Almost Finished!

While I was busy appreciating winter this morning, I managed to squeeze in a couple of shots of one of the gourds I have been working/experimenting on. It's nearing completion, which is a good thing, since I'm becoming bored with it.

I'd like to see it go to a good home.

I sort of love the snowy backdrop, despite the fact that I ordinarily detest snow. When I haven't been appreciating it, that is.

Slightly different view.

It's sitting on a piece of fabric on top of a woodpile. How's that for rustic improvisation?

Parts still under construction. I worked on this last night so it's still wet from dyes and solvents.

More updates to come.

Progress

The colors are deepening gradually - the use of pigments in binders as a transparent glaze over the dye base seems to be working. There are some areas that haven't dried yet - the drawback is that the process takes longer, so progress is slow.

I wish I had a camera better suited to photographing detail, with less of a tendency to blur any image shot at close range, but this will have to do. A new camera is not a part of my immediate future. Alas.

The old doors pictured a few posts back are nearly stripped of their old finish. Will post an update as soon as possible.

I will also try to post a picture of a portrait I'm currently working on later today; hopefully I can make it outside to photograph it in natural light. It's a balmy 28 degrees outside and I have stalls to do and horses to groom. It's a glad task, however. I may even ride this weekend, if time and weather permit.

More to come...

Gourd (in progress)

I'm using solvent-based and ink-based dyes on this gourd. Also...experimenting with pigments in traditional binders (poppy seed oil) as a glaze to add depth. This is the base coat comprised of various dyes.

Edit: The glazing is working out pretty well and is adding a lot of depth to the color. Will post an update in a few days.

Also working on two portraits and a mandala, so I should have some new stuff to post fairly soon - or at least more "in-progress" pieces.

Detail View of Traditional Craft III

Traditional Craft III

In keeping with the time of year. Owned by a client in Washington. Acrylic and oil paints; light polyurethane finish.

Traditional Craft II

My accountant owns this one. Natural, ink-based and solvent-based dyes; polyurethane finish.

Another one.

Traditional Craft

This is a gourd I did for an art swap with a friend of mine who is a fiber artist in Saskatchewan. Solvent based dyes; varnish.