Gated Hill Studio

Finding Proof - Finding Motivation

2012-01-28T11:37:00.000-04:00

So life is busy between work on the old farm house and then trying to get some work done in studio. I have to admit the work is very slow in the studio and it is difficult to get motivated but I have some silk scarves that I am preparing for the Co-op so that may be the kick start .I was hoping as we started the work on the old house that we would find something to help date it.and the other day we did. Because of the design of the house I had suspected it was between 100-130 years old. Wayne discovered the age when he was lifting the floor boards from a closet. On top of the floor was layers of wall paper but underneath someone decide to leave a few sheets of the Weekly Sun St John NB January 8 1896. Of course we can't be sure that its the excite date but suspect it is very close.

The wall paper floors are intriguing and maybe even something I could work with but we do plan on trying to reuse as much as possible so these too will be cleaned and restained.

The weather is most unusual for this time of year and even though we have had some very cold days there are some are some spots on the farm that is making the best of it.

Ferns growin gin the well Jan 26 2012.

New Neighbours and the work contiues

2012-01-23T19:35:00.000-04:00

Not sure who the new neighbours are at the farm but I walked down to the winter pond to see if I could identify their foot prints. I am going to assume the they may be coyote as the spread and print were fairly large. Getting a dog is sounding like a good idea but we'll decide once we live out there.

Now that we have made the mud room and office liveable we have started the reconstruction up stairs. We painted the 4 bedrooms so we have to be careful as we lift out the old floors that we will plane, stain, rotor a tongue and groove for each board then place them back in . So far it looks like we will be able to save most of the 100+ year old planks which some are over 10” wide.

It is all very exciting but studio life is sort of being pushed to the back ground except for packing

Square head nails are stacking up

Its my job to remeve the nails

Wayne painted his office a very pale blue that I really like and will paint the hall and stairwell once the major work is done.

I think I'll take a rest day and work in the studio tomorrow

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T00:12:00.001-04:00

Just a quick post to Wish Everyone a Happy New Year

We have the Keys!!!

2011-12-15T19:51:00.000-04:00

So its done! We have the keys to our old new home and so very excited about it. It will be awhile before we move in as we still have a house to sell and there are a lot of renovations to do on this place but still excited. The house is over 100 years and we have nearly 55 acres so lot of room for me to plan out a spot for the new studio and garden beds with lot of plants that I can dye with.

Local Shopping

2011-12-09T10:45:00.000-04:00

Its always good to get out of the studio and do a bit of retail therapy occasionally. This past weekend I took a drive up river with family members to check out Darren Emenau 's shop . Darren is a very unique potter who's work is very organic and tactile. May be the reason that I am drawn to it and more of his work will be on my must to have list. I did pick up a couple of cereal bowls for Xmas gifts . These clay pieces are food and dishwasher save which is really amazing that one can throw the art work in to the dishwasher

I really am trying to be about local shopping lately but since New Brunswick no longer has Cotton mills, a local quilt store has to do. The The River Gallery in Glenwood is another favorite place for me to visit . A tiny shop, not far from Darren's ,that is pack with the fabrics I love . Sandy carries a large collection of batiks , hand dyes, Japanese fabric, hand dyed wools plus the tools and books . I just have to remember to go by myself some day if I want to spend any money because going with non fiber people I don't get much time to shop. I did go threw the sale basket and for $20. picked out 6 meters that I think I can make work - some day.

Art Card Trading

2011-11-14T10:03:00.000-04:00

Some of the cards that I traded mine for. I still have a few of mine left if anyone is interested . I just ask that the cards be the international size of 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" so as to fit in the container I have for them.

Art Trading Cards

2011-11-07T18:24:00.001-04:00

A few of the art cards that I made in August of this year. I call them "Landscapes" and each is OOAK and very different from each other. I made 36 but 10 are spoken for and 2 others have been claimed. I decide to put it out in cyberspace to see if anyone would like to trade with me or if Someone would prefer to purchase the cards are $25.00 ea.If interested email me for more information.

And what does these have to do with the Studio ??? The first few where started just as a warm up then become an obsession of skill building. I missed doing them for the last 2 months so I have started a new bunch for November.

Creative Women- Dream in Hands - continue

2011-10-31T09:37:00.004-03:00

A few more pictures from the Creative Women Exhibit at the Saint John Art Center. These pictures were taken just after we hung the show and green tape were idents for the Center staff to later replace with labels.

Suzanne Bousquet speciality is Photography ( not mine as you will notice in some of these pictures) and had a great collection of rockscapes along the water.

Deborah Payne creates both in fiber and paper

Viola Pleasant Queen is a quilter

Carol Woodley creates using felt and a very sharp felting needle

Creative Women - Dreams in Hand

2011-10-30T21:44:00.001-03:00

The second last day in October and its a snowy wet day. Really a good time to clean up and get caught up after a very busy fall. One of the things I was working on was the Creative Women Exhibit held at the Saint John Art Center in Saint John NB. This is a wonderful venue and Friday night ( Oct 28th there were 4 exhibits .Of course the first I will talk about is Creative Women . This is the name a small group of very creative women have given themselves. It started out as a Sharing ( and eating) and the next thing we know we are booked for an exhibit. A great experience and what an evening it was for the opening , so many people!!!

