Mr. Roboto and Cohorts Show Posters

This image was created as part of a Monotype triptych. It is a one of a kind image painted onto glass and then transferred onto printmaking paper. Thanks for viewing!

3rd Robot in the Mr. Roboto and Cohorts Triptych

3rd Robot in the Mr. Roboto and Cohorts Triptych.
These are the posters for my solo art show. The 5×7 showcards are a little bit different. It’s a week away and Im very nervous!

Tip of the Hat to Claus Oldenburg

ALA ~PVCC’s Fundamentals of Design II class I bring to you: Pop Art

Mine is the Scrabble Board. I have laid a quarter on it on the left hand side to show scale. Ignore the faculty display sign- that is to announce the show currently in the gallery.

• Mascara * Watch * Antique Key * Lightbulb * Starbucks Cup * McDonalds French Fries *Pin Cushion * Fishing Lure * Wire Wisk * Flashlight * Lemon *
• High Heeled Shoes* Scrabble *

 

Close up of my Scrabble Board- I had to take some creative liberties- otherwise the board would have measured 6.2 feet if I made it to the scale of the tiles. lol

I hope “The Dude” will be pleased.

In the Ring: Corel Paintshop Pro 2 vs. Photoshop Elements

Lets me preface this arguement first by stating this post is not based on technical details. So you computer geeks are going to be sadly disappointed if you are looking for a hard core comparison!

That being said;

 I think Both programs are awesome. I not only have Photoshop  Elements 7  but I have the good ole Photoshop 7 too. I cant afford Photoshop CS4 and even if I could, honestly it just has to many bells and whistles that I’d not be able to dedicate the time to ever figuring out how use anyways, so I’ll stick with what I have for now. If it aint broke- dont fix it.

I just recently got the Corel PaintShop Pro 2 and I have messed around with it less than 30 minutes total and it is pretty amazing and lots of fun to work with. I mean you could get lost in there for hours messing with just one photo and having a blast. I spent about 5 minutes on this photo. Didnt do anything other than apply a filter and adjust the contrast, so you get to see me as is here, sunspots and all!

If you want a fun program with lots of  bang for your 99 bucks give this bad boy a spin. You wont be disappointed.

Oh really now, you think you dare? Then I’ll blast you with the Ray Gun from under my Chair!

 Currently in progress on the desk of the mad scientist is:

Ray Guns!

Ray Guns is a monochromatic screen print project involving 5 different layers that gradually build up the intensity and detail of the print.Total printed image size is approx 10×12″. Step 2 progress is pictured below and I am now currently preparing step 3 4.(New Pictures to follow!)

  1. Soap Resist……………Lightest Texture Background

  2. Drawing Fluid………….Second Darkest Color, first image of guns

  3.Painting with screen filler…. in progress.  Done!!

  4. Crayon Resist …in progress.  Done!!

  5. Photo-emulsion … in progress.

 

 

This will be available in a limited edition run of 10 prints. Signed

& numbered edition prints will be available for purchase.

 

BAM!!

 End of 2nd layer- little hard to see the background texture layer in this photo.

Zap, Pow!

 

Currently in progress on the desk of the mad scientist is:

Ray Guns!

Origami to Inspire- by master folder: Takashi Hojyo

Origami: The Japanese Art of Paper Folding.

While it is far far above my current origami skill level,I have the folding diagram and it is a goal of mine in 2009 to complete this beautiful seated buddha created by Takashi Hojyo.

It’ll Be a Baby Bootie Bonanza!

Several of my PBS Divas are expecting little ones so Auntie Diva Dawn (AKA Ouiser) has made it my mission to knit some baby booties to warm the tootsies of those precious babes to be.

To prepare, I went yarn shopping this weekend at the local yarn store- strolled through the isles and these are the 3 yarns I fell in love with. They are super soft and in such pretty colors too! One looks blue in the photo however it is a pretty hue of blue/lavender. I figured at least one of the babies will be a girl, and the other 2 colors could go either way; Boy or Girl. 

Silk Neck Candy

Details on this Yummy Little Number:

1. Pattern is from Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders by Judith Durant
2. Knit with a super soft silk yarn with a single golden thread woven throughout on size 7 addi-turbos.
3. Button closures are silver little bees

Detail Shot of the Itty Bitty Bees Below:

 

It was very fun to knit and quite relaxing once you get a handle on the pattern repeat. Enjoy. Comments Welcome!

 

 

Owls Sweater by Kate Davies

Hoot Hoot! Photo copyright Kate Davies, Needled 2009

About a month ago a sweater appeared that had knitters drooling and tripping up on their keypads typing so fast trying to locate the pattern……… well,  Kate Davies has now been so amazing as to share her pattern with Knitters everywhere!  The pattern with updated errata can be accessed here . Knitters everywhere thank you Kate!

I personally cannot wait to get my yarns and to start. Being the slow knitter I am maybe I’ll even have it done in time to wear next winter!

A reconstruct- Sweater to Felted bag extrodinaire!!!

This bag was made for a personal crafting swap with a friend from a simply gorgeous wool sweater I found in a thrift store. It was alomst to hard to felt because it was in such great shape. But I braved up and did it and am in love with how the bag turned out.
Im sorry I didnt take before shots ( dont know how I forgot that vital part!) But here is the finished product.

• For those of you not familiar with  the term “felting”, knitty.com descibes it in part as:  The properties of wool that make it felt so easily, can also be used to our advantage. The reason woolen items felt, with water and agitation, is that the scales on the wool swell, rub against each other and bind together, creating a denser, shrunken fabric.” Which is what we refer to as felt!

Im sure many of us have had experiences of shrinking a favorite wool sweater on accident but this was actually done on purpose!
I bought some spiffy handles which I think suit the style of the bag perfectly, added a magnetic closure – did the detailing on the bag with red thread to have it stand out against the black and accented with a red wood button. I then lined it with some very sweet sunglass fabric.
This was my first felted reconstruction project and comments are welcome! Enjoy!

The Mighty Kraken

Mighty Kraken, Unlucky Ship

I completed this for part of my friends Christmas present. She is octopus crazy!!

• It is a hand carved multi block lino print consisting of 3 different blocks.
• I designed the stamp and it is hand drawn.
• Registration was a bit of a challenge as can be expected with any multi block print but am very pleased with the outcome.
• I experimented  using different colors until coming up with a combination I liked, and it this case I thought the frame matched nicely. Kind of like a weathered ship.

I have been informed that the print is now hanging in the nursery that is being prepped while they are working on adopting. Im honored to have my work hang in a little one’s abode and I admire my friend for adopting.
Sorry the photo is a little crappy- and the little white spots on it are actually christmas lights reflecting off the glass. lol! Enjoy!