These birds are not on branches

 

I'm in a space now where I feel open.
This kind of feeling often happens when a big project has concluded and I usually respond by allowing time to play with new techniques or media.
Now I seem to want to do too much.

 I'm interested in many different branches that grow from the central tree trunk that is me.

Any one of them would be an interesting choice and would probably bear fruit.
But if I only go in one direction,  I will miss something delicious on the other branches.

I use a kitchen timer to divide my time.
It allows me to switch activities during the day.
Sometimes I feel as if I am accomplishing a lot.

But today I am feeling flooded.
I made a sketch to try to sort out the branches (see below).

It helped me to see.

Today is a beautiful day and I am working in the garden.
I have to take a day off.
I'll go see Dad.  He accomplished a lot during his working life and used a kind of kitchen timer mantra:

'One piece of baloney at a time.'

All images in this post are of a new piece.  I have been working on the reverse side.

padded satin stitch

In this post, a tutorial for one of the techniques used in the third panel of the circle project. padded satin stitch First draw an outline of your shape. Here evenly spaced dots are drawn with ball point amongst the offset pattern of factory stitched dots. With chain stitch and single strand of silk or cotton floss, cover the drawn line with embroidery. Continue with chain stitch until you have completely fill in the shape. With the same thread, begin to cover the chain stitch with false satin stitch. Go back and forth across the shape until closely packed. Each dot takes about 20 minutes to do. The original design on paper has changed slightly.

solitude

I am concerned with putting time into my work.
I touch my work a lot.
I want to use those two invisible things, time and touch, as power.

Logical, regular, the grid is the simplest of means. But this grid is marked with small irregular dots. All the same. All different. What I’m looking for in my work is a simplicity that is inviting and easy for my viewer to enter. A safe calm place where time and touch reach out and invite one to slow down. Consider your own life. Connect to your inner self. Experience a sense of boundlessness. Solitude gives me space for contemplation.
Solitude gives me time for repetitive labour. The philosopher/painter, Agnes Martin advises us:

“Say to yourself, “I want to live a true life”.
Then watch yourself.
Discover the true response you make to life undistorted by others.
Self- knowledge is not social.

Artists, take every opportunity to be alone.”