Studio Waterstone | Lori Plyler Art

I've Moved!

2017-03-02T07:37:00.001-05:00

A Name Change and a Major Move!

2017-02-16T15:04:00.001-05:00

Popping in to let you know that truly good changes are happening around here and I'm so excited to share it all.

Where to start. Where to start...

Let's begin with the name. I began in 2008 as Waterstone Jewelry (I know! Jewelry! Loved it but really didn't wear it which should have been a red flag. Another story for another day) I soon began making my beloved bags and morphed into Studio Waterstone. As time progressed I moved back toward my original lifelong love of art. At that time (around 2014) I knew in my heart that I needed to drop the whole Studio Waterstone moniker but fear held me back. Then...

A few weeks ago this blog disappeared - literally disappeared. LUCKILY I had imported most of my posts to my Wordpress website. Also luckily, two days ago this freaking SW blog popped back up but it didn't matter. I knew, knew, knew that the universe was telling me to make the jump. So, here's the skinny:

I will no longer add posts to this location. Posts will be from my website/blog at: loriplyler.com.

• If you've been following me via Bloglovin, that has been switched over to my new blog, loriplyler.com/studionotes/ and you are good to go, my friend. The work has been done for you.

• You will need to head to my site to follow via RSS feeds (email) and Feedly.

• My ETSY SHOP has been moved to LoriPlylerArt so if you've favorited or followed my old shop, please hop over and show a little love by following my new shop. (It will have bags and art)

• INSTAGRAM and TWITTER have been changed to @lori_plyler

• My FACEBOOK page has gone through a name change, too - LoriPlylerDesign

Whew - this is a big change. I have loved this Blogger blog since 2008. It was comfortable and I had tweaked it into something I was so proud to call mine. But, truth is, it isn't really mine. Now I have a new home which will become more comfortable as time goes on. Join me?

Sketch.Paint.Print. - Print No.5

2017-01-14T11:11:00.000-05:00

Hiya and Happy New Year! I took an extra long break from mid December until last week and am ready to get back to "normal" life. On a personal note, my surgery went very well and now the waiting happens. With any luck, the surgery will have nudged the second phase of this disease to begin and I'll no longer look like a one-eyed pirate. (ARRRRG)

I've decided to continue the Sketch.Paint.Print. creative project with a tweak. Sketching and then printing and THEN painting the exact same thing? Yeah, not my cup of tea. Short attention span and all that aside, I've decided that it will be one or more of the three. As you can see, this week it's print. More antique scissors to be precise - adore the little buggers.

I recently purchased this book (which I HIGHLY recommend) and used her technique for layering colors. In the past I've done it this way and this way - very similar. But I love how she uses the overlay and a base "jig" - seriously, get the book.

Sketch.Paint.Print. No.5

(more) Antique Scissors with Gold Background

To see more printing and sketching and painting:

52 Weeks of Print

Sketch.Paint.Print.

Merry Merry!

2016-12-25T07:42:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas! We're having our first unconventional Christmas ever this year right down to the bicycle and cactus wrapping paper. (Sorry for the grainy pics)

Lucy, in all her puppy enthusiasm, adores trees and limbs and sticks in general.

You can figure out the rest.

Merry Christmas to you! May you have a holiday filled with love and peace.

The Thyroid That Wouldn't Go Away

2016-11-30T09:25:00.001-05:00

How goes it with you? We are thrilled to have rain for the first time in...months? Hoping and praying that the terrible wildfires here in the southeast will finally be silenced. I'll take mud over dust any day of the week.

Well folks, it's going to be one of those not so creatively inspiring, cut to the chase posts. Sorry. Promise to get back to it after this. I'll make it quick and painless - like pulling off a bandaid.

For several years, I've had an autoimmune disorder known as Graves Disease. In 2015 I had the radioactive iodine treatment, which successfully shrank my thyroid and set my body on a course towards normal which is great. Except...

Shrunken thyroid retaliated. The treatment triggered a flare of another branch (?) of Graves known as Thyroid Eye Disease. Stupid thyroid.

I've pulled back from business and blogging and everything else because one major side effect has been double vision. No more driving. No TV or movies without wearing a super sexy eye patch. Wearing dark sunglasses helps somewhat when outside. Bright lights are a no-no. My triggers seem to be bright lights, peripheral vision and depth perception. I can read as long as I don't binge. (Yay!) I'm hanging with the dog and the fam...they call me Miss Daisy. 😕

Good news is that it's not forever. There is an inflammation phase which lasts 2-3 years and then my eyes will begin to improve. There is some thought that having a total thyroidectomy can set the improvement phase in motion so I'll be having that done in a couple of weeks. Fingers crossed, folks.

