Design Wall...this week

Working on three projects currently, albeit at a non rushed pace.  For my personal quilt for the year, I am doing 100 6" blocks.  I am working with a project in which two blocks are revealed a week, so the quilt will literally take a year.  My interpretation of the blocks is not always literal...so I just do not post them on the FB site...do not want to upset the masses!

The second project is a 20" square to be entered in an exhibition.  That will be all I can say about that one at the moment.  Other than I can only use solid fabrics which is insane!

Third project is doing a variation of a block presented to me every week.  We shall see how this goes as there is a good probability that my blocks may not be what they are expecting.  Such is the life of an independent thinker.  Crazy is never understood.....

What have I been doing????

NOT MUCH....well, maybe a few things....

I am approaching my life with a new perspective.  Most of my life I have felt the need to achieve. I kept pretty focused and more than likely had a somewhat flexible, but never the less,  plan.  Shortly, I will turn 65 and I figure that is pretty grown up.  NO MORE PLANS!!  My new mantra is, "What do I feel like doing today? And that is exactly what I do.  I still have an innate need to finish what I start but I am giving my 'self' that- "Jimmy Buffet Latitude", and regressing into my flowerchild.

Having said all that (sounded good anyway),....this month, I did a set of prints for the Sketchbook Library Exchange in which I will donate one print to the library and trade the others with ten other artist from around the world.  How fun is that!  The other project I am working on is a 'sew along' with OVER 18,000 quilters around the world.  Every week we are presented with two 6" blocks to make and at the end of 12 months we will have 100 blocks created by different designers with which to make a quilt.  I am planning on making two 50+ block quilts and this is my social, traditional, project for the year.  The quilting event is called, "The Splendid Sampler" project and is open to anyone who wants to participate.

So, I have had a month with NO PLANS, but I am getting the urge to make a major type piece....hmmmm......what am I thinking????

Collaborating....

Been super busy this month and kind of taking a break from ANYTHING THAT HAS A DEADLINE!! Here is a peek at a project that a friend and I are collaborating on this spring. Fellow artist,  Geri Forkner, works primarily in felting fiber (among other things) and I work primarily with woven cloth.  We are trying to put the two processes together  into a vessel form, which we are finding is not always an easy task.  This is our first piece, which we both are very pleased with.  Now our second piece that we are currently working on is talking back!  We are trying different construction techniques, and pushing ourselves to see where we can go.  We are also learning what the limits are in each others manipulation techniques.
This is our first sculpture-

It is good that we are both mature because combining two visions is both the good and the bad of the process.  Geri continually surprises me with what she comes up with and that is what makes the journey fun.

ETSY store opened.....

Took me FOREVER...but I finally opened my ETSY store...Please check it out.  www.difergi.etsy.com

Having Fun!

Finished large painting 24"x36", not actually that large, but done anyway.  Am liking it at the moment (smile).  Have to glaze,  frame, and then it is set to go!   Where I do not know (sad face).  Now, a little break and  I am going to do some miniature paintings (see below), 2x3 and 4x6 inches.  I think it will be fun.  Also have a couple fabric projects I need to finish up.

Life is good.....may your days be blessed....di

finished!

So here are some of the 'girls' I have included in my recent paintings.  I am wanting to start a more stylized female face but have not come up with one I am entirely happy with, it just takes time and an 'eureka!' moment.  The moment will happen and is evolving.  When you start to change the human face it can get a bit scary and that is not what my work is about.  The framed piece on the right (via computer magic) is 16"x  20".  I was watching part of an old (1950ish) pirate movie today and  I can see I have been heavily influenced by my youth.  LOL..oh well

Over Achiever Syndrome....

So, this is how it begins! New piece and I am blocking in my shapes. Before I start with the paint, I draw out a very rough sketch in my sketch book for compositional purposes. Does the painting always reflect my primary sketch? The answer is, sometimes yes, sometimes no. Usually, I do not show a piece at this stage because it can change drastically and I suspect this one will be much different when finished. I always have a thought I am trying to express when I do a painting and that I stay true to but the images sometimes have a mind of their own! I also (almost always), have some technical goals in mind. I feel that my colors have been too bright and pure in the previous canvases and my goal this time is to keep the color softer and muted. I hesitate to share that with you as I may fail in epic proportions in this endeavor. NOW, you are wondering 'why', am I doing an epic narration. The answer to that question is that in my '101, Succeeding as an Artist', research, the experts suggest that I share my process.....I am such a good student ie 'over achiever' So I am sharing.....learned to share in kindergarten! Well, sorta....

Angst.....

What am I thinking????  I have no idea, just putting together images that interest me.  Where is the sophistication, the subtlety, the fineness of the art?  I give up.  But... on the other hand,  the images do have a personality of their own and a certain joy/wonder.  Going down a blind path and just wondering where it all leads.  The angst of creation, love/hate...and now you have a glimpse into my mind.  Maybe I should paint still lifes......NAH

Done!

This piece is about honoring life, our God given spirit. And taking time to be grateful for this walk on this planet.  What better time than the holidays to 'rejoice and be glad'?

Everyday, I find joy in all that I do and my work is an expression of that.  Oh my, I am getting too serious and philosophical and I haven't even had too much eggnog!

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and live in the 'knowing'.  D

Moments in the Studio!

