Arctic Hats Project

I'm singing the usual refrain of just too many fun things to do and not enough time.  My newest project is to make and sell hats to help fund an ambitious summer project of going to Gates of the Arctic Nat. Park as an AIR (hopefully they'll accept my application, I'll know in May)  It's going to be an adventure just getting there so I'm thinking positively and working on fund raising now.  The hats are hand knit in wool and then machine felted.  Unique, colorful and useful.  I think everyone needs at least one hat that has a name.   In addition to the hats shown here, I have made; dusk, noir, starry night, coastal fog, and forest trail..... you guess the colors! 

Sketchbooks

I'm working on an upcoming class that I'm teaching on field sketching and this is a pile of just a few of the books I've filled over the years.  It's always fun to go back through them for the vivid memories they bring up.  These web logs are a modern version of sketchbooks for many people.  A terrific website that hosts sketchbook images from sketch makers all over the world is called Urban Sketchers, check it out here   http://www.urbansketchers.com/

Winter Willow sketch

Hello out there.... sorry I've been gone so long :)   I decided I would start posting some sketches since I'm working on a course design for a sketch class I will be teaching this spring.  I've also been busy getting my application ready for another artist in residence position and much of my proposal centers around sketching and sketch books.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.... if I get this residency you'll be seeing some wild, adventuresome experiences later this summer.

This image is a quick study out my window as the winter morning sun was striking some willow branches.  I was inspired by some books I'm reading by two fiber artists in England.  (thanks Jill) They show how their sketchbook studies evolve into these incredible, textural, fiber "paintings"... it's awesome.  I just had to get out these old, cheap oil pastels that I think were handed down to me by my great aunt, and use them since I never have before.  This may morph into something entirely different before I'm through experimenting with it, but I like the start. 

Wild February Sunset

I went out in the kayak this afternoon.  Flat calm, sea lions barking in the distance, birds all around and then this awesome sunset that finally went out in a crimson flash.  Have I mentioned that I live in a most gorgeous place?  

In The Shadow of Her Dreams

So, here is a little change of pace for you.  A friend of mine sent me some photos from her visit to Uganda where, among other things, they brought food and bedding to an orphanage.  This young girl who was standing in the background in one of the photos struck me as one who might have the spark to move beyond her challenges.   This painting was a major challenge to photograph.  Besides the glare issues, the painting is dark and not as contrast-y as it looks here. Hopefully you'll get the drift.  Thanks for checking in.