The Redwing Blackbirds are singing earlier than usual.
redwing blackbird
Cattails with morning sun…
cattails
Ice shrinking…
ice shrinking
So far, the only minnows I’ve seen are the ones coming out of my studio. This piece approx 24×60. I wanted to try 2-colors (instead of 4). My friend Maddy, who can’t get enough indigo these days, would like to see dark indigo minnows on a lighter indigo background. I think I’ll try that next.
two-color minnow design, with red highlights
I talked to my sister Fran today. She shared with me that her color decisions on painting and dyeing projects are based on whether or not she feels the color is “edible,” i.e. as appealing as good food. This is an interesting idea. I’ve often said how much I love the smells of the katazome process — the stencil paper, the rice paste, the sweet smell of the soy dyed fabric. I would probably eat my work if I could!
minnows mussels natural pigment dyes on linen/cotton blend
Speaking of edible ideas and colors, two Minnesota arts organizations — Springboard for the Arts and MNartists.org created a wonderful new project — CSA’s — modeled after the popular community supported agriculture movement but in this case it’s Community Supported Art. It’s the most exciting idea to promote local art and artists that I’ve heard about in a long time. You can read about it here. I’ve put in my proposal!
UPDATE April 6, 2010
I was not selected for this event (I’ll try again next year). You can read about the participating artists and the program here:
I enjoy repeat patterns – a challenge to design and a fun to discover variations on a theme. Perhaps I like them for the same reasons I enjoy traditional Irish music, Mozart,and the Delta Blues. Visual rhythms, process rhythms, keeping time, leaving space for imagination, practice for my hands.
I’ve washed the rice paste from the cotton/linen blend, decorated with Meadow Rue and Tulip designs. Below are photos of results. Each piece is approx. 24×62.”
Meadow rue, natural pigments on linen/cotton blend
Meadow rue detail
Tulips, natural pigments on linen/cotton blend
Tulips detail
