Jon and I had a GREAT trip! It’s such a nice city to visit and explore. I really miss the walking now that I’m back in Savannah, and the variety of awesome food! Here are some highlights…the 6×6 Gallery opening was great! My piece is now available online. This is it! I made this canvas using acrylic and gouache paint, digitally printed silk organza, and watercolor paper.

I met up with a old friend, Dan of Stand Alone Gallery. We hashed out some details of a show we’re working on for next Spring. Jon and I got to stay with some lovely ladies I know from high school. It was so great to see everyone! In this photo we are actually on a boat (that Dan lives and works on) and in front of the statue of liberty. So fun!

Tomorrow Jon and I are flying up to NYC for a much needed escape and also for the opening of 6×6 Gallery where a piece of my work will be featured.

We will roam around the city for a few days then head to Toronto, and then eventually make it over to Hamilton for Jenna’s wedding!

Jon and I are engaged! It happened over labor day weekend and it’s been really hard not to shout it from the rooftops! Jon did a very sweet proposal! Right now we are planning on having the wedding in October of 2010. For news and updates, check out our wedding blog.

This time, in the U.S. at the Tacoma Goodwill-Millgard Work Opportunity Center. How inspiring! and one more reason to love the Goodwill (Jon will be so proud of me!)

More on this here.

Here are some shots of my show, Transitional Pattern, the opening was last friday and it was a blast! Thanks to everyone who came out! If you missed the opening, no need to worry, the show is still up through wednesday from 2-5pm at TruSpace Gallery (They keep the door locked unless someone asks them to open it so don’t be alarmed, just go next door and find the gallery attendant).

Exterior of the gallery.

gouache on laser cut paper

All I want is for the weather to be wrong…PLEASE DONT RAIN FOR MY SHOW TONIGHT!

9 am 26°C Feels Like 28°C

12 pm 28°C Feels Like 32°C

3 pm 27°C Feels Like 30°C

6 pm 26°C Feels Like 28°C

9 pm 24°C Feels Like 27°C

12 am 23°C Feels Like 23°C

But if it does….the work will certainly liven your spirits. Don’t let the rain get you down, come check it out anyways!

This blank postcard will be available at the show opening for $1

And on another note, I just have one more panel to finish! and lots of little loose ends to tie-up! Culdesac is also going to have a booth set up at the show, it’s never too early to start shopping for the holidays!

Just felt like posting a few pics of our place, for those of you who haven’t seen it in person.

This bar is usually piled with a billion things on top of it….from sewing machines, to groceries, to a little black kitty.

The new magnetic wall in the hallway featuring some lovely postcards by Concrete & Honey.

and the bedroom…with one of my favorite Marimekko prints! and below is a sneak peak at one of Culdesac’s newest prints!

If you’d consider the small amount of plants on my porch a garden, that is. Today Jon and I set out to get our woolly pocket up on the wall and full of plants today. We made strides but with a few set backs so we are trying to complete the project by the end of the week.

All the plants for the woolly pocket lined up.

I bought this neat measuring cup at a yard-sale yesterday with Ben and Kay. I transplanted some Morning Glory sprouts in there.

Inspired by this Design Sponge post, I made a few topiaries with some yard-sale treasures.

I am so proud of the “garden”. Today it got some new additions…

Like this Hot Pepper Plant…

The Miniature Roses are in full bloom…

and one of my orchids is about to bloom after over a YEAR!

I thought that I would post some info about the concepts behind my work. Since I have a show coming up, it would be good for attendees to have some ideas as to why I do the things I do. I would love some comments/feedback, and any information you can offer!

Patterns found in nature can be seen mimicked on many man-made surfaces. They are often incorporated into a space to add interest and dimension. It is for this reason that vines are an important aspect of a landscape. By using subject matter that reflects my natural surroundings and the basic principles of pattern design, my work will combine art and design to create an installation. My goal is for the viewer to be consumed by the environment I have created just as the vine can consume its surrounding habitat.

My research is rooted in decorative theory and garden history. Starting with the Decorative Arts Movement of the late 1800’s I will explore how ornamented surfaces, walls in particular, have affected our aesthetic experience. Just as vines in the garden often become the wall, the wall in my work will become a space for investigating our need to bring the outside inside. I will also consider how differences in garden design are directly reflected in our shifting ideals of beauty.

The vine is my main source of inspiration as it is the quintessential example of nature’s ability to reclaim or camouflage a space. I will begin my process by taking photographs of my natural surroundings. After selecting a few to work with, I will then allow the natural pattern to communicate what the next step should be. The natural pattern slowly morphs into a more traditional one; becoming more designed and geometric and less organic in form. By incorporating digital printing, hand screen-printing, gouache painting, and hand and machine embroidery, I will create a patterned space that plays with visual perception and camouflages process within a process.