Busy week with no computer

I have had a very busy week of Christmas preparations. I have been staying out of my studio mostly and instead of painting have been focusing my creative energy on Quilted Christmas Presents. I hope this post does not spoil any surprises.

 

I did get a painting started that is a wedding present for my good friend Sarah. Her wedding was so unique and beautiful I want to capture a small part of what made it so special. The beginning stages of the painting do not even begin to show how cool this couple is, but I hope that once colors and textures start being added it will truly capture something special.

 

I finished up some long overdue baby shower presents, before the baby outgrows them, I guess I had better get them delivered! The dress is an altered onesie and will fit for a long time. The other is a quilted faux chenille burp cloth. It may have been too much time spent on something for a baby to spit up on but hey, It is fun to make something special for babies.

Last year I was working on place mats and table runners for Christmas presents but only managed to complete the ones that were for my Husbands family since I would be with them for Christmas. This year I am trying to get a few of the other ones I had planned / promised completed.
My mom asked for a set of eight place mats. She loves mushrooms and so when I found some perfect backing material at the store with mushrooms I knew what her place mats would be. I picked eight different varieties of mushrooms and appliqued them to the batik background.

 

I use an iron on fusible applique method with Steam a Seam 2 and them sew over the edges.

I also used a fusible batting and ironed the quilt sandwich together instead of basting with thread or pins. This method is so easy and works so well. Sometimes I use the basting spray and have been very happy with that also.

Morel mushrooms and a glimpse of the mushroom backing

 

A detail of my grass quilting pattern.

 

My 1 year old watched the process and decided she needed to help also, suddenly sewing forward became more difficult.

 

Binding sewn on and ready for hand stitching on the back.

 I have also been working on a few more quilting projects. I have one table runner complete, three more nearing completion, one half done and three just started. Also my first quilted purse complete

Whew!

 

The kids have all been enjoying art projects at the table. I love to see them happily engaged in creating together. Goose was so excited to be sitting at the table in a big chair for the first time this week. Unfortunately she has also been climbing up a lot to explore the top of the table and any thing else she can use the chair to reach.

 

Enjoying the Snow

Debby Bird Art Website

Untitled

This little darling is at least mostly complete. I am not sure what the title should be. Any suggestions?

Debby Bird Art Website

A little Chicken, and a big turkey

It felt great to get back into the studio today and to start a new painting. I have had a busy week with counting votes for the peoples choice Treasury of Art show, celebrating an anniversary and preparing to host thanksgiving. Painting is so relaxing for me. Evenings when I paint seem to fly past and it is soon midnight and time to head to bed but in the morning I feel so much better rested than if I had stayed up late doing almost anything else. I think when I paint I sort of escape into a different brain space and it refreshes me instead of making me tired.

This little painting of my son has been calling to me for a while now. The reference photo was taken this summer at my parents farm. He was so proud and happy to be holding this sweet baby chick.

 

Debby Bird Art Website

Treasury of Art

One of my paintings was accepted into the juries Treasury of Art show in Vienna this weekend. "Hogan the bricklayer"



This is one of three events that I went to two years ago that got me back into painting after years of not painting anything. It is such a encouragement to be included in this great show this year.
On Wednesday I went to a live portrait painting demonstration by Jonathan Linton. He was the judge for Treasury of Art two years ago and I would love to take classes from him and learn some from his marvelous technique.

Thank you

 

I want to tell all of you who have been supporting me through your kind comments, prayers encouragement and purchases a big Thank You. It is such a joy to paint when I hear your appreciation of what I have been doing. On days when it feels overwhelming to sit down at the easel after a long day of dishes and squabble management, your support pulls me there and encourages me.

 

I went in to my final live painting class for the session and saw that my first non commissioned sale has been paid for and taken home. I was slightly saddened to not get a chance to say goodbye to this little gem, but also very happy that someone else will be enjoying it.

 

Sales certainly help with covering the cost of painting supplies. Now I need to decide which items I will reinvest the money on. Please help my efforts grow. Recommend my work to your family and friends.

 

 Pelicans Perch Complete 9x12 Oil on Canvas

2 hour Live Painting Session

Pelican Perch

The tea is brewed

"Tea for Two" is complete
Today the kids and I went to a local farm to hang out with friends and we took our sketchbooks to draw something that we saw. Both of the older kids settled down for a little sketch time but I had to lend out my sketchbook to cover one that was forgotten in the car so I did not actually get to draw.
This is certainly something we will have to incorporate into a regular practice, I love when my kids draw.

A few views from the farm today.