Stupid thyroid.

Business News: I have closed up shop for the rest of the year (hopefully no longer) but if you'd like anything between now and the 9th, please give me a shout and I will try to make it happen. Of course, my Society 6 shop remains open for business.

And now for a laugh. Preparing for Thanksgiving was CRAZY! We all pitched in. Even Lucy, who takes naps whenever (and wherever) the mood strikes...

See you around! Enjoy the holidays. Eat some pie. I know I will.

Sketch.Paint.Print. #4 (Sketch & Print)

2016-10-12T20:36:00.001-04:00

Seemed like it had been too long since I'd REALLY played around with lettering so last week I dug down deep into my file of favorite quotes and came up with this one from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I sketched it out and (again) decided print before paint. For some reason, printing in stark black and white helps me to work out any balance or general wonkiness issues. So...

I carved my little heart out using this fantastic easy carve lino from Speedball. Super easy and absolutely no crumbling but it is a little more pricey. Anyway (and sorry for the fuzziness of the above photo), the word "wild" is entirely lost amongst the greenery. In the words of my husband, it was a hot mess. So, I carved a little more.

I carved away a few of the plants across the bottom.

And I think it helped. The word "wild" is now more visible. So. I'm happy.

The end.

But not really because I'll be painting it next.

Want to join me with this project? Just use #sketchpaintprint

Our Morning Walk (and Some Painting Progress)

2016-10-04T09:24:00.001-04:00

This is the view I see each morning while walking with Lucy. Notice the fog across the way?

I call this view, "Mr. Darcy???"

This is my view a little later as Lucy freezes over a squirrel, or a chipmunk, or a deer, or...

I'm plugging away and (hopefully) making progress with the custom home portraits.

Today, I head back to the mountains. I. Cannot. Wait. It's been over a month - probably the longest stretch EVER. Weather? Mid to low 70's. Sweaters? Yep. Booties? Yup. Bonfire? Most definitely a yup.

New "Cook It Yourself" Tote & More $5 Off & FREE Shipping Sunday Only

2016-10-01T21:07:00.001-04:00

Well folks, I finally put a couple of my lino prints to good use. This tote may be one of my favorites. Want breakfast? Cook it yourself!

Me to a "T".

I will be taking advantage of this discount from Society 6. All of my totes and carry all zip pouches are on sale SUNDAY ONLY.

You can find these items here. Discount is automatic.

Have a great Sunday!

October Desktop/Laptop Wallpaper

2016-10-01T10:44:00.000-04:00

Hi there and welcome to the most comfy, beautiful and best month of the year!
Can I get an amen?

I made this wallpaper for myself and thought you'd enjoy. So, enjoy!

(click on the image to download)

Please remember that this and all freebies provided by Studio Waterstone are copyrighted and are for personal use only. Thanks so much.

New Relief Print! "Be Unique"

2016-09-26T12:20:00.000-04:00

So, I've made an(other) executive decision with my art, bag, art work life balance. During the week I work on work. On the weekends I play. Original, right? The work part is brushing up on my house portrait painting skills (see here) and planning a couple of new bags for the upcoming season. Play (these days) is carving (and chasing a dog - but that's sometimes work).

I decided to play with words again. "Be unique" was a painting/doodle begun some time back in my art journal - never finished as most doodles end up.

(via Instagram)

I like it better as a print. It's printed on this deliciously lightweight yet surprisingly strong mulberry paper and is available in a limited edition of 20. Go ahead - check it out.

Made any executive decisions lately? Do tell...

Simple Solutions: Easy to Make Relief Print Registration

2016-09-19T16:15:00.000-04:00

This simple solution is an alternative to my earlier relief print registration tutorial. Both work great and are simple but this one can be done with materials you're likely to have around the house.

You'll need:

Mark the center both horizontally and vertically on your sheet of paper.
Then block off the size(s) you will be printing. (I made one sheet with all of the sizes I use.)

Optional: I also like to tape the block to the sheet of paper as extra insurance to keep it from moving around but I haven't experienced it moving without - I'm just an extra insurance kind of gal.

*NOTE* I have since found double sided removable tape by Scotch! I found it at Dick Blick.

Place your block onto the cardstock, matching up with the grid.

