So the time came when my studio needed a serious make over. It's been a bit of a tidy pickle for the last three years, and there were so many things on the floor that there wasn't enough room for my big feet to move around without stubbing a toe. Or even work properly.
And this area was particularly confused. I seem to remember that I just shoved a few bits of spare furniture up so that I could unpack some favorite books and it became a bit of a dumping ground. So the mammoth task of sorting out began.
The key to the entire operation was this lovely old (apparently Georgian) bookcase that Joe bought me well over a year ago, for the studio and which had become another dumping ground downstairs.
We shifted the old futon out and I began reorganising my books. And stuff. The first day was complete carnage.
But by the second day it began to take take shape. And I found I had masses of floor space!
I'm still not sure how I found the energy to blitz it into shape in 48 hours, but I now know where everything is. This is the only area which remained untouched.
The old fireplace (sadly blocked up by the previous tenants) has been set aside for a printing area. The next task is to renovate my poor old flat bed press.
So I did finally get round to finishing a batch of small paintings and yesterday I reopened my very first Etsy shop which I've had since 2007 and listed them all at £35 (about $45) each. I was amazed to sell two paintings overnight. and somewhat relieved.
So here I am in yet another studio, painting again and enjoying my books. It's nice but odd, just another layer of things coming around, the same but different. And a little fragile. Like my tiny houses.
My family and I went to New Orleans for a family vacation Jan 2-9. It was fun. Not a place on my "go back to" list, but a great family adventure which was the whole point.
For my artistic curiosities in New Orleans, I looked up and visited a few pottery joints and the Ogden Museum of Southern Artists and the Scuplture Garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art. I went into quite a few galleries and an artists co-op in the French Quarter. I'm sorry, I don;t usually like to be unkind about other art makers but my daughter Jo and I about gagged at how much truly bad art there was for sale on the street however, I did manage to find one talented young man and bought a print of his charcoal drawing of a parade on Royal Street.
We walked 30 miles around the city that week so we were pretty tuckered out when we got back to Pa. so we came home, layed on the couch and watched almost every previous episode of Downton Abbey with my daughter each night, drank a lot of wine and lamented that she would be going back to school within days.
My awesome niece Suzi came to visit and she and I and my daughter visited Isaiah's Magic Garden in Philadelphia. (ok, they call it
Philadelphia's Magic Garden now because it became a non profit to save it from the bulldozer, but the city didn't build it, Isaiah did, so I'm still going to call it that!)
I bought clay while I was in Philly and a new glaze at
The Ceramic Shop that I have never used called "Magic Glaze" (how fitting) and that allegedly produces different results with almost every firing. Hmmm, can't wait to use it. I bought a gallon. $49 bucks! Hope I like it!
We spent the rest of the weekend binge watching more Downton Abbey with my daughter and niece drinking a lot of wine (did I say that already?) in our pajamas and only surfaced into the world to take my neice to the movies for her first Dine-in Theatre experience, where we ate food and drank martini's and wine.
You may be wondering, since this is a blog about my artistic life, where does the art part come into this post? Well, sadly for me, my daughter went back to school, my niece went back home to North Carolina, my husband went back to work after his long vacation and I have been at home again alone just starting to rekindle the momentum of producing art and letting ya all know what I'm up to through the cyber world.
Now that all is quiet and I have returned into the studio, I have:
*begun work on a new painting for that show in March which I mentioned in my previous post.
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| Cat at Cafe du Monde in progress |
*spent a couple of afternoons making some cute little miniature houses which I intend to add to my wholesale catalog
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| These are not fired yet. I will post next week with the WIP |
*Designed and printed postcards for upcoming March show
*Designed and printed new business cards.
* I've also begun a new relationship with
Mala Galleria in Kennett Square where my pottery will be available for sale.
We got snowed in for a day during the great northeast Snowmageddon, so I did some baking and cleaning and purging of some closets and rooms.
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| My studio after round one still looking like springtime |
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| My burnt pumpkin cheesecake. It still tasted good. |
So there. See. It was action packed and I did do a lot despite the languishing around in pajamas watching television. (Sometimes a body just has to take time to rejuvenate) !
