ANCIENT DYE VATS FRAMED IN CHERRY

Finally had the 2nd series of the Moroccan Dye Vats framed in cherry. Here they are in my studio. Original series on left.

STITCHING CLOSE-UPS

I completed the new series of 3 dye vats, made with painted papers and machine stitching.

Click here to see the process of creating them.

They were inspired by aerial views of the tannery in Fez, Morocco. I found a great video that takes you to this amazing place!

Ancient Leather Tannery Madness in Fez Morocco

Pictured: 2 design close-ups. Will post the 3 finished pieces at a later date. Click on photos to enlarge.

PUSHING AROUND MAGENTA

A call for some magenta in these collages. So painted papers last week and started putting together a night at the dye-vats.

Little time to work yesterday and today. Been out and about plus engaged in other things but I did put down a collaged background today.

Now I'm at the point of thinking about how to define the dye-vat squares.

Oil Pastels? Stitched lines? Will I put more marks, texture on the circles.

Perhaps circle around the rim with stitching?

I usually make some samples to see how the techniques look. I'll do that next.

PAPER PLATES ARE PAINTED PAPERS TOO

I worked in the studio today but interruptions made for not much progress.

Emptied the studio garbage. Take a look.

Some will be alarmed I'm throwing these beauties out but I can't save everything!

The paper plate centers are being used in the dye vat series. Great color mixtures on these rounds!

STITCHING A DYE-VAT

I want to incorporate machine stitching into the dye-vat squares.

Tried a couple stitching possibilities and like this one - to the right.

Some think my studio is always neat. Not so!

When I'm in the heat of the creative battle, so to speak, nothing is put back in it's storage spot.

No cleanup in sight. Just pushing things aside for now.

WHAT IS RIVES BFK?

My box of Rives BFK came yesterday.

BFK is a very versatile printmaking & drawing paper.

It has a smooth surface with a slightly velvety feel.

It's 100% cotton rag, mould made & the color is highly fade-resistant.

I created collages on grey BFK a couple years ago & have been wanting to work with it again ever since.

It's impossible to find the grey locally, so I mail-ordered it from Utrecht. It came in 2 days. I was very impressed with the packaging.

I cut 6 -15 x15 pieces. Ready for next step tomorrow.

SEEING THE CREATIVE PROCESS

Continuing to work on the Moroccan dye vat series today.

Looks like I'm adjusting my glasses to see the creative process better!

More squares.

Thinking I'll make this a series of 6.

Rives BFK grey came today. Used this for collages a couple years ago. Great surface & neutral background for mounting this particular series.

SQUARES & CIRCLES

In my studio today

working on painting papers,

cutting squares & circles

and trying different layouts

continuing tomorrow

OPEN CANS OF PAINT?

Pictured is my Dye Vat series, created in 2010. I've been thinking about doing more with the imagery.

Got the push I needed last week and now I'm working on the new series, also inspired by the aerial view of the dye vats in Fez, Morocco.

Maybe I'll call this series 'dye pots' instead of vats or 'paint pots' or 'open cans of paint!' Back on Monday.

TACKING DYE VATS

changing course

tacking dye vats & abstracts

earlier Moroccan art on ledge

continuing to paint

brown tones today

some magenta tomorrow

reds on the ledge

another dark overcast day

not good for photos