Update

Hello!
I don't know what these flowers are, but I sure do enjoy looking at them.
I survived my birthday (and the massive quantities of alcohol that I foolishly consumed), and have been back in the studio.
Doing what, you ask? Mainly facing my fears. I have sucked it up and sucked it in, and I have restarted illustrations for the elephant story. I hope to have the first of three illustrated by the time I see K and Fuz in September--but don't hold your breaths. What pushed me to it, you ask?
I watched Mirrormask. It was like being inside the work of Dave McKean.
The plot was really good, but by the end your brain wanted to crawl out your ears and hide somewhere dark and quiet. By which I mean: EVERYTHING MOVES ALL THE TIME.
I really like his art in a 2-D format, but I'm not built to handle it in movie form. When I read the elephant story, the images were like something from McKean's work: ephemeral, a little out of focus, with lots of layers. I guess the ambition of portraying his world in the media of film made me realize that I can handle the task before me.
Another helpful hint:
If it sucks, you can always start over.

Norway Maple

Norway Maple. 11.5 inches by 11.5 inches. Paper, block print, glass beads, cork, vellum tag, netting, grommits, norway maple seed pod.


Call it assemblage, call it mixed media, call it whatever. This is the first time I've used grommits on paper and I have to say that I'm a definate fan.
The whole shebang is mounted on black cardstock, and at some point in the nebulous future I'll go and get it framed. But for now I'm doing tutorials out of volume seven of Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine. I should have something to show for it next week.
I love that magazine. It's a summary of just about everything I've wanted to learn how to do.

This weekend we're having 4 houseguests...all of whom are going to be coerced into celebrating my birthday. Which is Saturday.
(Hooray for me)

Something new

Here's a shot of a work that I just finished. I'm trying out new techniques, using multiple prints, overlapping and embellishment.

Yesterday I had to run out a buy more glue at the craft store and came across a magazine that I am in love with: Cloth, Paper, Scissors.
It's focus is collage/mixed media. And it is full of helpful tutorials, interesting ideas, and artist interviews.
Newly inspired, I'm back in the studio.
Hooray for art!