Figs

Well, my fig tree is in high production mode. I have picked three different times and it's still loaded! However, the war of the birds has begun. They do not understand boundaries. The top half of the tree is theirs. The bottom half mine. Not sure if I will win another batch. There are a lot that should be ready by Wednesday. Here are some pictures. I think they are so beautiful. God really knows how to combine colors! LOL! Makes me want to paint. They are so inspiring to look at.





And then, there are the warriors in the battle... and they out number me, big time.

Snapped a couple shots of this one preening on the neighbor's fence. He looks like he has war paint on, ready to win this war they have waged, doesn't he?

If anyone has a great recipe using figs, please send it to me!

Published!!!

I just received my copy of Pasticcio Zine, created quarterly by Angela Cartwright (yes, the actress! And now amazing photographer and artist!) and Sarah Fishburn (awesome artist in her own right!). My painting titled "Lucas" was chosen for publication for this issue! In real life, this 16x20 canvas is very textured. Most of the painting was actually done with a palette knife. This is my second time being published in this Zine. Very cool. Only thing I noticed was a typo. Actually, it would make sense how it's listed but it's incorrect. When I set up my blog, there was a typo in the blog address. Artvisionz was never intended to be Arttvisionz... two 't's... but once it was in there, I couldn't figure out how to edit. So, the double 't' stuck for my blog address. However, all my other stuff is Artvisionz with a single 't'. So, when my info got published, I think there was an assumption that the typo was on my end so they corrected it. Only now, if anyone is trying to locate me through my blog with the 'correction', they will get a dead link. Total bummer. I need to clarify that in the future with all publications. Regardless, I'm honored my piece was accepted! You can purchase your own copy of this zine on LuLu.com

Corrections and truth tellers

Ok, so this morning, I had a letter in my email box from a fellow artist friend. She thought I would be mad at her for telling me the truth about my fabric dyEing. First of all, I have been misspelling it! How embarrassing!!!! Secondly, she started dyeing in the late 70's and has corrected me about what I am doing with fabric which isn't actually "dyeing" since I don't use chemicals, but is technically "staining". Am I mad at the correction? Gosh no! I want to have people in my life who are truth tellers in a kind way and I'm thankful that this was one of those times. I'm so grateful that she told me! All of this fabric I have been "staining" has never been intended to be used to make clothing or other items that will repeatedly go through the wash. I wash everything to see if the stain immediately comes out so I know that it can be used to create something, whether it be at small art quilt for the wall, a fabric book, an art doll, etc... these items are never washed so, as an artist who makes these kinds of things, I would not worry about a stain in the fabric that would eventually fade or wash out if I were to wash it multiple times. I think it would take quite a lot of washing for the rust to come out but, if washed over and over and over, I trust what I was told about this and it would eventually fade and wash out. The fabric pieces I have been staining are not intended for that purpose. I will be selling them with full disclosure as I will not be dishonest about it at all. I'm so thankful when someone tells me the truth, no matter what it is. Thank you, Marilyn!!!!! You are a true friend.

Still dyeing

I keep fabric in my "rust pot" all the time since it takes an average of 5-7 days for the color to develop to my satisfaction. Lots of manipulating and "babysitting" rusting fabric. And when, oh when will I remember to wear gloves?! The stains underneath my fingernails are horrid!

Been playing around a bit more with something else but I want to see who can guess what I used to dye this fabric. However, it has not passed the wash test yet so I'm praying! I heat set it tonight and have two more pieces not completely read yet. What do you think?





I find it completely fascinating that I only used ONE thing to dye this fabric and look at the color variations! I love the element of surprise in the dyeing process. I just hope and pray it stays in the wash!

Usually, I have to work on Saturday's but I was off today. I went to a 2 hour demo at the local Art Supply store. It was with watercolor artist, Carole Hillsbery. Her work is fabulous. Very wet, messy, and drippy, which I LOVE but is so opposite of how I work which made the demo even more of a learning process for me. I can't wait to paint now and see how I do playing around with some of the techniques I learned just listening to her talk while she painted! I enjoyed myself tremendously! A friend met me there and there were three other artists there that I know from The Creative Quest! Carole works her paintings upright, on an easel. I was watching and thinking, "Oh, I need to get a board to mount my paper on." Well, I walked in Goodwill in the same shopping strip and guess what I found for $4.99?! The exact drawing board like Carole was using! I use to have one when I was taking drawing classes years ago but it broke. I was so glad to find such a great deal. I take it as a sign that I'm on the right track.

