Winter Grass - A mixed media art work in 4 sections.

Winter Grass

Winter Grass is mixed media art done on four 6X6 art panels (wood).
The backgrounds on each panel consists of various papers with printing and other subtle designs.  
The next layer has some bits of unusual black and white papers imported from Thailand.
Layer 3 has leaf patterns applied in a raised effect randomly on each panel.
The final and top layer consists of decorative grasses that have survived the snow and cold here in the NW, as well as their stems and narrow leaves.  The grasses tie together each panel and bring  a sense of continuity to the whole.
A sealant was used to protect the art and add strength to the grasses, especially, which are delicate.

How to make inexpensive stretcher bars for painting silk scarves:

How to make inexpensive stretcher bars for painting silk scarves:

1. I have been painting scarves for about six months.  But before I could begin, I needed stretcher bars.  The options online were pretty expensive, so I came up with my own idea.  

1. At the hardware store I purchased 1 inch pvc pipe in sufficient length to make a double stretcher assembly.  That way I can work on one scarf while the other one dries enough to remove it from the rack.
2. 1. The silk scarf blanks I usually buy are 11" X 60".  Adding 4" to those measurements I came up with the dimensions for the stretcher rack: 
   2. 1. 3 - 64" lengths
      2. 1. 4 - 15" lengths
         2. 1. 2 - T's
            2. 1. 4 - 90 degree corners
               2. 1. There is a very inexpensive tool that cuts the pipe quickly and smoothly (much easier than a hacksaw).  You can find them at the hardware store, too, for under $10.
                  2. 1. I did not glue the sections together.  They are tight enough that they will not come apart while you are using the stretcher frame.  By not gluing it, I can take it apart for storage, or to change the dimensions when I want to make larger or smaller scarves.
                     2. 1. I support the stretcher frame on 4 cans (pumpkin pie filling -- if you must know), stretched across two tables to get the stretcher frame at the right height.  Underneath, I stretched some old muslin to catch drips and the salt that I use to add texture to the dyed scarves.
                        2. 1. Last, the scarf is attached to the stretcher frame with 3" rubber bands wrapped around the pipe on one end and a silk hook on the other.  Silk pins or hooks are available online, too.
                           2. 1. Now you're ready to get out your dyes and brushes and make some beautiful scarves.  Have fun!

Scrappy helps with the "Boo Bankie Project."

My dear friend, Sally, called this afternoon just to chat and I told her about my new project.  I'm making blankets from 2 layers of fleece fabric with cut tassels knotted around the perimeter.  My hope is that the blankets are something the first responders can use to comfort children traumatized by an accident, fire or medical emergency in their home.

I recently presented the idea to our Fire Chief, Greg Borton, here in Odell.  He in turn presented it to his team and they loved the idea.

Sally thought they also would be appropriate for shut-ins.  It's a good thought.

The project is in the early stages.  Thoughts that come to mind are things like: What if this really takes off?  How will I find volunteers to help me?  What about donations of fabric or money to buy fabric?  Will I have to file to become a charitable organization?  If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, I'd love to hear from you.

This is a picture of a 15" X 15" Mosaic wall tile that I completed in November, 2016.

The subject is taken from a 3.5" black and white square Zentangle tile I did last year and decided to expand it into this mosaic wall hanging.

It took some adjustments because some of the shapes were originally drawn too small to cut into tiles (even with the enlargement). Once I worked that out and the tiles got their first firing, it was like assembling a jigsaw puzzle trying to reassemble the whole thing.  It took me several hours to get it all together.

Then came the selection of colors (remember, the original design was in black and white) for the painting on of the various glazes.  Glazes are one of those crazy things that frustrate me, because it's virtually impossible to tell what the final color will turn out to be.  I picked my colors and crossed my fingers that they would turn out OK.

The result is the wall hanging you see in the picture above.  What do you think?

I took my first mosaics class in The Dalles, at The Dalles Art Center (where I sometimes teach Zentangle), from Toms Royal, who is a wonderful (and patient) teacher.