New work

I don't usually post photos that are not art related. But I have these three miniature Angus steer in my pasture and I couldn't help recording and posting this. They don't look too tiny to me!




Oil painting of my barn road and gate, still unfinished. Drying time, you know.










Paint on fiber. Actually, Caran d'Ache watercolor crayons on Pima cotton to create an ethnic image for a challenge.










Paint on fiber silkscreened on Pima cotton for a piece I'm creating to add to an upcoming challenge.

Penciled Peaches

After all that fabric dying the last couple of weeks, I haven't had enough energy to do much. So tonite I put pencil to paper to capture the image of the first peaches I purchased this season. I used Caran d'Ache watercolor pencils on soft press watercolor paper and I planned to soften the image with water, but I like it the way it is.

Peeking - NOT

Friday, March 26, 2010
Peekin"

I had a great idea for the color challenge. I worked on it again last week and was pretty satisfied with it and took a photo. When I went to upload the photo to the blog, I was aghast. It looked garish and awful. Back to the drawing board. I'm not sure what happened between the original and the photo, maybe I am looking at my work thru rose colored glasses. I write down some goals that have nothing to do with my art. But they are very important to my recovery. I have also beemn reading an interesting book, "The BRAIN that CHANGES ITSELF" by Norman Doidge, M.D. Hello Doctors and therapists, Why aren't you implementing these practices for us? They won't hurt and may HELP! I'm determined to see if they will work for me. Stay tuned...
Posted by Cathy in gorgeous Sonoma County at 5:57 PM

A New Year, New Work

Happy New Year! I spent a quiet Eve with Ryan AND Dick and finally hit the hay around 2am. It was a pleasure to sleep in the next day, although I got an 8 am wakeup from a friend who was in my driveway. EEk! Luckily he stayed there. The roses were one of thr centerpieces I made for my annual Christmas Eve bash. Lots of family and Santa!

This is my glass tree in the family room. I've collected glass ornaments for years and have enough to decorate this whole tree.


My daughters did the honors and decorated the trees. Lights blew out, not once but twice but the end result is a thing of beauty. I wonder when it will come down.

It has been raining here for days. This afternoon I finally saw some blue sky. I worked off and on all season creating first Christmas cards from an old Italian card. I painted silk scarves for my Stitch an B!@#$ friends. I made a Twin-sized dinosaur quilt for my nephew.I spent most time working on 2 paintings. I hope to get pictures soon as I forgot to take pics before I wrapped them. They were both mixed media pictorials. One of my daughter riding English in a show many years ago. I think she liked it. The second was of 2 dogs that belonged to my brother and his wife. A huge yellow lab and a sweet Golden Retriever. Unfortunately the dogs are no longer with us, but were vital members of their family. I saw tears and that could mean anything.

I've been working on my piece for the 12 Connected group. I finished my "Whisper Challenge for SAQA and stitched some UFOs that I'm going to mount on paintd canvas. Pictures later when allowed. I've been reading this year's words on the QuiltArt list and haven't come up with anything new. "Create" has been my mantra for several years and I plan to continue. I'm trying to find some balance between my painting and fiber art.My number one goal is to keep getting better.Thanks to all I've learned from this year.

On the Wall

Wow, its been a busy month. I sent my largest piece so far, "A Few of my Favorite Things" off to Pacific International. And hung my "Undersea Symphony" at Gary Farell Winery in Healdsburg (Sonoma County wine country). Our Pointless Sisters show at the Sprint Center came down, but we are working on pieces for two upcoming shows. The photo above is just an idea not yet coming to fruition. The background is a piece I dyed some time ago and has been waiting for a design. I don't think this is it.

This is something I've had on my wall for a couple of months and still am not sure what to do with it. I love to discharge fabric and enjoy the surprise of the final colors. I've been spending several hours a day learning the Corel program in a class from Quilt University. I used to be a whiz at this stuff, but I'm really challenged learning this. I've had the program for several years and took a class with Caryl Fallert but then had the stroke that stopped everything for so long. It's slow going but I'm determined to learn it.

This photo is a peek at a corner of a piece that I finished painting tonight. I dyed the fabrics for the base colors I wanted and fused the pieces in place. Then I painted in some detail with Shiva oil paintstiks. It's mostly quilted, but I plan on adding a bit more surface design. If it is accepted in an upcoming SAQA show, I'll post a picture of it.
I'm also trying to keep up with my painting on canvas. I'm currently working on a good-sized acrylic and a small oil. I need more hours in the day. I promised myself I'd try to post something this week and I met that goal. I was really lucky that I had power all day. This storm really blew and thousands are without power all over the bay area. We really need the rain and we got it. Record amounts! Off to bed.

Works Out and About

I finally was able to get this up. It seems Blogger wanted me to resign an agreement and I missed it.So my piece in this picture is a red doghouse with my 2 Bichons resting comfortably. It was a challenge to benefit an organization that trains dogs for the disabled. Right up my alley!

Oh well, I seem not to be a very good blogger. I've been doing quite a bit of painting. On canvas, on cabinets and on doors.
No pics yet, even though I brought my camera into my studio. but
i do have some news about what I've been up to. I have a quilt on display at the Rocky Nountain Quilt Museum. (Cool!)I have two pieces on exhibit at Soft Expressions Gallery in Anaheim, and the Sprint Center And I have my largest piece so far going to Pacific International. I've had a photograph chosen to be exibited at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, and, if I can get this photo uploaded, I can show you a piece on display at the American Sewing Exposition. I've been interviewed for a printed piece about disabled quilters in Machine Quilting magazine. I'm also exhibiting in group shows at Gary Farell Winery and next year at Moshin Winery and Rincon Valley Library. So even though I am horrible about blogging, I am working hard. For some reason, I cannot post these pics. I'm currently working on a discharged piece that has been on my design wall for a couple of months. I'm still teaching monthly at one of my groups, so I'm staying out of trouble!
Update:
I was so lucky to have a friend come over to help me set up my large Epson. I purchased it, used, before my stroke. So it's been sitting for over 4 years. I know I have power to it, but need to get a USB cable connection for it. I can't wait to use it! Thanks, Helen. That's the good news. The bad news is I spilled a can of dark walnut stain on my family room area rug and it seeped thru to my bamboo flooring. I was able to get it off the floor without staining but the rug is trashed. Off to the dumps with that. Thanks again Helen. So no art today. But I'll be working on it tomorrow.

