Water in the Arroyo at Caspers

A year ago I visited Caspers Wilderness Park with a friend to do some plein air painting. It had been a wet winter and there was still water running in the arroyo. I had never seen water in it before. There were tiny frogs on the bank and a few people on horseback forded the stream to head up the trail. 

This is my painting from that day:

“Water in the Arroyo”, 8”x10”, oil

Face masks

I hope you are healthy and doing your best to get through the corona virus crisis. I’m keeping busy with art projects and other hobbies. I also am making some face masks for healthcare workers who are doing so much right now. Here’s my first batch:

A big thank you to those working in the front lines fighting this thing!

Take care of yourself and hang in there. This too shall pass!

A Vintage Linen Table Topper

I have some vintage linens, laces and gloves from my Mom and Grandmother. I’m putting some of them together to make a table topper. Here are some photos of it in progess:

This is a sheer square placed on a light salmon colored cotton. I am putting wide lace trim around the edge. 

I’ve got handkerchiefs that my Grandmother embroidered. I’m placing these in the corners and then gloves will be sewn on them. 

I’ve been machine quilting this piece for a while. Once the machine quilting is done I will hand sew the gloves to the top. Here are some close ups of the quilting. 

I plan to sew the gloves on at a retreat in April. The quilting is done so I’m putting this project away until April. I’ll show it again once it’s finished. 

It is a little more feminine style than I usually do, but I wanted to make something with these inherited gems. 

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The Trees Caught My Eye

This is a little painting I did on a plein air outing to Limestone canyon. That location is part of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. They have plein air paint outs throughout the year.

“ Trees on a Hillside“, Limestone canyon area, 5“ x 7“, oil

Blue Wool Bag

I definitely do not need more bags, but I love making them so here is another addition to my collection:

The lower part of the purse is wool, and the upper is raw silk. I appliqued the wool dandelions to the body and added some embroidery stitching. The upper area has decorated with yarn that I couched.

It is lined and has a pocket inside. I put feet on the bottom and a magnetic closure. 

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A Storm is Approaching

“A Storm Approaches”, 8”x10”, oil 

This is a painting I recently completed during a plein air painting day at the beach. I believe this was at Dana Point, near the Ocean Institute. 

It was a very windy, cloudy day and the sun could barely be seen through the clouds at times. There was rain in the forecast for the next day, which made for some dramatic skies.  We don’t get these kind of cloudy days often. I exaggerated the blue tones a bit. The sun rays on the water were beautiful. 

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Run for the Wall Detail Shots

I’m using this post to show some details from my most recent art quilt, “Run for the Wall”.

This photo shows two of the Vets holding a dollar against the Memorial Wall. They are making a rubbing of a name on the wall. 

There were a lot of patches on the vests and jackets. I made each of the patches separately and sewed them on. 






To create an impression of the names on the wall I used an old printers stamp. I rubbed white acrylic paint on the raised lettering on the stamp and then repeatedly stamped it across a piece of black fabric. 




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