More Everyday and Some Stitching

Number 29, Draw something architectural and this was part of the wetcanvas weekend drawing event (wde) a couple weekends ago. I love buildings like this almost as much as I love old boats.

Number 24, a piece of fruit.  Our grandson brought us a pear from a tree at his mom’s.  “Lance threw it down and I caught it.”  I do like painting pears so it’s my fruit.  The next day instead of doing something different, I did the pear again before we ate it.  I like the first one best.

both of these were done on note cards which will go in my desk to use when needed.

I have to admit, I didn’t sketch everyday but I did do some art, in my studio.  Finished 6 purses, 5 will go to the gallery Saturday, one I’m not happy with so not sure what will happen to it.  I haven’t photographed the purses yes but here’s a photo of a start on a table runner I’m making from scraps.

I did a few more quick sketches for the Everyday Challenge but I haven’t photographed them.  I may – or may not.  I will keep sketching because it’s fun but my daily sketch for the next several days will be more like this last one.  I’m hand painting Christmas cards this year and would like to finish enough for everyone, no two alike, so I have to get crackin’.

Some sketching and some sorting

Another bag for the Everyday Matters challenge, I know, I already did one but this is such a great bag and what a fun one to do.  It’s part of the David Baas collection at the Tri-Cities Historical Museum where my plein air buddies and I sketched last week.  If you haven’t seen the collection do go, it’s fascinating.

I only got three more done from the list…. a piece of jewelry, my spinner ring, lower left; a tin from the kitchen, our cinnamon shaker; and a hand, mine.

The rest of the week I spent in my sewing room sorting fabric.  Here is a look at the mess and one small portion done.  You can see what my favorite color is….

That small pile on the left is only a fraction of odds and ends to sort.  There is a very large table in the next room, 4’ x 8’, also full of piles like that and I’ve put 2 boxes of fabrics like satins and velvets and one box of laces on a shelf in the next room.  I need to get stitching to make room for more fabric.

More Everyday Challenge And A Painting In Process

I got 5 done this week and managed to get a small painting done.  For some unknown reason I’ve been in a funk for awhile and haven’t been painting, my muse has been visiting someone else.  Maybe she’s been helping my friend Li deal with leaving the Bahamas.

This week done… the leaf above, my morning coffee cup; something from my collection, the blue bottle; an antique, my ivory and silver eraser and brush; and a bag.

The daily drawings, my creativity class and my plein air group have kept me going but just going.  Today I woke up enthused and had some ideas….. Hooray!  My muse came back from vacation!  I’ve been in the studio all day and I’ve been productive, it felt so good.

Admittedly, most of what I did was clear space so I could work,  It’s a start!  And a couple of the ideas I woke up with are actually in process.  Not far enough along to show anyone but in process, that’s the important thing.

And finally, the painting in process.  It’s small and it’s non-representational which is way out of my comfort zone but what the heck…

The Everyday Matters Challenge

My first entry, the first one on the list, a shoe.  It was easy, I was wearing one.

I didn’t manage to do a daily sketch, my grandson’s Halloween costume had to come first.  More on that later.  For now, the next three I did ….

A well loved object from childhood, one of the miniature pottery cups and saucers from the set that went with my dolls…

Next was something Holiday themed.  This time a Santa I made from one of my husband’s discarded patched Pendalton shirts

And Draw in public.  After viewing American Landscapes at the Grand Rapids Art Museum we stopped for an appetizer and a glass of wine.  I sketched a fellow sitting at the bar.

And my grandson’s Halloween costume, he wants to be a car so here it is.  The touch of red is from Grandpa’s ski suspenders shortened so they fit his shoulders.

do I dare

This is a sketch I did a few years back; we were having dinner late and the entertainment had started.  I already do sketch regularly but not always daily. I don’t know how I’m going to do with this but I’d like to give it a shot; a challenge I’ve seen many times -- the Everyday Matters Drawing Challenge.  The challenge is on Danny Gregory’s website.

I did finish all of the exercises in the book I challenged myself to finish so I’m on a roll.  Right now I’m drawing on cards which will be used as my Christmas card; everyday a different piece from my collection of Christmas decorations.  It’s new for me, usually I paint a winter scene and have cards made from that.  This year I decided to do something different but I digress.  Back to the challenge….

There is a list of 300 plus things to choose from; I’ve listed 52 of them figuring between my Christmas card and the list I should be able to get through it by the end of the year. 

The real challenge for me is to post  regularly.  I’d like to be able to post daily but I know myself well enough to know that isn’t likely to happen so I’m saying weekly.  If I manage to do more, it’s a bonus.

Here’s the list….

