American Made

Spent a lovely day at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art with my friend Ann.  We took a tapestry class, and got to catch the American Made show.  Lots of FABULOUS folk art!  Here's a shot of a lovely old, and gorgeously simple, hooked rug.

We're so lucky to have this absolute jewel of a museum in our area.  Going back soon to spend more time at the show.

I haven't been hooking, but wanting to..... just don't have a design idea right now.  Maybe something small that doesn't require too much time, planning, and wool.

I have been knitting on hubby's yellow socks.

They're bright, happy, and his favorite color.  I ordered this fabulous yarn from old bloggy friend Dag.  She has the most wonderful yarns that she spins and dyes.  Check out her Etsy store!

I've been working on a small garden project.  It seems that each spring I get a bit too excited to clean out my garden, and start pulling up vinca, leaves, etc.  Well I, more than occasionally, pull up other little plants that have been patiently waiting to come up on their own.  Sometimes I forget what they are, and replant.  So...... I started a little watercolor garden journal to help me remember.   These are my first two pages.

They are pretty sketchy and a bit abstract, but fun for me to paint this way.  I've since labeled the plants, and attached little packets to the back of each page for the cards of new plants, and maybe some seeds.  I have three more pages to go to complete this front garden.

Nice rainy day today.... planning to cut some of the pretty crepe myrtle that's profusely blooming at the moment and bring in a bouquet.  Loving summer, but feeling the tug towards fall.  Not yet though.

xo

dulcy

Painting My Spring

Well..... It's that time.  Gardening and spring cleaning.  Actually, I'm painting instead.  Although, I spent 3 hours in the garden on 3 different days over the past week and am paying for it.  Allergies for the first time ever!  So surprising and aggravating!  Spring cleaning is some sort of myth from the 50's, but I do love to throw open all the windows!  But I digress from the purpose of my post, painting......  I'm continuing with Jane Lafazzio's art class, and loving it.  This six weeks we're continuing to journal with our sketchbook and watercolors, only adding in some mixed media.  So far we have been planning pages with items from nature, then expanding with the designs.  I've done three pages this week.

I've been plucking things from around the yard for inspiration.

Also really enjoying Danny Gregory's book, Everyday Matters.

I took it to heart, and while we were on a little trip to Crystal Bridges I did a quick sketch of my jewelry for the day,  and one of a section of this fabulous art museum, built as giant pods resting on the water.

Everyday does matter!

And here's my guy outside 21C on his very special birthday!

I also enrolled in Jane's Cereal Box Journaling class.  I won't go into all that, other than it's creating journals with a watercolor surface from boxes, such as cereal, crackers, etc.  I made one to use when I'm out art journaling with friends.

These are all pages done while out and sketching.  The heart with the flip pages was done, again at Crystal Bridges, just the other night.  Was so lucky to attend a talk with artist, Faith Ringgold.  Her quilt, created for Maya Angelou, currently resides at the museum.  Such a treat!

xo
dulcy