That's it! How's that for easy? This method works wonderfully with one or more colors because you line your printing paper with the taped sheet of paper and carved block each time.

Please feel free to give me a shout if you have any questions.

New Linocut Relief Prints in the Shop!

2016-09-15T07:36:00.000-04:00

Someone asked me the other day on Instagram when I would be offering my linocut prints for sale and my reply was as soon as I get my ducks in a row. Life gets in the way of so much - or is it the other way around?

Anyway...

I've lined up three ducks...er, prints and am so pleased with them! They look absolutely fantastic framed. The buggy one you see above was from 52 Weeks of Print and was originally done with a turquoise background. Must say I prefer the creamy background as an alternative. I'm planning to create more so this will be part of a set of three small prints.

More to come as I'm able to print samples (each one is made to order), photograph and list.

Once again, life and all it's busy-ness.

You can find each of these prints in the shop.

Sketch.Paint.Print. #3

2016-09-12T17:07:00.002-04:00

Lately, I've been working crazy hard on this new project. But this past weekend I had a terrible hankering to carve. Pretty sure I once said that when carving gets in your blood it's almost impossible to ignore. It's true. Anyway. I wanted to carve.

But to carve, you must first sketch. Not my thing but a necessity all the same. I sketched this little imaginary flower and leaf arrangement.

I painted...

And inked. Because I usually can't paint without inking as well. Not exactly sure why.

And I carved...

(via Instagram)

In all honesty, once again I did it in different order. I sketched, then carved (because of the hankering) and then painted. But once you've created a project name and hashtag you simply must go with it.

Click here to see all of the Sketch.Paint.Print. projects.

Happy Monday!

Happy Friday and...well...Sketch.Paint.Print! (#2)

2016-09-09T12:14:00.000-04:00

Hydie ho! It's Friday. Any plans? We'll be hanging around here - chasing the dog, losing sleep, you know, the usual. I'll be painting, too - hopefully. Remember when I said I used to paint house portraits? Well, I did along with many other subjects. Lately, it's the house portraits I've been focused on. I painted one for a friend and the flames were fanned, so to speak. As a result, I made the executive decision to offer custom house portraits again. (Should be offered on Etsy soon but if you're interested just give me a shout.)

Course, I need to practice and brush up on my landscape/house skills so I've begun with the cabin. While working I suddenly realized that, by default, another #sketchpaintprint project has been completed! Who d' thunk?

So, to go back and refresh...

• sketch •

• print •

• paint! (it's reversed this time, but, hey...) •

What are you up to this weekend? Got your sites set on something?

(Lucy says hey)

Lately...

2016-08-26T08:51:00.000-04:00

Just because I haven't been posting lately doesn't mean life hasn't been busy around these parts. Quite the opposite, life is crazy. I have been working on lots of little things. Like framing a few of my relief prints. The one above was from Sketch.Paint.Print.

This was one of my favorites from the 52 Weeks of Print project. Just love the message - such truth in that little proverb. I'm hoping many of these prints will be available for purchase soon.

I've been working on my website. Updating, adding, tweaking and deleting.

Have I ever told you that I was a portrait painter a few years back? People, pets, homes and land.

I recently painted this home portrait for an inspiring young man who goes to school full time, works full time and just recently purchased his first home. So proud of this fella.

I've decided to dip my toes into home portraits again after a few years. Check out a few examples of my work.

And this...

This girl keeps me hopping. And chasing. And crying for more sleep. But, oh, she does make life richer.

So. For you. What's been taking up space in your life of late? Trying any new things? Old things?

Sketch.Paint.Print #1 (Print)

2016-08-12T11:31:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday, folks! If you're in the south, aren't you just loving this humidity? Don't you wish it would hang around for, like, ever? Me neither. If you're not in the south, do you have humidity? Want some? If I could box it up and mail it your way, I would. Suffice it to say, the box would turn to mush and fall apart before it could complete it's journey.

Anyway.

Aside from walking/chasing/sometimes cursing/always loving Ms. Lucy Goose, I've been indoors working on this first project for Sketch.Paint.Print. It's been a fantastic distraction and I'm pretty sure that at this point, you'll see project #2 on the horizon. Yes. It's that fun.

(via instagram)

Truly, the interesting thing about working in three different mediums is that you really get to study your subject. You explore different techniques and finally, you get a good impression of which version you prefer.

I have to ask. Which version do you prefer? On this one, I loved the paint stage - probably because it's been while since I've played extensively with paint. Twas lovely.

