Diana Trout's blog

Monkey Mind II

2013-05-17T08:22:00-04:00

I'm sure that I have a prior post entitled Monkey Mind and since I was born in the year of the monkey, it could be the 3rd time. I've ignored all of the Blogging for Dummies tips and given my post a stupid title. Again.

Not only do I have absolutely nothing to say but something inside of me is urgently whispering that you probably don't want to hear about the trazillion ideas, fleeting thoughts, whims, plans, ephermeral images (ad nauseum) that are flitting through my head these days.

which door?

For instance, (just one, I swear) nearly-weds and I went to the craft store to find teeny frames for the table numbers for the wedding. Nevermind the fact that we had decided months ago that the tables won't have numbers, they'll have COLORS!!!!! Somehow we managed to arrive back home with no frames but lovely little birdhouses that we painted. I still don't know where the table numbers are going. Apparently we do need them because our colors are very complicated (eg.: grayed purple with a touch of gold) and someone may be color-blind.

*****SIGH****.

I can't seem to let a single whim go these days.

A bit of fun

There are at least 14 pieces of stitching that I'm working on. I need at least two (or three) complete for a deadline.

I am writing in the morning pages again. Spilling, as they say.

And so it goes. It may be spotty over here for the next month. My mind is full. Here's where I want to be:

Empty Head, Full Heart

I love you guys! You are all awesome. And PS? Typepad is making some mysterious changes. My responses to your comments are sometimes going into my spam folder over there. Whatever that means. Off to chase my own tail. Posted in Unruly Posts category because I've whimsically decided to put it there.

One of those days

2013-05-13T21:06:27-04:00

Stacks

If I sewed and glued all of these pieces of paper together, how big would the resulting paper be?

From the Graphic Arts room at MoMA

Well, here's one that I finished

The Moon

Manhatten: watercolor, heavily crayoned and scratched through, silver paint.

Living with Stitch

2013-05-09T08:34:00-04:00

I'm pondering the difference between the process of creating stitched pieces and working with media on paper. There are no quick gestural strokes with stitch. It is a process of making design choices and then stitching. While the stitch is happening there are small strokes and dawning ideas. Wandering, meandering.

And time to ponder. Jude Hill called it "ripening" recently.

There is a deep intimacy with stitch as you handle the fabric, the threads. The needle is the only tool between you and the piece you are working on. There are no fast ways (with hand stitch) and there are no tricks. Simple ages-old techniques that you only need to be reminded of and instinct.

A constant touching, feeling. I'm sure to need a break from all of this pondering and get back to the action-oriented random acts of journaling and art making. Perhaps tomorrow. Taming the Critic is up tomorrow.

2013-05-08T16:06:19-04:00

Taming The Critic Online Workshop opened May 9. Go here for details.

Domestic Surprise

2013-05-07T07:02:00-04:00

There is much to be said about aprons.

Icons of blissful domesticity or suppressed women. I used these old icons as curtains.

After Fast

2013-05-05T18:08:00-04:00

Stitch this to that and let the sun shine on it

The almost-not-there

And the murmur-soft of old cloth

Rummaging in the scraps. Listening to the whispers.

A nasty little tummy virus struck late Thursday night, receded Saturday and recurred. Today is slow.

Taming the Critic, Online Art Journal Workshop

2013-05-02T14:42:30-04:00

Scary? Not. My techniques for getting in touch with your critic are pretty amiable. He’s not going anywhere so let’s get to know him!

PLEASE NOTE!

This is a reformatted version of the my 21 Secrets workshop from last year.
If you took that class, please don't take this.

This is not the Very Beginner's Art Journal class.

I’ll encourage you to move quickly, outrunning your critical left brain. Think storms of words, lines, collage and color and a comfort in imperfect (gasp!) journal pages.

Games and prompts will help you locate that critic-free space within. That power gives you the strength to begin a communication.

6 Videos, (some from previous classes), 6 PDF's, private blog, unlimited access. Come anytime :)
25 bucks. Starts May 10. I'll send you an email if it goes up sooner.

Supply List (in general).

Your Journal
A composition book or other cheapo notebook
A jar of gesso *** cheap
Portfolios or other watersoluble crayons
Paints: these could be watercolor, acrylics or craft paints
A couple of pens: sharpie is good for going over gesso and your favorite writing pen
A pencil of any kind
Paint brushes, big and cheap for gesso and gel medium
1/2 inch flat and a #10 or #16 round brush
Collage fodder: old magazines, images, scraps and trash.
Glue Stick
Mod Podge or Gel Medium
Scissors

Silk Scarf Dyeing Using Colorhue Dyes

2013-05-01T08:10:00-04:00

After being charged with creating the silk pocket squares for The Wedding, I did a bit of digging around for the easiest way to do this. I ordered ColorHues dyes and silk pocket squares from Dharma Trading but very little instruction was offered up on using the ColorHues.