Art and needles

It's June already! goodness this year has flown. This weekend is the Santa Rosa Quilt Show and Sale. So, if you are available, head on over to the Veterann's Hall in Santa Rosa for a great show. I have four pieces being exhibited. The Obama tote bag, the vineyards piece. Counting crosses, which didn't make it in to Sacred Threads. These areall on previous posts. The fourth piece is a partial collection of Art postcards I recieved after my stroke and some from a swap I participated in a f
few years ago.

I bought a bunch of artichokes this week. They looked so captivating that I had to draw them. This is a colored pencil drawing. I got so relaxed while doing it, that I think I'm going to be doing more of these.

This is a portion of the large wall=hanging I'm doing. I's almost finished, I have to make one more dragonfly. It is the first piece I've done for myself and it will be part of an exhibition later this year.
I just remembered that I never took photos of my portfolio book, but I'm "too pooped to pop" now. I had my first acupuncture treatment today. It seems to have taken some pain from my neck. I'm hopeful it will balance me out.

Stolen photos

No pictures tonite. I'm trying to unravel the mystery of who is stealing others' pictures for their own gain. Mine wasn't the only piece ripped off. I recognized paintings of Melody Johnson and Elin Pendleton and Lots of others works that didn't belong to the person who posted. Unfortunately, I don't have much to go on as I deleted the email when it locked up my laptop. My time wasted!

Painting Paradise

My brother and sister-in-law have fallen in love with Hawaii and recently redecorated their room with faux painted walls and a tropical theme. They were looking for something with a tropical theme for an empty space on their wall. I offered to check with my art group if anyone had anything like that available. I was in the mood to paint and thought, why not? So here is the almost finished piece. The flash really dimmed down the brilliant colors. What do you think?

I also basted 2 art quilts and hope to get them stitched tomorrow for the black and white challenge.

David Letterman had Obama on tonite. Excellent and thoughtful questions and answers.

A Lovely Day

I spent an absolutely lovely day at San Francisco's Legion of Honor Museum. Those who know San Francisco know that it is frequently shrouded in fog. A wonderful heat spell is currently bathing the bay area in warmth and the views of the Golden Gate Bridge were spectacular.

We were greeted with blazing bursts of orange, yellow and red glass twisting and shimmering in the sunlight. Dale Chiluly's glass-blown sculptures are amazing.

The Legion also offeres a large blue piece which must stand close to 15 - 20 feet tall.

The piece that really caught my eye is a large three piece chandelier which hung from a domed glass ceiling. Fabulous!

We went to see the Women's Impressionists exhibit. We were not allowed to photograph anything, but I carry the images with me. If you can, get to San Francisco to see this amazing exhibit. Mary Cassat, Berte Morrisy, Eva Gonzalez and another whose name I unconveniently forgot.

We had time to visit the main galleries, where I found Rodin, Cezanne. Picasso and Sissely among others.

Horrible photography, but you get the idea. I've spent the rest of my time recreating my studio. It's an enormous amount of work and I really wish I had 2 working arms.

A little shaking going on in the Bay Area. A 4.2 earthquake just shook us up. Just a big jolt. No damage here.

A very late dinner awaits. Enough for now.

Breaking Traditions piece previewed

Check out the Breaking Traditions Blog for its preview of my Maya Angelou piece, "Still I Rise."

Or check it out here!

Garden Delights

I tried to upload pictures 3 times and Blogger seems to have a problem. I had a horrible day today trying to rework my black & white piece. Nothing accomplished except frustration. So I took a lunch break and visited my "garden" and picked 2 fresh tomatoes. Luscious to look at; yummy in the tummy.

(Okay, the 4th time was a charm.)

I started gardening in Earth Boxes several years ago when I hurt my knee. They are a godsend now, as I cannot work in a garden since my stroke. I've got them lined up on my deck. I had fresh strawberries the last two mornings (2 boxes). I have four tomato plants, (2 boxes) six pepper plants (1 box) 3 crookneck squash (1 box). green onions (1 box) and a box with basil and beets. It is so nice to step out and pick fresh, organic produce.

So after lunch, I took out my pastels and worked on a tree study. I'll post a pic if Blogger fixes itself. Better luck tomorrow on me black & white.

Thanks for all the gracious comments on the Obama totebag.

Anyone for Acrylics?

I've been exploring painting landscapes and taking a break from abstracts. I am fortunate to live in Sonoma County, California. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Lovely vineyards and a short drive to the ocean and I still have room to breath, yet I'm still close to San Francisco. So I joined an artist's group and we have a show coming up at the end of the month.


200 acres of Gallo's premium Chardonnay grapes are at the end of my road, but I chose a red variety for the color contrast.



The marguerites are all in bloom, so I made up a little still life of those. I don't think it is finished yet. I'd love some feedback on these, so feel free to comment.


I see a misshapen vase. It is interesting that I ddidn't really notice that till now. Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow.

Boo hoo. Michael Johns got booted off AI tonite. I hope he gets a record deal. Great voice.

On to reading email. Don't forget to say hi.