Aha!

A couple of posts back I mentioned that I was considring giclee prints of my bonsai trees. I did go ahead and have some done of two of the designs. Although I am happy with the quality of the prints they still struck me as somehow unfinished. I matted them with black mats and it improved the appearance but still something was missing. I pondered it for awhile and I finally hit upon what it was, I really wanted to show off the pattern featured in each print. My solution was to mat each of the different trees in the same print that is featured on the pot. I'm happy with the effect it seems to set the print off much better. This is the first of them, now listed at Etsy. The next will be coming in a few days. Funny isn't it? When you just sit back and let it the answer presents itself...I wonder where it comes from?

Heart Space

This piece represents a realignment of my energy.
The end of November brought the resolution of a difficult decision for me. I have decided to let go of my rented studio space.
I began renting a studio two years ago. Doing dye work in the home is a risky proposition. Dyes are messy and have a tremendous capacity of finding their way into the most unexpected places. It has been a terrific luxury to have a space dedicated their use that doesn’t have a second function (like a laundry room or garage). I also like to be able to make a mess without guilt.
The downsides to this are the money and time factors. I maintain a room in my home for sewing and all computer related tasks. I work a full time job. The harsh truth is that I haven’t been using the studio enough to justify the expense…and that weighs on me. I’ve been trying to divide my time between the three locations: job, studio and home and the one that keeps losing is the studio. I do artwork at home but getting to the studio, even when I try to make it a priority, doesn’t happen enough to justify the expense.
I’ve also found that all too often I find myself basing my artistic/business decisions on how I will pay the rent rather than on what my true artistic inclination is.
This isn’t the direction I want to head in.
Like most people I have a relatively small amount of time each day to use on my art/business. I have been thinking about the sort of work I want to spend that time on…I enjoy experimenting with dyes, experiments that may not necessarily work out. I enjoy designing new work both digital and analog using the textiles I produce … What I don’t particularly enjoy is huge amounts of production work. I’ve done enough of it over the last twenty years to know it isn’t where my strength or my heart is. I would prefer to focus more on the things I love in the time that is available to me.
I have the choice between a physical space to work in or the mental space I need in order to produce my best work…I’m picking the mental space.
Releasing the studio will free up time and money that I intend to reinvest in the work I love best.

labyrinth

I am still working with the labyrinth designs, this is my latest take on it...

I'm trying meld the textures of the fabrics with the labyrinth design without it getting too busy. I am interested in creating something with a meditative quality. this seems to be the most successful so far.

bonsai 2,3,4

This is the rest of the bonsai series, I'm considering fine art prints or cards of the designs...

I have a couple other unrelated designs to finish before I make a final decision.

bonsai-tree-1

bonsai-tree-1 Originally uploaded by alsokaizen

This is a new piece of virtual piecework I've been working on. I have three more companion pieces that are nearly finished. I've been wanting to use the pattern that is on the pot for a while I created it nearly a year ago and never really found a use for it until now.

Itajime Shibori Dyed Rice Paper listed on Etsy

I'm trying something new at my Etsy store. I've decided to list some of my Shibori paper for sale. I'm putting them up as single sheets or coordinating sets.



I love this stuff and I have been experimenting with it for awhile now. I've successfully used it with archival glues, resin and acrylic mediums so I figure why not share the wealth? My absolute favorite way to use it is in my virtual piecework...

this piece was created as a part of my japonisme design group

and this is one of the designs in my Hawaiian Quilt card set (also on Etsy)

So we will see if there is any response!

30 Day Experiment (more than 30 days late) review

I have dragged my feet trying to describe how the experiment worked out. All around I think it helped me to become more productive and far more aware of the habit of sharing too much. However I was unable to completely follow my own rules. I tried to be much more circumspect regarding upcoming projects, and I think I succeeded in not discussing them for the most part but it was hard to do. I had a number of events that put me in a position to discuss my work and I find it very difficult to limit those conversations to the present or the past, they kept spilling over into possibilities for the future. I definitely couldn't help myself in the morning pages... I truly think that that is one of the ways my brain sorts itself out. I do think that just becoming more aware of the behavior was constructive, and I am continuing to try to keep my head in the present.