Printsy Thursday #3.

Ahhh.. . So happy to be posting the 3rd in the series - Printsy Thursday. This week I would like to introduce Alishagould. One of the newest members of the Printsy Team, Alisha is a screen printer. I love screen printing because it is so smooth. Unlike lino-prints or woodblock - (which I love too for other reasons) - the silkscreen allows the artist to apply a thin layer of ink onto the paper without much texture. You can usually achieve fine, razor sharp lines. In this way, Alisha can convey the gossemer quality of this ship's sail (shown above - Titled "Set Sail").


I really like her imagery and use of color. Perfect for anyone, really (I wouldn't mind one - especially the "Boardwalk Arcade")!

Think of Dad for Father's Day too.

Poison Ivy - 2; Graeff's - 0.

I was doing something this past holiday weekend. No - not at the shore, or camping, or chilling; I spent two whole days - clearing. It was actually pretty fun because we purchased a super-charged weed wacker to try to tackle the wildlands that surround our new house. The grass was waist high - and the underbrush - formitable. I am a novice with this type of foe - my previous yard was fairly tame. M hit the grass - mowing - for 5 hours straight. I took on the edges. The moisture in those weeds was flying everywhere - I won eventually - and could see the fence. The rest of the time was spent moving the 15 bush carcasses that we cut down last month to a better location - so M could mow the backyard too.

I though all was well - until Tuesday.

Wow - how uncomfortable is this! I have gotten Poison Ivy before - but I seem to have blocked out the torture. M has it even worse - poor guy. I had to purchase a whole new bottle of Calamine Lotion - and it really doesn't do the job like I wish it would.

This situation wouldn't be bad really - except that we have so much Poison at the new house - the vines are two inches thick up about 15 trees in the backyard and more along the fence. When I first saw it I really didn't think it COULD be poison - it was just so BIG. Oh well... we will look back on this and laugh... right?

(photo above: Poison Ivy - in case you aren't familiar.)

Lookin' Good.

Back on line - great thing!
I picked up my supercharged Mac yesterday - finally! To commemorate the day - I also purchased some iKlear. I really had not noticed how dismal my laptop had become. As the Mac guy was showing me the new Leopard - and finding my BOOKMARKS ( hurrah!) - I couldn't stop staring at the filth on my screen, keys - generally all over. I guess having the computer in the kitchen and referencing recipes, sending e-mails, and otherwise surfing with cooking hands can make things a bit greasy to say the least. No longer. I have a svelte - polished machine.

Very Proud.

Now - I have to figure out how to get my mail to open...

Small Step..

At least I got one picture to upload to blogger - after trying for TWO days!! I just had to add the one to the Tea party (post below) - the colors are just so lush..

Off to Kids Castle - fun , fun...

Arrghhhh..

Ok - I have read others' posts about computer problems with some interest lately - as mine is getting on in computer years ( 4 ) and has had few (maybe none) updates. Interest mainly because I could feel their pain - and knew I would probably be in their shoes at any moment. (but not now - of course)

This morning while getting e-mails - I tried to look at some pictures my father sent to me of his rennovation at the shore house. I couldn't get to the pics (my safari was just too old!). Oh - but I wanted to see them - so just update to the new version - no problem I thought. CRAP. Now my safari and my mail don't work.

Thanks goodness my dad is a Mac guy (isn't it his fault in the first place - being to tec with those pictures?). He politely told me that my operating system - Leopard - or Zebra or whatever is just too old to get any updates. I will be hopefully receiving in the mail tomorrow - and update (upgrade as in the movie Robots).

The goal here is to upgrade without completely erasing all of my STUFF - and pictures and other bits and pieces - because I know just where everything is! And - to be able to post with PICTURES - as now (using some ancient version of Explorer - I really think it's from 2001) I cannot see any buttons on Blogger to add photos to anything....

And lastly - goal - to be able to still see all of my BOOKMARKS - because I can't tell you how carefully I have been saving everyone's addresses etc - and I hate to think of trying THAT all over again..

No Printsy Thursday this week - wish me luck.

Puppy Cake and Coconut Milk.

Up early having tea on the porch with my sweetie. She really did all of the work; slicing, baking, preparing, pouring – it’s nice to be waited on!


So, I have been in a discussion with my children for the past week or so about coconut milk. They have the idea that it is some kind of treat – and have requesting (every five minutes) that I buy some for them to drink. I usually have some in the cupboard anyway – but just was out. It doesn’t taste like candy – I try to tell them – but to no avail. This morning, with my “tea” I opened up the can of C milk. (I figured tonight I would make some kind of Tai dish to use it up). I poured for a very excited little face. The drum roll, please – and a smile – but then, disappointment.

I think pride kept the liquid in her mouth for a full swallow– but no seconds for sure.

(Let’s have Nutella instead).

Printsy Thursday #2.

So, I guess that part of my Printsy Thursday routine will be trying to make the post before the day is actually over. I’m not totally disorganized – just time challenged!