1 – Draw a shoe
2 – Draw a desk lamp or other lamp
3 – Purses, Wallets or Bags
4 – Draw your mug or cup
5 – Draw your bed
6 – Draw your favorite well-loved object … or a childhood toy
7 – Draw a bottle, jar or tin from the kitchen
8 – Draw your watch or other piece of jewelry
9 – Draw “organized chaos” –messy desk, table stacked with books, etc.
10 – Draw your hand or hands (or someone else's if you like)
11 – Draw your glasses
12 – Draw what you ate for dinner
13 – Draw your telephone (land line, cell, old-fashioned?)
14 – Draw what you see in the morning when you get up
15 – Draw a tree or trees, leaves or branches
16 – Draw a favorite tool
17 – Draw a musical instrument
18 – Draw the view from a window of your house, office, etc.
19 – Draw something you’ve made
20 – Draw something “Dad” – in honor of Fathers Day
21 – Draw something old, antique or vintage
22 – Draw a piece of clothing
23 – Draw your foot
24 – Draw a piece of fruit
25 – Draw a glass (the kind you drink from).
26 – Draw anything you like                                                                 27 – Draw a book or anything else you want.
28 – Draw an appliance.
29 – Draw something architectural.
30 – Draw a chair.
31 – Draw something you collect
32 – Draw something metallic
33 – Draw an eye
34 – Draw a fall leaf
35 – Draw a bicycle or a part of one
36 – Draw out in public
37 – Draw some keys                                                                         38 – Draw something related to Halloween, All Souls Day, All Saints, etc.
39 – Draw something with folds
40 – Draw a landmark of your city
41 – Draw something you are thankful for
42– Draw something china or ceramic
43 – Draw an animal – a pet, a zoo animal, a stuffed one …
44 – Draw your medicine cabinet (the inside of it)
45 – Draw something holiday themed (Hanukah, Christmas)
46 – Draw a challenge from 1-46 that you didn’t try before
47 – Draw something that represents your new year’s goal or resolution
48 – Draw your refrigerator interior (and contents) or exterior
49-- Draw your home’s entryway
50 – Draw your TV and favorite show playing.
51– Draw a mouth and journal about speaking out or holding one’s tongue …
52 – Draw someone or something you love – and journal about it.

Anyone want to join me?

Discovering Kantha Embroidery

What I find intriguing about Kantha work is the use of one simple stitch to create intricate motifs. How easy is that; and, it’s just a straight stitch.

That got me interested so I did a little research.  One quilter I found did a beautiful quilt full of little circles, intricately done but using only the simple Kantha stitch.  I can’t remember where I found here but will have to make work of finding it again.  My little fish is about the size of her circles but not nearly as intricate or as colorful.

The blog I learned the most from was Deepa from India.  This is part of what she had to say about it….

“The art of Kantha (pronounced Kaatha in the north, Kontha in the east, kantha in the south) originated among the rural folks of India and literally means 'rags'. It was a method used to make fresh usable pieces of clothing from old worn out clothes especially saris. Bengalis were especially reluctant to throw away their fine quality muslin and cotton saris.All the old clothes are first cleared off the zips,hooks and buttons and any other embellishments and then piled in layers and stitched.”

Since hand embroidery is something I add to my small art quilts that adorn purses I decided to try it on one of them.  This one is a combination of reverse applique and the Kantha stitch….

I like the look so I’m going to have to do a bit more practicing.  Yes, it’s a simple stitch but even is better and mine is anything but even.  I’m not aiming for perfect but I would like it a little more even than I’ve done so far.

How it started and wondering where it's going

This little jam jar is where my journey as an artist started.  I didn't paint it, my mother did.  She gave it to me for Christmas when I was 30.  When I learned that she who didn't think I had the talent required to be an artist painted it I made work of finding someone who could teach me china painting.

 

I spent a couple years painting china with my good friend Joan Potere.  Joan lost a battle with cancer many years ago but back when we were painting together we talked another friend into teaching us oil painting.  China painting was set aside and I was immersed in oil painting for several years.  During that time I also did a bit of pottery and some jewelry, and I was making my own clothes.

It was also during this time that my aunt and I owned and operated a knit shop and I was designing

sweaters, dresses, skirts and a variety of other knit pieces along with a variety of other needlework pieces.

 

Eventually I discovered watercolor and rediscovered drawing for the sake of drawing.  I concentrated on those for many years and still enjoy them.  However, the sewing I abandoned when I decided I didn't like making my own clothes has resurfaced.  I am once again, watching what others are doing, trying new ways of doing things, experimenting with both of my sewing machines and having fun. 

 

I have no idea where all of this is going.  It's been a fun ride so far and I expect the road ahead will be the same.  I'm still painting...

This is a small plein air piece that will be in Grand Haven's ArtWalk.

 

And here are a few new stitched pieces

This one is going to go on a purse

so are the next two

This one is sold, it's an 8" x 8" art quilt

And recently I learned about the art of Kantha.  It originated among the rural folks of India and literally means 'rags'. It was a method used to make fresh usable pieces of clothing from old worn out clothes especially saris. Bengalis were especially reluctant to throw away their fine quality muslin and cotton saris. All the old clothes are first cleared off the zips, hooks and buttons and any other embellishments and then piled in layers and stitched. I love the look so I'm going to be doing some of that next.  Stay tuned.