Today I decided to go outside and really look at my backyard. I wanted really take the time to see the colors and textures in the plants. Of course, there were also the weeds, mess from the dog and all the spots that could actually use a plant or two — but in general I was out to focus on the positive! I took a lot of photos to add to my inspiration board and wanted to share some with you. I was going for texture, pattern and color — my three favorite things!

While thinking about my next steps as an artist, I had a chance to go through my files and folders with project ideas. I ran across some wire weaving patterns I recently purchased from a wonderful artist by the name of Marilyn Moore. Her vessels are amazing and are woven with 32 guage colored copper wire. As I am working on finishing up my current project, I am inspired by this artist’s amazing talent. Check out her work online: Marilyn Moore Fiber Artist. The image below is of her Aladdin Lamp.

For my final project in an Introduction to Printmaking class, I had to create a 3-color image on the theme of boundaries using any of the techniques we learned over the semester.  I chose the paper lithography method to create the image. I started with a rough idea of the composition and then printed it out on my laser jet.  Knowing it would be pulled using three colors meant my registration had to work!  The following pictures show a little more about that part of the process.

I had the opportunity to make my first book as a part of my printmaking class. We used Arches Text Wove paper for the interior pages and I selected a lovely handmade paper for the cover. The book is 5″ x 9″ and bound with a 4-hole stab-stitch Japanese binding technique. I am really happy with the results.

I am going to try this with fabric and use the same techniques I employ for fabric postcards to create the cover.  Stay tuned!

I finished the silk screen print today.  So all in all I used 4 colors and 8 separate stencils for this one.  Lessons learned;  Masking off areas where you do not want color is always a good idea. If I hadn’t masked the edges I’d be starting a bottle of wine or a 6-pack about now. :S  I think I’ll call this one “Flight Path” because it reminds me of dragonlfies over a stream of moss covered rocks.  I am happy with the results.