June Cable ( Creative Women founding member) creates with fibers

Woolly Wizard

Wolf View

Bertha Day creates with paper

Five Dancers

Threads

Pat Neill creates in fiber

I'll add more as I get permission from the members to do so.

I too work in fiber and my 2 pieces were a bit different ... Both were hand dyed

Family Reunion was dyed with a chemical dye and heavely stitched with thread and then touched up with ink.

I dreamt of a Journey is natural dying with iron and goldenrod .

More Distraction - August

2011-09-03T11:40:00.000-03:00

What can I say I really enjoyed the summer.

The cats kept me entertained

And more pictures from the garden

I did an art card every day in a new technique for me

An late afternoon at St Martins

with new water shoes which were great for walking in the water and mud

Finished and mounted a needle felted project that I started last year for my Mom

there is a fair amount of stitiching on it

Looked for anything differnt in both front and back yard

Summer Distractions in July

2011-09-03T11:21:00.000-03:00

I took the summer off and allowed myself to enjoy some distractions.

A Summer storm at the beach.

Flowers

Really distracted

A fastanator that I yet to wear

An Invitation

2011-06-02T19:37:00.000-03:00

Count down to the Exhibit & Grad - Just finished printing 6 copies of the Thesis. I feel so guilty that I think I'll save all those little maples growing in the flower beds and replant them on the hill.

New addition

2011-05-22T17:06:00.000-03:00

There is always something in the Studio to distract me and with only a few weeks to the Graduate Exhibit I really should try and stay focus but we have just added an addition to the family today and she is just to cute to ignore. We think she is a she and have not named her yet except for Biscuit (she was born in a horse barn).

Love New York

2011-05-20T16:28:00.001-03:00

Okay 3 days on ground really doesn't give much time to take it in everything about New York but first impressions was it's the best!!! Plans are in the works to going back.
I really shouldn't have taken the time out from homework but sometimes it is the best thing to do is to recharge those creative batteries with a whole different outlook.

Sites on the street

Brooklyn Subway

Brooklyn Museum

Chinese Food Store

Public Art from Ai Weiwei

There was so much to see so will try and update more at a later date

Clean Up

2011-05-04T22:14:00.001-03:00

Some days I just need to move things around and do a bit of clean up to get motivated to get on with the work at hand. My little office is only 8' x 8' but b y moving things around it seems so much bigger and now I have a view of the back garden.

April has Come and Gone

2011-04-30T23:55:00.052-03:00

April has come and gone. It was a busy month with mainly home work for classes ( see http://www.somethingfiber.blogspot.com/) but I did managed to snap a few inspiring pictures.
April 21 we had a bit of frezzing rain . The Huge pines beside the Studio were very pretty but I'm glad the sun came out not long after as there could been some major damage to both stuido and trees.

Took a day off from home work and Wayne and I went for a bit of site seeing down the river road . We crossed over at Evandale , down to Saint John going the long way by criss cross the river using bridges and ferries.

A stroll threw a friends garden - I don't know the name of the flowers but I was told they are nature to the area so will have to get some.

The rubbarb was looking good in her garden

A drive along the Kennebecasiss River taking another site seeing route to Sussex .

Always something to look at.

Snow day and April fools

2011-04-01T16:16:00.005-03:00

Just when I thought it was save to take the snow tires off we get a snow warning 20-30 cm the first of April !!!! The good thing is...we know it will not last. I took me nearly 2 hours to get home this after noon ( normaly 1 hr 20 min) but it was that wet slushie stuff so kept the foot light on the peddle. Here are a few pictures of the back yard. Looking in to the neigbours back yard

notice the bare branches on the cedar ( to the right) Deer!!!!

Felting Samples

2011-03-29T19:07:00.005-03:00

So much is on my Plate at the moment and very little time to keep up with 3 Blogs. I have been learning and changing things over on Something Fiber and I have even updated Articulations blog once, need to work on it more. And I have been felting and felting and felting not sure if I will ever master it but I do like the end results so far.Here are a few photos of felt samples I did to prepare myself for the project that is/will be shown on Something Fiber.

Unknown fibers with unknow fibers ( dryer method )

Wool and silk on Merion wool (wet hand felted)

Twisted Merino wool (wet hand felted)

New Blog- Something Fiber + Snow

2011-03-03T10:23:00.005-04:00

My New Blog is a trial and error project for the Digital Communication class I am in. What I learn from that class I will be developing both blogs (over time) to a more interesting read.
Check it out at http://www.somethingfiber.blogspot.com/
Besides spending most of the winter in class I occasionally have to deal with the snow. But this year I have had no time to play it. We think we are now offically at the 4ft mark.

Studio G

2011-01-10T09:00:00.008-04:00

If you are visiting Vancouver island this spring and interested in honing your artistic skills then check out my friend Gloria Daly new Studio http://www.studiogart.com.
Gloria has been teaching a variety of workshops in fiber art techniques and often host guest instructors. Her new space is in the process of being built and you can watch the development on her blog. http://www.studiogart.wordpress.com/
Here are just 2 of the future workshop being offered

26 - 27 MAR 2011, 9:30 - 4:00pm

The Craft of Composition Workshop

Instructor -Vickie Newington, SCA

www.vickienewington.com

8 - 10 APR 2011 & 15 - 17 APR 2011
Friday evening through Sunday for two weekends

Flexible Books in Clamshell Boxes ~ A Book Workshop in 2 Parts

Instructor: Martha Cole www.marthacole.ca

Introduction to Contemporary Hand Embroidery

2011-01-04T01:00:00.002-04:00

I start 2nd semester today and it is going to be a busy 4 months. Besides 4 classes and an independent study I will be teaching a 7 session course in Introduction to Contemporary Hand Embroidery at NBCCD in Fredericton. I promises that it will be a fun time with only a few rules that you will be allowed to break (maybe). First session will be on running stitches.

