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!

busy, busy!

I swear that there is zero rhyme or reason to how my images get uploaded to blogger. I will try to make sense of this mish-mash for you anyway, because I like you.
Up first! I have been busy designing invites again. The above is what made the final cut for the invite--it's based off of a brooch by Georges Fouquet (1921). So while I am extremely talented and a joy to be around, I just thought you should know that I didn't come up with that on my own. As one art teacher once told me: no artist creates in a bubble. I believe it, I practice it, and I try to give credit where credit is due.
Next! This is one of my sketchbook pages, containing six (that's right SIX) new prints that I have cut. They are (L-R, Top-Bottom): An Ash branch, a Gingko leaf, an Ashleaf Maple Leaf, a honey bee, a Maple leaf, and a Norway Maple seed pod.
All of these things will be finding homes in larger works over the coming months. I feel that I'm really on the cusp of something big--something combining printmaking, painting, embroidery, embellishing, and text. I have a feeling there will be a few moments of "what was I thinking? this is terrible!" before I get to that sublime place where everything just works.
This is another print that I was doing for the invites, but I loved it so much that I absconded with it and now it's making cameo appearances in a number of larger works. It's probably what's going to tie the whole series together: crescent goes for a stroll.

Now it's back to the studio for me!

Here's a less-than-stellar shot of the second work that I've done for those dudes.
Step one: measure out a square. Subdivide into dimensions resembling a polaroid photo.
Step two: divide image field into three sections: sky, water, sand.
Step three: lay down paper for sand.
Step four: lay down paper for water.
Step five: lay down two fish-scale prints. One in black and one in turquoise.
Step six: lay down map of Virginia 1607-1627.

Step seven: pour glass of chianti and call it a day.