Re-commit

In the flurry of this summer’s extraordinary events, I have pushed my musings here to the back burner.  

Under the Ballard Bridge, 5:54 am

On the Morning Walk yesterday, I wondered if I want to remain committed to maintaining a presence in Blogland and decided: YES, the rewards of participating in this community are rich, providing inspiration at every turn.  

View out the window riding Metro downtown last week

So, I here-by officially re-commit to regular visits and regular postings here.  Flossy may even get a chance to say a word again soon.

A random stack of papers on my table yielded this surprising little accidental collage when I moved things around in the studio last Thursday.

From last week, an as-yet untitled acrylic on paper, 8"x8"

 

Last Tuesday I began the 'Twenty Print Challenge' workshop at Pratt.  I was more than a bit nervous, returning to etching after twenty years!  Would the waters be too deep?  Knowing that the only way to overcome fear is to go right on through I took the plunge and found myself up to the challenge. 

Press setting for my copper etching plate which is a bit thicker than the other print makers are using.

Being back on a press again is thrilling magic.  I also think being involved in another medium cross-pollinates one's other practices in interesting ways. 

ink, acrylic and charcoal drawing on brown paper bag

Print number one of the Twenty Print Challenge!

In other news, moving into our own apartment in a quiet building on a shady and secluded side street has made life a lot less jagged and opened the way for some small routines to begin to emerge.  

Sunset at the Locks

 Serenity is much closer at hand.  

Now if Flossy could just do something about all these pesky squirrels...

Daily Drawing

The winter has returned to us in the form of excruciating blue skies, plummeted temperatures, and a thick diamond sparkling of hoar frost on the ground.  We went out to the Blind River Rapids trail this afternoon and caught the sun on its way down at about 3:30.

As I mentioned last post, my art-making is curtailed to the sketchbook and the camera right now, but I have a plethora of projects steeping in my mind, ready to start in a new space in a new place next month.  I feel a bit like this drawing which showed up a couple of nights ago:

"Free-fall" - pigma pen and prismacolor pencil in 5x7 Moleskine

Resolution: Elizabeth Murray

I have been looking a lot at the work of one of my favorite painters again recently.  Elizabeth Murray's (1940-2007) use of humor, color and form endlessly inspire me.  Here is a video clip of Elizabeth talking about resolving a painting.

I am so excited to get back to work at the studio tomorrow.  Hope you are working well this week and finding resolution.  See you over the weekend for the Drawing Challenge, presented this week to us by BarbaraBee.

Leaves

Leaves have a shape I love to draw and paint.

In the alley my studio is located along there is a pussy willow tree...

...which has shed its leaves for the winter.

I had fun color-changing them...

...and studying the negative space around them.

Happy Thanksgiving to friends who live in the US.  

Lots to be grateful for everyday, I think.

Village Challenge

I was over visiting Kel last evening, and became inspired by her post about community.  She challenged readers to make a visual depiction of their support network as row houses.  Here's what followed in my sketch book as I reflected on my own tribe.

pigma pen, watercolor, cassein and prismacolor pencil in 9x6 sketchbook

Detail

Great prompt, Kel.  I have a lot more contemplating to do on the supportive relationships in my life.  Blogland friendships are a part of that, for sure, and I thank you all for your comments!

(Thisdrawing is the final page in my 9x6 daily book, and I will be moving into a pristine new Stillman & Birn 'Gamma' series book next.  Thanks for the recommendation, Lynne!)

We are Recognized

Flossy

 

Flossy and I are pleased to have received our first blog award, the Liebster, bestowed upon our little bight in Blogland by Nadia over at the Province of Multicolored Pieces.  Thank you, Nadia.

As part of the terms of the award, we in turn honor 5 other bloggers with 200 or fewer followers whose work consistently moves us.  Our nominations:

1.       Fiberrainbow – From her home in the Netherlands, Els shares her love of color through photos of her beautiful felted works and fiber art in a voice which is kindly and joyful, always on the sunny side.

2.       Cachepot – Poetic drawings by a loving soul who nourishes her readers with photos and writings which are spiritual meditations.

3.       Here with T – T’s art is created with a deep sense of connection to the land she loves.  Her photos of Australia transport me from my rainy, cold home to her warm, parched one.

4.       Carole Reid – A fellow Northwesterner, Carole’s blog shares her wonderful art and warm sense of humor. 

5.       True Adventures of an Art Addict – Honest, intelligent writing accompanies Sharmon’s dreamy artwork.  

From what I have been able to research, the Liebster Award: honors bloggers of note who have under 200 followers.  The Rules (of course, this is entirely voluntary):

1. Thank the giver and link back to her/him.

2. Reveal your top 5 picks and leave a comment on their blog.

3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

Blogging continues to make my life rich and full in connection with all of you through reading your beautiful blogs and corresponding via comments and email. Thanks again, Nadia, and happy day to all from Flossy and me, sus