I've been making monoprint masks and thinking of shapes that would work, so it was only a matter of time before a bird found its way into the mix. I got the initial marks on the paper by blotting off most of the paint with a piece of paper, then added some random strokes before I added the bird. I liked the clean look, so I stopped there.

 Happy Tuesday

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

While working on a couple of assigned projects, I take a break and paint something for myself. Then I go back to my projects, refreshed.

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

It's such a beautiful day that the running around I did was actually a pleasure. There is nothing like the scent of freshly cut grass and damp earth (from yesterday's rain) to make me feel alive. After my errands, I walked in the park where I helped a little boy who was scared of a squirrel believing it was a raccoon. Now he knows the difference between the two.

Back at my work table, I sorted a few things out and realized that I haven't made artist trading cards for a long time. I love working on these little works of art.

 Friday three.


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

 A little watercolour before I go for my very brisk walk. Actually it was a big one, but I cut it up; the dark sky was too threatening (it came out that way because of all that talk of tornadoes). The little horse scrap had been sitting on my desk for...years. I finally found the right setting.

Wishing you a safe day!

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

 I've always been fascinated by Victorian cabinet cards and their albums. I was lucky enough to find a very affordable album at the Sunday flea market on Front Street. It was falling apart, but the frames were mostly in excellent condition and make a perfect background for collage. For some reason, they make me happy!

Available in my Etsy shop.

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

 Oh what a lovely day!

I took a day off work, which is unusual for me, and had a long walk, then grocery shopping and menu planning. With age comes paying closer attention to one's health, and an MRI showed up my inherited cholesterol problem. Tweaking my diet, which is already good, and exercising more frequently, will help. Unfortunately because it's inherited, I also have to have medication. On the other hand, this was never anything I had to worry about before, so that was a blessing.

  

 Eat your vegetables!

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

 It has rained. All. Day. It is still raining. I went out a couple of times, but happily my umbrella held up. And my magazines arrived from Stampington so that I had an excuse to hunker down with a cup of tea and enjoy them.

I'm excited about the upcoming Somerset Studio, which will be out on July 1, because one of my very favourite projects is in it-- my cardboard art. I hope you'll check it out.

 Stay dry, my friends!

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

 After the controlled nature of the monoprints, I wanted to let loose. A wide brush, some black paint, a white canvas, and wild abandon.... it's very good for the soul.

Wishing you a happy weekend.



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

The temperature has dropped and the wind is up. The birds are confused. And I'm indoors. Before cleaning up my work table, I thought I'd show you what it looks like after I've made my monoprints. The masks pick up the background paint and the effect can be quite beautiful.

 I made a monoprint of a pomegranate for a friend, and used the mask again to make this blue one. I overworked it with white pencil and splatter.

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

 Today was printmaking day. I chose the Japanese enso symbol for these two monoprints. Enso means circle, a symbol of enlightenment, strength, elegance and the universe. Each print is a discovery; while the design is planned, you really don't know what the result will be until you pull the paper and turn it over.

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

 Yesterday was a busy day. I was out and about for most of it (in, thankfully, beautiful weather), so work took a back seat. Almost. I managed to make these sweet little tags; they are stained with walnut ink, and the vintage crochet pieces, naturally aged, were a perfect complement. They're stitched by hand of course, pushing the needle through thick paper and cotton, but I managed not to hurt myself...

Available in my Etsy shop

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

 I don't know who she is, what she is, or where she came from, but this painting happened. Mine is not to reason why, mine is to paint.

Acrylic on canvas, 14 x 18 inches

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

 Friday offering.

After I put this piece together, I came across the subject of collagraph making, and it seems that what I've created here is a collagraph in reverse. With collagraphs, as the name suggests, collage is added to the plate which is then painted and pressed on a background paper to create a print. What I did here was simply collage the monoprint itself and seal it.
Why not?

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

 The cloth is finished. I worked on it from the bottom up. That wasn't planned; it just happened that way. A lot of arranging and rearranging of elements went on before I decided to stitch them down. It's a very good feeling when it's finished, but I miss the process. Which is why I'll make another, and another....

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

Continuing with monoprints, I wanted to try something a little more involved. I drew some birds with a white pencil onto black cardstock and cut them out.

 The mask is now ready for printing. After I roll paint on the Gelli with a brayer, mixing the paints (white and raw umber) and making marks on it, I place the mask over it, cover that with printmaking paper, or lightweight watercolour paper, and burnish with my hands. Then I carefully peel it off. Which is probably why it's called a hand-pulled print.

 I never really know what's going to happen, and that's part of the attraction!

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

On a grey, rainy day, a comforting thing to do curl up on the couch with a hot drink and stitch. The temperature will double by tomorrow and I'll be out and about, so today I'm taking the opportunity for a little quiet time with my sewing.