My boys have been with their dad a couple of days so I got to pick them up tonight. We came home and made pizza and watched a movie. This, of course, is mine... the boys eat their so boringly (is that a word?) plain.Well, I stayed up to an ungodly hour last night and didn't get enough sleep, thanks to Kenzy... those of you that have cats, know exactly what I'm talkin' about. They are creatures that memorize a schedule and it's locked in their brains forever. He knows I'm usually up between 5-6 a.m. And he's like a vulture who acts as if he's never eaten in his life. I've never known a cat to love food like he does. He'll eat almost anything. Bob and Marvin are not into the morning breakfast routine. Kenzy acts like he's dying of starvation even though he has access to food 24/7. It's a wonder he isn't overweight. I think if he were another breed, I'd have to really be concerned. For some reason, he stays long and lean. Anyway, I didn't get to bed until 2 a.m. which is very unusual for me. I started waking up about 6 but went back to sleep. When Kenzy finally wouldn't leave me alone, he woke me licking my back and then buried his face in my hair and started nibbling my head. When I woke, I woke from a dream about him! In my dream, he had somehow gotten out of the house and roamed a while. (my cats are strictly indoor cats) Well, he came home from this little adventure and got really sick to his stomach. (kinda' gross) He vomited up a WHOLE Koi fish that was still alive! LOL! I was staring and thinking, "How did he swallow that huge thing whole? And what am I going to do with this live fish? I have to get it to water or it will die!" And then I woke up to Kenzy nibbling on me. What a weird dream! LOL! Anyway, I gave up on sleep and got up around 8 and fed him. I'm one of those people that when I'm up, I'm up. And no, he didn't get a whole Koi for breakfast! hehehe! So, it's been a busy day but now it's about 11:30 so I need to get to bed. Anyone still out there reading? Let me know you are here! Tell me what you have done creative this weekend!

P.S. Just went around the corner and look what I found:
All three furry boys in my human boys bathroom floor. Obviously one of the boys left their damp towel on the floor and it's positioned right where the a/c blows. They are all trying to cool off. Poor Marvin got stuck on the rug. He's not aggressive enough to wiggle his way for a spot on the cool towel. Silly boys.

Spur of the moment class!!!!

Coming up at The Creative Quest:

Mixed Media Cards
instructor: Angie Platten
Join Angie in making three beautiful, one-of-a-kind mixed media cards perfect for every occasion. We will be using nature photos, making three different cards utilizing a photograph, a transparency, and a transparency transfer. We will mix the three focal components with paper, fabric, and stitching! *Instructor will provide all supplies

Saturday, July 23
10 a.m.- 1 p.m.
$20.00

(above) transparency

(above) photograph

(above) transfer from transparency

Ok, so I decided, spur of the moment, to create a card class for a rare, vacant slot on the book at The Creative Quest! Sorry about the poor quality photos. The cards were in sleeves on the display so they look distorted. But, you get the idea! If you are local, I'd love to have you join me!

I'm still rust dying fabric but have finally gotten all other items for Art Unraveled's vendor day tagged and priced! I'll continue rusting fabric right up to the end before the retreat. Each piece takes a minimum of 3 days to rust.. .usually 5-7. So, the pot continues to brew...

Also been working on some other samples for my class I'm teaching at Art Unraveled. Will post soon. There is still room in my class and I'd love you to join me! I'm teaching my "Beyond the Bag" book class learning to create a book using recycled plastic grocery bags. The concept can be used for many things. Think I will make a tote bag... need to get busy!

I've also been fig pickin'. And found that I break out in a rash from the leaves touching my skin. Not a pretty thing. I have a TON of figs on my tree still and have picked twice. I don't like them so I'm finding people to take them. When I pick, I just want to paint. The colors are so gorgeous!
I did do a fig painting once. Here it is:

(watercolor with pen/ink)

Oh, I'm gonna' fess up now... up until now, I have refused to learn to text. Well, about 4 months ago, my cell phone bit the dust but I couldn't afford a replacement. I kept putting off the whole process. Finally, I ended up at Costco last week. I was able to get a new phone for free, switched carriers and got to keep my old number, got more minutes and unlimited texting for less money than I was paying! WooHoo! So now I'm learning... and realizing that as a hearing impaired person, texting may be my new love.

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