Subtle Rose Colors

These roses were certainly beautiful when they were fresh but as I watched them grow weary, their subtle colors started to fascinate me. They became very pretty dried flowers! Perhaps there is a painting in there somewhere!

A New Day linocut

I made this linocut last summer when butterflies were on my mind. It was going to be black and white only but I thought it would be interesting to add some color to it underneath by printing the same piece upside down first using color. I like the way it came out!

Drawing on Glass Plate of Tufted Titmice

I've prepared a new drawing for a solarplate etching. I made the drawing on a glass plate and then I'll expose it to a photo sensitive plate in the sun. Then I'll make a print from that plate onto paper. I'll show the print as soon as I can but first, this is my drawing on the glass. Can't wait to see it on paper!
I'm lucky to see Tufted Titmice regularly visiting my bird feeder. :-)

drawing on glass

Seasonal Pleasures in Door County, Wisconsin

Join me for a mead?

Rabbit Sketches

Since I broke a bone in my ankle a few weeks ago, I've been trying to amuse myself with whatever I can do while my foot is elevated. There goes printing! But no worries because I can always attempt some drawing if I can just get what I need without too much hopping around. I want to print more rabbits so I thought I could do a few sketches from some photos I took last year. The hardest part was trying to take a photo of them while standing on one foot and not putting a shadow on them! So fun.

A Favorite

Sometimes I think I would just like to have a few sketchbooks and pencils and just draw nature and I'd be as happy as doing anything else. There is so much to learn and see in nature to keep one's mind busy ...and challenged! This is a book I have that I still enjoy reading. When I see it, it reminds me that I should be drawing from nature everyday! What about you, do you have a favorite book that you could never part with?

Butterflies Emerge!

When I returned from Wisconsin, I found that three of my butterflies had emerged from their chrysalises! I knew it would be close and I was hoping they would wait until I returned but alas, there they were and they were beautiful. Only one had a bit of damage to a wing, as you can see, but I released them and they flew off just as they should! One escapee was flying around the garage.  There are three more chrysalises but I have a feeling that they may wait until spring to emerge. I have to remember to keep an eye on them! ....or put them outside.
From caterpillar to butterfly - it really is a miracle.

 

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant

Sister Bay, Wisconsin
It's a surprise when you drive by this!

Eastern Black Swallowtail Caterpillars

I found some little caterpillars on the fennel plant in the garden which was perfect because I was trying to attract them. I decided to bring them in and watch them grow. The birds are probably not happy about that :-(  Anyway, they're growing, as you can see! I hope to see them through their metamorphosis into butterflies. I'll happily release them when the time comes! 

Floral Fantasy

I thought I'd try framing three gouache paintings in the one frame. I went to a local art store to have a mat cut out and had never seen their laser cutter. To have one of those! It was done in a flash.

My Favorite Sign!

Norfolk Botanical Garden Exhibit - Flights of Fancy

Our exhibit at the garden has finally arrived! It's hanging there until the end of August. They are works with birds, butterflies and other insects. Peggy is a mixed media artist and of course, I'm a printmaker and painter. We wanted it to be there during the 2017 Butterfly Festival which is turning out to be a very popular event!

The garden's Baker Hall, where art is shown

Great Horned Owl linocut

I wanted to make another linocut the same size as the one with the 3 crows. I used the same three pieces to layer the background and cut out the owl to be printed on top. These owls used to nest behind my house but now the crows won't allow it. They don't have a chance!

5" x 10"

Demo Woodblock Print

I made this woodblock print for my demonstration at the Chrysler Museum which was this past Saturday. My influence was Toulouse Lautrec's "Le Chat Noir" I wanted it to be something that could go along with the show there. He did lithographs but liked Japanese woodblock prints. I don't do Japanese prints but I can do regular woodblock prints, so there you have it! If you are confused, so be it! I was a bit nervous at first but my demo went well especially once I was able to shed the microphone. I know printmaking very well so I had a lot to talk about!

