My Double Life

http://www.ailoflorence.org/

 My crafty self!!

Every year The American International League of Florence, of which I am a member, organizes a Christmas Bazaar on the 8th of December. All profits from sales  are donated to various non-profit organizations that request our help. My part is to work for the Christmas Decorations Booth. I have been doing it for years and love it but the rest of my life stops from November to the day of the event.

 red ribbons

 tree ornaments,

beads

                                                         
                                                               dried oranges, glue gun,

 Gold spray cans,  glitter,

     gold and silver spray cans

I will post some finished products as soon as my computer allows me too.  Soon. . . . . I hope!!!!!

My computer is being good to me today. (Nov. 1)  here are some examples.

A Flower is Born . . . FINALLY!!!!

moment of adoration!!!!

Finally  our long awaited Strelizia has come out in full and beautiful grandure. Does it look like I'm  holding on to her for dear life?  Probably. Subconsciously I probably was afraid she would disappear.
To think that there are places in the world where these plants grow like weeds (California) and are actually pulled up and thrown away!!!!

this is the ribbon put on our door announcing the"arrival"

True Colors

Here I am, still monitoring my Streliizia ( more that a month has gone by since the first sign of a flower appeared). Now we are really close!!!!!!!

To quote a song I love, " I see her true colors shining through, true colors,  . . . just like a rainbow."

Oct. 25.

Oct. 25

Isn't she something??????????

And we still have a long way to go!!!!

Reasons Why. . . Why Print . . .Mono. . .?

 Reasons why I like to print . . . mono . . . .?
 

monotype-2000

   Many I suppose . . . mostly because it is spontaneous, unpredictable, quick to execute, . . . not a tragedy to destroy if unsuccesful but easily retouched to correct errors or add details if need be. And. . . because there are so many-many solutions. So many-many experimental approaches possible. So many surprises depending on the paper used, the viscosity of the ink, etc.etc.  and, did you know that Degas as well as Toulouse-Lautrec, Gauguin, Klee, etc. . .  and, of course, Picasso were masters of the monotype? Just to name a few and not even mentioning contemporary artists. Interesting to see their work and to follow their example.

 And. . .
 printing
is good for the moments of transition in my painting.  I'm enjoying these printing days.  I'm enjoying the feedom it gives me. And, I'll probably continue for awhile.

What's up in the courtyard greenhouse?

 As of Friday, October 4th,
my strelizia flower looked like
this. . .. . . . .. .  . . .slow but steady . . . .. .