works in progress

these are made from reclaimed plastic bags some of which have been ironed together in layers to create an opaque material, while other pieces have been left untreated to add a sense of depth with natural transparency.  

this series will be composed of simple vignettes depicting wildflowers that are indigenous to the state of Missouri. 

endangered and non endangered side by side.

recent, and not so recent, photographs

sunday morning wallet making

plastic bags again!

the orange are julius meinl bags straight from vienna, the black are 30 gallon trash bags, and the blue are from the grocery store in chicago.

objects travel. 

birds are back

i've been working on this piece for a long time. the nest of trapped birds is now accompanied by the yellow-throated warbler, a local non endangered species. set below is the nest from the front view.

woodcuts and monotypes at the st. louis artist guild!

it has been a long time since my last post, i have a lot of catching up to do, here is a start!


featured below are images from the class i taught at the st. louis artist guild that ended back in April 2010. there was such a distinct variety of wonderful prints made throughout the duration of the class that i just had to share.

thank you to all these wonderful creative people, you guys were awesome!

Sharon Cox, Maria D'Agrosa-Sweney, Gayle Hookerman, Marianne, Mickey, Joanne Stremster 

Sharon Cox & Joanne Stremster 

 

call for worn out fabric/clothing!!!

two years ago many people contributed to a project that involved the creation of something new from reclaimed fibers previously owned by the people who have been a part of my life. the response was fantastic but now i am sending out a new call for more fabric from all the people who missed out on the chance to contribute back then!  The project is in full swing and I need more fibers.  everything from old socks to worn out jeans- it's all good.  send me an email and let's get this thing rolling!  if you are looking at this blog this means you.

monotypes

i've been having a lot of fun teaching a woodcut and monotype/monoprint class for the past several weeks, today i spent the day in the shop just having fun with monotypes! its been a while since i simply played with oil based inks on plexi glass, but it was just as much fun as i remembered.

I started with simple stencils and flats

then moved on to more abstract techniques

First Pass

Second Pass

i ran this through the press a total of four times but i don't have the shots. wonderful to start from scratch and build a one of a kind print slowly, then be able to leave with a complete print at the end of the day.

just some moments i thought were really beautiful....and the right colors.

        

                                                               

stamp project continued

originally the project's main focus was on the home. this changed as i cycled through the city and began to see completely abandoned strip malls, office buildings, grocery stores, even breweries.  the place where people go to work everyday becomes such an integral part of life that it only felt right to add them to the line up.  i've even considered adding in buildings that are clearly owned and have been newly renovated; such as condo buildings if they are obvious vacancies.

                                   

upcoming show!

Chicago Printmakers Collaborative presents:

20/20               Artists / Years alive and inkin'               Grand Opening Saturday, March 6th                Open House and Printmaking Demos:          12-5pm            Opening Reception: 5-8pm               The exhibition continues through May 1st           http://www.chicagoprintmakers.com/

prints on cloth

playing around with monotypes.  here are the hines emerald dragonflies again, but this for a quilt square.

this is one of the new stamps. these will be on display in march at the Chicago Printmaker's Collaborative located- 4642 North Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60625-2043.

 postcards will be available for sale as well.

                                      

Photographs

here are some images that i've captured on my little slr over the past year. some are of STL, and the rest are of Nevada and Oregon. so much is about emotive color.

Spring Class Registration!

working to spread the word about the St. Louis Artist Guild upcoming class schedule!  I have two classes with open spots- both in print media.  I'll be teaching woodcut and monotype/monoprint.

Check it out!

link:

St. Louis Artist Guild Class Brochure

what food means to me

this is not something i would normally post, but for this project i'm sorting through my relationship with food. not just what i enjoy eating or basic consuming, but what i really love about food. 

The texture on my tongue and in my hands as i cook, the sounds, 
the colors.

bought a cotton/linen table cloth from a local vintage store and
the plan is to embroider.

i love John Cage's relationship with food. just a little bit of research i 
wanted to share.

John Cage, Silence (152)(76)

Winter Gear

over the course of a year i think of garments that would make life a little more comfortable.  the past two years winter gear has been the focus, especially with outdoor year round cycling.  This is the outer layer of a hood made from recycled plastic bags, thread, electrical tape, and two zippers that i've been carrying with me since i can't even remember. it's a work in progress, and currently a more sculptural than functional piece, but i plan on fixing that the next day my lovely guinea pig who i am making it for has a day off.