I cut some herbs and plants from the garden as inspiration for some drawings. This series has been a lot of fun to make. They'll be at Artstream in just a couple weeks!
:: NINETEEN, graphite, watercolor, on paper, 4.5 in. x 6 in.
:: for "Mapping the way" show at Artstream.
Angie at Cozy Nest has posted about a Pay it Forward (PIF) exchange. She asked three people to join, and I accepted the invitation. A little about Angie: she made a beautiful quilted pillow that I like and takes really appealing photos. So go visit her site too!
To quote the process of the exchange and extend the invitation to you:
One of the surprises I mentioned, and really it was a surprise to me, is this Vandercook press. Friday, my husband surprised me by planting it in my studio! I was teaching all day so I had no idea what he was up to. We've had it in our possession for about 6 years but it's been in his shop not being used. So he cleaned it up, dusted off all the type, and he and a friend lugged it up the stairs.
The last thing I used it for was to print part of our wedding invitations and thank you notes on it. I'm excited to to use it again. There are trays of old type; letters, images used in newspapers, etc. Now, I just need some lessons, as I've taken printmaking in intaglio, litho, pronto print, silkscreen, but not letterpress! Anyone know of a good (online) resource? Perhaps I will sign up for a workshop at the Arts Center.
history: This press belonged to M.'s late uncle on his mother's side. Before we married we brought it from his parents' house and put it in his shop, as I didn't have a studio at that point. This is the first time I've had it in my studio.
inspiration:: check out Christy Schneider's lovely letterpress swirly personalized notecards in chocolate & lilac.
Saturday I drew my first drawing in my new space.
:: SIXTEEN, graphite, watercolor, on paper, 4.5 in. x 6 in.
:: for "Mapping the way" show at Artstream.
It's blog action day, topic: environment.
I like to think that little things can make a difference as well as the big, at least in getting us to think about our impact.
*I walk to work
*we use compact fluorescent light bulbs
*recycle everything, down to the tea bag wrappers
*carry canvas totes to the store, generally, although we do use the plastic bags to empty the litterbox and I would really like a better alternative to that! arrgh, don't like those plastic bags!
*I use reusable containers for packing lunches, instead of baggies
*use biodegradable & plant based cleansers/soaps/detergents/toothpastes etc. for the home.
hmmm, my mind is running blank now... So please share ways that you help the environment, and perhaps you'll give us all some ideas! What are the small or big ways you conserve, reduce, reuse, recycle?
I found out about blog action day first at alicia's blog. go check out her post, it's a good one.