One River, many views

I spent many a morning and afternoon exploring the city of Monroe while walking to and from my new job at the library.  The Riverfront really captured my attention and became the subject of many photographs and ultimately acrylic and fabric collages.

Fabric in progress...

And more progress...

Finished pieces in Landscape Show at Two Twelve Art Center

Prayer Flags

Good Grief!  Has it really been almost 6 weeks since I've posted?!  It seems life gets in the way sometimes.  I have a couple of ongoing projects that I'm working on right now.  I'll share one of them today.

Prayer Flags!  These are loosely based on Tibetan Prayer flags that I've seen in a number of places.  As I met with a group of fabric loving gals, I was granted permission to commence on my heart's desire of creating my own "take" on these lovely and for many, spiritual art.

Landscape, Lace, and Long Ago

When I'm not working, I'm generally found in my studio...working!  Lately I've been obsessed with fiber.  My fiber guild decided to show some of our work at Saline library next week, so I've been up to my ears in fiber, fabric, and thread!  Here's a couple of examples of what I've been working on step by step......

Landscape

Did you notice the onion bag I incorporated?

Lace

Long Ago

This piece you might remember, was for the Paris Challenge.  I called it "Paris 1940's"

A Challenge called "Paris"

We were given a challenge several months ago during Cake Eaters, an art group I'm involved with.  It was a one word theme...Paris.  Naturally visions of the Eiffel Tower immediately come to mind.  However, my frame of mind hasn't been normal lately.  So I thought...and sketched...and dreamed.  The week before the deadline I physically started putting my ideas on fabric.  This is what I made...

I call it, "Paris in the 1940's"

Excuse the Pins!

I've started another fabric scrap collage, because I wanted a more monochromatic, ethereal feel.  By George, I think we've got it!  A good start, anyway.  If you can see through the pins.  I'll be basting soon and adding a few surprises.  What do you think?

Fabric, Layer, Stitch, Repeat

It seems this last year of my life has been about rediscovering art.  I've never given up working with my hands, but it has been in a more practical way.  Planting, harvesting, preserving, caring for animals, perhaps creating the occasional greeting card, or putting together a few scrapbooks have been the extent of my creating things.  It appears I left having art in my life when I left college. Until this last year, that is. 

The last 12 months I have been rediscovering the art of creating in many different media through classes at Two Twelve Art Center and Quilting Season.  I've worked in creating acrylic paintings, recycled sketchbooks, needlework and embroidery, felting, mobiles, glass, photography, drawing, collage, paper weaving, encaustic, and quilting.

In that time, I have discovered  an affinity for encaustic collage and fabric/fiber collage.  I've used my sewing machine more in the last 6 months than I did since owning it in the last 17 years!  I've enjoyed the process of experimenting and collaborating with other artists on their techniques.  This fabric collage I am working on currently is from verbal instructions I received from fellow artist, Kat, a gracious teacher who is always willing to share her knowledge with others.

This is not a finished piece, mind you.  It is still a work in progress.  As I continue to put my composition training to work, and experimenting with different textures and color theory, I have a long way to go!  This piece is taking a bit more time as I have been working with all hand sewing and embroidery.

Here are some details:

Here are my first steps in the project:

I'm hoping to work on a series of this type.  I'll post more as it unfolds.  If you have any tips or comments on what I've done, please post!  I welcome all comments and critiques.  Happy Creating!