When the going gets tough, the tough get sewing. Too many hours at home during Lockdown and even after some of the restrictions were lifted. At home, in the studio. I decided to make a conscious effort to really only use what I already had so this meant going back to the Japanese textiles I had collected during my 8 years off and on in Japan. I used to spend my weekends at the flea markets and “ rag sales” hunting for blue and white and old kimono and obi. And then I moved and moved and moved again and somehow the fabric stash stayed in its tea chest until March of this year. I began with the small birds but then slowly moved on, inspired by Sue Stone and her great slow stitching class “ Stitch your Story”. Sewing has become a delight and a mediation during the long winter evenings. I think about the excitement of getting up before everyone else and visiting a flea market. I hope those days come again but until they do I think I am well supplied. Below: 2 images recalling those days.
Design for Versailles Farm
Post card design for Versailles Farm. A beautiful local farm in backcountry Greenwich. Amazing fresh produce and the loveliest people imaginable. So happy to be able to do their “We are Open” announcement this year.
Spring 2020 During the Corona Crisis
Sewing fabric birds using vintage Japanese textiles. Song Bird pattern by Ann Wood.
Iconic Women - At the Bendheim Gallery, Greenwich. November and December 2018
My Iconic women series continues to inspire me. For a Pen Women show entitled “Creative Women” I created a collage of 25 individual portraits, each painted separately and then added to a backing sheet. It made for an interesting set of juxtapositions and conversations. The Show ended last Friday but the painting sold and has now gone to a new home. Time to think about what to do for this coming March.
100 Iconic Women March 2018
Invitation For Ridgefield, March 2018
100 Iconic Women - well only 65 of them, to be honest, had a second showing this year in Ridgefield, CT. Part of March as Women's History Month, my work was shown at the Ridgefield Public Library. It was so great to see them all hang together and of course it was interesting to see who was most popular. No prizes for guessing RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsberg) although Iris Apfel put in a strong showing. Also interesting were some of the comments in the guest book, both positive and negative. I guess that's what the makes the project so fascinating.
Beginning in late Summer of 2016 I started a personal project - painting an "Iconic Woman" in 30 minutes or less. I had originally planned to do about 30 and then move onto another theme but gradually the project expanded until I ended up doing a 100 portraits. With the election of 2016 unfolding as the background it became a very timely and instructive exercise. I posted my progress on Instagram and was amazed by the passionate response. Suggestions and comments poured in and I was frequently told I should be going for a 1000. So it is very exciting to have a first exhibition of my 100 Iconic Women, opening on February 12th of this year, at Workpoint, in Stamford.
Manhattan Skyline
Manhattan Skyline. Looking across the Sound from Greenwich Point. Rough waters after the thunderstorms last night. Acrylic on wood panel. This piece is destined for a show in Stamford opening in early September.
Back from the South West
My 6th visit to the South West and I am still (even more) obsessed with the forms and colors of the landscape. Now that I am back in the studio it's time to start organizing my images and ideas as I am working towards a new map/landscape show for the Fall.
Spring Landscape
Just having fun. Working on the outline of a map for some Wolf and LRRH stories that I am writing. Part of a 30 minute "Paint everyday" challenge that I am doing with a group of friends. Here is an overview of The Wood where the Wolf and his friends live.
Bristol (England) Scenes from Childhood
Working on a map/personal history to include scenes from childhood for a friend. Beginning with a view of Clifton and Hotwells and then moving into Jacob's Wells swimming pool where we learnt to swim. Onto our school and then moving into adulthood.
January 2nd.
Enchanted Castle. Acrylic on wood panel. 8" x 8".
Getting ready to reopen my Etsy shop on January 4th. This is one of the new paintings that will be going in. Of course, it's rather like Hogwarts, you have to be in exactly the right place at the right time to find this secret location.
Research for a New Map
Thinking about a possible new map of the Treme in New Orleans. New Orleans is the map maker's ideal location. Interesting shapes, lots of water and more history than could ever be squeezed into a single image. This past November I did an amazing walking tour of the Treme, ending with a Second Line. A procession in honor of the Jazz musician Kenneth Dykes. All maps begin with the research so here is a pen and ink drawing. A possible starting point for the map.
Maine Coon Cat
So over the Thanksgiving break my wonderful son David spent hours helping me redo my website and getting me set up with an Etsy store. This was one of the items I posted. A watercolor study of a friend's fabulous Maine Coon.
Pet Portraits
Beginning a series of pet portraits. Petey, the French Bull dog. A quick pencil sketch
Upcoming Student Show.
Impossible to believe that it is that time already but the annual student show is only 11 days away. It promises to be the best yet. The Artists' Opening is Sunday, November 22nd, from 2 to 4 pm, at the Garden Education Center of Greenwich. 130 Bible Street, Cos Cob, CT 06807. Wonderful artwork not to mention cards, calendars and needle felted creations, all by my amazing students. All welcome, so please stop by if you can.
Map show at the Flinn Gallery, Greenwich.
In junction with the 375th anniversary of Greenwich, the Flinn Gallery at Greenwich Library is organizing a community mapping project. I am so happy to see my map of Greenwich Point on their invitation.
Greenwich Legacy.
A very truncated history of the town of Greenwich from its earliest days. Centered around the Mill Pond in Cos Cob. Acrylic on wood panel, 24 x 24"
Famous Views of Greenwich
The Greenwich Map takes shape
Sidebar of the Greenwich map showing a couple of the town's attractions ~ the Bush Holley House, the 1941Police Box for keeping an analogue eye on Greenwich Avenue and the ferry to the islands. Acrylic on wood panel, 24 x 24"
Famous sights of Greenwich
Working on a new map, in the tradition of the great master printer, Hiroshige, "Famous Views of Greenwich ". Top panorama is the amazing view over the Sound from the new Cos Cob Park. Acrylic on wood panel. 24 x 24'"
Birdwatching
On a lovely June afternoon earlier this week Lancelot and I escaped from the studio to go birdwatching.
