*tension

currently i'm working with crochet. my grandmother taught me to crochet when i was in elementary school. i still use some of her crochet hooks that she gave to me years ago. i used to attempt to make granny square afghans, but i could never control my tension. i'd begin with what seemed like the correct stitch but by the time i finished a few rows i could barely get the hook through the previous stitches.

i'm feeling less tension these days and picked the yarn and hook back up. last night i even taught myself some new stitches - tunisian crochet - i love it. it looks like it was knitted. i can't knit - i've tried about a million times to teach myself - talk about tension! i hope to incorporate the tunisian into some interesting jewelry. here are some samples of regular crochet - not anything great at this point. i'm trying to figure out what i like and what others might like. my aunt rosemary gave me a huge box of sewing supplies - there were tons of buttons, thread and findings.

above: gray shiny button with gray crochet cotton with pin back


above: yellow fuzzy button (probably from a house coat) with pale blue crochet cotton and pin back

i think these might look nice on a bulky sweater or securing a scarf.

fall inspiration

new pieces: i'm hoping they will all find new homes this month

wool pendants drying in the sun

fabric pendants with bead and silk thread

three babies: 1)alphabet on arms and legs; 2)black bird in pocket; 3)mermaid

one face up close

roving*

i purchased some wool to use with my embellisher, and began experimenting by creating some jewelry. the two pieces below were given as gifts to my little sister and niece this summer when i visited them in north carolina. i am very excited to make more - they will be available at the elmira open studio tour and i'm thinking they will be affordable - this is important. i enjoy making the artwork and i really enjoy when someone leaves with something - i am even open to trading. i have trade for some pretty spectacular work.
xo


riley's necklace

leslie's necklace

here is leslie opening her necklace

Working Hard

This lady is a brand new piece - a little larger than a playing card. Acrylic and collage on wood.

Oval foot girl - acrylic on board in a vintage frame.


Where did the time go? Now I am working hard at getting work together for the Elmira Open Studio Tour. I received my postcards today and can't wait to get them in the mail. Leave me a note in the comments if you'd like a postcard!

Open Studio Thoughts

I'm thinking hard about the Elmira Open Studio Tour - right around the corner - in October. My plan is to have a range of prices and a variety of new work. I've even started some jewelry - I'll post photos soon.

Wondering how to market myself. I have been watching and learning from others but need to represent my true style.

Here are 3 different views of my barrel. The project is pretty interesting. http://www.paintedbarrels.com/ This is the link to the 2009 Finger Lakes painted barrels. There are photos of all of the completed barrels and you have the ability to register and begin bidding.

Regional artists did some of their best work on the ruddy surfaces of the wine barrels. I attached wheels to mine. I envision it in someones back yard, on a deck or near a pool. A great place to stand and share drinks.

On the site you'll also find a map. If you visit at least 25 of the barrels, photograph yourself, save the photos to a disc and send them in to Finger Lakes Wine County you'll be eligible to win a prize - very cool.

a small painting

"Cultivate"
A gift for a friend

1 5/8"x7"
acrylic and collage on walnut

June Graduation

Overnight, 12.5"x15.5", acrylic on wood panel, $150

...was shopping at Corning Building Company a few Sundays ago and found a large number of cabinet doors on the discount rack. They make awesome 'canvases' for painting.

Today is Grandma's 90th birthday - wow! I'm going to see her this morning!

...another stitched figure with some paper.

I pulled out my free motion presser foot and attempted to draw. I like what I see. Maybe I can combine the free-form stitching with my embellisher and some wool for something fun.

Check out the stellar stitching and artwork on the inspiration blog I've been following.
Inspiration: Cathy Cullis

Artistic Process
My approach to painting is unplanned; I follow my instincts when it comes to color and composition. I paint whenever I can, referring back to sketches that I create almost daily. Most of the time I work with acrylic on wood sometimes incorporating collage or mixed media – occasionally I’ll paint a three dimensional object.

On October 10 & 11, 2009, visitors to the Elmira Open Studio Tour will easily find their way to my first floor studio after viewing my most recent work, hung gallery style in my entrance-way and living room. They will have the opportunity to watch me work on a painting, view my materials and ‘check out’ my inspiration, which is dripping from every nook of my studio.

Artist Statement
More recently I have a renewed interest in painting. I have been presenting distorted figures in random representations of the human condition. I hope that viewers might sense an unspoken but understood commonality and ambivalence. I am working to understand the metaphors I attach to the basic daily events of a simple life through color and placement of figures.

Some sketches

Inspired by Spring

She Found a Flat Spoon, 4'x1.5', Acrylic on Wooden Door, 2009, $250

She Found a Flat Spoon, Detail

Unfinished. I bought a carload of cabinet doors at a yard sale about five years ago. I painted most of the smaller doors but - all of the large are awaiting paint. Here is my attempt from yesterday.

Erenie & Berthe, 11.25"x11.25", acrylic on board, $100

Erenie & Berthe (detail)

She Breathes in the Air, 5"x5"(app.), acrylic on wood, $50

New work

She Presented Her Gifts - Chair donated to the Benjamin Patterson Inn, Corning, NY

Snail's Lunch, 12.25"x21", acrylic on board, SOLD

Fiddle-head Ferns

She Presented Her Gifts, 12"x12", Acrylic on masonite

Tonight...

has been filled with under-painting!

-->=Lynn

I am finally working...

Finally. And on some new stuff. About 3 months ago Ted cut a big bunch of 12"x12" masonite panels. I started looking at lots of work by artists I know. I searched Etsy and found lots of others that felt inspirational. I've entered a few shows. One rejection and two acceptance letters. I have a list of others posted on my wall. I see the dates every day and I am inspired to make art.

I haven't made anything three dimensional which is weird because I was obsessed with sculpture before I hurt my neck Spring '08. I am working with collage and acrylic paint and trying to incorporate all of the new ideas that I have. I hope that they evolve into a style that is truly my own - I'm sure that reflections of my inspiration can be seen in what I am working through.

Moving forward -> Lynn