Avoiding Deadlines- Technique 872

I have SO MANY deadlines right now...

Do they include reverse applique fingerless gloves?
Nope.

With beading?
Nope.

Aren't you ( Carol) supposed to be packing for a two week trip to teach at Artistic Artifacts and vend at Art and Soul?
Yep.


Reverse Applique Fingerless Gloves with Beading??
Really??
Yep.

(insert silly little grin)

Truth in the Tea

You can learn more than patience from brewing a cup of tea...

New Book Shipping!

Those of you that read my blog regularly know that I adore Natalie Chanin's clothing design (Alabama Chanin).
Well, not only her clothing design but her philosophy of life.
Her ideas on sustainability, her love of vintage items (esp. in decorating) and her willingness to share the knowledge of these things.
She has two beautiful, beautiful books and another one on its way to my home right now!

Check it out here!

I've made one of the skirts (I used my own cotton & supplies and made it MUCH cheaper) (here is a similar one that sells for over $4000.00!). The skirt I made doesn't have beads...but still...

If you love this style of clothing or home dec items, you will LOVE her books!
The work is time consuming, can be rather tedious but well worth the effort. I always get so many compliments when I wear the skirt.
And it is SO comfortable!
If you're like me, when you're watching the telly at night, riding in a car or waiting at an appointment, you have to have something to do (with your hands) to keep busy.
This type of project is perfect for that.
I can't wait to get the book...I MUST finish up with two deadlines today so that I can stop and drool over it as soon as it gets here.

Time Flies When You're Busy (or not)

I can't believe that it's been a week since I posted anything!
I've been working on a project for the new group that I am thrilled to be a part of ( "8 That Create" - check it out!).
If you head over to the blog, you'll see that we are all documenting our progress on our work.
We're telling the good, the bad and the ugly as we create pieces of art.
For someone like me, somebody works in a really intuitive manner, that is kinda difficult.
Sometimes I don't know why I do what I do...I just do it.
I'm trying to take lots of photos to share, showing the horrid messes that I make and the ways that I cover them up or revel in their existence.
So far, I've written two posts on the new piece "Empty Spaces".
I'd love for you to take a look and let me know what you'd like for me to talk about or address during the process.

I am also packing to ship supplies and artwork to Artistic Artifacts for a two day book making class that I am doing there.
The class is Feb. 24 & 25 in Alexandria, Virginia at Judy Gula's shop "Artistic Artifacts".
The day after my class, Liz Kettle is teaching her "Metal Magic" class. I can't wait to take this one! She will be talking about using metal in fiber work as well as covering different patina's that you can use on it.
There is a kit for this class so you don't have to bring any supplies.
Woo Hoo! My kind of class.

We will be going to "Art & Soul" at Virginia Beach, Virginia to help Judy in her mobile shop there.
I will have a vendor table the last night, so drop by if you're in the area.
I'll be offering original artwork, prints, rust media packs, handmade books and a couple of other goodies.

I also want to tell you about a (fairly) new site called "Seek Your Course".
Jess Greene (an amazing mixed media encaustic artist) started this site up to gather all the classes, workshops, conferences and retreats into one cohesive place.
It's an amazing site, with tons of options. All you need for choosing your next creative learning experience.
I've included my classes there as well.
Check it out!

Pen and Paper

There is an old building across the highway from my house.
It has such character (in my opinion) and has a ton of potential being remodeled as a house.
All those high ceiling, wood floors. It has a small apartment off to one side and a larger one in the back.
It is presently being used as some type of business (in the front of it) and the couple that runs the business live in the back.
I love the rusted tin roof over the lower level as well as the extra long windows on the upper level.
I've always imagined a huge open studio/teaching space on the lower level with living quarters on the top level...
never hurts to dream, right?

Anyway, here is a quick sketch of the place that I did.
I simplified the details to make the sketch go quicker.
This is on watercolor paper (with a preliminary sketch in pencil), finished with a Pitt Artist Pen.
I have one layer of watercolors on it and plan on adding more later.

I like the ladder in the upstairs window.
Wonder if they are going to do some (much needed) work on the place?

More Urban Sketching

I forgot to post one sketch from The Children's Garden this week.
This is a small semi-circle flower garden with pansies and parsley in it.

I am going to sit on my patio tomorrow and sketch the warehouse across the highway from my house.
I'll post it in a few days.

Urban Sketching

I'm getting more and more inspired by urban sketching through this blog - "Urban Sketchers".
Check it out and catch the fever!
They have published a book - "The Art of Urban Sketching" which was just released this week.
There is page after page of inspiring peeks into a large group of urban sketchers.
If this is the type of activity that interests you, pick up the book.
Check out the blog.
Or better yet, grab a friend (or two) and create your own "Urban Sketching" group.

It's also a great way to meet other artists in your town too.
I met a wonderful, talented, intelligent and charming woman through our Greenville sketching group (hi Sarah!)
She and I have similar interests as far as wanting to improve our true "urban" sketching skills. So, we set out to do just that.
We met in downtown Greenville one day this week for some sketching, talking, teaching, learning, conversation, laughing and- let's not forget this-lunch!
It was an absolutely gorgeous day in Greenville! The temps were in the upper 60's. There were plenty of birds singing, flowers breaking the confines of the winter rest and people just seemed to be smiling more.
The promise of spring always does that, doesn't it? Even though we have barely had a regular winter season as yet.

We walked to Linky Stone Park, home of The Children's Garden (along the Reedy River) near the Swamp Rabbit Trail in downtown Greenville (SC).
The park has a "Five Senses Garden" that includes flowers and/or herbs that are in alphabetical order (this is a fantastic extra for an OCD person such as myself!) .
They have a "Secret Garden" with beautiful paintings, a Peter Rabbit fence with a portion of the story painted on the fence itself, as well as several statues.
I especially liked the huge pig one.

This pig, Vincenzo, is 4' 5" long and a little over 2' tall!

Here is a cool You Tube video about The Children's Garden that is highlighting art in public places.

The park is under a major bridge in town so you can stand in different places for a great view of the city's skyline.

You can see the back of the famous "Poinsett Hotel" in the upper right hand side

I don't know the name of this building but you can use one of the
 small  bridges (for walking/bikes)  over  the Reedy River to get to it

I took several photos of the area and will try to go back and finish my sketches. My main goal was to improve my urban sketching skills and become more comfortable sketching in public. Both of which will take time...
The downtown Greenville area is just teeming with interesting sites to sketch.
I love this city and hope that we will be stay here as my husband continues his search for a job.

You should get out in your own town with sketchbook in hand...draw your life!