Spring has finally sprung

I admit, living in upstate NY has the ability to keep us in the snow and cold for way longer than we want. Still there is a sudden lightness that comes to my steps this time of year. Yes, April can be brutal, and this year is no exception. We had snow on Easter and torrential rain for a few hours today. Flowers are blooming and buds are appearing on the trees. I took a walk last evening to capture some of these things on camera, and found evidence that spring has indeed arrived.

My work reflects that too, with strong bright colors and spring like designs. Check out the new Snapshot image of a bright flower garden, and Spring Eclipse, made over the weekend of the red moon/lunar eclipse.

If you have been following my last few years' journey, you'll know that I have been taking classes at SUNY Oswego (yes... even colder and snowier than here at home). I will graduate in December with a BFA - Studio, with a concentration in printmaking. My coursework this semester has been learning all sorts of new techniques in printmaking. I think I'm going to like photo-polymer printing. Look it up and see all the wonderful things you can do with this process. I have been etching and printing trees for a large folded screen, that will include silk organza overlays in leave prints. I have this desire to enhance my work instead of replacing it. So I am learning about printing on silks and linen as well as paper. Check back for photos of these finished pieces.

Can you tell I'm having fun??

End of The Semester

Yep, another year is coming close to being over. What a ride 2014 has been. 

I have been driving an hour most every weekday........one way to NY State University at Oswego to attend classes. I am within sight of graduating with my BFA. This college dowsn't have a fiber department , but does have and excellant art classes. I have found myself concentrating in printmaking, and now have 3 semesters under my belt. I tell people I am almost guilty saying I am getting 3 credits for enjoying myself so much. I just finished my Book Arts class, where we created art books. There we were given projects to express different topics. Fabric found its way into my work with exciting results. I made paper out of silk, created pages with leaves printed onto organza, and stitched my original poetry on paper with my sewing machine for pages in a book about "self".

Print making will find its way into much of my work I'm sure. I have another 2-3 classes in this field to explore before I am done with my degree. And as of this date I have decided that I will pursue my master's in fine arts. I see this as an avenue of exploration that has the potential of moving my fabric work forward. I see myself clearer everyday as an artist. I see my path  opening with possibilities at every turn. Hang on to your hats.... it's going to continue to be quite a ride.

Here we are

Here I am at the beginning of my new web site. I will admit, my expertise is more in keeping with the sewing machine and rotary cutter than it is with technologies. Still I find myself wanting to learn this stuff so I can have that important connection with those out there that might have an interest in what I do. I make quilts. I love making quilts. I love the fabrics that go into making the quilts. I love cutting the fabrics that make the quilts, and I love sewing the fabrics together to make a quilt. (I feel a little like "the house that Jack built".

So when I sit down to nail down this aspect of my business as a quilt maker, I am finding it more challenging than cutting and sewing fabric. Please be patient. I know, just as in learning to sew, I will become better and less tentative with practice.