The original is hand dyed cotton with a variety of threads

These Kaleidoscopes are manipulations of a photo of the stitched sample. They are meant to be inspirations for future pieces.

New year -Update

2011-01-03T11:51:00.003-04:00

I discovered this morning that Blogger has new templates. So much fun so much of a waste of time! After playing with a number of different ones I decide this earthy tones will be okay for awhile.

Below is the ball of Pods made from organza. Very difficult to photograph on a snowy day but gives a general idea of what it looks like finished . And of course I had to play with the image and have lots of kks to work with. I may post more of these later.

Art Doll ~Nor'e

2010-12-30T09:55:00.009-04:00

Nor'e a Xmas gift created between 2 Noreasterns Storms. He is of the simplest style with antique metal beads for joints . His body is made from recycled velvet and "gloves" and trim from a washed angora sweater.

The vest is a mixture of wool and silk and once felted was cut and shaped on him wet.

Waiting for the finished hat ( hair is knitted eyelash yarn from the dollar store) The face is needlesculpt and painted with acrylic

The perfect hat!

Walking tall at about 18"

Sitting Pretty

Thinking about getting away ?

Updating-

2010-11-07T14:47:00.010-04:00

Not sure were the time has gone and really so much has been happening. Maybe at the school winter break I'll get caught up....

Going back to classes has been so different and so much work! Some of it is refresher and some of it is new. Back to basics of drawing and this time I understand what the instructor is talking about. A lot of 2D design is a refresher but the exercises are fun. I used my own photos which I thought worked very well together and this exercise was about liked items with an abstract.Not a new technique for me but using the gouache paint is. That product is the challenge for this semester. Gouache is also used in Surface design and I am still practising the technique of using the paint on designs

In the 3D class my first project was to make a soft sculpture.I decided to go with what I know, synthetic organza, it does manipulate so easily. The piece is finished but have decided to tweak it a bit before displaying so I'll just post a few close ups.

Rainforest "Deep within"

2010-09-05T17:02:00.004-03:00

"Deep with in" didn't make it to the trip out west .I had debated to do soft or hard edges and in the end decided to go with a hard edge which means I now must look for the perfect frame.
This piece was inspired from one of the walks that I did through the BC Rainforest a few summers ago. The sun light flicker among the trees but the shadows that were not touch were so dark it was a wonder that anything grew there. I am still working on this series with a few other pieces near completion, but my life as a full time Fiber Artist is going to be put on hold for the next 9 months. As of this coming Tuesday I will be a full time student at the New Brunswick Collage of Craft & Design. Very exciting! I will be in the Advance Studies for Visual Arts diploma program. This will give me a change to polish some of my skills to take the Fiber Arts further.

Victoria College of Art 'Narrative Articulations' Fine Art Textile Exhib...

2010-08-30T15:15:00.001-03:00

This is the group I have been exhibiting with for the last 6 years .I have a few pieces at this exhibt, the dolls are from the 2006 Links project and the the other 2 are from the 2007 Meta Incognita exhibit. My exhibiting days are being put on hold for the next year as next Tuesday I will start classes at the New Brunswick Collage of Craft & Design as a full time student. Advance Studies in Visual Art for Textiles.

2010-08-25T14:28:00.006-03:00

Fiber Artist –Mom

I am often asked how did I get evolved with fiber art. In the past I would tell the story about while recovering from an accident I was introduced to cross stitch and that lead to a whole new interest. But over the last few weeks I have realised that I have been experimenting with a threaded needle and manipulating fibers for as long as I can remember. My Mother told me that she use to thread a needle and I would sew buttons on everything, not sure why but it may have been something that kept me entertained and in one spot for a period of time. Mom also taught me how to sew by hand and to use a machine. I had a basic idea on how to use a pattern and make simple items well before I entered Junior High. Needless to say I was very bored in the Home Ec classes making an apron.

I know an aunt of Moms had taught her to knit and that was her passion. There was always something on needles, socks, mittens, and sweaters. I am sure she lost count on how many of the Icelandic sweaters that were done in the round she made in the 80’s. She could knit one up in a day or 2. She could start a pair of socks on Christmas Eve and have them wrapped and under the tree for the morning.

Mom knitting with Me at 2 or 3 and my Aunt in the back ground

I’m not sure when she started to sew. I know she loved clothes but being a child of the Depression years probably started to sew out of necessity. She was very practical; she made her wedding dress in pink so it could be worn again. She always said to my sisters and I, “if you don’t want to see yourself coming then make it”. She must be the reason I prefer one of kind in just about everything .

Mom & Dad May 1st 1948

Moms priority was her children and very rarely did she interfere but was always supportive. She was my second biggest fan (husband is first) when I entered the art world, always interested and always encouraging on my next project.

