Plaid Ponderings
A little sketch from earlier this week, indulging in some 90’s flannel nostalgia.
And Happy All Hallows’ Eve!
Little Bay
Something I painted recently, while daydreaming about Newfoundland. I’m slowly adding original artwork to my shop (including this cliff climbing adventurer).
And if you’re looking for something to do next month, I’ll be participating in the Artists of Salmon Falls Open Studio, November 23 and 24. I’ll be there all day Saturday and again from noon ‘till closing on Sunday. I’ll have prints, fabric, original embroideries, books and more. If you’re in the area, drop by!
Autumnal Blooms
Some messing around last week with ink, paints and a healthy coating of Photoshop over the whole thing. Monday was the Autumnal Equinox and now I’m ready to wear sweaters, paint ghostly blooms and drink ALL THE PUMPKIN SPICE THINGS!
Aside from being overly excited about gourd-flavored beverages, I’m knitting this sweater, want to bake these Halloween cookies and am eagerly awaiting the new season of “The Durrells in Corfu.”
Common Threads
Slowly, the seasons are shifting. I realized a few weeks back it wasn’t light past 8:00 at night any longer. And cardigans have gradually become needed in the early morning and late night. But since it’s still technically summer for a few more days, I’m relishing the last bits of the season.
I’m working on book sketches right now and I’m finishing up an illustration to have available as a print. And Open Studios will be in November, so I’ve already started planning goods to have available. Aside from that, I’ve been working on pacing myself this summer, getting done what has to get done and then stepping away from my drafting table (hence far less posting here). It’s definitely been a huge help in dealing with burnout and now that autumn is here, I’m feeling far more inspired.
*I finished sewing Butterick B5982 (there’s more pictures on Instagram). It’s my third time sewing this pattern and I love it: it comes together quickly, offers a couple different variations and fits perfectly. For fabric, I used a print from Eloise’s Garden, in rayon. Although I’ve been sewing since high school, I’ve never worked with rayon before. If you’re a rayon newbie too, the tips over on Megan Nielsen’s blog are so helpful.
* I’m working on this Alabama Chanin skirt pattern, embellishing it with a stencil I designed. I’m loving the slow, measured pace that hand sewing encourages and sitting out on the porch with this and a beverage is a pretty terrific past time.
* Assorted other late summer things? My Spanish Flag vine is blooming and it was well-worth the effort. The pumpkins, unfortunately, not so much (still grinding my teeth over that). Maigret mysteries continue keeping me up far too late. And I’m going apple picking this week, which means one thing: pie. And speaking of apples, if you’re in or around southern Maine, Giles in Alfred is my go to orchard for apples. It’s a beautiful spot and the nearby bakery an added bonus.
Harvesting and Winnowing
This summer I’ve:
* Been working on half-finished projects, trying to bring to completion drawings and embroideries that have sat undone for far too long. I’m saving new ideas for Fall, when fresh starts seem more fitting. This embroidery was one I started back in December, right around the shortest day of the year. It feels good to finish it when the days are so much longer. And greener.
* I’m fussing over the pumpkins and don’t have any yet. But I have Swiss Chard in spades and am planning to make with it this pesto.
* I’ve just started diving into the Maigret mystery novels.
* I’m excited to finally share the cover for the book I spent this past winter working on, Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin. Written by Tracy Newman and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, I can’t wait for this to come out next Spring.
Summertime
I’m caught up on work for the day (huzzah) and planning to sneak off early this afternoon (gasp), but thought a quick blog update was in order, seeing as it’s been awhile (mmhmm).
The past few weeks have been full. In June, I taught a class on sketchbooks at Squam Art Workshops and loved the experience, especially the amazing students and the terrific group of women I shared a cabin with. I’m still dreaming of the loons on the lake (and if I’m being honest, the peppermint ice cream in the dining hall).
Speaking of classes, I’m working on plans for a workshop on illustrating people, to be held in my studio this coming fall. If you’re in and around New Hampshire and would like more information when that’s available, feel free to drop me a line.
Aside from that? I finally have pea pods in the garden and the Swiss chard is plugging along. I’m growing pumpkins too, and attempting cabbage. I’m knitting this shawl, with yarn found on a day trip to MidCoast Maine. And I’m pretty sure a beach day is in order.
Salmon Falls
I painted this back in April, bundled up in a coat sitting by the river’s edge. My observational drawing skills are rusty, so I’ve been trying to do more drawing outdoors. Cocoa helps. So does not knocking your paint water over. But learning to roll with the punches helps most.
Other things:
* I had a wonderful time doing an Anne’s Kindred Spirits event at Print in Portland last week. If you’re local, I signed some extra copies.
* I’m slowly prepping to do a shop update with originals and prints. It’s been a pretty intense year and I feel badly I haven’t been to offer goods with more regularity. So many apologies, it’ll just be a little while longer, scout’s honor.
