The more I imagined colours for the boat, the more my feeling was to leave it alone. So I painted it white. With a couple of small touches. The wing migrated to the other side (Crow is using it as an oar to ply the waters...). It's never my intention to be accurate. It's called artistic licence..haha. In the end, it just has to please my eye. I recently discovered that in Native American tradition, my birth date corresponds to Raven. It may explain why I play around with birds so much....

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

The doggie's parent returned on the Amtrak train from New York and picked her up this evening. And not a moment too soon. She somehow knew he was returning today and she gave me baleful looks all day as if to say, Where is he??

Now for the clean-up. Everything revolves around the doglet when she stays with me...

I've been painting a series of tiny canvasses, 4x5 inches, using a palette knife instead of a brush.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Adding colour to the day's greyness.

I've been dipping into my Lynne Perrella books Alphabetica and Artists' Journals, both a riot of colour, and it always has this effect on me.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Cardboard "sculptures".
This is my 6th piece in my cardboard art series. I think I'm in love....

OWL

 Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

I rarely have a plan when I paint/draw/collage. I just pick up a brush/pencil/pen and go.
On those rare occasions when I do have a plan, it's more of an idea, a flash of something, an owl's face perhaps. The rest follows naturally.

Frazzled Owl No. 2, available in my Etsy shop

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

The Dog and I are well. Anxiously awaiting the Computer Genius next Thursday to set up my new laptop.
Meanwhile, my de-cluttering has come to a halt. I'm thinking it will resume only when the Doglet goes home in two weeks.

Paper and stitch

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Saturday brooding. Not me -- mama bird.

La couveuse/the brooder.

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

After a long sleep that I sorely needed, I woke up to a lovely cool day. Cool weather gives me energy and I went about my day feeling happy.

I seem to be in a bird painting phase. I love this olive watercolor, made by Van Gogh, that I used straight out of the tube.The indigo gouache is too blue, so I mixed with a little black.

And a little stitching.

 Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

And we are back to normal -- both me and the weather. I do not enjoy long heatwaves...

My owl, ink pen and Derwent Inktense pencils.

 For all the countless birds I've drawn and painted, I've never attempted an owl. Owls are everywhere, you can't get away from them, so I gave in and joined the fray.

Wire owl by Susan Cuffe

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

I drew this on the linen with a vanishing pen and let my needle guide me. I'm sure I got some stitches wrong, but I keep on, telling myself I'm inventing new stitches. As long as the eye is pleased, who's to say differently?

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Made on the spur of the moment. If you don't "think", you let yourself reflect what's going on around you. And what's going on around me is flowers growing and the chirping of birds.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Yesterday evening, in the park, I noticed a rare sight (for me): dozens of robins enjoying the park which was empty of people (except for me) and dogs. What a treat. I've never seen so many of them in one spot. Maybe they put on their show for me because I'm making these bird collages.

Migration onto antique postcards. I pulled out my stash of old papers; they've been silent for too long.

The Picnic

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Alternative methods of travel is one of my favourite themes. This is the latest one.

The background: acrylic and washes of Distress Stain.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Collaging again. I did so much bird art back in the day that I went off it for a while. I don't like getting stuck in one thing -- too restless. That doesn't mean I never go back to subjects that have given me so much joy.
Tweet, chirp, hello, it's full of robins out there in the park...

Detail of collage on paper, background in acrylics and Distress Stain.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Collaging my heart out.
This piece was inspired by Catherine Moore's collage of birds piled into a desk drawer.

Cuckoo in the nest.... (detail)

  
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Friday's child

This post is dedicated to my clients, especially the regular ones, my friends and family who support my work and thereby help me make  a living.  I've come this far because of you.

You know that old (by now) chestnut "Do what you love and the money will follow"? Well, no. Not really. What you love has to sell for the money to follow. And it has to sell consistently and BIG. I say BIG because it's the people who make pots of money who throw out that little chestnut. Plus, it takes time, years, and consistent work and effort, another thing they don't tell you. As my mother would have said I don't have muggins written on my forehead.

There are certain items I make, because I love them, that rarely sell. But I never give up hope if I feel the item is worth it. This little piece was up for sale forever, at a very affordable price, but it went nowhere. Then one day, I got a request for gift suggestions and I threw the piece into the mix. Result: Not only did it sell, but the client requested 6 similar pieces.

work in progress

Now, that obviously isn't going to make a fortune, but that's not the point. It's about not giving up on yourself. It's about being true to yourself, not trying to fit into someone else's idea of what you should make. Eventually you'll find your audience.

The elves and I are currently working on a huge order of tags. We are very, very happy! Fa la la la la....



Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

The results: for me, worth waiting for. It was a very satisfying project even though it took two days from start to finish. I especially like the organic look

Ná bris do loigrín ar stól nach bhfuil i do shlí. (Do not break your shin on a stool that is not in your way.)

The rain watered everything and now it's all sunny and warm. When I'm watching the birds, I notice that robins tend to stand still and stare ahead. I never know what they're looking at [maybe they're meditating]. but this white bird is looking at the bunting...

Detail from "A Banner Day"

Be good to your friends -- Kevin Bacon.

Friday's child

Heatwave coming on. Long weekend begins.

While ploughing through stuff, because my sorting out/cleaning is an ongoing thing these days, I found the little cotton bag I'd forgotten about. It is decorated with gifts from two friends, a cute birdie image and luscious trim.

While ironing transfers onto organza, this happened. Of course, I realized that I should have put something under the organza, but I like having this permanently on my ironing board!

 Next was this half-bird -- I gave it a body with my sewing machine!!

Available in my Etsy shop

Be good to your friends -- Kevin Bacon.

I have an article in the brand-new Somerset Studio (May/June). It might get you to identify and abolish some false beliefs....

Be good to your friends -- Kevin Bacon.