Framed!

Bald Head Island collages now complete and ready for delivery next weekend.

Also got back to visit this amazing sculpture at high tide...

Salt Marsh Collage

Feeling complete...now I can begin to focus more attention on framing.

Transfers and tweaking...

Scrubbed the transfer off this collage today - think this is the 5th or 6th layer on the water in the foreground - still some paper to remove and will add a bit more color back in but getting close. A good reminder too that it's about the time practicing more than the results so there isn't always a dramatic change to show.

Catching up and new space to work...

We had planned to be away this weekend and plans changed so we find ourselves at home.  It's good time for catching up on projects and process toward creating better spaces for working.

Here are a new batch of labyrinth touchstones for Art-o-mat...

Some new frames - the large one was completed today and the smaller ones were cut a while ago and assembled today.

Here is my new workbench space in the carport, complete with a new miter saw for frames.

And the latest layer of photo transfer on this collage - trying to be patient and wait til morning to peel it back so that the glue fully dries and I get the best transfer.

Focusing in...

On certain areas of collage...

Layers

Alternating between color and new photo imagery...here's the addition of photo transfer today...

New layers...

Time and slowness...

Working on my Bald Head Island collages today.

I added some new layers of color to this one...

This second one is almost entirely redone with a new layer of collage over the entire surface.  The photo transfer came out much too dark in the first try.  I've reprinted a lighter image and will try again tomorrow.  Last week I worked quickly - just needing to begin and get things going.  This week I'm trying to slow down and pay attention to lessons learned in my process last week.  As much as I'm eager to see the new transfer, I'm going to wait until tomorrow to be sure this layer is really dry.  

Oh, and an update on Java's portrait...he liked it so much he wanted to sign it - see lower right corner.

Different kinds of making...

Today I joined a group of teachers in exploring design with loose parts.
On the way home I stopped along the GW parkway to photograph these beautiful yellow flowers along the Potomac River...

Tonight I made cookies and ended the evening with this small watercolor - once again inspired by the salt marsh at Bald Head Island...

Bald Head Island...

I set aside the morning just to work on my images of Bald Head Island.

Here are the resulting new collages...

...and one that received new layers...

This evening I set up my new laser printer and printed the photos for the transfer.  Each was printed in two parts on legal size paper and then the halves pieced together to cover the foot square surface.  They will dry overnight and I get to see how they look tomorrow.

Messy photo transfer...

Here's my collage with the photo transfer I applied the other day...

...It came out darker than I'd expected so I ended up trying to scrub off some of the black with a bristle brush.  I'm not sure what's next with this one do I may let it rest a bit and start anew and see where that leads.

New collage paper arrived this morning so I plan to set aside the morning tomorrow for some dedicated making time.

Tokens...

My watercolor this morning is a different size format, allowing me to show a wider view of the marsh.

I sealed it with clear acrylic and left it in the guest book as a token of thanks for a lovely stay.

On our drive home, I created 8 more mini collages for my latest art-o-mat series.

I love that these will one day be bought from vending machines.  

Watercolor practice...

Our last full day of vacation was spent kayaking and swimming in the ocean.

My moment of quiet before dinner was spent on the porch once again enjoying the colors of the salt marsh.

Full days and quiet moments...

Another full day here on Bald Head Island.  The kids and I kayaked early this morning, exploring the salt marsh.

Then we rode bikes as a family to the light house and climbed to the top for amazing views of the island.  

We enjoyed all our meals here at the house on the screen porch enjoying the amazing view of the salt marsh.

Watercolor provided a bit of quiet time for me again today looking out at the colors on the marsh...

It was also a great day for viewing and photographing clouds...

This evening we stopped at a trail that's part of the BHI Conservancy to see more views of the salt marsh - collecting images to inspire more collage practice once I'm home...

Salt Marsh Inspiration...

Spent some time today beginning art pieces inspired by the view of the salt marsh here in Bald Head Island.

Here is my morning watercolor...

And the beginning of blocking in colors for a collage...

Artful travels...

A full day of traveling, visiting with friends and more traveling - by car, ferry and golf cart.  We are settled in here for a few days at Bald Head Iskand. Looking forward to making collages inspired by the colors in this salt marsh...

For today I made a couple small collages in the car, beginning a new series for art-o-mat.