Paint Rags
When painting, I always have a stack of cut-up t-shirts next to my water jug. These are the best material I've used to clean my brushes and wipe paint off (or around on) the canvas. Absorbent, durable, reusable - and there's always a worn-out t-shirt around if I need more.
When they get full, I run them through the laundry to soften them back up. But after a certain point, they just won't absorb any more.
Would you throw these out? I certainly can't. They go into the collage material bin.
Sketchbook 2012: Day/Night Quilt
Day/Night Quilt sketch, ink on paper, 2012 by Sarah Atlee
I had so much fun with my Millennium Quilt series that I raced right into this quilt concept for a friend's impending baby.
mely's quilt beginning cropped
I began cutting and piecing not long after finishing the sketch, though it was almost another year before I completed the quilt proper.
At one point, I was so enamored with the finished sections of the quilt that I decided to turn one of them back into 2-dimensional art. I'll post pictures of that piece next week.
Here are pictures of the near-completed quilt in my studio (I just love the morning light in here):
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Day/Night Quilt, detail view in the studio, 2013 by Sarah Atlee
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Day/Night Quilt, detail view in the studio, 2013 by Sarah Atlee
Update: See the portion of this quilt that became a painting.
Still Life Auditions
I'm starting a new still life commission for a client. (This work will be a gift for someone, so shh!)
These are the candidates; we'll see who makes the cut.
If you've never made a special trip to the produce section just for still life material, I recommend you do this. Otherwise, you might never try things like the cherimoya.
Isn't she pretty? Pretty like a pangolin!
One Stitch at a Time
I'm repairing a 30-year-old quilt as part of my current body of work. This process is not as spontaneous or expressive as painting, however it's a lovely, peaceful way to start my day.
View in the Studio
Three recently finished works (L-R):
Little Memorial 12: Unicorn Club
Little Memorial 19: Tomorrow's Perfect Circle
Little Memorial 6: Six Ways From Sunday
All acrylic on canvas, 6-9 inches in height.