First Things First

While my head my be filled with new ideas and my body reenergized from our mini-vacation I can’t even begin to work in my studio unless it’s organized and picked up. I left with a flurry of multiple projects mid stream. Before I allowed myself to sit at the new sewing machine I was forced to do some housekeeping which resulted in one huge garbage bag being filled for recycle, another for the trash and yet another for the thrift store. Whew. I don’t know about you but I can’t even begin to work unless all of my grinch-chores (as Daddy-O and I affectionately call them –regardless of who is performing them) are done. This can be problematic especially since I work “at home” –and when are the housekeeping duties EVER completely done?! After spending some time in the studio a good

thing happened, I fell back in love with my workspace. It was fun to think about why I surround myself with the things that I’ve collected or posted on the multiple bulletin boards and have things arranged the way I do. We’ve worked hard to create a space for creating and feel fortunate that I have the space that I do –the whole lower level of our house. I was appreciating the custom work tables Daddy-O built for me –the perfect height for tall body and long arms. Being away also meant I was out of shape. I’d forgotten the quick tutorial on my new sewing machine. It took me a few hours to get reacquainted and in the groove. I was able to finally finish the sample for my latest pattern “Husky Howl” that I should have had completed this Spring…oh well. I’m treating myself to one more day in the studio working on another fun fiber project before getting back out to the garage/shop area and plugging in the welder. Even though my last Market day was this last Saturday, I have a list of pieces that need to be done for Katie’s Gallery and they have been oh-so-patient. The best part is Daddy-O and Gus even made a trip to the metal recycle yard for me and even my steel pile is now organized!

Sample for my latest pattern design "Husky Howl."

Several of my Dahlia's are in bloom! This flower has multiple blossoms on one stem, and all are from Master Gardener, Sue Merriman.

El Gaucho

"El Gaucho" Gus at the Olympic Lavender Farm during the Lavender Festival last weekend in Sequim, WA

Supplies are low and production and motivation needs to be high. I didn’t feel the need to have large amounts of steel, wire and round stock on hand right before we left on our trip so I let my supplies run to an all-time low. Not such a good idea when you return and need to hit the ground running!

I’ve spent the last couple of days, getting pieces delivered, confirming orders, finishing up a large commission piece and generally trying to get back into the swing of things. I think my body enjoyed the time off with my family and the warm sunshine a little too much… Today I spent the morning at the steel shop getting base plates punched for mounting bolts on a large outdoor commission piece. “Dancers” will be a memorial sculpture at a local spiritual center and part of 

a new outdoor garden area. I’m also working on some new wind salmon, but had to get more wire and swivels. I love making these driftwood salmon. Hopefully I’ll have enough on hand for the next 

G Street Artist Fair I’m participating in on August 15^th. I'm keeping positive thoughts that there will be enough advertising on the Fair to let people know that the August 15th event will be the last one. I think I'll send out and post cards a couple of weeks before -yikes that's just around the corner(!)

Look at the flowers that bloomed in my garden while we were away! My boys (xox) did a good job of watering, especially during Alaska's record setting heat. The Dahlia’s are from tubers my Mom sent from WA to my best friend Pat this Spring and Pat planted a few of them in large pots for me! The pink and white Peonies are very old and were t

ransplanted from my Grandfather’s house several years ago. My Peonies and Dahlia’s are not even close in size to the ones my Mom can grow. When I was taking pictures of the flowers in my garden I couldn't help but look at the color palette in each of the photos. I would like to experiment and work with these colors either in painting, fabric, or even in glazes. Hmmm, sounds like I already have to start a "want to-do" art  list for this winter.