Autumn Posies

I've really enjoyed making these five flowered scarves.  The colors of this scarf are spot on for early autumn. I will be donating this one to the Crime Stoppers Cops, Robbers and Superheroes event next weekend.  

I decided to donate a piece to any charity auction I can find... just to get my art and my name out there.  

My art all falls under my umbrella of: Gigi! artful endeavors. 

 One day I will open my gallery under the same name.  

Dandy-lion

No, I have not forgotten my "Painting a Day" project.  This is proof that I did paint one day. 

Memories of dandelions make me smile!

Mother of the bride

For my daughter's wedding in September, I wore a cobalt blue dress, with a butterfly embellished wrap.  I created a small clutch bag to coordinate the ensemble.  Inspired by the butterflies, but not wanting everything to be too matchy-matchy (I hear that's a bad thing), I deconstructed the butterfly and made it abstract and diluted the intense cobalt hue to a more muted periwinkle.  

The one-of-a-kind bag is hand painted and lined with a velcro closure.

I'd rather be blue, thinking of you!

Blue flowers in silk.  This was my first official Gigi! artful endeavor.  I donated this painted scarf to a charity auction benefiting the local Children's Developmental Center.  

Who drank all that wine????

Sidetracked briefly from other artful endeavors, I have taken up wine bottle transformations.  With the expert sanding assistance of Mike, we are making wine bottle votive candle holders for my daughters wedding rehearsal dinner.  If only it didn't take over 40 wine bottles to come up with 8 perfectly cut bottles.  That's a lot of trashed glass!  

Grapes before wine

More silk.  I am working on a design of grapes.  There are parts of this that I really like and the rest is all bunched up in the middle. The prerogative of the artist.... you only get to see the parts I want to show you.  It's not unlike when I bake cookies.  If they happen to burn or not turn out perfect, no one, and I mean NO ONE will ever even know they existed!  So, parts of this might end up as a wine bottle gift bag.  There is potential.  #8, 8/15/2012.

Calla Lily

Where has this summer gone?  I just realized that I never posted this photo (and a few others, as a matter of fact).  This is a calla lily hand painted on silk and transformed into a hobo bag.  Such fun to see how the dyes play on the fabric.  This is actually attempt #2, as the design on the first one came out completely in the steaming process. So glad this one persevered. #7 8/14/2012. 

Butterflies in Silk

#6  This scarf was the recent result of getting my silk scarves and dyes out.  Mostly, I was just hoping to re-familiarize myself with how the dyes act on the fabric.  I drew the butterflies free style with resist and then just played with colors and let them mingle on the silk.  The whole process, including the steaming and washing, was much simpler than I remembered.  Next up: something with grapes.  The scarf is already stretched on the frame.  

Mandied Apple

#5.  A dear friend made a request for a red apple painting as a reminder of her home state.  I hope she likes it.  I'm kind of getting into the groove of this painting thing.  

A little bit of Maui heaven

Day #4  Okay, now I want to go to Hawaii.  This hibiscus has inspired me to get out my silk and fabric dyes and create a version of this on a scarf.  I think the design is better suited for a watercolor type expression than acrylic.  Getting the acrylic paints to behave as I wanted, while they dried extra fast in the 100+ heat (with a broken air conditioner) was a bit of a challenge.

An Apple a Day

Day #3.  Now, while I may have vowed "a painting a day," keep in mind that I did not promise a painting EVERY day.  And this is a graphite drawing, not a painting.  Other than those two minor indiscretions, I am spot on for my goals.  I began this apple study in prep of doing an apple painting (yes, Mandy, work is in progress) and just got carried away.  Pencil work has never been my favorite, but there is something satisfying about seeing the shading shape up.

Curves in all the right places

Day #2.  Look at that... I managed Day #2.  They say it takes 3 weeks for an action to become a habit.  I am well on my way.  Pears are one of my favorite objects to paint. I love the curves. June 27, 2012

An Orange a Day

I struggle to maintain discipline in my life, especially in my art. Can you still keep the creative frenzy going while cultivating an organized regimen?  I guess I'll find out.  When talking to my dear friend Lois this weekend, she suggested "A Painting a Day."  I love the concept. This is day #1.  I am working with acrylics in small scale, 6" x 6" gesso boards. My initial theme is produce, as I love working with fruits and vegetables.  June 26, 2012.

I found my paints!

And I have moved once more, back across the mountains to Kennewick  Last move!  Forever! So many boxes. I have finally found my art supplies and managed to put paint on canvas this week.  Tomorrow we celebrate my husband's son's birthday.  So I painted this small piece for Matt.  This is a scarab beetle, dating back to Ancient Egypt, where they were considered good luck beetles. As a symbol of the rising sun and a protector from evil; the Scarab, is also a symbol of rebirth, regeneration and transformation. Good thoughts for a birthday.

 

A dung beetle is sitting at the bar, nursing his gin and tonic.  A beautiful female dung beetle sidles up to him, taps him on the shoulder and says…. “Is this stool taken?”