Looking to be done soon

Almost there.... she's looking good. I've enjoyed doing the soft facial features on this fabric choice which is Kaufmans PFD. It is a bit more coarse and thick than Hoffmans so while I prefer Hoffmans for most painting because it is thinner ( uses less ink) and underneath drawings can be seen thru it better... this works really well for soft layering of skin tones. Kaufman will 'drink more ink' tho when you are applying strong colors. So again... all fabric works... some works better than others.... and some better for different applications. Remember when we all had soft beautiful skin like this?

Got it covered!

I've said my initial approach to painting is to get the 'page' covered... although the page is a piece of white PFD fabric. So thats where we are now. Note this image will be cropped so the draped shawl fabric will as in the photo 'hug' the lower edge of the painting The background is blocked in and will be darkened in another later application. The photo background was black... BUT that seemed wrong to me. Black background.. black hair.... not the best for showing off this beautiful young woman. I chose a background color that would extend the warm/elegant feeling of the original photo... We are layering black iris (a black/purple ink no. 91) with Wine(ink no. 98). I have sure used a variety of inks and markers on this baby.

Here we go!

First to get some value and definition in her face and hair. My goal when painting an image is to get the whole 'page' covered before refining details and intensifying value. That means I paint the (to be) black hair to a medium value first. This method keeps me from 'overdoing things too soon and getting in big trouble. I still have problems to solve... just not as big as they could be.
By the way, living in the mountains is an E-ticket ride. Last evening not one but 3 bears came to our front door looking for food. I've never seen 3 before... 2 ... not 3. YES... this makes me a bit nervous. The good news.... we don't leave food in our trash til trash day.

This will be way fun!

Friend and student Margie Torrence ask for help finishing a self portrait began at my May retreat. A few years back, Margie was a professional dancer at the Padua Hills theater in Claremeont, Ca. What a beautiful image we had to start with. I'll be working on this over the next several days so you can watch the progress. We are working on white PFD using Tsukineko Inks and fantastix applicators. The photo is our starting point for this segment. I love the starting photo image.... very elegant... graceful. Lets see how we can get it on textile. I know we can do it!

Ever Quilt Asphalt?

So, I've been mighty busy... quilting... quilting... did I mention quilting? I've been working on a piece with a large foreground/background representing asphalt on a kids playground. I needed a fill pattern that would be somewhat elementary... it needed both some angles and curves to keep from getting overly routine.... so this is the result. This took seemingly forever.... 'Had to muster up my patience for this one. The quilting is finally done... Now to block and bind. I won't be really done til I can sign my name to it. Later for that!

Sayin' My Prayers

Sew much to do so little time. Summer ( as do all seasons) bring temptations. I saw a refrigerator magnet yesterday showing a gal exclaiming .... "I'm on several diets! Being on just one doesn't give me enough to eat!" Anyway, I'm saying my prayers on the subject!

I"m so confused! :-)

So what else is new in this world of fast moving technology.... I need to learn about image sizing, but know I'll get it. I'm deeply embroiled in the quilting of a new piece... 4 days so far and 1/3 of the piece quilted. Art quilting is slowwwwww.... gather your patience to do this part.