Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Ocean Creatures and Ronunculus

This gray day could use some color! I opt for ronunculus. They always make me think that spring is here and it's one of my very favorite flowers.

I'll be painting in the studio all day. It's perfect for that. When I need a break I plan on flipping through my new book by Ernst Haeckel about ART FORMS FROM THE OCEAN. Life's variety and patterns are enormous and incredible.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Aerial Texture

I can't quite seem to get these aerial textures out of my head. They'd be great hung in a three, six or nine square arrangement. I have five so far.

Bloomin' Corn Plant

I love waking up to surprises like this. I can't wait to see what it looks like. It's never bloomed before.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Oscars and Sequins

It's time to get ready for Oscar's night!

I absolutely thought the period pieces in THE ARTIST were gorgeous. I stumbled upon a beautiful black silk and sequin dress made in Hong Kong AND costume jewelry pieces at an estate sale yesterday.

I'm going to the Oscars Party dressed to the nines.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Sales, Gardening and Taxes

Hooray! I had a sale on one of my Spoonflower fabrics today.

It was the perfect morning to start digging in the garden soil preparing it for the new season. The grass composted nicely and the soil gets better every year. It's almost all cleaned up and ready to go.

I'm thinking about Shoeboxed to help me keep track of my paperwork and receipts. Anyone have any experience with it?

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Felted Soap Stone

These uniquely functional and attractive soaps are available on Etsy as well as a few other things I have made.

The fun thing about felted soap is that the wool felting continues to contract around the shrinking form. That's functional!

Shaped like sculpted river stones, you can set them by the sink and never worry about a mess, the felting absorbs the foam and moisture.

Although I did include some extra commercial soaps in order to re-use some of those things floating around the house, these ingredients are ground together in an approximate 80 / 20 mix, mostly shea butter.

Joy's storefront on Etsy

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Art Delivery

Art delivered to Cedar City Artisans today. It's good to work with them again. Visit the gallery web page and blog at www.cedarcityartisans.com. Melissa Sullivan is very knowledgeable and talented.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Fabric Design



Making fabrics again...it pulls you in and never lets you go. There so much you can do and I've only skimmed the surface. When I really love it, I guess I'm going to have to buy a few yards and make something from it. So far, everything I do is very geometric.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Aerial Farm Land

I love this view! There are so many interesting things on the ground. I have wanted to paint these scenes from the air for years.

A stream curves through the landscape with small snow drifts at the river's edge. Beautiful trees line the riparian areas. Man provides the geometry.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Zion Snow

What a beautiful day! I love Zion in winter. Nothing really beats the show when the white snow settles on the red rocks and the sun is out.

The East side of the park is our favorite and the least traversed and explored. It's a welcome respite from summer crowds and the promise of the coming heat.

For now...it's paradise!






Friday, February 17, 2012

Moss Walk

Randy and I took a walk today along one of our favorite trails. What struck me today were the verdant and enthusiastic mosses growing on all the rocks. While they are always there, they were simply more noticeable for all the moisture they have received in the past few days.

The orange and silvery lichen were also looking especially wonderful.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Pot Luck Color

This is how a plate might look at any of our fantastic pot lucks. Zion Canyon knows how to cook! Everyone also seems to have Fiestaware. We really like color.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Snow

We awoke to snow this morning. It happens so rarely that it is always welcomed.

Tess played outside and I went to the studio and created a jacket from various pieces of felted fabric. Randy thinks it need a belt. It took two days and I'm getting much better at using the serger. The next project will just be that much better.


HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Wildwood and Apple Pie

It was a perfect, rainy day to read a book and make a pie. I'm reading Wildwood by Colin Meloy. He's also the lead singer of The Decemberists. Prue McKeel goes into the forest to rescue her crow-abducted brother and meets all kinds of fantastical people and animals in her adventures to bring him home.

Randy also came home perhaps not via Wildwood, but Kemmerer, Wyoming and he loves dessert. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Birgit Wudenka Painting

This painting of Zion is by Birgit Wudenka (McMullen). She is a lovely artist in Cedar City, Utah. I love the layers and the color, but she's also added texture.

Michael Plyler, a local photographer and artist, made the frame. I think it's birdseye maple for all its complex structure and layers.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Balloon Over Zion Planner


www.blurb.com
You can buy this little planner in Image Wrap hard cover or a softcover.
The softcover is $23.95 + shipping.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

East Side of Zion, Aerial Watercolor

This aerial watercolor of the East Side of Zion is the first completed in a series commissioned by the pilot of a hot air balloon.

While somewhat controversial locally (and I can understand the reasons) this unique and pioneering overflight of the canyon has changed my relationship to my home. I realize I have only skimmed the tiny surface and my eyes have been rewarded with one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.