Today’s lovely artist Lu of Lusummers is (as is required) part of the Printsy Street Team! (If you haven’t heard of Printsy - more information Here).

I wanted to showcase Lu’s work as I find her use of layered texture combined with printing methods to be very compelling. There is history described in her work. Even the simple graphic designs printed on text – make me think of Egyptian hieroglyphs - perhaps the larger printed motif really is the expression of all of the written words beneath.

And even in the stitched and collage pieces feel as if they are describing a series of events– like a summer vacation – or special day - all stitched up together in one overall memory. Enjoy!

First Sketches.

Here are the first two sketches of the Charlotte House. The first is just a quick note to myself – just to "see" the house for the first time.



The second is getting more graphic – I am trying to eliminate and hone in on the details that capture the character.



There is something about the large tree in the image that I will try to incorporate – kind of an embrace of the structure… more to come.

Say “Cheese”.

Tonight I will be beginning a portrait of a lovely home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Because this is such a perfect subject for a linocut – I thought I would show how I go about interpreting a photo into a portrait.




I received these two photos of the house via e-mail. As you can see, the pictures capture the whole front of the house. Because this home is quite close to it’s neighbors and faces the street directly – I like the picture to be as straight as possible to the structure. If the home had some land around it – or was set back at an angle – I would request a number of different views to get a feel for it’s personality on the lot. In any case – these pictures are very nice and give me a good view of the details.

The sketching comes next. I was very optimistic this morning that I would have had an image ready to post by now – but it just wasn’t meant to be. With a morning of cleaning (very necessary) and an afternoon of fun kid’s play-date and t-ball – I’m just spent. Will have some sketches by tomorrow – so stay tuned.

Another look.

What a great weekend off! Breakfast in bed - and cleaning out gutters at the new house. Who could ask for more? I hope all of the mothers out there had a day just doing what they enjoy!

So, not too much in the way of inspirational or busy pictures. I thought another image of the kitchen of our new house – when it was truly new (circa 1959) – would be interesting to share. Don’t you love the juxtaposition of the “modern” architecture with the original appliances? It’s all relative.

(oh - and look at the very right edge of the pic. - Ironing board in use!!)

Printsy Thursday #1.

This is the first of the series “Printsy Thursday”. It is a way for me to show off wonderful printmakers that have a shop onEtsy – and are also members of the new Street Team - Printsy. Begun by She Rides The Lion and M Lee Fine Art - this Etsy Street Team is very fledgling – only 3 weeks young. The mediums used by all members are not so new, however, and represent a variety of traditional printmaking techniques – intaglio, linocuts, woodcuts, silkscreen, lithograph and monotype (no digital prints of original artwork). You can read more about Printsy on the blog and see members’ images on the Flickr group page.



So for the first Printsy Thursday #1 I am showing the work of Kate at Nydampress. I thought I would start the series with a Linocut artist as I am a bit biased. Nydampress was one of the first shops I found to “heart” last fall when I found Etsy and her direct imagery inspired me to break out my old lino tools to give it a try. (Thank you !)
I really enjoy seeing the detail of the blocks, usually shown in the second photo and the way the image seems effortlessly captured.





Have a great day!

Busy bee.

Just a little view of my work from last night. Needed to print and paint these up to give to my sister - who has graciously offered to sell them this weekend with her photos in Philly. There is a craft fair down in South Philly on Saturday. Wish I could go - but ballet lessons are taking over my life. Ciao.

Remember me.

"In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends." -Kozuko Okakura

Just wanted to share a few snapshots of my garden today – what a perfect afternoon! I am still a bit sad about leaving all of my “friends” behind. I just hope the next owner will enjoy and take care of them. For now, I can take their picture so when I look back I will remember this day.

All wrapped up.

These two fun and useful bento boxes have been on my front table for a week now – just waiting for me to get around to wrapping them up and sending them out. Two different friends have had babies this past few months – and I am very late in sending gifts. I decided to get one of each of these boxes from Plastica and then filled the two trays with great handmade treats from Etsy. One pair of booties (each)– lovingly hand knit by the coffeelady – and one Juicy Bug (each) from Dreamalittle. All 4 of the items I received were great – well packaged and in perfect condition. *You will have to check out their shops - as I already packed everyting up :)

Upon searching in my plethora of rolls of paper in the attic this morning – I realized I have no paper that will work – mostly Christmas leftovers. Here is my solution – better than having to get in the car (I hate doing errands).




So now they are ready to go.


(If anyone has received a House print from me – you will recognize the tractor from your gift card!)

Lemonade.

When you have lemons.

I inevitably have problems with some of my prints. Especially when a block is new – the ink sometimes will not adhere properly – or a funny texture develops. I don’t have a heart to just throw them away – and in any case they make great coloring pages – as you can see here. I do need to add to the image selection or I might not have any takers next time!


Great work from the peanut gallery!