Polka Robin

Carbon image transfers can be fickle - if the wax isn't warm enough when I set the image down, the carbon doesn't adhere. If it's too warm, the paper becomes glued to the wax and there's no way to separate the paper from the carbon - when that happens I melt and scrape the whole thing off and start over. The suspense increases the further along I get in the process. This one crackled in an interesting way, and I almost scraped it off but was able to let it sit long enough to decide it's cool.

Cherry Tomato Cluster

Retro Toast

I can see now that I didn't get a great shot of this piece, but decided to post it now and then re-shoot it tomorrow. This is part of my kitchen series, such as it is. I'm still working on the French Press, and blender so stay tuned.

Painted Pears

Originally this was going to be another carbon transfer of the pear drawing but once I put the image down it seemed like it was missing something. I stepped out of my usual style and filled in the pears with pigment (encaustic paint) and am now super happy with the outcome.

May

This is from a drawing I began last fall but because it was in a sketch book I don't use much, I forgot about it. The initial drawing was very loose but by the time I competed it, it was quite detailed. I think it may be the graphite, or perhaps just a character trait I can't overcome - I strive for loose.

Pink Martini Towee

Finally, a success, after three attempts, and three failures - this bird just did not want to stick! Now she's off the Antwerp, Belgium to live with someone who came to Open Studios last month - wish me luck with shipping!

Hunters Point Ship Yard Birds

Last October on our way back from visiting Open Studios at Hunters Point Ship Yard Trish and I came across this lovely flock of birds (pigeons) visiting and doing what birds do. It's taken me until now to process the image - between computer troubles and a tricky bit of image handling. What I mean exactly is that the sky was so deeply blue, it was difficult to pull the blacks out of the pole the wires, and the birds. Eventually a little lesson in Illustrator (which means I watch while Trish does the work) and now I have another fun transfer to play with. Thanks Trish!