to get back into the studio. It's been quite a while since I've either had paint or dye on my hands. It seems they've been more in the dirt this summer than anything else. Lots of planting, digging and reworking this summer going on around the homestead in an attempt to spruce up the place for Autumn.
After a long trip up to CT, PA and NYC, it's
good to be home and back in the studio.
And while I really, really don't like NYC, I did enjoy visiting Central Park, Strawberry Fields, the Dakota and the NY Public Library. I've come to the conclusion that I just don't like the Northeast and all it represents.
I don't think I will be going back there again - so I was glad to see it one last time.
On the creative front…. I plan on submitting a piece for consideration to be placed in the Reminiscience exhibit in the winter so I'm working on coloring some silk, cotton and gauze for this project with natural dyes I bought during my journey to Alaska.
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| My outdoor dye space |
On the way home we stopped in Vancouver, Canada and I had the pleasure of stumbling upon
Maiwa at the marketplace. Very cool store run by a super knowledgeable and informed mother daughter team - geared toward natural dyestuffs and education. I have two vats of heir indigo fermenting, and various jars of earthy colors (henna, madder, walnut, pomegranate, and tannins) brewing.
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| Flour Paste Resist - my FAVORITE |
While that's going on - I have been scouring fabrics and preparing various resists of Cleanline (which is some kind of "root",) flour, and glue gel (which is hands down my favorite). I have a nice stack of stuff ready to go into the dye baths and as soon as our weather dries out (hopefully by tomorrow) they will be taking the plunge. But because I couldn't wait, I used some Liquitex Inks and Jacquard Dyes that I thickened with sodium alginate. Love how these came out. A nice preview of things to come.
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| clean line resist -nice results |
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Fabrics with flour paste resist
still on, and dye painted over |
On the home front: Brina is going back to college this week but she will be commuting, as she now has her own home and will not be living in the dorm. Dorm life wasn't for her (which I knew it wouldn't be.) Too noisy, too hot, too chaotic, etc., etc.
Like her mom, she appreciates peace, quiet and order and has really turned into quite the homemaker. So proud of her. I see so much of my mom in both my kids. THAT makes me happy.
Life has been upside down for quite a few months. I am looking forward to settling in to Fall and all the good stuff that comes along with that - including a trip to the Upper Pensinsula of Michigan, and a few trips offshore for some deep sea fishing before the big ones head out when our coastline turns cold. Really want to catch some Dolphin.
I depart here with a picture of Gizmo (and Toby) that Sabrina took as she was taking him out of the back of her Mini Cooper after she picked him up to babysit while we were traveling North.
Goofy dog.
