Photo Transfer & Fabric Scrapbooking

A very special little boy in my life recently celebrated his first birthday and I wanted to give him a gift that he could both enjoy now, and later, as a memorable keepsake.

I came across an article on how to transfer photos to fabric to create a scrapbook and decided to customize the project to make it meaningful to my little friend, the birthday boy.



Materials:
I purchased felt in chocolate brown, moss green and tan and then selected coordinating fabric swatches in patterns such as leopard print and sunflowers.

Rick rack borders and frames the opening and closing images and iron-on embellishments decorate the pages that show his immediate family.

Photo selection:
I used both photos that I had taken as well as photos that I downloaded from his mom's photo sharing sites. This kept the gift a surprise.


Photo transfer:
Ink-jet fabric sheets can be used to print the photographs from your home computer. The words I chose, e.g., "laughter" were printed on the fabric in the same way. I used June Tailor Sew-In Inkjet Fabric Sheets and they turned out beautifully.

I laid out the pages on the floor to rearrange and order them, then took a digital image of each page with my camera for reference when I began to sew it together. The digital images were valuable in helping me keep the order when I sewed with tired eyes late at night!

Stitching:
This was my first attempt at sewing in many years, so I kept it simple, but I especially liked how the double stitching with contrasting thread gave the book a shabby chic look.

Binding:
Grommets and a grommet setting tool create the binding (truthfully, my father-in-law did this for me) but you could also use ribbon, eyelets, or stitching. The advantage of the binder rings is that pages can be added, should there be another addition to the family.


The result:
The birthday boy loved his book! And I especially enjoyed seeing him point to the familiar faces, especially since we all live a distance apart.

This fabric photo book is a touch-friendly, personal keepsake for him to get to know (and later, remember) his close family at such a young age. I was so pleased with the book that I plan to make another one.


Credits: This project was inspired by Donna Downey's article at creatingkeepsakes.com. She has a fabulous website, complete with projects, at donnadowney.com.

Presenting Mixed Media

This past weekend I attended a collage composition class taught by a talented local artist, Connie Andrews. My goal was to learn more about the myriad materials available to paint photographs and discover some basic principles about collage.


The artwork that I produced in class is shown here, although I didn't feel that it was truly finished, so I kept working on it when I got home.

If you have read my writing blog, you'll know that I am an admirer of impressionistic painting and I've written an article about the Spanish painter, Joaquin Sorolla. I love his use of light on water and the life it brings to an image.

When I took this photo, it reminded me of an impressionistic painting -- even through the viewfinder as I pressed the shutter button. I took a series of shots and I know they will materialize again in my portfolio.

Although the photo is in color, it actually appears to be a black and white image. So, I chose to embellish with bright and metallic acrylics. My compositional goal is to draw the eye to the figures in the water and follow the elements down to the left, then clockwise.

Using no less than ten different colors, I worked the paint to subtly follow the arc of the father's back and draw the eye down to the child and their feet in the water.

I love how the zigzag of light reflecting on the water follows the line of the child's hand.

The elements are collaged onto canvas board and include my original photograph; textured and tissue paper; paper napkin; stationery; map; paper daisy; and artists' paper.

I'll be producing more of these types of paintings to add a new dimension to my photographic work. I welcome your feedback.

Ray at Night: August 2009 - Solo Exhibition

Save the date for the Artist's Reception on Saturday, August 8th. I'll be showing my work in OBR Architecture's fabulous gallery.

My collection will include heart-warming equestrian images from an evening photo essay at Malibu Riding and Tennis Club.


Ray at Night is San Diego's largest art walk attracting over 1,500 visitors. This is a thrilling opportunity for my first solo exhibition.

The barn at night is one of my most favorite places on earth. It is a scene of quiet and calm. The animals are ready to rest, warm and safe in their stalls. If you appreciate animals, you'll understand what I mean when it's a special time to be in their space as they get ready to lie down and go to sleep.

I studied dressage under Cheryl Wyllie in 2002, riding their fine Arabian horses. During that time, I befriended her father, Jim Wyllie. I spent time photographing the horses that I had grown to care about and generally following Jim around as he did his nightly chores. There is something comforting and soothing about observing a man care for his resting animals. Jim is a sort of tough gentleman from another generation. His thick weathered hands are a story in themselves.


Jim has a legendary history with horses that spans over 50 years. He is approaching his retirement at 90 years old and I plan to donate a portion of my proceeds from this show to benefit Jim's foundation, the Equestrian Education Foundation.

I hope you will join me for the Artist's Reception in San Diego and come out to support a wonderful cause. Hope to see you!

Full Rainbow Over Moss Beach - Publication

This was the third full rainbow I had seen from my house in the past few months. Strangely, I had never even seen a full rainbow before. Truthfully, I wasn't even sure they existed. But, they do.

The first time I saw one, it appeared over Montara Mountain, but I had the wrong lens with me and couldn't capture the full rainbow. The second time, the rainbow was practically overhead and I had the wrong vantage point.

Miraculously, I knew I had been given another chance to take this photograph, so I ran out the door, with the right equipment in hand, wearing my pajamas and a parka! I ran up and down several blocks in my garden shoes and shot 48 frames in the 30 minutes I had to get the right shot.

The most remarkable part of this breathtaking sight was that the rainbow was marching towards me. The left end of the rainbow appeared to be on the horizon when I began photographing around 6:50am.

As the winds blew and the rain started up again, it slowly moved closer. The rainbow pulsed, too -- at times sections were brighter or dimmer, incomplete and complete again. It was just offshore in the surf at 7:10am.

Once again, I was under the rainbow. Pretty spectacular.

The Half Moon Bay Review ran the image on their front page,
Full Rainbow Over Moss Beach

Coastal Arts League Show - Group Exhibition

The Coastal Arts League Museum selected one of my images for their 23rd Annual Juried Show in Half Moon Bay. Morning Surf, Waddell Beach, was shown in December 2007 (center, above).

I love this image for how the lines of the board synchronize with the waves on the beach. It seems poetic to me as he walks into the water. The movement of the water from his foot propels the action. I get the sense that this photo is in motion. The morning light on the Pacific provides a great backdrop for the silhouette.

The surfer is my husband, Dean. Our daughter was born nine days after the show's opening! I like to think this show was a family affair.

The show's opening and artist's reception.