Semper Fi

My dad died last Friday. He was a Marine and lived to be 90.

At the memorial part of my family I hadn't seen for 55 years came to honor

him. So he left me a gift... four Cousins and an Aunt. Thanks, dad. 

My good friend sent me this photo that, without words, says so much.

Crow Moon

There is no Crow Moon in named full moon months so I made one.

This cloth kept me company during a death vigil this last few days.

Fortunately, I had a big hearted friend to remind me to play and look

at the sunny side even in dark times. All is well.

Lizard Smile

I worked on this most of the weekend. I keep seeing it look back at me no matter

how I configure the blocks. That little lizard insists on being a smile. There

is another watcher I put there on purpose. Very faint but there.

Sew blind

I've spent so much time with this cloth I can't really see it anymore.

At the top of summer it began as a love song to our home.

I'll put it away awhile.

Go outside with the little dog now that it's cooler. Move outside

 and listen with the the trees and cooling land.

What I've learned about WC and drawing on cotton

I use 100% cotton and usually dye it first.

Then I spray it with regular spray starch. This somehow

keeps the WC from seeping outside the lines. It's a nice effect - the

seeping color - but I like to make that decision. I iron it dry.

Then I iron freezer paper to the back side of the fabric. This is temporary and just keeps the

cotton flat while I draw/paint. I suspect it also controls the seeping of WC.

I draw the design with a fine point permanent pen. Sharpies are not so

good. I found that older pens make more regular lines with fewer blobs of ink along the line.

I use pan WC with a water brush. Most water brushes have a really good point.

I sometimes dip the brush in a bit of water for more concentrated color. 

I do blot the brush just a little before painting. It takes awhile to 

apply the paint as the fabric just drinks it in.

 Here I sprayed the right side (from your perspective) with

starch but left the left side with no starch. I think you can see the slight

bleeding/seeping on the left side.

For details I use WC pencils. Dip the tip into water then you can transfer the

WC to small details. They work best on very small areas.

Please keep in mind this won't last on cloth exposed to water. Also, I haven't

been using WC for more than a few months on fabric. Not certain how it will

age. I use Daniel Smith WC so the pigments are rich and relatively color fast.

If you can add anything I'd love to learn from you.

Horse Story

The Outer Banks of North Carolina are full of stories.

Many wrecked sailing ships sleep under the dangerous waters 

right off this string of barrier islands. 

 

The horses who live on  the island swam to shore (they say)

from sinking ships. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banker_horse

 

I experimented with drawing and WC painting on fabric for the 

swimming horse and whales. 1 and 2 inch pieced blocks

framed their nvironment. It became a shrine to these horses and their

survival throughout the years. They make me feel hopeful.

Like a Tusker

"Better it is to walk alone. There is no fellowship with fools. Walk alone, 

harm none and know no conflict. Be like a Tusker in the woods alone."

- from A Life of the Buddha by Sherab Chodzin Kohn

I stumbled on a tapestry elephant and began 'skatchwork' based on this quote.

So satisfying to work with all the moon symbols for walking alone with dignity

 for many nights. So many of us have had this experience.

 I'll let this sit awhile and see if it needs embroidery.