I am full on into this now - there's no turning back. Okay. I can turn back but I won't. Care to join me? Just tag #sketchpaintprint and @studiowaterstone. I and everyone else can check out your work.

Have a good one, friend. Hope your hair doesn't frizz.

Sketch.Paint.Print #1 (Paint)

2016-08-10T07:39:00.000-04:00

I really loved this portion of the project. Seems as if all the painting I've done recently (when I have painted) has been different, much more loose. This brought back my love of paying attention to detail.

I'll be honest, there were doubts about this particular project. Whether it would hold my attention as I have a tendency to want to move on to the next thing. Seems that changing up the technique only makes it more interesting.

Who knew?

Sketch.Paint.Print #1 (Sketch)

2016-08-08T09:18:00.000-04:00

Hidee ho! I'm slowly coming out of the puppy dazed fog and trying to get with the program. If anyone ever tells you that having a puppy is easy, toss your head back, laugh and walk away. It's harder than a newborn baby. Wanna know why? Because babies wear diapers and don't bite you with razor sharp teeth.

Anyway.

It's time to try out a new creative challenge series. It was a toss up - either "Print the Masters" (For example, printing my version of "Starry Night" by Van Gogh) or "Sketch.Paint.Print" (see below) The former, although fascinating, had copyright nightmares running through my head.

Sketch.Paint.Print gives me the opportunity to focus on one subject and do it three ways. Sometimes changing it up a little in style but staying with the same original sketch.

So, there you have it folks. Sketch.Paint.Print #1 comprising my current faves, bugs and flowers. Can't go wrong with bugs and flowers, right?

Next comes the paint part.

Care to join me? Just use #sketchpaintprint and, if you'd like, tag @studiowaterstone.

I'll be sure to show your work!

52 Weeks of Print: Week 52 Cabin in the Woods

2016-07-22T18:15:00.002-04:00

I'll be honest. Around my house I'm not know as someone who finishes a task. AND this 52 week project ended up taking almost two years - but in my defense I had medical reasons! Anyway....

Anyway. It's finished! For the final project, I wanted to create something personal and frame worthy. Our little cabin in the woods fit the bill.

Initial Sketches

(via Instagram)

Carving away on the first layer. With this layer I carved away the negative spaces.

(via Instagram)

I wanted this to be a two color relief print but, boy, I had no idea how tough it would be to settle on a color. I tested about five background colors and finally decided to go with a muted gray. Very happy with the result.

With the background, I carved away negative space at the top around the trees and then carved into the linoleum to get the the "greenery" at the bottom.

The thing is, I have fallen deeply in love with lino carving and creating relief prints. I feel that I've only scratched the surface (no pun intended) and want to continue to explore this wonderful medium. Not sure if the future will hold another creative challenge - hopefully so, but nailing a theme will take some thought.

So, this is it, folks! Week 52 of 52 Weeks of Print. (wah hoo!)

Click here to see 52 Weeks in it's entirety.

52 Weeks of Print: 51/52 Botanical

2016-07-14T17:38:00.000-04:00

What with the addition of Lucy, sewing time is absolutely not happening until she reaches the point of complete disinterest in scraps of fabric, leather and the various art supplies which litter my studio. I am wondering when (or if) that milestone will ever be reached.

Luckily, I can do other things. Like sketching and carving. And I CANNOT BELIEVE this is week 51 - one more week people! I do not want to stop this series so my little brain is scrambling frantically for something new but still relief print related. Any suggestions?

On to week 52...

I am more and more fascinated with the effects achieved by changing the width of a carved line. Maybe I'm not too bright but it's like trying to solve a puzzle. The bottom leaf is an example.

Additionally, I love the way the leaves looked convex on the front side and concave on the back. Of the top three leaves in this carving, the middle one is the backside of a leaf.

Oddly enough when thinking of things like this, the prettiness of the end result isn't as important as solving the puzzle - which is what makes it so darn addictive! I still have so much to learn. So much.

So, here we are at week 51 of 52 Weeks of Print.

Cinnamomum Camphora (try to pronounce that one!)

Click here to see weeks 1 - 51

You can also follow along on Instagram and/or Pinterest.

52 Weeks of Print: 50/52 Words

2016-07-01T07:33:00.002-04:00

Carving leaves and pretty things is one thing but carving letters is something else entirely - for me anyway. One slip and it says something like "Storms make oars take roots" or "Storms make oaks lake roots". Kinda ruins the mood. Not to mention the fact that it's infuriating to do all that work for naught. Not good at all, my friends. Not good.