Along came Juliann of The Sick Chick here. She also has color mixing tutes here and here. Really great information. About the ColorHues dyes: These are instant set, non-toxic dyes for silk (or other protein fibers). No heat, no boiling, no long set times. They aren't the cheapest option but they are the easiest. These would be great for a group or kids. Good summer fun.

After dyeing the pocket squares, I decided to see what I could do with a silk scarf, also from Dharma. So let's make a groovy scarf!

I used the pumpkin, rose, goldenrod, yellow, green and turquoise dyes, mixed up in small plastic cups and used pipettes to "paint." Lay some plastic down on your work surface and have a wiping rag (another piece of silk?) at the ready.

You may want to ease up on the colors. Mine definitely looks like Gerry Garcia was here.

This was super easy. I wet and squeeze the excess water out of the scarf. Squeeze it really hard because excess water will dilute the colors.

Take the scarf and fold it in half. Now twist it around really good and secure it with rubber bands every few inches. Simple tie dye.

Using the pipettes, move along the scarf and squeeze color onto every section. Take your time and be mindful that you will get browns and grays if you mix rose and green in the same area. I don't mind this as I like muddy color in some areas.

Your Freak Flag

Keep flipping the scarf around until everything is colored. The rubber bands will act as resist, as will the creases, giving you some white areas and distressed color.

After everything has been saturated, squeeze the roll and massage gently for a couple of minutes. Dunk the roll into clear water and squeeze to discharge any unabsorbed dye.

Now you can remove the rubber bands and unfold your creation. Hang to dry and let your freak flag fly!

PS: I will be starting a new class called Taming the Critic in a couple of weeks. This is a reformated version of last years 21 Secrets class. Soon after that, I'll start the "very beginner" art journal class. So stay tuned.

Art Journal Mojo

2013-04-26T08:48:00-04:00

Which of these things is not like the other?

I've been hitting the journal pretty hard lately. I go from lull to excess without skipping a beat. When I'm in an overwhelmed* state, it feels really good to journal it out. How about you?

Circling the Grid

Making art in a book is so much less stressful than making Art. And there is Brenda Ueland again with one of my favorite quotes - feel free to use it. It's a great reminder.

Dawdling and Puttering

Everyone needs a dawdle and a putter sometimes. Watercolors, stencils, stamps, pen and a bit of collage.

If you paint them, they will come

And now the tulips, daffodils and flowering trees have come. As I write, I wear one cozy slipper and one Birkenstock. Such is the nature of April and art journaling.

And a question. Who wants a very beginner art journal class. Crayons, simple collage, kid's watercolors and a pen? Which of you, lovely readers, are simply reading and wanting to work in a journal but feeling overwhelmed?

*All is on schedule with The Wedding, however, the MOB is feeling a bit stressy. This is strictly emotional and not logistical.

Shopping in NYC

2013-04-24T08:41:00-04:00

Bits of Journaling

We managed to pack in plenty of activities in NYC over our long weekend. Here's a sum up of our shopping trips.

Tip: Leave guys in Bryant Park, relaxing with drinks, while you wander.

Around the Garment District

Kinokuniya (the Japanese bookstore on 6th across the street from Bryant Park). If you love the Japanese aesthetic, pop in here. It a beautiful store and they carry everything from art and architecture to anime. The craft books are lovely. The text is in Japanese, but if you are familiar with the photography in these books, you'll understand why I love them so much. They also carry some pens, stationary and a few art supplies. I got one of these pens. Kuratake make fabulous pens.

M&J Trims, 1008 6th Avenue. This is the most glamorous and famous of the gazillion trim shops in the Fashion District. There are oodles more trim shops though and you'll pass by them on your way to the next stop. I nabbed some hand-dyed silk ribbon.

B&J Fabrics, 525 7th Avenue (corner of 38th, upstairs). You'll see a lot of fashion students and designers in this shop. Liberty of London fabrics and everything else from fake furs to cordoroy and upholstery fabrics. They have a very comfortable sofa where you can watch the designers come and go. Not as big as Mood which could be a good thing.

After walking the Highline on Saturday, (more about that in another post) we sent the guys off to wander and set off.

The Ink Pad 37th and 7th is in the East Village. This shop is a little gem. They are stocked floor to ceiling with art and scrapbooking supplies. My shopping buddy wants to start art journaling and I recommended the Peerless Watercolor basic set and a waterbrush. After talking with her over the weekend, I have some videos to make for true beginners.

The Strand Bookstore, 828 Broadway. 18 miles of books. This is browsers heaven. They have used, new, rare, monographs. A bibliophile's dream come true.

I wanted to get to Purl Soho but there wasn't time on this trip. Frankly, I'm not the best shopper in the world. I could do one shop a day but for the sake of research ;)