Before and After

Here's another collaborative piece with my friend Ronda. I decided to send it to her without telling her anything about the people in the photo, or the handwriting...I didn't want to color her interpretation. Here it was before Ronda...

...And here it is after Ronda.

It was such a treat to receive it back in the mail. I waited until I could sit down and spend some time opening it, like a really special gift (which, of course, it is.) I love the seashells sewn into layers of mesh, and the playful materials. The children are Aunt Gail, Mom (Norma), and I think Jeannie (their cousin, Moselle's daughter.) The writing is from a really lovely letter that Grandpa sent to Grandma within a few years of the time this photo was taken.

Dancing Ideas and collaborative art through the mail

My friend, Ronda, and I collaborated on this 8x10 felt mixed media collage through the mail. She initiated this piece by sending me a cutout felt bird shape, a background of quilted fabrics, and sequined heart. She was so surprised when she opened the mail a few weeks later and saw what I did with it...and that moment is the MAGIC of collaboration! Thanks Ronda!

Aquacows of the Midwest

Ah, summer in the midwest. We drive past these cows everyday on the commute to Tonganoxie. With temperatures in the 90s, the cows have been getting in the pond with the Mallards. I told my carpool buddies next time we saw the cows and ducks together, we had to stop to take pictures. Today was the day!

Evhan's B-Day and Tammi's Graduation

Here's our hotel. We'll go exploring tomorrow.

Here's our hotel. We'll go exploring tomorrow.

Scribbling in Cyberspace

I love the internet, if for no other reason, because it provides a free and easy cyber~space in which to exhibit art. As wispy and imagined as the "audience" may be, it still motivates me to create. I highly recommend blogging to inactive artists who want to be more active.

I like "scribbling" with the sewing machine, contrasting with folds and puckers of soft fabric. The two crows quilt-collage above is still in progress. Along with the Unicorn, it's part of an animal spirit guide theme that I'm following.

Insight for the day...is it love?

I love this fabric. I got it from an "scraps" bin when I worked at a clothing boutique that utilized antique kimono fabrics. Of my diverse fabric collection, this one caught my attention today—it evokes something unexplainable in me. Anymore, I only work with materials that I love. I think many artists today would agree that life experiences inform their art as much as practicing a technique. While I think that practicing a technique is valuable and necessary, it's just empty motion without deep and real self-expression. That's why I choose materials and techniques that resonate.