More decorated Eggs

Now that the holidays are here, I have again found myself interested in decorating eggs.

It does make cooking a little more fun because when I use eggs, I imagine all sorts of designs on them. It can also make for more accidents in the kitchen for lack of attention!

Fatsia japonica

the fatsia blossom

blooming in winter

savoring the mid-day sun

strange but beautiful!

Over the Meadow

Although I printed this etching in black only, I think that it would be interesting to see it in color. I'll have to try it!

6"x 9"
2006

To Live Forever

This week I visited the Chrysler Museum to see the exhibit To Live Forever, produced by the Brooklyn Museum of Art. It explains how the ancient Egyptians made preparatons for the afterlife in the netherworld with Osiris. They did this for thousands of years!! They believed that Osiris ruled the earth as a generous king and later lived beneath the earth in the netherworld, where he was king of the dead. There is the mummy of Demetrios with a description of the mummification process, which I won't describe here!! There are interesting objects that were placed in the tombs and coffins to be used in the afterlife. Anyway, it's fascinating and certainly worth a visit!

Decorated Eggs

As I was dreaming of finding another fascinating printmaking book on Amazon one day last year, I ran right into a book I couldn't resist! I just had to try the process described in this book. Besides, something about it reminds me of how I do linocuts. This photo shows my first attempts last Christmas at decorating eggs using a series of wax applications and dyes, a process called pysanky. I somehow have to find the time to do more!

Two Pink Cats

Some days I do like pink and purple, as in this linocut of two unusual cats. My cat Sylvester was the model for the larger one but I'm not so sure he would be pleased with his new color!

6 1/2" x 8"

Pitcher Plants

I had never seen pitcher plants before so when I saw these at a botanical garden in Richmond, Virginia, I had to take a picture! They are so interesting because they so different. I love their long tubular shape. Insects become trapped in a deep fluid-filled cavity and become food. That makes this plant carnivorous! This one is the North American pitcher plant of the genus Sarracenia.

Release the Spirit

Oh, to be a lepidopterist!

I enjoyed creating a different edge in this linocut and combining it with the drypoint of the butterfly in the center.

10" x 10"

Self-Portrait

All those who know me must recognize me in this linocut self-portrait!

5 1/2" x 6 1/2"

Periwinkles

I saw these periwinkles in a tide pool on the coast of Maine recently. I read that they are a small edible species of marine gastropod in the family Littorinidae, the winkles. They were introduced to the Atlantic coast, possibly by rock ballast in the mid-1800's. Unfortunately, their introduction damaged the native gastropod population. But they do add texture to this already very textural photo I took in Acadia National Park.

Faith

Etching

This little etching was inspired

by an old friend in France who

sometimes birdwatches in a

cemetery near Paris.

3"x 5"

2009

Elephant

This is another linocut from

my African animal series.

11"x 15"

2008

A Little Bit of Van Gogh

I love Van Gogh's self-portraits so I created this miniature linocut of my son as "A Little Bit of Van Gogh"!

3"x 3 1/2"

2006

Sunflowers

I printed this etching in slightly different colors and thought that I would like one better than the other but I like them equally! Does anyone have a favorite?

4"x 6"

A Journey's Rest

Linocut













4"x 5"
2006

Amanitas

Photograph

I've always known that fungi can be beautiful so when I saw these today behind my house, I was thrilled! They are loving these sultry days of August. I see a new print coming!

Conversing with Zebras

Linocut

I like the many patterns that you find in the animal world, like zebra stripes, but they require a lot of patience when cutting the linoleum for a print. This one was a challenge!

They say that if you want to attract a group of zebras, of course, paint black and white stripes on a wall. Before you do that, you might consider looking for a calmer hybrid, a zorse of zonkey!

7"x 9" 2006

Moonlit Rendezvous

Etching

Two birds

Friends

Deftly alight

For a midnight rendezvous

6"x 71/2"

2008

Painting and Quote by Edgar Degas

Woman and Chrysanthemums by Edgar Degas

Quote by Edgar Degas:

"Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things."

Something to ponder.

Sea Shadows

Using special papers as chine-colle can give unusual textures to prints. This one gives a watery look to this fish etching!

6"x 8"

2003

Aquamarine

Linocut







5"x 61/2"
2006

Glass Fish

Today I saw these small glass fish in a glass display in a local museum shop and had to take a picture since they remind me of my colorful fish linocut prints. To me, these seem alive and swimming in some clear, cool waters! I inquired about the artist but to no avail!

Aflight #2

Etching

Skies
Fading light pink
Purple butterflies awaken
Hypnotizing, reviving
Dawn breaks




6"x9"
2006

Chasing Monarchs

Recently I visited Norfolk Botanical Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia to participate in a short butterfly photography class, hoping to get a few good shots of my own. Luckily the chase was limited as the butterflies were enclosed in the garden's Butterfly House! Even at that, it was a challenge! This is one of my photos from that day.

Leopards

Linocut

This is a commissioned piece from my African animal series.

12"x 15"

2009

Blue Papillon

Linocut/Woodcuts

....................

un papillon

trois amis

cool blue butterfly

....................

14"x 16"

2009

Butterfly Round #2

Linocut

I love butterflies and their look in a square format. There's no doubt that they can move! Here they're contained in a square format but still have motion as your eyes move around a circle. Hence, a Round!

6"x 6"
2007

Romancing the Moon

Graphite Drawing

I've lived near the ocean all my life, loving it day and night. I feel the moon's glow and water reflections, inspiring romantic dreams, as in this Tidewater tale of a hopeful connection.



6"x 8"
2009

Giraffe Portrait

Linocut

Part of a series I'm doing on African animals.









5 1/2" x 7"
2005

Sea Textures

Linocut

Sea textures
Cool green waters
Floating in my snorkel mask
Wavy motion
Warm light patterns
Creatures hush



5 1/2" x 7"
2005

Waterlings

Linocut

It feels like a flower
with fish petals
fluttery seeds
cycles
and growth

4"x 5"
2004