Mom died on the 30^th of July 2010 just 18 days from her 85^th birthday. She had been ill for a short period of time but we were not expecting her to die. Knowing how she felt about what I do is part of the process of moving forward. So each day is taken one at a time and I continue to work and experiment with a variety of fibers. Some days are better than others.

Last pair of socks she knitted for me this spring. I didn’t tell her that that were put in the dryer but I can still stretch them to fit.

Creative Expression

2010-07-05T10:03:00.004-03:00

Besides playing with a kaleidoscope program I do try and work in some sort of creative expression daily. I most often work in a sketch book or on a variety of papers that are later glued or stitched in to the sketch book. There are so many products to be used but I look at what I will be able to tranfer or use in to some sort of art quilt with stitch .Shown are enamel paint on paper and painted Tyvek.

K-scopes with Peonies

2010-07-04T06:20:00.002-03:00

Of course I had to play with the shapes,light and colours

Peonies -2

2010-07-03T06:07:00.003-03:00

What can I say? These peonies were just beautiful and no touch up needed.

Peonies

2010-07-02T09:37:00.004-03:00

The month of June has come and gone and so have the Peonies. But I was able to take a few photos of some of the flowers from one of the garden beds. They were so much prettier in a vase and seem to last longer then those I left on the plant.

Standing Relation

2010-05-11T19:56:00.007-03:00

My blog's main purpose is to be about fiber manipulation of all types but not much has been posted about it lately .Not that I haven't worked on, any just no time to post. I have been working on a series all winter and slowly it is coming together. The series is called Standing Relations and is based on a study I did of the BC rain forest a few years ago with the group I exhibit with Articulation.

Everything seemed so large on the forest floor . This first one is a fern and still a lot to do yet . It has been dyed first and now I am stitching all over. After the machine work is done I will embellish it more with paint and maybe a bit of hand stitch .

And this one was inspired by old trees that still have life with in. The fore ground is near completion and is layers of fibers. The back ground will be heavily stitched with more fibers and paint.

There are still a few more in the series but in different stages of completion I'll share those on another day .

Special Day

2010-05-05T20:46:00.008-03:00

To day was special ~ Had lunch with the love of my life at our favorite place, Tyes & Tails then a tour at whats becoming another favorite place, Cornhill Nursery . Bought a plum tree and took lots of pictures.

Looking over the valley from Whyte Mountain Road - Beautiful !!!!

Stitch Lines

2010-04-08T07:33:00.004-03:00

Last November I painted a small child's chair for a fund raiser. It really was fun to do and another place to put "stitch lines". Next week I'll be running a work shop here at the studio just for that purpose to have fun with finding original design in stitch lines.

Kscopes Pattern -1

2010-03-25T06:00:00.000-03:00

Besides being a little silly with the Kscopes the program also does pattern. Some pattern turns out better then others

More Green Kscopes -3

2010-03-24T06:00:00.002-03:00

What can I can say??? better than watching TV .....

More Green Kscopes

2010-03-23T06:00:00.002-03:00

I know I have a great image when a can get more then 5 Kscopes but to get more the 10 its a supper shot.

More Green Kscopes

2010-03-22T06:00:00.002-03:00

A continuation of Green Kscopes I do have plans for all of these just don't know when

NB Collage of Craft and Design-Introduction to Stitch -101

2010-03-21T15:16:00.015-03:00

Tuesday I had the opportunity to introduce some of my favorite stitch and manipulation techniques to future Fiber Artist at the NB Collage of Craft and Design.
It was a very enjoyable day for me. Great to chat about fiber and to see what the next generation is up to. There was much to see but time was limited. I have to make plans to go back just to look.

I encouraged the students to design their own stitch lines from a little exercise I like and then it was on to a few techniques.

Everyone hard at work

I had supplied the materials of my hand painted synthetic felt and organza but some of them did bring in a collection from their own stash. Rachel had a nest of beautiful fibers that she had hand dyed and that I was nearly green with envy. Of course I had to take photos to see what results I could get from great colour and texture in the KK program.

to be continued.........

Kaleidoscopes Continue 3

2010-02-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

It is difficult to say what will make the perfect Kaleidoscope. Texture and a wide varity of values are very important. Also deciding what will work in which technique has to be decided. Some of these Kaleidoscopes would be perfect in Canvas work and others would be great in Quilt appliqued.

Stay tune for a list of of Work shops that I will be teaching here at Gated Hill Studio. The workshopes are designed to help those who are interested in exploring Design and Stitch.

Kaleidoscopes Continue 2

2010-02-25T06:00:00.002-04:00

Each one could be explored to new creative ideas in design

Kaleidoscopes Continue

2010-02-24T06:00:00.004-04:00

Is it a passion or an obsession??? And pink is not a favorite colour

Kaleidoscopes Over load

2010-02-23T06:00:00.003-04:00

A pink Month

2010-02-22T06:00:00.001-04:00

When I think of colour for February it would have to be pink. So my collection of Pink Kaleidoscopes are perfect for this week.

Perfecly Pink Over Load

2010-02-21T08:19:00.004-04:00

Hard to believe that Febuary is nearly over,but time does fly when one is very busy. I have taken time out to play with the Kaleidoscope program and an embroidery art trading card that goes in to the mail in the morning. This perfectly pinky card was a great example of what "ideas" could come from nearly nothing.

