Twice the Work

So I got my studio space painted in a nice yellow, but once I stepped back to admire the wall, I decided it was hideous. So I broke out the paint chips and started digging. I wanted something bright and clean, but I didn't want anything too pastel. I chose the two colors pictured here. I am a long way from finished - the space is about 800 square feet. The green is painted on a huge column that comes down in the center of the space and divides it in two. I think my hot water heater ties in nicely with the decorating scheme - don't you? My first classes here begin in two weeks, so I have to get tables set up, painting to a stopping point, and everything in its place... and quickly!

We haven't had loads of time for new work, but we've been turning out a bunch of prototypes for stemless wine goblets. I'm hoping to settle on a design I just love. Also in the works are some espresso cups and saucer sets, a whole slew of mugs, and a lot of small bowls with a few big ones thrown in. I have returned for the first time in ages to making pitchers and have been surprised at how easy they are. I did an entire semester of pitchers in school once, and my hands seem to remember the dance well.

We've Been Picassoed

Cynthia of Colorado Art Studio, a friend of ours in our blog ring and on the Etsy Mud Team, had a fun blog post this week with a self portrait, Picasso style. She had created it at Mr. Picassohead - a fun web site where you can make your own Picassohead painting. Of course I was distracted by the opportunity to play there! Here are the results - mine looks far more sophisticated than I ever do and Alex's looks a little scary.

Truthfully, the last thing I should be doing this morning is creating portraits with this website. My to do list is continually growing and while I tick off things constantly, it feels like things are getting added faster than I can get them done. I had a very unsuccessful day at the wheel yesterday and tossed more than I kept. I suppose days of experimentation are like that, but it got frustrating quickly. Today I will try again and hopefully work out the kinks.

I played on my new felting machine yesterday. I have nothing worth bragging about to show, but it was fun. I made a new felt doll and clothes to give to our preschool music teacher. She sings a song about getting dressed for winter and her felt board doll was beginning to look a little ragged. It's no wonder my to do list keeps growing when I stay sidetracked with little projects. I suppose it is the curse of the creative mind - I am easily distracted.

Reproduction

For a while I've been working on a printing method in order to make affordable reproductions of my nursery art. I have researched giclee, tried professional printers, and even my own inkjet without finding what I want. Finally, I upgraded my own printer to one that uses archival, lightfast inks and started printing on 80 lb watercolor paper that I trim to glide through the printer. Success! I am able to now offer 8x10 reproductions of my nursery art for $13.00 at my etsy store, Into The Fire.

Still, I've been thinking for a while that what I'd really like to do is screen print simplified versions of my nursery art. I am working on the screens now and gathering what I need. I'm hoping that I'll be able to bring to light what I envision. I think that, having never screen printed before, my undertaking might be a little ambitious. Thankfully, my etsy friend The Milkman, who created the shirt to the right, has offered to share his expertise and encouragement with me. I know he does good work because I have bought two shirts from him already! Also encouraging me in this endeavor is Muttsywonder, who you will be hearing more about very soon.

Nursery Art

About a year ago I started painting with children in mind. This painting is for a friend of mine who is expecting her third child. She has a boy who just turned four, a daughter in heaven, and soon we will be joined by the younger boy. I wanted to welcome little Jerryd and celebrate his birth, but I also wanted to remember Grace. Grace had such an impact on me and my family and she still does. Alex and I held her the day she was born and felt her spirit still heavy in the room. I cannot begin to explain all that Grace taught me in those moments and all that her mother taught me in the months that followed. I think of her often and I am grateful for her presence in our lives and her footprint on our hearts.