Visitors make the Trolley Hop!

Last night's Trolley Hop went a long way in reviving my spirit.  For the woman who actually came looking for my demo on screening with thremofax machines, the 2 women who inquired about prices in their colorful jackets, the close to retired gentleman who is thinking about looking into Paducah's Artist Relocation program, to a friend of Nancy who previously purchased Sankofa Bird and has it hanging in her kitchen, I say thank you for stopping in.  Visitors really are challenged to walk through the building which is huge to find artists in their studios which looks sparse due to the size of the building and the number of spaces where artists select not to participate coupled with the vacant spaces.  I'm always trying to recruit artists to consider leases there, as it generates energy when working around other creative folks.   

Some of what I saw that amazed me last night was an artist who carves hummingbirds and butterfiles using wine corks, chopsticks and other recycled items.  I was stunned thinking about how his mind visualizes wine cork to very detailed and intricate hummingbirds.  I tend to think in broad strokes and fluid gestures so it leaves me in awe to think out another may see in small miniature details.  I can't recall his name and I've checked the Louisville Artisans Guild website looking for his work and its not there, otherwise I would share with you.  I'll get it today when I go over to my studio.

The first demo cloth was testing out freshly made screens and getting a view of how they might play together in a design.  

The second demo cloth was one that I immediately fell in love with and the screen will be one of my "go-to"s.   I drew the image in response to "branching out", the April theme for The Sketchbook Challenge (see button in the side bar).

My Mother came through the first surgery beautifully.  She will be having a second surgery on Monday and will need a little more care and support.  Going over to the studio will be "catch is as catch can".  Peace.

Does my sign look silly? (silly is a good thing)

I'm beginning to think there is no such thing as "routine".  Not sure if it speaks to an inability to gain some edge of control over my time and what I react to...or if "control" is a  myth that doesn't really work.  This morning was about excercising just the opposite of both of these.  I was drowsy, sleepy, and dopey all rolled into one but I went to the studio anyways.   Nothing intentional happened...did some breakdown printing with the screen seen in the previous post below this one.   Also, made a sign to hang in my window.  This is found embroidery from who knows where...I thought about making a quilted sign and at some point I might feel disposed to actually doing that. 

I might go back and wiggly waggly outline some of the letters to create more visual play.  Even though there is a cultural, social, and economic reasoning behind the name, it mostly tickles me when I say it so I thought why not add a little visual comedy to the appearance of it.  I thought about using burlap, lace and cheesecloth but thought it best to just keep it simple in time, appearance, and process.

Deb, my sister is on her way here to stay with my Mother for about a week or so and I am preparing to go over and spend the night as well if I can get the stationary 02 tank at her house I have one here and one there)  filled tonight.  I recently learned that the liquid tanks evaporate on their own even when not being used and the one there is on E.  My mother is having what we expect to be an out-patient surgery and has to be at the hospital at 5:30AM tomorrow!  I believe I just got sleepy typing at the thought of it!  

Hangeth in yall!

Love a good storm...

Its storming here.  Pot of coffee.  Ice Cream.  House work.  Books and mags.  Sketchbook.  Sweetie snoring.  Computer.  Scrabble...describes my day.  

Mo left to take Carter to the barber and if I had had myself together I would have been dropped off at Mellwood while its storming.  I don't feel up to driving in this and then having to walk across the parking lot with my rolling pink book bag while juggling an umbrella overhead.  

The end of May I have a workshop with Claire Benn and Leslie Morgan at The Crow Barn.  I had already decided that this would be my last major workshop to travel to for a long while.  Since last summer I have had the overriding feeling that I really have everything and more to create the art work I want and that my focus should be concentrating on staying in the studio as much as I possible to even begin to make a dent on my ideas.  

The first of April, however, I decided to try and sell my spot.  So, if you're reading this and have an interest in taking an advanced workshop with 2 hard working instructors with incredible insight into the creative process, or know of someone who might be, email me at seamless_skin at yahoo dot com.  Go the www.nancycrow.com and check out the workshop, Working With Intent before emailing me.

Shortly after I made this decison I learned that Jane Dunnewold will be running a year long workshop based out of Louisville.  If I sell the spot at The Crow Barn, then I'll enroll.  If not then I plan to enroll with Jane the 2nd year.

If I haven't sold the spot by the end of April, then I'm going to forge ahead and plan to attend.  I have to set time frames for holding on and letting go of issues in order to move on.  

and in the vein of counting my blessings...I'm a recipient of a textile collage from Marion Coleman! I finally hung it a few days ago and when I turn my head left from my desk, this is what I see:

 

And this lovely inspirational card from Carol sits above my desk at The Chitlin' Circuit:

 

Here is what I left on Thursday:

 

Artists Interviews

Elmer Lucille Allen

Valerie White

Lisa Austin

Penny Sisto

Dennis Shaffner

Tracy Pennington

Fred Miller

Deborah Stanley