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

Bidding starts tomorrow 7.p.m. CST until Friday for Hope for Oklahoma, an auction to benefit the people devastated by the recent Oklahoma tornado. Please click here to visit this very worthy cause.

I have contributed two pieces, a collage and a textile piece.

 

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

 This was my second attempt with monoprint. I took my time with it, decided on my subject, then drew and cut the masks, and mixed colours to get orange and blue-grey. I'm really happy with the result and will definitely be continuing.

And two more.

 Wishing you a happy Sunday!


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

 I've always been intrigued by monoprinting. At one time I tried it, using a piece of glass, but it was messy and my results were not good. Because I had some credit at a local store, I decided to get the Gelli printing plate. I made some masks with ordinary paper, cutting out shapes that I wanted to use and gave it a try. I think, with practice, I can really get into this.

First try: keeping it simple.

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

It's Friday. No, really.

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

 You've heard about the devastating tornado in Oklahoma. A group of artists and artisans is having an auction on Monday, May 27 on Facebook to raise funds for the victims, some of them known to us.

There will be lots of lovely things to bid on, including a collage by me (a new one, never published). So do have a look and if you can help, bless you!

https://www.facebook.com/hopeforok

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

It's Victoria Day in Canada and we're enjoying the long weekend, with beautiful weather.
Having taken two walks with my guest-dog, I've spent the day puttering around in my studio corner.
The portrait is of Dante, the 13th-century Italian visionary poet. I studied his work at university. I can still recite lines from Inferno by heart, in the original. There was one passage that I learned by heart, just for the heck of it, and it was the one passage that came up for identification and analysis in our final examination... the Examination Angels were surely looking out for me.

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

 I'm blessed to be a regular contributor to Sew Somerset. The new issue, Summer 2013 (click on the link and check it out), will be out in a couple of weeks. My subject? Dresses stitched on brown paper... what else? At least for now.

Here's a sneak peek.

Colette Copeland for Sew Somerset

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

I was practising my embroidery and started in an awkward place, and ended up with a very odd plant. It reminds me of plants like the venus flytrap. I just hope this one is a vegetarian.

 It's a long weekend in Canada. So have a happy one!




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

 While de-cluttering in my slow way (it's taking forever), I found this cradled wood just begging to be used. I applied paint thickly with a palette knife, which also gives it a lovely texture, and brushed two coats of gel gloss medium to seal it.

And this is why my de-cluttering takes forever, because I come across something and go off on a tangent.

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

 C for colour, C for collage. And then, there are my initials...

 Have a happy day!


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

Some fabric scraps are too precious to discard. They can be used as part of a patchwork, but they can also be embroidered. I can see this attached to a mat board and framed and hung on a wall.

Available in my Etsy shop

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

 I met my current work deadline today and so it's back to my work table for some leisurely cutting, gluing and stamping. I'm looking forward to some time in the library and a long walk.

 Have a very pleasant day!




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

 My to-do list has been very long lately, but most of it is done, with just a few to go. And then, no doubt, it'll start all over again.....
         I've been writing most of the day and have no words left. Instead I'll leave you with my latest creation, done between bouts of writing. Actually I started this several weeks ago, stitching down the bodice and the lace for the skirt, but didn't know what to do next. So I did what I usually do in these cases and let it be. Eventually it would tell me how to proceed. It did so today!

Available in my Etsy shop  SOLD

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

 Happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere.

Mine died young, but not a day goes by that I don't think of her with love and pride.
 

My mother, Emma xoxo

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

 I'm settling back into my routine, sort of. It takes a few days to put things in order after I've been away. I still have work to do on a project, but I'm taking little breaks to relax, get groceries, dental check-up.... you know how it goes!

My idea of relaxation is playing with my new stamps, and my new washi tape, all from The Paper Crown.

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

Paper Crown, Part II

I love giving these workshops. I just provide the basics and the guidance, and I'm always gratified by how each puts her own stamp on the project and turns out a beautiful piece of art, in this case, textile art in the form of little dresses. These ladies have style and talent, and it's a pleasure to work with them.

The Paper Crown has a large room set up with tables for workshops which take place regularly, and judging by the atmosphere, it's a popular place not only for work but also for the camaraderie and lots of laughs. And -- I dare you to leave without filling a shopping basket with goodies to take home. I've been to many such stores both here and in the U.S., and I honestly haven't seen any stores that are as beautifully stocked as this one (see also my previous post).

A picnic basket serves as a display prop.

Some of everything...

Marsha and Nan

Franc, Nancy, Beth

Nancy and Beth

Cindy, the photographer, among her myriad roles

Beautiful! Nan had left by the time I took this photo.

Franc's lovely layout.

I couldn't resist this: Nancy is a star (the star is actually hanging from the ceiling). And Beth, who once told me she couldn't sew, made a stunning piece.

Nan's sweet and soulful trio of little dresses.

Marsha's romantic designs.

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