Bienvenue from the Chrysler Museum!

In my collection of small linocuts  I have a few with French words. The museum shop at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia thought they would be a good addition to their French themed table. The museum is having several exhibits of famous French artists' works this year so their shop has a collection of related items. It's fun to see them there! One way to remember French words - make lots of handmade prints!

Strawberries

I always look forward to this time of the year because it's time to pick strawberries! We have several farms in the area where you can do just that and if you go early enough in the season, you can go back for more. It's easy to be greedy! These were organic and so sweet. Another favorite, asparagus, was available at the farm stand and local too. Oh no, now I'm hungry.

Some strawberries from  the past!

Planting Day

Yesterday I was able to take a break from my busy schedule to plant flowers. It was a very warm sunny day but there was a perfect breeze, making it a very pleasant planting afternoon. I could hear the birds busy in conversation, especially the chickadees and cardinals, with the crows much engaged in what seemed some sort of game. I think they're very good at amusing each other! The pots are all ready to be sprinkled about the patio and yard...mostly in the shade of course since sunny spots are rare. To bypass all of the sun-loving flowers at the nursery takes will power!

plant nursery

A Beautiful Painting - Artist Unknown (I wish I knew!)

I saw this beautiful painting on the internet and had to share it. I love the colors and the composition and really, everything about it! It surely inspires me. Now I want to paint with oils but should I? It's easy to get distracted by another great medium. And the oils - they can be so amazing, like this one!

Quincaillerie

At one time, I just loved the French word "quincaillerie". I didn't know what it meant but it had a nice sound and look. Rediculous or not, oh well!  When I went to France a few years ago, I saw this in a town in Provence, the only time I saw it during my visit. I don't know if it's a very common word. Maybe it's a sign that I should do a painting of this place!

Swallowtail with Bluebirds

I'm working on some butterflies for my exhibit at the Norfolk Botanical Garden this summer. I thought I'd paint a few larger paintings to go with my 2 large linocuts. They will be big and sort of flat like the linocuts. I wanted this one to be bold and colorful so it will attract people! We'll see!
(hmm...I might add some more shadows now that I see it here)

17" x 19"

Little Daffodils

It seems that spring has arrived in February. These little daffodils are blooming too soon! We're having a bit of a warm spell here. It's funny, I can't remember planting them but here they are and I'm enjoying them! But I hope it doesn't mean that summer is going to be super hot this year. Some people think so!

Toulouse Lautrec coming to the Chrysler Museum!

The Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia is having an exhibit of Toulouse Lautrec's work. I'm excited to be doing a blockprint demonstration there in June, during the show. See my name on the back of the card? Since I'm a member, I received this invitation to the opening and a card showing events connected to the exhibit.
The Chrysler is a first class museum with many fantastic works in their collection. You should go if you're ever in the area. :-)

Invitation to the show opening

a nice announcement

the back of the announcement
I'm there!

FROM the EARTH exhibit

Our local Ceramic Designers Association has an exhibit in the gallery at the art center where I have my studio. The d'Art Center in Norfolk, Virginia. Here are a few works in the show. I've enjoyed seeing the variety of ideas!

Time Out by Leslie Hildreth

Mother Bird Protection by Ann Ruel

by Leslie Hildreth

Who Am I? What do I Love? by Michele Zimmerman

Sylvester (unfinished)

I never quite finished my painting of my cat Sylvester. He's gone now but this still brings back nice memories of him. He always drank water from the edge of the bowl. Maybe I should at least add some water to the bowl!

3 Caws!

I printed the four layers of my crow linocut and I think it turned out pretty well! I hope you can see the butterflies in the background. I just wanted a hint of color there. I forget how tricky printing with black ink can be, to get the right amount so it covers just right. And you have to be very careful not to get it where you don't want it! Somehow black is the worst that way.