Permanent Markers and Rubbing Alcohol Explorations

Today I continued playing with permanent markers and rubbing alcohol. I decided to see if I could do a drawing and see what happens. The inspiration for my first piece of inspiration was a feather I found and keep in a bowl on a table in my family room next to my couch where I sit. It was interesting to discover that the black Sharpie did not bleed much. Not sure why. I do like the effect.

For my next piece, I used three different permanent blue markers- Sharpie, Bic Mark It, and a Sukura Identi Pen- because they were each a different color blue. The blue Sharpie ran the most.  And once again the black did not run much. Too much fun! Going to continue playing and I think these will end up in little quilts. What are you doing to keep the winter blues at bay?

Life's Unexpected Gifts

Louise Kirby's journal from our small group Sisterhood of the Traveling Art Journals arrived today in the mail. I must say that Helen Lindton's maple leaf is even more impressive in person. I immediately got inspired by the feathers I found in my yard earlier today. I felt so good to just flow. I included three quotes that I love. I will let it rest until tomorrow when it will be revisited to see if I am happy enough to send it home. I think the book needs a bookmark so I am off to create one.

I also think it is pretty incredible how small the world can be. I participated in Shannon Ganshorn's International Mixed Media Postcard Swap where you make 10 postcards and receive 10 postcards. Well, you can imagine my surprise when I got a small envelope made from an old calendar not only filled with a wonderful postcard but Australian postage stamps and paper. Next I got an even bigger surprise. The package was from Pam Parker who just happens to be Louise Kirby's mom! I love it!

"Look Deeper"- Feather Quilt Done!

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - Albert Einstein

Actually this quilt has been done for quite a while, I just needed to photograph it. This all began when my friend, Carol Esch, sent me blocks she had discharged using a Thermofax screen- one on blue fabric and the other on black. We share the love of feathers as well as other things. I hope she is pleased. I am anxious to begin working on the black fabric feather and see where it leads me.

This summer I have felt the loss of two pieces of nature. For the first time in 15 years, a chickadee has not made a nest in the bird house on my front porch. The house remains empty. For the last two years, I have had an unique relationship with a female crow. She has introduced me twice to her new off spring. She has given me gifts and used my bird bath to soften her meals. I have seen no sign of her. Actually, I have not seen any crows in my area since winter.  I am surprised at how much of a loss this has been to me. Life.

Expect Magic and Miracles

"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly despairing, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all  I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing." -Agatha Christie, An Autobiography

Progress! It has been a busy week with a couple of days of caring for Tom who had knee surgery. (He is doing well.) I have made some progress on the Carol's feather. I so appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. I abandoned trying to make the figure work (she will end up in a piece of art since she keeps calling to me) and have moved it from a piece on loss to a piece on hope. The crow will have the words "Expect Magic and Miracles Everyday" on the piece of cloth it is holding in its mouth which will not be sewed down. The words are also on an alter I created in clay (I'll share tomorrow). Adding some other elements is still floating around in my head. It will be fun to see how this piece evolves. I cannot wait to get started on the feather on the black fabric. It is good to have this to focus on since the days have been rainy and cold. I am in need of spring and green.

I will once again participate in Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Fridays. Hopefully this piece will be completed by next Friday.

Tissue Paper Feathers as Winged Messengers

I seem to seriously have feathers on the brain lately. Working on Carol's feather, it suddenly struck me that I could make paper feathers and use them as my Winged Messengers. I wanted them to be some what real looking. I did not care for my first attempts out of construction paper-too kindergarten looking. Digging through my supplies I came across some yellow gold tissue paper. Success! I used two pieces of tissue paper, some simple white string and spray adhesive (I knew I bought that stuff for a reason). I am going to play around with adding color but I think this is just what I was looking to make and share. They will be much easier to slip into places without being noticed than the watercolor papered winged hearts. Now back to working on my feather quilt. Enjoy!

Incredible Gift, Crow Mask and Releasing with Love

 I continue to be amazed and pleased to be in the company of so many people who share my love affair with feathers. Yesterday in my mailbox I received the most incredible discharged feathers from my friend Carol Esch. I have been the most grateful recipient of many fine gifts from Carol over the years. The fabric is on my design wall. I think I am going to start with the black one. I have an idea which is noodling around in my head. Should be a challenge and fun. With deepest gratitude, thanks Carol.

Monday night I was able to bring home my first in what I see being a series of crow masks. I love the way this one came out except I did not do a good job (lesson learned) in placing straight holes so that I could have items coming up from behind the mask. I am still debating as to whether I consider this one done. Time will tell.

Thanks to everyone for their encouraging words about my clay work. I lost a long time follower last week because she felt that I was being "too distracted" from "my life mission" with clay. She couldn't "support it any longer." This made me sad on many levels.  I have always played with different kinds of materials and feel that it is  important to be creative in every way that I can. Creativity feeds more creativity for me. Also above all I want to be a kind and sharing person. No one likes to hear that she has disappointed someone especially me. I love my followers and appreciate their support and kindness (I am still amazed I have them). So I release Maureen with love.  Is it difficult for you to let go of people?

Clay Feathers

As a reader of this blog, you know I love collecting and making feathers. Since I am now playing with clay, I decided to see whether or not I could make them. Here is my first attempt. I'm happy. When I picked them up at the studio on Saturday, it was interesting to me that the Resident Artists liked them and everyone took turns selecting which one they like the best. I found it interesting that the middle two got the most votes. Which one do you like?

On the plane ride home from Galveston, I was fortunate to run into Ingrid Thomas-Hooker a middle school art teacher originally from Indiana and now living in Houston. Being able to discuss art and clay with someone made the trip home a delight. I certainly hope that our paths cross again. She is someone who I think could make a great friend.