Today, as I work around the studio on my current painting , I am going to start another one as soon as I figure out what it will be.
Next week, I will post some works in progress in painting or clay or both. Gotta keep it going!
I've made just under 50 patterns in the last four years, but this one has to be one of my favourites, a Scandinavian style village in a terrarium.
It's also my third cover for Mollie Makes, which is a bit of a proud moment. As usual, it's been beautifully styled and photographed at the other end.
Like all of my patterns, it started off with sketches which progressed from initial brain storming ideas -
- to experimenting with various shapes and arrangements.
Before settling on what would be more or less the final design.
For my American friends, I believe it becomes available early next year from Barnes and Noble, Books A Million and outlets of Jo-Ann. A full list of countries and overseas outlets can be found here on the Mollie Makes site.
I'd love to see any examples of villages made from my pattern. I'm also holding a 'little houses' needle felt workshop at my old haunt, Folly Fabrics, Wiltshire, on February 27th next year. For more details and to book a place from their site, click here.
I've been pleasantly surprised at how many people have signed up for my needle felt newsletter, and am planning the first edition for mid-January. If you'd like to sign up for it too, the form is here on my own website.
~Racing To Rabbit Moon~
This is the only racing Greyhounds should have to do.
Race free and happy in fields and beaches, or like this chap, racing in his dreams.
I'm trying to get back in touch with my children's book style because of a book I'm about to begin.
I have to admit this was crazy fun to paint this today!
Watercolor, graphite and gouache
For Illustration Friday: Racing
Love that you used the Rabbit Moon. I did a piece on that theme---very oriental looking, lots of collaged papers and then the moon and rabbit in a glittery white something or other paper.
Very nice!!!! :)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
That's a good dreamy capture of a geryhound. Looks much like my Jack.
I really like the long shadows from the houses. Beautiful color scheme!
What a lovely and thoughtful piece! I agree whole heartedly with your sentiments, Laurel!
Very dreamy! I like how you portrayed the moon.
I see that rabbit curled up in the moon; and I hope the dog doesn't hurt it. I like the shadows coming off the houses in the moons glow.
I can barely read the teeny text below though...hope you'll not do that again. (help for old(ER) eyes.
thanks.
Lo, What a wonderful image and I agree, only fun racing for the hounds. How exciting you are writing a children's book! I have one in me too if I every have the time. xoxo
This is a lovely image and it calls forth stories.
This is a lovely image and it calls forth stories.
If I did not have my chihuahua, I would have a greyhound! This is such a great painting for a childrens book! I love the idea of the dog racing in his dreams! :)
i love greyhounds. i had a greyhound friend named chad a while back, and to watch him run in the fields was something to below. not to mention that my rosie, an english springer spaniel, could run even faster because she could turn corners so exquisitely!
can't wait for the germation of this book to become a seedling, lo. it will be superfabulous.
ps i love anything you paint blue. you paint the best blues known to humankind :) & xoxo
I love your children's book style. It's beautiful. Can't wait to see what you will be doing bookwise - that's so exciting!
This full moon had my heart racing this week. It felt like this greyhound looks. happy and free.
exciting that you are beginning another book. such a lovely, blue illustration. dog racing: horrifying.
I adore greyhounds and whippets - such elegant, beautiful hounds! This is so lovely and I'm looking forward to seeing more in this style!x
Dear "Goddess of All Blue Magical Things".... a haunting painting...I am thrilled you are going to create another Children's Book... you have the words, the imagination and the talent to do this. Think of all the new generations of youngsters who will be able to share in your world!
WONDERFUL!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
I have not been here for awhile and I am glad I stopped by to check your art out again. This piece has nice fluidity and a great softness. Great work.
I totally aree with you!It's magical:)
oh this is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful breed. love the soft feeling...too!
Отличная статья! большое спасибо автору за интересный материал. Удачи в развитии!!! :)
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I visit you here and feel and feel a wash of serenity layer itself gently over me....Ahhhh!
You are so special!
Wonderful piece!
that is lovely, lollie! love the little house scape...and i agree. they are such beautiful animals...they should be walked and petted and spoiled. not bet on.
Great comp on this...really like how the shadows on the house contrast with all the curves...