Luckily, that didn't happen this time. (Okay, I had a little slip but it was fixable)

I like the rustic nature of the carving and I really do love this quote. It speaks volumes.

Can you believe it? Two more weeks to go! I already know what I'll be doing. But that's another story for another day. Today I sign off for a week of vacation. If things get really wacky, I'll pop up over on Instagram.

52 Weeks of Print

Week 50 - Words

Click here to see the series in it's entirety.

52 Weeks of Print: 49/52 Lino Buggy

2016-06-23T12:30:00.000-04:00

Believe it or not, although Lucy is the queen of adorableness, our eight week old spark plug insists on attention 24/7 - or to rephrase, the life of our home depends on it.

Folks, the need to make something artsy was getting downright out of hand so yesterday I sat down at the kitchen table with Lucy in tow (a.k.a. on top of my feet) and began to carve. Bugs. Because they're everywhere and Lucy seems to find them all. And I kind of love them.

I originally decided to do a two color print and now can't decide if I like one or two.

I really do love the concept of two colors and think it may be my personal fave.

It'll need some tweaking to iron out all the rough spots.

What say you? One color or two?

52 Weeks of Print

Week 49 (eek! getting close)

You can find weeks 1-49 here:

Website

Instagram

Flickr

Meet Lucy

2016-06-17T07:30:00.000-04:00

This little spark plug is the reason I haven't been around lately - she's been training me.

Remember a couple of weeks back when I worked on this semi hideous carving of Sophie for 52 Weeks of Print? I hinted that she had been on our minds and this is why. After a year, I came around and began to feel the urge to have a sweet companion who dished out unconditional love. So, meet Lucy, our own personal ball of energy. (yawn)

How's it going so far?

Stick me with a fork, I think I'm done (for).

Have a wonderful weekend, folks!

New Bags & Pouches in the Shop!

2016-05-25T08:27:00.000-04:00

I've been putting a few of those carved lino stamps to good use lately and am loving the results - especially that sweet little number in the front with the blue ink and red leather pull. Yum. And the artist pouches - yes, I currently use about 4-ish in all varying sizes because...well...you can never have too many zip pouches.

And bags! I just added two great sprint/summer bags similar to the ones I carry daily. (Seen here and here and here) This daypack is so perfectly sized. I've been a backpack girl from way back and, don't get me wrong, I have my travel, cram everything you can get in it backpack. This new size is perfect for running around all day in comfort and style.

I made a version of this crossbody last year, used it all last summer and you'd better believe it came out at the first sign of spring this year. The neutral color and comfy-ness means it will go with everything and last all day. The little bit of gold shimmer gives it just a hint of fun whimsy.

All of these items can be found in the shop.

Do me a favor and have a wonderful day, folks.

52 Weeks of Print: 48/52 Sophie

2016-05-19T17:16:00.000-04:00

Let's begin with a little background. If you've followed along here for longer than one year, you would know my Sophie. (I featured her here and here and here) Sadly, we lost her in March of last year. It's something I've never mentioned here because, well, you know. She was the sweetest of all sweetie pies. And I'm not bias.

It's been over a year and we're all good. Nothing but wonderful memories.

For reasons I'll get to at a later date, I wanted to honor Sophie this week.

Now. Let's go to part two of the story...

Do you watch Project Runway? You know when, without fail every week, there's this one contestant who begins his project with all the optimistic energy of the universe? But then things begin to go south? But he doesn't give up! And the harder he works at it, the worse it gets? I am not kidding you nor am I exaggerating when I say that is me this week.

Don't even attempt to make me feel better. It's okay! I'm good with it. A little embarrassed to put this out there but, hey, with 52 Weeks of Print, I show you the good, the bad and the ugly without (much) exception. So, let's roll with this...

Thought I'd show you the actual progression. Above is my first proof.

From here, the words of Mr. P sum it up perfectly. On the above proof, "Not bad!"

Mr. P: "Okay..."

Mr. P: "oh..."

Mr. P: "oooh" (looks away)

I told Mr. P I'd paint her portrait instead.

Ugh. Just goes to show you. Just when you're beginning to think you're all that,

something in the cosmos takes you down a notch or two. (sigh)

Week 48 of 52 Weeks of Print

Click here to see weeks 1-47 (most of them are much better)

Next week...an inanimate object.