Dazzle Me! 2016

The New Year's mantra or inspirational word fad makes me chuckle. Being of a practical nature, I have had the same motto for many years and it will serve again this year. One less thing to worry about while I concentrate on several major pieces. 

My motto also reflects my unwavering philosophy of art. I want to be dazzled by art, my own and others. Let's face it, life has its bumps. Art takes us above the daily ho-hum, the trials and tribulations. 

Whatever 2016 may bring, I know I'll dazzle myself because of my art practice. The New Year is beginning right as I approach the end of the Pomegranate Tree Quilt, which has been four years in the making. 

The quilting (both hand and machine) is more or less finished and I am now adding French knots and more running stitch quilting for depth.

My tree dazzles me!

And may you be dazzled in the New Year!

Merry, Merry, 2015

My 8-year-old granddaughter appreciates elves. She has a collection of six or seven. Having grown up in the 60s, my favorite is Uncle Si who is a hippy elf. He has a ponytail and consequently got into my sketchbook last summer.

He's a sort of grouchy/merry fellow--> 

My sketching buddy has a wonderful collection of tree ornaments. Yesterday, I picked one and sketched it, experimenting with the Derwent Inktense pencils on fabric for my textile sketchbook.

<--Before activating with water.

                          After water-->

Magic! Just love those intense colors, which are now permanent.

There is obviously a learning curve here. More experimenting ahead. The major problem is the bleeding of the ink. I don't mind it, but I'd like to figure out how to control it. 

I'm told that this is a Christmas fairy (not to be confused with Santa), which is obvious by the wings.

I added details, outlining, and lettering with permanent pens. Now you may say, "Nadia, why not just do this on paper?" Hmmm, well, yes. I'm still in the experimental stage and having so much fun.

And so, wishing all my virtual friends a 

Happy Holiday Season!

Flat Stanley in Paris

Flat Stanley loved visiting Paris last week. He traveled comfortably.


The Eiffel Tower was a high point of the trip.



Stanley saw the classic tourist sites such as Notre-Dame and the Seine.


Le Penseur (the Thinker) by Rodin was another favorite. Stanley waxes philosophical when it comes to thoughts on thinking.

An American tourist turned to us and said that she had taken Flat Stanley around for pictures as well--what a small world! She offered to take a group photo. Stanley is quite the international traveler...I wonder where he'll go next?

Blasting Off

While I am required to be in Paris (France, not Texas), I thought I would take a mini-vacation. Admittedly, it will be cold, but it is Paris...and it won't be freezing. I have dug out my woolens in readiness.










And I can leave my studio in good conscience because order now reigns and the machine quilting on the Pomegranate Tree Quilt is almost finished.





It is a relief to be traveling light (only carry-ons); No huge suitcases to lug around. This is a challenge that requires organization, of course. My tiny purse (8"x7"x2"--I'm used to huge bags) contains the necessary documents...







...plus my sketching supplies: a small Moleskine sketchbook plus a smallish maze book, a variety of permanent pens, my favorite ballpoint pens, two Pentel waterbrushes a couple of pencils, Daniel Smith watercolors, an eraser and pencil sharpener.



And, I couldn't leave without fabric projects and some reading material, which are stashed in my carry-on suitcase.

I've included some Derwent Inktense pencils to draw on five pages of my textile sketchbook (white cotton fabric stitched to paper page). The gray fabric with black appliqué fits into a small bag with two needles and two spools of thread with 10 strands of cut thread (who needs scissors anyway?).

OK, I don't think I've forgotten anything.

I'm ready to blast off!