00

Study 5" x 7"
I'm continuing my green studies and this time used the following colors:
Light Red
Cerulean Blue
Cad Yellow Light
White
Burnt Umber and because I was a chicken, a touch of
Thalo Blue

This was a difficult triad to work with. The tinting strength of the red was very weak and the blue was very transparent. If I want olive, there are easier, more potent pigments to work with.

Green Study 1
5" x 7"
oil on canvas

Painting in the summer requires lots of GREEN and I'm feeling like I need more practice making them. I'd like the painting to hold together through my use of color so I'm learning what each blue will do with the other colors on my pallet. Here I'm keeping it simple and wanted to see if I could tilt the greens to warm or cool depending on what other colors are blended with them.

Cadmium Red Light
Cadmium Yellow Light
Prussian Blue
Titanium White
Burnt Umber
All Windsor Newton Alkyds

Green Study 1
5" x 7"
oil on canvas

I'm also experimenting with grounds. The top one is a piece of Blick's pre primed canvas. I really enjoyed painting on this surface. The gesso is thin and the weave of the canvas is small. It has just the right amount of drag on the brush and I don't have to work aggressively to fill in the weave.

If I make something I like, I'm going to adhear the canvas to a board and frame it. This also mades for a light plein air surface. Less weight to carry ;>)

The bottom one is in my sketchbook with the usual 75lb paper.

Sketchbook Nerd

2009-06-23T05:58:00.002-05:00

Same books, different background. I like both photos so I'm posting both

I also have instructions for making a Four Needle Coptic Journal on a different page. Not hard at all!

One of the wonderful parts of being an artist is keeping a sketchbook. I love mine and these are three of my favorite. I learned how to make books last spring and it gave me the power to have any paper I desire.
These books are bound with a Coptic stitch which requires no special tools. The travel journal has printmaking paper from Utrecht. I think it's their house brand "American Masters". I really like the tooth in the surface and it even takes a light watercolor wash. It's perfect for oil pastels.

The sturdy red journals are bound with Fabriano Watercolor paper and work for most media.

I'm very hard on my sketchbooks and as you can see, the binding has held up very well.

Last year, I posted a tutorial on how to make a concertina book that's pretty easy and allows you to use many different kinds of paper. You can read the post here if you'd like to check this out.

Seduced By Light And Color

2009-06-22T03:31:00.000-05:00

Millennium Park's Lurie Garden

Tempted to think this would be fun to paint? I certainly was.

I arrived in downtown Chicago having successfully navigated the CTA with my bike set up for plein air painting. Check.

I located the security person to obtain permission and learned all the do's and don'ts. (Lots and lots and lots of these. If you go, bring many drop cloths.Must protect even the tiny pebbles.The gardeners reign supreme in this domain. Even security obeys them.) Check

I squeeze in with my set up on the narrow lime stone path,having been told not to block the path. Check.

Forgot bug spray again. Check and add note to self.

I make a nice sketch plan in the book, transfer it to the canvas and attack with brush and paint. Check

That was when several large summer camp groups arrived and also what felt like waves of tourists. Little children are really cute but they don't look where they are walking. Much bumping of both the easel and my tightly pulled in painting arm. Much adult inanities about so and so being a favorite artist. (:-*) I really don't want to even say his name here but his work belongs on sappy Hallmark cards.

My corner of the garden really heats up at this point. Rivers of sweat are dripping down my back. Not getting any benefit of the lake breezes in this location.

The painting is not going well. And I'm getting annoyed by the constant crunching sound of feet on the path. I've used too may colors and become confused. I've totally lost my original value pattern and I'm my ability to concentrate is slipping.

A garden tour guide stops with 30 people inches from my set up and block the view. Ok, time to regroup, have sip of water and figure out what to do. Trying not to feel annoyed.Feel breathing on my neck.

The overwhelming message arising from my soul is that it's time to go home.

You would be forgiven for believing that I'm giving up on plein air painting. However, you would be mistaken. That days lesson? I'm a nature girl. I like my peace and quiet and though I'm not shy about working among the masses, I appreciate having only the occasional passer by. Believe it or not, I even love the cool river mud too. I missed the sound of moving water and the grunting of the bull frogs.

Thatcher Pond-Raining Some More

2009-06-20T00:30:00.012-05:00

Austin Gardens, downed tree branches from last nights storm
8" x 10"
oil

Three Trees at Thatcher Pond
9" x 12"

Well,I'm learning every time I go out. For the last 2 weeks I've wondered why it was so hard to get the value right in my skies. I decided to be "economical" and buy a huge tube of cheap white to use in my paintings and there is not enough pigment for the paint to do what I want. Buy cheap, by twice

I'm also playing around with color and figuring out what various triads will do. The bottom one is Thalo blue, cad yellow light and cad red light. I also use burnt umber, Naples Yellow and "that" white. The first one is burnt umber, alizerine crimson, and cad yellow light and medium, white too.

This month and next, Vivien is posting a tree challenge. Anyone can participate so check it out. (Notice the absense of water in the first sketch? Not often I'll give it up but seeing trees by themselves is really usful:>o Thanks Vivien.

Counting blessings helps me put things in perspective:

The quality of light in the morning rain
Our well worn hammock- now installed for the summer
My parents
The Beamish Boy is home for the summer
Kelsey's sense of humor
Canoing with Craig
Butter
Wild Ginger blooming in the garden,quietly and hidden
Interesting work in and out of the studio
My art supplies and the desire to use them
The color of everything
The wisdom to know I can't understand everyone
Avocados in the salad tonight

Waterways Project: Cloud Study

2009-06-15T08:24:00.020-05:00

Cloud Study
On location Saturday at
Lake Michigan
12" x 4"

Fellow Watermark-er Jeanette Jobson also has been working in oils lately and you can see her lovely work depicting her idyllic neighborhood in the wilds of the Labrador Coast in Canada. I and only attribute her omission from my previous list of fellow Oily Watermark-ers to my advancing senility!

Here's one that really captured a sense of place. It's titled e The Chocolate Road.

Jeanette captured the watery motion of a scene along the road.

Here is another one of the rocks along the coast.

Here heracrylic sketch looks like oil and her approach is similar to her oils.

If you visit her Etsy shop shop you will see her varied and creative approach to media. Take a look at her lively and original fish prints too.

Can You Belive This Is Chicago?

2009-06-15T04:11:00.000-05:00

9" x 4"
watercolor and ink

All up and down the river beautiful, yellow iris's were blooming. I'm sure Ralph Friese planted some of these over his years as a paddler advocate on the area waterways.

9" x 4"
watercolor and ink

Yup, this is the North Branch of the Chicago River! Craig and I both agreed this was one of the nicest paddles we have ever been on.

You can see by this map that it is very close to downtown
View Larger Map">Chicagoo!!! We had never been this far north on the river. The access point at Dempster is a bit challenging. We had to haul "Sherry" overland about 400 yards then down a steep embankment but the actual launch site next to the river was very convenient. It was worth every drop of sweat.

Some of you have expressed a desire for more videos and I hope I don't make you sorry you asked. These are a couple of clips from the paddle yesterday.

video clip of a turtle swimming by the canoe on the left hand side. Hard to see
Swimming muskrat that followed us down the river.

When we returned from our trip, this mess was just outside an storm sewer outlet. It looks like milk but sinks like a stone. We passed this spot a number of times and found it only at 5PM. We are reporting this to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency!