Summer - where did you go?

I have been busy this summer with lots of things,  a trip to New Mexico with my hubby provided a break, and some inspiration,  but I have not yet gotten to work on any of the ideas that got into my sketchbook from that trip yet.   I do finally understand the "southwestern color palette" though.   Still not my fave,  but out there is really works.   I was happy to come home and see greenery,  my lawn - even full of crabgrass,  and large trees.   

I have also returned to playing classical guitar.   It has been a few weeks, and skills  are beginning to return.   It has taken a while to get my finger nimble again and there is still along road to simply return to the level I was once at,  but it feels good.     My return to playing is the subject of the mixed media challenge piece.   I sponsored the challenge based on summer and I had better have a piece done for it.    I was going to do something based on the New Mexico trip,  but all of a sudden the guitar idea popped into my head,  and I even have an old set of strings to use on it.    I'll keep you all posted.     

Art Camp!!!

I am so excited that Art camp begins Tuesday.   I always enjoy sharing surface design techniques with my students,  and this year is going to be especially fun.   My newest favorite technique is flour paste resist with stencils,  and we will be doing that right off the bat.   When you then do normal stenciling with the same stencil, you have a wonderful positive/negative thing going,  and that is neat!!      There are pair of seats still available in class,  so grab a friend,  and join us.     check http://www.villagefabricshoppe.com/    for more details and a supply list. 

Medieval Zentangle

Over the weekend I purchased a used book that is a rare and exciting thing.   It is a facsimile edition of the Book of Kells.  It even has some enlarged details after the main book so there is not the need for a jewelers loop to see many of the intricacies.   I have been studying it closely and it has helped me to begin several new pages in my journal.  

The truth is that I have played extensively over the years with the interlacing and calligraphy in that style.  The beasts and birds have inspired me many times and finally having the whole manuscript in my hands is thrilling.   I took out my micron pens and have been making dragons in that style now for a few days.   The regular patterning and repetitive shapes are very much like Medieval Zentangles.  I get the same quiet and peaceful feeling when doing this kind of drawing.    It just feels good - and it is beautiful.  I think I shall have to develop this idea in cloth and stitch.