Saturday, December 31, 2011

Pastel Gingko Leaves

24" h x 30" w oil on canvas
 This might be my last gingko leaves painting for a while. This one is different from my usual darker contrasting background paintings. It has a little kimono design influence in it.
I'm moving on to painting trees next.
detail

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Colorful Sparrows Play in the Bamboo Shawl



This flat crepe de chine, light as air silk shawl is a large 22" x 90" work. Colorful sparrows fly playfully amongst the bamboo stalks while a full moon is in the distance. The background is a midnight blueish-purple with little golden-ish spots which might be fireflies.

Something this large is time consuming to draw and paint and a little difficult to handle putting it into the steamer, washing and rinsing. On my height of under 5' it overwhelms me, and can probably be an entire garment if belted and with the proper under clothing! But on a tall person, it'll make a stunning shawl.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Gingko Leaves Obsession

A while back my goal was to cover the walls of one room with gingko leaves paintings. I'm pretty close to achieving that and have been wondering why I have this obsession. Is it the memory of gingko trees, especially those very ancient ones growing on Buddhist temple grounds in Japan, or is it the shape of the leaves that compel me to keep painting over and over not just with oils on canvas, but on silk with dyes?

The gingko leaf shape differs from leaf to leaf and from tree to tree, some triangular versus some that flare out into a more graceful fan shape. Some have a deep slit and others a mere hint of a slit in the center.

But when start appearing across my canvases and silks, I see them moving, falling, blowing across the surface at times moving beyond the canvas edges. And why do I prefer them in motion, forever in flux even though at their final landing spot they will eventually disintegrate and dissolve back into the earth?

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Monday, November 14, 2011

Peonies on Silk Crepe de Chine for Fiber Artists


Here's another silk piece fiber artsists may cut up and use in their work. It's hand dye painted and 100% silk crepe de chine. Click here to purchase.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Five Chestnut Horses and Flowers

Five chestunut colored horses prance around on this colorful scarf.


click here to purchase

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Camellias Kimono Style for fiber artists



A 21" x 14" hand drawn and dye painted crepe de chine piece of silk that can be used for art quilts, art garments and other fiber art.
click here to purchase

Colorful Wisteria Silk Scarf



sold! thank you!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Halloween Costume

My son drew a picture of what he wanted his costume to look like - exactly. Here it is, out of some nasty acetate lining fabric I had in the stash. Top is lined in flannel for warmth and body and pants are lined in some soft cotton.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Monday, September 19, 2011

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Turquoise Sky of Santa Fe

14" x 11" oil on canvas
Inspired by the colors of Santa Fe a stylized landscape painting.
Click here to purchase

Friday, September 9, 2011

Amazing Sea Creatures for Sale!



These unique sea creatues made of needle felted wool roving, silk, and clay are now on sale at my etsy store. I'm keeping one, and getting these three adopted. Most likely I will never make these again due to the amount of hours they take to make although I love the end results.
Ready to be enjoyed by a new family.
Click here to purchase

Keep Moving Forward - Blue Skies Ahead


Keep Moving Forward - Blue Skies Ahead
8"x10" oil on canvas
This is a series called  "Small Reminders" oil painting. It's small, and can be hung anywhere but somewhere where you walk by frequently so you will be reminded to stay focused - focused on moving forward because there WILL be blue skies ahead.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Pink Rosebud Oil Painting

In Anticipation 
A pink rosebud ready to unfurl what's inside.
9"x9" x 2.5" deep oil on canvas
click here to purchase

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Small oil painting

Focusing On The Path
8"x10" oil on canvas
click here to purchase
This is a series called  "Small Reminders" oil painting. It's small, and can be hung anywhere but somewhere where you walk by frequently so you will be reminded to stay focused - focused on the path, the goal ahead. The goal ahead may not be clear at this moment, but you're still moving towards it.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Inspired by a Bogolanfini Lecture

After attending a lecture on bogolanfini textiles from Africa, I was inspired to make one out of silk crepe de chine. Just my doodles, and no messages like the real textiles have.
http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aoa/m/mud_cloth_bogolanfini.aspx

Friday, August 5, 2011

Hippari Top and Simple Kimono Jacket Workshop August 20


Samples for the hippari top and  an easy kimono jacket workshop I'll be doing in August.
Fabric paint was used for the gingko leaves and sashiko stitching was added.

Hippari Top tied at side
                                                                                                             Open front kimono style jacket

Folkwear Pattern #112 Field Clothing will be used.