recovery

I’m on the mend.

I had bronchitis for eight weeks. It exhausted me. At the same time, my home had five weeks of repairs. Crews were here most days. Interest in the studio withered.

When I finally made it out to the studio, the Home Ground series I had been so excited about felt like too much work. I let the pieces sit unfinished.

Instead, I took two inks out and started slowing spreading the ink on tiny pages – nothing too big or complicated was possible.

They were soothing. I craved the simplicity.

The next day, I spread ink on larger sheets. I finished two of the pieces with encaustic and French knots. They’re calming and I can look at them for a long time. Here’s a second one.

Both this piece and the one at the top of the page are 8”x8” (20×20cm) - ink and encaustic on cotton paper with hand stitch.

A few days later, I finished the Home Ground pieces. Here’s the collection.

The longer I make art, the more I understand that neither life nor art are static. Each day is different and I can only do what the day asks of me. So I don’t know what’s next.

I’m reading Van Gogh’s letters to Theo and he said, “As far as I know, that word (artist) means: ‘I am seeking. I am striving. I am in with all my heart.’ It is just the contrary of, ‘I know it. I have found it.’” That was encouraging to read.

give away

On a different note, I’m excited to start a monthly give-away! Here’s the piece for this month.

Various papers and silk with ink, encaustic and stitch; approximately 3” x 3” (7.6 × 7.6 cm)

Subscribe to my blog (if you aren’t already) and leave a comment with your email. I’ll pick one at random and off it will go.

workshop

There are two spots left in my three day worksop in Port Orchard, WA from August 21-24. Here’s a link if you can make it.

As always, I love your comments and support. Squarespace doesn’t send my replies to you but I read and appreciate all of them.

It’s good to be back.

Warmly,