Time in the studio is hard to find when dealing with the holiday season!  I now have a two week period that I can steal some time here and there to work in my art space.  Just finished this small painting (8x10) and have a larger piece blocked in and ready to develop.  I miss daily time creating but I try to remember to live in the moment and enjoy all that is going on with my family and friends.  Life is a gift and every day a blessing.

Great News!!

This art quilt I named "Boogie Nights" made it's debut at the International Quilt Show in Houston in October.  It was a part of SAQA's exhibit, Wild Fabrications.  It is always an honor to be in a SAQA show AND it sold on the opening day!

I love the piece and part of me hates to see it go, but I love my work finding homes.  The new owner will not even take possession of the piece until it finishes traveling with the exhibit.

An apology for not posting lately, Just finished doing two big shows, an open studio tour, and heading deep into the holiday season.

Next year be looking for me to open an ETSY shop, so that those of you who have inquired about purchasing some of my art work will be able to do so very easily.

Have a glorious holiday season, filled with family and friends.
Love to all......Diana

Studio Tour....Check, Ready!

Tomorrow is a studio tour for the Gallery downtown and I am ready.  Life is busy and getting busier!  The tour will be wonderful, because times are few when you can talk about your work.  Yes, it is all about me, me, me, tomorrow ( and of course, the seven other artists on the tour :-(  ). And then I head to Asheville, NC, for a four day show and have to talk about me, me, me, AGAIN.  That will be enough 'ME' for the whole year!

Wish me luck....I have no studio time and that is not a good thing!  I get a little grouchy.......

Two shows this fall so to back to work I go!

It is not really 'work' when I am creating stuff but every once in a while deadlines loom and I have to get my act together.  So....I sew!..... and finish up stuff.  I try not to think about the holiday season that is on the horizon....oh my..  Good thing I do not stress easily  :-)

My little world.....

I am starting a series of paintings that I am going to refer to as my 'village' paintings.  They will be full of imaginary characters, mystery, and magic.  If you ask me to explain them, I won't.  The narrative is up to you.  However, I will give you titles, so that is really  kind of a hint to my brain.  This piece is called, "the gift," and you will see repetition of many objects in this painting in the upcoming paintings.

I am energized and enjoying this whole process.  I  randomly sketched for about 2 months before I decided what the new paintings would be about.   Some of those sketches are posted on my  facebook's page, Difergi's.

Hope you enjoy these as I post them and that your narrative is happy and full of joy.  This piece is 24x36" and painted with acrylic paint.

Back from Vacation and trying to get in the grove again!

I am at a stumbling place.  A place where I have two loves pulling against each other.  Painting and textiles are both passions of mine.  For the last 10 years I have focused on textiles and for 26+  years before that I painted.  (I think that means I am old when you add that up!!, but that is a trauma for another day....).
I am having a strong urge to return to my painting roots and have been doing a lot of drawing lately. I feel VERY guilty about wanting to leave the textiles because of the time I have invested in developing my work and following.  So.... for right now I am keeping fingers in both mediums which will not work for very long.  Time will tell!  I have two textile shows coming up, therefore, I stitch until at least December.  Here are some of the drawings I have been working on.  Today, I am going to open up the paint jars and start a sizable painting.  Change, the one certainty in life....

That time of the year again!

Will be seeing my granddaughters soon and of course that means making some dresses!  They have really grown.  Apparently, where they live 'long' skirts are the best.  It is a slight detour in my daily routine but time well spent.  I just pray that the clothes fit.  If not we can adjust.......Can't wait for their hugs..... (of course I made them some silk 'gypsy skirts'....now if I could only find them some kid size bangles :-))

Sketchbook fun....

I have so much fun doing these that I just want to share!...Husband says, "Why are you doing these in a sketchbook?".  I am just exploring. For me when I work in my sketch book I just can't take myself too seriously....it is just pure creation and fun...If you have never tried this type of play--  try it, you will like it :-)

Work goes on, in spite of the beautiful weather.....

The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and it is just a beautiful day in east Tennessee.  Later this afternoon I plan to enjoy the weather on our porch.  I might even cut the grass in the back yard!

But until then, I am working on smalls that will be matted and wrapped for sale.  I try to have levels of price points for my work so that everyone can afford something.  I realize that artwork is a luxury....and not everyone can have Picasso hanging on their walls.  My personal art collection has been developed over many years and I did a lot of trading with artists who I admired their work. I find it to be pure joy to be surrounded by the work and spirit of many talented creators.

On my docket next week is to get back to the big quilt I am working on, and I really need to open an ETSY shop.  I am only sharing this in hopes that it will get me moving in the right direction.  Sooo...stop and smell the roses and if they haven't bloomed yet, smell the irises...Have a blessed day....di

(The four pieces on the wall are in line for quilting next)

New page in the sketchbook...

enjoy!! And Happy Easter...

Oceans and more....

Next large piece started and can you tell it has part of an ocean in it?  Blues are so pretty.  This is just the background for everything else to go on top.  The quilt  is not due until October so I am well ahead of schedule.  The theme for the exhibit is 'Diaspora", and for some reason that really spoke to me (okay, I admit I had to look it up!).  So here we go-I always find themes that I want to express visually so if it is not accepted, I never regret the journey.