Stitches

2010-02-04T14:03:00.003-04:00

Decided to drop the Slide show until I work out that learning curve . Still working on the next Exhibit but thought I'd add another sample of canvas work.

More painted canvas with unknown fibers

Stitches

2010-02-03T01:00:00.000-04:00

Canvas work over layers of unknow fibers

Stitches

2010-02-02T01:00:00.000-04:00

French Knots on Cotton

Stitches

2010-02-01T11:00:00.000-04:00

I'm experimenting with the blog at the moment since I have just disccovered that my slide show is not working . And I don't have time to add yet another learning curve to the list. For the next couple of days I'll post some stitches to see If I understand this blogging ..........

Running Stitches on hand painted cotton.

Studio - upper level

2010-01-31T06:27:00.007-04:00

The Studio is always changing in some way but I think I have it set up now for at least the winter to be proactive. The one time garage gives me just over 200 sq feet to create in. My art is on the small scale so for now it does work.

The thinking and creating corner.

A work area

Open space when required
And room for a small work shop

The good thing about these folding tables is they can be easily put away when open space is required. I now have them up waist high and have started on the next exhibit "Standing Relations."

I've added a new gadget this morning - A slide show of some of my work that has be manipulated.

New Year -New Look

2010-01-03T19:04:00.004-04:00

I dislike dark rooms.I find the lack of light uninspiring for me and tried as I might the resource/storage/clutter room was just wasted space that I had a hard time to work in. So for the last 4 days I decluttered, painted (55 yr old solid knotting pine) and moved things around to add a productive workspace to the Gated Hill Studio. This is the Machine room and I love the results.The sewing machines, embellisher, TV and Treadmill all in one spot. The room is bright even in the evening so I'll be able to work later. And I still have room for storage after a good
cleaning out.

Stitches

2009-11-19T08:23:00.006-04:00

Looking for one thing and finding another ...... Stitch samples from my C&G Embroidery samples. I have hundreds of them and really glad I did so many as they have turned out to be a great resource.

Buttonhole

Buttonhole Rings

Eyelets

Rusty Dragons

2009-10-31T23:38:00.005-03:00

October is the anniversary month that 9 years ago I started to study and experiment in the wonderful world of mix media and fiber manipulation. I seem to spend a lot of time experimenting and it is exciting when a sample turns in to a possible future piece.

Needle felted Pumpkin - Play time

2009-09-28T06:12:00.003-03:00

I don't often take time to just play but this was a Guild project this month and it was fun to just experiment with a new technique. Of course I had to take it further and add the leaf and more colours.

First Day of Autumn

2009-09-22T20:20:00.003-03:00

First day of autumn and it was beautiful. The leaves are starting to turn so must remember to take the camera with me more often. This Maple is in our back garden.

Last day of Summer 09

2009-09-21T11:44:00.015-03:00

So hard to believe we even had a summer as it was mostly wet and cool. Which meant I spent most of the time in the studio working on "Urban Texture" that is showing at the Mennonite Heritage Center in Winnipeg. The Opening was on Friday Sept 18th and will be there till November 14. Working with a group really does have it benefits. For one I have been able to exhibit across the country in Galleries that I never knew about and I don't have to have a complete body of work so it does free up some time to experiment. I thought of changing from a Fibre Artist to an Experimental Artist as it seems every thing I do is experimental and have yet to hone in on a technique that I want to stick with. For Urban Texture I worked in the whole cloth style which I really do like and working more with it. Whole cloth is where the design is sketched on to the material then stitched. Most often the Sketch is painted before the stitching but I decided to stitch first then painted and dyed. A few challenges did arise and I wanted to changes a few things after but I had a deadline and got it all done and in the mail with 3 days to
spare.
"Illusion of " 42x32

"Exaggeration " 32x41

"Blending" 41x31

" Beneath the darkness" 45x35

I did get a few days out to explore the area and went to the Hopewell Rocks near Hillsbrough. It was a beautiful day and there is just something about walking on the floor of the Fundy that was inspiring.

3 Ps in the mud (Wayne, his Mom and his Aunt)

This looked liked the only way to really enjoy the experience of the tide out. But you had to have seen the expression on his Mothers' face.

And then yesterday we had visitors to remind us of the changing season. and yes they are eating my newly plated cedars.

Joggins NS

2009-07-05T20:00:00.009-03:00

Last Monday I went to Joggins NS. about a 2 hour drive from home with my friend Joanne. It rained most of the time but it was the only time I had to spare and it was well worth the drive.
Joggins is the home of Joggins Fossil Cliffs a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
My pictures are not the best but do check out the web sites. http://museum.gov.ns.ca/fossils/index.htm

http://jogginsfossilcliffs.net/

If you are in to fossils it is the place to go but it is also a great area to get inspired in any creative work. Since fossils are all over the beach (can't take any) rubbings would be the next best thing.
I hope to go again this summer if the sun stays out for more then a couple hours.
Joggins will be one of the stops for Articulation's annual study tour in September of 2010.

looking north to New Brunswick

Not sure if its eatable Could have picked enough for supper but no bucket
Haven't eaten them since I was a kid and have no memory if they were good or not. I think they were sort of gross really. Bigger then my head and in near perfect condition
On display
The history a lone is mind boggling

First day of Summer

2009-06-21T23:32:00.003-03:00

In honour of the first day of summer I thought I would post photos of Lupins from last week when the sun was shinning. An interesting flower that seems to take over every open field this time of year.

