Studio Update

A few views from the studio since my last post.

A new painting (still untitled) that I had the idea for since 2017. My daughter posed for the arms then. I could envision the moons between the hands and the trapeze, the water, the goldfish. The lotuses. Even what they would be wearing, but not the bird heads. I was thrilled when they appeared! Many of my collages from years ago featured women with bird heads so it was nice to see them again. Especially hummingbirds.

As I was painting I was thinking about the passing of time. It has been almost a year since my father died and while I was painting I was thinking about aging. See the black circle there, just under her shoe? I think that represents what is next. That when it is her time she will simply slide right into the great mystery.

It feels so good to start bringing the ideas to life that have been perculating for ages. What a blessing these hours of studio time are. I definitely don’t take them for granted.

Currently, in the space there is a new painting in the works and two fabric cyanotypes at their various stages. One is horse themed with lots of stitching and appliqué just started. And the other is a fiddler and her story. I’m trying that in both paper and fabric and experimenting with adding color. I may try to paint her also. Images hopefully soon.

And there has been learning to crochet this summer. Dish cloths and wind spinners so far. An ear warmer. I’m still such a beginner but it has been just the thing for when fibromyalgia and MCAS says not today for the studio. What a stress-reducer the repetition is. I love it!  I can’t wait to learn more. Maybe a scarf next?

Gardening also filled many hours of our days this summer. I filled my phone with photos of tomatoes and peppers. Mounds of cucumbers. Jars of canned salsas and pickles.

There was some slow stitching.

And getting the sewing part of the studio in shape. I made a harvest apron for using in the garden and let me say, with my limited skills, it was not easy, but it was super rewarding.

At first I was hard on myself for not being more productive but I suppose this summer was about following the muse. Finding and following the joy. Being curious. Playing in the studio and seeing what I would make if I could make anything. What would I make without thinking of sales? It was fun and confusing at times. I felt lost for much of it. Without purpose. I would spin in circles amidst so many unfinished projects.

I journaled a lot to try and find my path.

Autumn has brought a clearer vision of what I hope to create in the future. I will try to be better about sharing those things here in this space. I do miss writing about the glimmers of the day, the things that inspired and brought a smile.

John is helping me set up a UV light station in the garage so I can make cyanotypes in the colder months. The doggies are letting me know that my light was just delivered.

More soon.

Thank you for stopping by.

Xoxo.