I started making these fabric wall hangings this summer as something that could showcase my photos of the beaches, as mementos for the touring customers in the gallery and I was hoping to sell the 3 or 4 more that I made. I had no idea that they would take off as well as they did, and now I’m having trouble keeping up 
Somehow between finishing my bowl for the Empty Bowls bennifet and making thanksgiving dinner, I need to sew some more for the gallery. This is a peek at a few… I paint the background fabric, print my photo on cotton and sew it on, then layer on goodies that I find on location.
Archive for the ‘TALES FROM THE ART SIDE’ Category
Fabric Wall Hangings
November 18th, 2009
Playing around with a little clay
June 14th, 2009
I couldn’t sleep last night, so I pulled out my pottery clay and made a few bugs They will need to be fired and glazed, but here they are in their still wet, raw glory. Below are thumbnails, so just click on each one to see it better.
The holes are for wire attennas to be inserted when they are done, and the long skinny one will hang, so it has an extra hole.
Not naked anymore :)
May 27th, 2009
My bare naked bird…
May 26th, 2009
… you know I used to have a bare naked bird for real. A budgie named Buddy… he moulted once, dropped every single feather except one or two on his little tiny head, and he never got them back. A bare nake, ‘plucked’ looking bird. Oh poor little buddy. He lived a few years before he went to birdie heaven, where hopefully his angel wings were feathered!
Back to my bird… I made this little guy this weekend, using air dry clay. I’m not sure how I’ll paint him yet. I want to make a whole bunch more… it’s kinda zen like to play with mud very relaxing. (click the pics cuz the thumbnails cut off the beaks)
He’s kinda rough still, not yet sanded smooth – but I don’t think I want him totally smooth, because I like the rough look.
Another one started!
May 26th, 2009
Can you guess what this is?
I’ve started another cage skirt “doll”. I construct the cage, from scratch, soldering each wire connection as I go. I’m not an expert, so some ‘welds’ as my dear friend calls them are bigger than others, but that’s ok – I’m a woman, not a machine, lol. I love soldering the skirt… more than any other step, it’s the funnest and most gratifying for me.
Here’s a little hint… later this fall (or maybe by mid to late summer), I’m hoping to teach an online class for this…. is there any interest???
Do you see in the top, center of the photo… a cement/tiled round thing? That’s the base for the cage (skirt). More pics to come as she progresses.
Amilee – available on Etsy
May 22nd, 2009
She’s signed, sealed and ready to be delivered
Available in my Etsy shop right now
click to see her on etsy
A sneek peek of Amilee
May 19th, 2009
She’s my latest painting. I did her in a style I Have not done before, and it’s by far my favorite method so far… I think I found “my style”. I have used all my fave methods and combined them into one style … acrylic paint (made translucent like water color), wood burning the outline, adding in paper like always, but the best part is something new I tried…. instead of using acrylic paint on her face, I left it ‘naked’ and only used my wood burner and some pastel chalks to giver her life. I love the effect. Acrylic paint is used on her eyes, lips and hair – to make them pop.
I need to finish her shirt, then get her photographed with my good camera – this is just my camera phone (her background is showing blue, but it’s really more green) and she’ll be for sale on Etsy. I need to go the fabric store for some organza for her shirt, this weekend.
Every direction
May 5th, 2009
My mind is swirling with projects! (which is a good thing right?) It’s how I’m my thoughts are arranged … in every direction like the bands of the ball. (more on that later in the post) I’ve got so much on the go, but it sure feels good to be working on all things creative….
For work, I’m helping jewelry designer, Sandy Comstock of Toby and Max, with some new ‘one of a kind’ designs, using her sterling elements, and fun things like pearls and precious gems. I guess I’m playing guest designer for a few things – that’s fun! I’m also working on a brand spank’n new design for her website – it’s going to be pretty! I hope to have that done in a few weeks, but it seems that’s the first thing that gets pushed to the side when I get busy. Cross your fingers that I’ll have it for June. Here’s a plug for her…. stop by her online store and use code TracyToldMe for 10% off! Good till the last day of 2009 – woo hoo!
In the studio I’ve got 2 mixed media paintings on the go… 3 knitting projects (if you can believe that – since I’m normally quite challenged with that kind of thing), a new caged doll that I’m constructing from scratch, and 2 sewing projects! Holy cow – has Martha Stewart invaded my soul? The art is just in my blood, but domestic artsy crafty stuff like knitting and sewing is not my forte… but I’m sure having fun.
Oh, are you wondering about the rubber band ball? The photo is kinda fun hey? The first in my series of office supplies that I think would be fun, framed in an office or studio. I love office supplies, and hardware store goodies – especially wing nuts – I really love wing nuts! Maybe that will be my next series… I just can’t turn off my brain these days!
What are you working on? Share the link to your photos and blog posts
We have a winner!
March 2nd, 2009
A heart is on it’s way to……
Comment #9 was chosen, from random.org… so I want to congratulate Linda Lou!
Thank you to everyone that played along. This was fun and I’ll be doing another give away soon!
heARTs to be scattered
February 26th, 2009
These little guys were made to scatter about to friends or the community, as part of Love It Forward.
Each one is a painted, 2×2 inch canvas with an air dry clay heart. Each one has a magnet on the back.
If you would like one of these little guys, post a comment and I’ll randomly pick a winner on Monday.