Cat Eye ~Kaleidoscoping

2009-05-17T22:07:00.007-03:00

This pass week has been busy with very little time in the studio but I have found some time to play again with Kaleidoscope Kreator 3. Taking 10 minutes to play with a picture I find inspiring and I'm very eager to get back to work.
The original picture is a closeup of Rudy's eye. His is watching the birds out side the office window.

Family -Art work-

2009-05-10T22:24:00.006-03:00

As an Artist I am always looking for new inspiration that may lead to something I can work with at a later time. To day a couple family members helped me out by showing me some of the artwork they collect. I was intrigued by this one as I have collected Dragons over the years. Don't know who the artist is but my niece Niomia told me this dragon was a free hand drawing.
Another one of Niomia's , cute but I'd be afraid that the wings may droop in a few years.Nephew Patrick has a number of different tattoos and this is a new collection that he is just starting on. I'll have to check it out again at the next family gathering to see how it's going. I 'll also have to ask more question next time to find out who the artist/designer is and the meanings/inspiration.
I'm not really into Tattoos but it is artwork shown in a different media. I may have to do a bit of investigation on the subject, already the ideas are flowing.

Where did April Go?

2009-05-03T20:00:00.008-03:00

The month of April flew by and it still seem like yesterday I got off the plane from my trip to Banff.
I started to unpack my stash and sort supplies right away. I had to rearrange a few things to make room and as always the Studios' staff were there to help.

Rudy was sure not all of it would fit. He was right.
And there is always time to play

April was busy with a trip to Saint John to see Fredericton Fiber Artist Paula Keppies' Exhibit Wedding Revisted at the Saint John Art Center. Stunning work and it was good to see someone else could use cheese cloth differently. A week later I was in Fredericton to see the exhibit of Sussex Artists Alice Whitney (pastels)and Pat Mecer(watercolour). I did make a lot of trips back and forth to Saint John, Fredericton and a few side trips to Moncton. Nice thing about living in Sussex , 45 minutes to an 1 hour to any one of the cities.
I did join the Saint John Art Club http://www.saintjohnartscentre.com/ the oldest art club in Canada.
I also was able to find time to attend an Ann Balch http://www.annbalch.com/ workshop here in Sussex. Great work shop and it was a very good reminder on all much I enjoy working with watercolours.
May always starts with a celebration somewheres around the world and it is no difference in our family because the 1st is my parents wedding anniversary. This year it is 61 years and they can still make each other laugh.

Marjorie and Murry Graves May 1st 1948

Banff Day-17 (30) Last Day

2009-03-31T01:34:00.004-03:00

Last full day in Banff and it was busy.
I started the day pressing off the last dyed cottons. Got a great range of colours.

Caught the pink sky sun rise from the rooms balcony

At 7:30am Donna, Wendy, and I went to the lakes just out side of Banff and caught the sun just coming over the mountains.

We upset a Canadian gander who was very noisy. There were a couple of geese at another lake that were totally ignoring him.
After breakfast Donna took me on a tour of the area. Our first stop was at the falls . The path was very slippery and only made it to the first falls( there are 7 along the trail.)

Donna taking photos.

Mid afternoon we were at Lake Louise and here I am with the lake and Victoria Glacier behind me.

Late afternoon we were back in the Banff area checking out the birthplace of Canada's national park system, Cave and Basin. My first experience to hot springs and I found it very fascinating. A whole new world to explore that I think is very interesting so I do have to come back.

The marsh below the springs
Donna was a great guide and made sure I got to see a lot in a short time. I have over 200 photos to work threw but right now I am trying to pack and that is a major challenge.

Banff Day16 (29) Catching Up

2009-03-29T14:54:00.024-03:00

Sunday morning is a great time to get some admin type work caught up. Besides working on some research I thought I would update my blog.

March 20th - Another trip to the Whyte Gallery to investigate the archives and artifacts on display ( future inspiration) The Whyte holds a vast amount of work on the history of Banff and the Canadian Rockies and the few hours that I was there was really not enough time but I have started work on a few ideas.

Ashtray and cigarette holders from the 30s - how times have change.
After lunch I walked back in to town to resource the area. Every where you look there are mountains.
On the way back to the Centre the street followed the Bow River which had open water in some spots. I did have to stop a few times to take in the sights (and catch my breath as its all up hill. )

In this picture you may be able to see the river bed rock beneath the water.
A tree growing on the cliff.

Leaning over to the river below.

And there were lots of signs to warn of the possible dangers.

March 22nd- We woke to a good covering of snow that made everything look like a Christmas card.

Some of the music huts

But later the sun came out and it warmed up so I was able to take a few pictures of some the studios in the Leighton Artist community were we worked out of.

#8 studio has been the home away from home for us

A place for writers - the boat was brought in from BC.

Another Studio
March 23rd - 27th What can I say about this pass week ?We dyed!!!!

Donna and Lesley preparing the burners for silk dying ( the mad dyer in the back ground is Ingrid)
I was experimenting with a water base silk dye that required steaming. I had to let the material dry over night before they were steamed , the next morning discovered beautiful crystals growing on everything in a
rainbow of colours.

