 I was just taking a stroll in my backyard and was surprised at all the new growth and color since the last time I was out there which was only a day or two ago. The periwinkle and phlox are in full bloom. There are dandelions everywhere feeding happy bees and the little lilac buds are forming. I thought this one was a white flowering lilac but these buds are looking pretty purple.  The changes in spring happen so quickly that they can easily be missed if you're not paying attention, but how can you not pay attention when the colors are just screaming to be gazed upon. I found these grape hyacinths growing in a spot where I did not plant them. That's always a nice surprise.  Last week, I saw these little flowers in the wildflower garden at the Connecticut College Arboretum. I had to look them up to see what they were when I found a small patch growing in my own yard. The delicate perennial wildflower is native to the Eastern United States and is called bluet. It also goes by quite a few other names including quaker ladies, Venus's pride, Little innocents, and eyebright.  New workshop coming in June! I've been creating and sharing a sketchbook collage every Monday on Instagram and Facebook for about 3 and a half years. I've learned so much over that time and when I look back at my older sketchbooks I can see how my work has evolved. For quite a while, I've wanted to share some of what I've learned but translating it into a class format has taken more time than planned. I think it's because these collage works get started with a much more personal and intuitive approach than the other more process-based classes I've been teaching. Sometimes putting into words why I do things the way I do can be difficult. I've been spending more time paying attention to my thoughts and intentions while working so I can more easily express these ideas in an uncomplicated and helpful way.  My new Sketchbook Collage Workshop is very close to being done.
Studio organization update Last month I talked about how I was rearranging things in my studio space. I'm still making small tweaks to see what's going to work the best. For it to be an efficient workspace it needs to be organized but because I spend so much time here I also want it to be comfortable and pleasing with colors I enjoy and having items around that are meaningful.  I've been in need of organized shelf space for papers and supplies. Since I never seem to be able to find exactly what I need to fit a particular space I turned to Pinterest for some help and cardboard was the answer. Click here to see how I made this desktop shelving unit and another small DIY project. I'll continue to share more DIY studio updates and tips as they come about.  She turned to the sunlight
and shook her yellow head, and whispered to her neighbor: "winter is dead" ~ A. A. Milne
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Last month I mentioned that I've been moving things around in my studio space. For it to be an efficient workspace it needs to be organized but because I spend so much time here I also want it to be comfortable and pleasing with colors I enjoy and by having items around that are meaningful. The first thing I tackled was the need for more organized shelf space for papers and supplies. Since I never seem to be able to find exactly what I need to fit a particular space I turned to Pinterest for some help and cardboard was the answer.
 Ahhhh, spring is here! It's so nice to see some green sprouting and to feel the sun's warmth getting more intense. Another seed catalog came in the mail so I definitely have to make up my mind about what seeds to get and place my order before they sell out. I'll admit the catalogs are more for dreaming about all the things I'd like to plant before it's actually warm enough to get outside. I get most of my seeds from local stores but I will order seeds for those unusual heirloom varieties that aren't popular commercial sellers. Each year I like to plant at least one thing in my garden that I've never grown before. Last year it was Escamillo peppers, a mild yellow variety that was delicious. The year before it was ground tomatoes. I didn't care for them but that's okay because the chipmunks were more than happy to come by each morning and help themselves. This year my new to me plant will be the herb Angelica archangelica.  I've been reading John Forti's book "The Heirloom Gardener" It's a beautifully designed book full of information, garden quotes, and lots of bright spring green illustrations by Mary Azarian. The first chapter is all about Angelica. I was fascinated by the description of its chartreuse hollow stems and the large white umbrels loved by bees and butterflies. As a culinary herb tea, syrup, and cordials can be made but it's also known for its medicinal qualities. Angelica is a biennial, which means I won't get flowers this first year but even so I can't wait to see the seeds sprout. Hmmm, I wonder if the angelica leaves will be good for eco-printing?
 "It's exciting to see things coming up again, plants that you've had twenty or thirty years. It's like seeing an old friend." ~ Tasha Tudor  Signs of spring are starting to appear! Yesterday I saw the tops of daffodils poking their heads up through the ground. They will probably get covered with snow a few more times before they really get going but it sure makes it feel like spring is on the way. February turned out to be kind of a strange month for me. I had lots of plans for filming and scheduling my next workshops. Things quickly got off track but in a fun and creative way. I came across Stitch Camp on Instagram, a 5-day challenge hosted by TextileArtist.org. I was attracted because 1. I love to stitch and 2. Gwen Headly was going to be the instructor. I have her book "Drawn to Stitch" and it's one of my favorites to flip through for inspiration.
The project began with acrylic paint mark-making on fabric. We then cut the fabric into small sections, rearranged them, and pieced it all back together with a variety of decorative stitches. I finished with an 8" x 15" rectangle and after I back it with denim it will be made into a pouch of some kind.  From stitching fabric pieces together I moved on to stitching book pages together. In the Handmade Bookclub that I joined back in October of 2020, we get instructions for monthly book projects. It's been a great learning experience and has given me new ways to use the rusted, eco-printed, and onion skin dyed papers I love to make.  I was so intrigued by this book structure with a window on the cover that seemed to offer endless options. I love how the soft neutral tones of the eco-print and the linen cover came together. It's my favorite book so far. Just FYI - If you're at all interested in handmade books there is a 5-day Journal Challenge starting on March 7th. You can sign up at Vintage Page Designs. I highly recommend giving it a try! My next diversion started because of some studio cleaning and an Amazon order. I knew I was probably the only artist left that didn't own a POSCA paint pen so I figured it was time to get on board. Now I have three and I love them.
I have to say I've really enjoyed the role of being a student and am glad I made time for the creative play I'd been craving. So, what will I be doing next? Hopefully, at least some of those things I got sidetracked from this month : ) Watch for more self-paced online classes - Mailscape Collage will be first, and then an Intro to Eco-Printing later in the year. I'll be doing several Zoom Eco-Printing classes, which will start in July. I'm putting together another plant list. This one will focus on leaves that make good prints. If you missed my list of "My 10 favorite plants to grow for an eco-print garden" last year no worries, I'll be making that available to my email subscribers again soon.  "Beautiful sunsets need cloudy skies." ~ Paulo Coehlo  Happy New Year! We're only a few days in and things don't seem that different but I am hopeful that 2022 is going to be better than the past two years. I don't make resolutions, I prefer to reflect on the past year before looking ahead. It helps me get a better idea of what I want for all the different parts of my life. I still have some serious planning to do but in the meantime, I found this quote and thought it sounded like the perfect way to start any plan I might come up with for the new year.  The first time I saw and read this quote it made me smile and laugh because the silly part of me could imagine doing all 3 of these things. Doesn't it sound like a fun way to approach the new year? Well, even if I don't 'hop happily' and 'scream loudly' to friends every day you'll certainly find me collecting lots of shiny things. If you remember, last month I mentioned to start saving your holiday foil candy wrappers. Well, they are some of the shiny things I've been collecting for a very long time.
My first workshop for 2022 is "Sweetest Valentine" and it's all about repurposing foil candy wrappers into "Sweet Valentines". Maybe you have a few leftover from the holidays? If not, it's the perfect excuse to go get a bag of sweet treats - just for the wrappers of course : ) In the class, there's a little painting for the backgrounds, covering heart shapes with burnished foil wrappers and embellishing with some simple stitching.  Registration opens on Friday, January 14th, 2022   "The new year stands before us,
like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written." ~ Melody Beattie |
AuthorHi, I'm Kathy a collage, eco-print artist, and rust enthusiast who loves to teach and help you along on your creative journey. Archives
March 2023
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