Silk drying

I also used Fiber Reactive dyes for the cottons.

The dye studio is built in to the mountain.

Silk wrapped in news print for the steamer.

The Steamer.

March 27th -was the opening of our Loose Thread (work in progress)Exhibit at the Other Gallery in Glyde Hall.

This is what I was working on for the last 2 weeks

The opening was well attended

Articulation 7 of 10 - Lesley, Gloria, Linda. Ingrid, Donna, Wendy and Me

March 28th - AGM no time for pictures but we are all still talking to each other . Seen my first robin for 2009. Spring has arrived in the Rockies.

This morning I pressed and packed away some of the silk. I decided I would wait till I got home to press the silk ribbon.

Banff-Day 6 (18)

2009-03-19T00:39:00.005-03:00

Almost a full week now among the mountains and really barely time to view them. We have also had a fair amount of cloud and a bit of snow. I have discovered that even when the sun is shinning I can't get a great picture. I think I may have to climb something higher to take the view in. The Center is surrounded by these mountains and I understand each has a name which I have yet to find what they are.

Banff-Day 3 (15)

2009-03-16T00:52:00.004-03:00

Today was a work day. So was yesterday. It has taken me 2 days to get over the lack of sleep and jet lag and realize that the computer clock was 3 hours a head of the time I was trying to adapt to. Yesterday (Saturday) I did get some time to stretch my legs and wonder around the grounds to take in the sites. I had plan on walking to town to day but messy weather kept most of us in the studio all day working on our many projects.

I was experimenting with French knots but after doing a small sample I decided it wasn't what I wanted.

Hard at work

Ingrid and Donna

Gloria and Wendy

I'll have to try and get better pictures, at least a few similes.

Banff- day 1 (13)

2009-03-14T00:13:00.003-03:00

Arrived in Banff this morning around 1 am and by the time I got to bed I had been up for over 24 hours. I got to the point I was so tired I couldn't fall asleep. But I did manage to get a few hours before meeting up with everyone at breakfast and starting the day. All I can say about today is it was over whelming ....so much to take in.

The mountains are spectacular and there is a view of them from ever window and open door.

One of the views from the rooms' balcony.

Directly in front of my room
Leighton Studio #8 were we work most of the time.

Down town Banff - Ingrid, Donna, and Lesley on the search for the Sushi Bar. My first time eating ell and it tasted like trout with out the bones.

Distraction

2009-03-11T21:49:00.003-03:00

The last 2 weeks have been busy with cleaning up the studio and doing a number of prepacked for the trip to Banff . Tonight is the final packing session and I think I will be able to zip the suit cases closed in the morning. .
Five Articulation members are all ready settled in since the 1st and spent the first week in the dye studio. Check out Donna and Lesley's blogs to get the latest updates. I will be trying to blog regularly so do stay tune.
I can easily get distracted somedays and this Squirrel with a pumpkin was very entertaining for a few minutes.

Illusion 1

2009-02-28T18:43:00.004-04:00

It always feels good to finish a piece and like what was created. Illusion1 is part of the Urban Texture series that will be shown in in Edmonton at the McMullen Gallery and than later in Winnipeg at the Mennonite Museum in September. Illusion 1 is the only piece going to Edmonton. The inspiration for it was a photo I had taken in Winnipeg of the Canadian Wheat Board Building and I manipulated it in Paint Shop. The technique I used to make it is called whole cloth quilting and it was dyed, stitched and painted. I don't care for bindings so if I can get away with it I like the pillow slip method to finish the quilt. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. This time it did work nicely and the piece hangs straight.

Of course I had to play with the finished photo in the Kaleidoscope Kreator program and have come with up with some new inspiration that I may be able to use in another project( some day).

new toy- Kaleidoscope Kreator 3

2009-02-27T10:54:00.010-04:00

I really don't have the time to be playing but after seeing the KK3 on the Quilting Arts TV program I thought what the heck gota have it! Yes it is fun and a great time waster. I'm not in to cute crafty stuff so at first I thought maybe I wasted $50. But after playing with photos of my own work I can see where this program will be a very good designer tool. I think work using photos of people and animals are a bit creepy. When it comes to landscape and flowers one really has to work the design but using samples of needle work I did get some very inspiring pieces that I could take further.

tree bark

Unknown flower

Hot air balloon

free style ribbon embroidery

more embroidery

Fashion -1908

2009-02-16T11:34:00.006-04:00

I continue to work on the pieces for the "Urban Texture" Exhibit but in between drying dyed fibers and short breaks I work on the next Exhibit that Articulation has set up for next year and that is "Women Rock." Our inspiration is from Banff and the Rockies. I will be in residency at the Leighton Studio at the Banff Art Center in March for 3 weeks to work on my research and some of the pieces. As I prepare the work I'm am looking at a number of different angles to pull from and one is the fashion of the early 1900s. I have been reading a bit about Mary Schaffer (http://www.peakfinder.com/) a woman explorer of the area and I can not image trekking threw the Rockies in what the women of that era wore.
I have a small collection of old needle art magaizines and just happen to have one displying patterns for Blouses. Not sure where this is going yet but thought I would share some of the patterns.

squirrels,birds and red nails

2009-02-13T18:51:00.005-04:00

So much for my plan to blog a couple times a week. The thought is there but not the time and I often wonder what to show and tell. I am busy working on work for "Articulation's"next exhibit which is in April at the McMullen Gallery in Edmonton then will travel to Winnipeg in September to the Mennonite Heritage Museum . I 'll have pictures of the finished work at a later date.
I'm always experimenting with something, for the last week it has been with dyes and I am happy to report the samples look good. I did take some time out this morning to experiment with my new camera. There was a male Cardinal in the cedars that I was trying to get a shot of but with no luck. And the Chickadee was a bit difficult

They barely stop long enough to get a really good shot. This one is a bit dark.

Now this little guy never moved except to stuff more seeds in to his mouth.

And then I went and had a manicure and had the nails painted brilliant red just for a change of pace.

Photos

2009-01-31T19:57:00.003-04:00

Last day of the first month, time sure does fly. Some days faster then others but in the winter months it does feel that spring will never get here. Today was a bit of a snow day so I thought I would play with some of my photos from last summer to add a bit of colour in to my life.
I'm still fairly new at taking pictures with the digital and I do have a lot of fun with it. Some days I get a decent shot and its perfect for manipulating.

But then I get the perfect shot (for me) and it doesn't need anything but maybe enlarged , print and frame. The bug was a surprise.

ICE 101

2009-01-27T09:28:00.003-04:00

Another chilly day on the hillside but only -24 this morning which is up from a few days ago when it was -34. Yet we do get the odd warm day -1 with freezing rain! Ice can offer so much with photos and played with in an altering image program .

Exploring pattern ...... Ice on the clothes line

Staff and Still Lifes

2009-01-19T18:56:00.008-04:00

I am sure if I found the right staff I would get so much more work done. But the pay of a good rubbing and a bit of cat nip really doesn't get me much except being entertained.
Such a Monday!
We woke to -3c this morning compared to Friday when it was -33c! And with freezing rain it was another good day to stay in the studio to work on some major projects. Buying cut flowers is always a good start for me to set up a colour study. I'll also pose the setting a few times to see if there is anything I can work with.

Depending on what I am doing I will even keep notes in a sketch book which really comes in handy a few month(years) later.

This is my favorite and have plans on the drawing board for it.

New Year

2009-01-18T19:01:00.007-04:00

The year is over 2 weeks old now and I'm a little slow getting in to the swing of Blogging. Life is busy but I have been working daily in the studio on a number of projects. In the last 2 weeks I completed a quilt that I pieced together 10 years ago on the Maga Quilter. This is the first quilt that I have quilted using the frame and machine so very much a learning lesson. And so much more to learn.

I also made a cushion for my sister using left over material from a window seat cover that she had made. One side of the cushion is woven with 2 different materials then satin stitch over the raw edges. The other side is panels over laid to one and other and 3 different size yo yos to make a rosette to use for the closure.

2008-12-23T21:04:00.005-04:00

Season Greetings

This is a picture of Dargo ( Ragdoll) and Higby ( Dalmatian) taken in Cold Lake AB 2004. Dargo was only a year old and Higby was 7. Good thing about pets they really don't change much over the years. Both are still doing very well.

This next picture is of Rudy this year. Rudy is about a year and a half . He found Higby and I when we were out for a walk last summer (07). He was is in rough shape but knew a good thing when he saw it and though it doesn't show in this picture he has to be one of the happiest and smartest animals that I have owned.

Colour Wheel

2008-12-07T19:44:00.005-04:00

I like dyeing my fibers and I try to keep a record of what I do. In these colour wheels I used G&S dyes (http://www.gsdye.com/) with very good results. The material is cotton and the threads are rayon ( inside) cotton and silk(out side).

Kaleidoscopes

2008-11-25T20:04:00.014-04:00

Today was a typical November day , cloudy and dreary so a good time to do some experimenting on the computer. I love Kaleidoscopes so I had a go at manipulating a photo of one of Dads Sunflowers from this summer. These flowers were huge and must have been more then 12 ft tall.

Playing with the program can be very addictive and time flies by.

These are but a few. I have no plans for the sunflower yet but other photos for another project are on the drawing board.

Snow day

2008-11-23T06:29:00.008-04:00

Yesterday was a snow day, all day!. Very unusal to have a snowy Saturday and I didn't have to be any wheres. It was the perfect day to rearrange the studio, work on a project thats been nagging me, and even managed to get a loaf of bread made. Whole wheat with orange that I start in the bread maker and the bake in the oven.

from office window

the best I've made

from the kitchen window

A photo from one of last years snow days. There were 24 "stormy" days between November and March. Good days to stay in and be creative.

Links

2008-11-15T15:15:00.004-04:00

As a Fiber Artist I am always looking for new ways to display my art work so a few years ago I decide to explore the doll form as venue. The end results were 14 stump dolls that were created from start to finish in 3 months. The dolls were part of an exhibit called "Links"that showed in western Canada with the Fiber Arts Group Articulation.

Kingslanding

2008-11-12T20:35:00.007-04:00

I am still in the learning stage of blogging but thought I would try and post a few pictures. These were taken Thankgiving 2008 at Kingslanding New Brunswick. Food was nothing to write about the area was beatuiful.

2008-05-15T23:03:00.005-03:00

First Day

2008-05-15T22:47:00.002-03:00

Testing 123 . have know idea why i'm doing this I don't have time for everything else on my list