Daily Fiber

knitting

Another Friday Finish – Update

Posted on May 7, 2023 by Laura Kate

After receiving this photograph yesterday, I simply had to update my post.

Another Friday Finish – update

painting

100 Day Project Day 27

Posted on May 2, 2023May 4, 2023 by Laura Kate

Thought I would make a quick painting of this photograph of a blanket flower.

It turned out to be Not Quick, and a bit of a hot mess. So I went after it with a couple of Micron pens in compatible colors.

I will try a blanket flower again. A few days ago I planted one in the perennial bed. In a few months I will paint it en plein aire.

painting, quilting

Revisiting a fiber object

Posted on April 30, 2023April 30, 2023 by Laura Kate

Three years ago, I was inspired by this photograph to make a small art quilt.

I had taken this picture while on the drive back home from Wisconsin. The colors and the layers made me think of a strip pieced quilt. In 2020 I used several hand-painted fabrics to create an abstract landscape.

https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/157882254/posts/1737

While I no longer have this quilt, (it was gifted to my god-daughter) I still have the photograph. Using it as a reference, I reproduced the lower right section of this quilt in watercolor.

It was a quick and fun exercise. But it got me to thinking about derivative artworks. What else did I make that can inspire a new piece in a different medium?

knitting

Another Friday Finish – update

Posted on April 28, 2023May 7, 2023 by Laura Kate

After receiving this photograph yesterday, I simply had to update my post.

It has been a delight to make this charming sweater for my grand-daughter. Lu chose her yarn very well. It’s the variegated one spun from merino wool and dyed by an indie dyer. Its quality shines through in the finished garment.

Here is a link to my earlier post where I wrote about the pattern.

https://wordpress.com/post/dailyfiberfun.wordpress.com/6380

It was very well written, no errors found. I made a few adjustments to accommodate a lighter weight yarn and adjust the measurements to fit my giftee. This sweater is sized halfway between the size 4 and 6, per pattern instructions. I also chose to make the neckline and button bands wider. It took just about all of 3 balls of 100 gram dk weight yarn. – I’d guess 650 yards.

I had a lot of fun experimenting with a gradual color change as I knit up the sleeves from the cuff. Once I got a color sequence that pleased me, I repeated it on the sweater body.

Even setting in the sleeves went great. I was telling Bill that this sweater ended up so well I should retire from sweater knitting – like an athlete who desires to quit at the top of her game.

Naw, I’m not gonna do that. It would be a shame to disappoint the fans. ; )

drawing, painting

100 Day Project: Days 22 to 26

Posted on April 17, 2023 by Laura Kate

It seems that I’m drawing and/or painting just about every day, but not finishing very much. In the interest of keeping my progress on this project going, I’m posting some works that may not be quite done.

As usual, Bill’s photographs are wonderful. I chose two that focus on springtime, one vacation photo and an outdoor snapshot of the grand kids.

Day 22: Daffodil “Geranium.

This is an early morning shot. Besides the freshness and beauty of the flower trio, I am also attracted to the backlighting and the colors that lie in the shadows.

Day 23: An alley in Assisi.

I chose to make a pencil sketch. My main goal was to render the perspective accurately. After a few hours of work, I stopped with only contour lines in place – no attempt was made to capture values.

Oh, I did add a little figure to the picture, at its focal point. He is wearing a cloak and carrying a staff. Perhaps he is the saint himself?

Day 24 – 25: The grands at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in November.

This photograph totally captivated me, to the point that I’m intimidated to paint it. This week I got started.

UNFINISHED. I transferred the figures, laid down the first washes and one layer of second wash. I like where I’m going but feel the need to develop the painting slowly.

Day 26: Molting goldfinch

This little guy is transitioning to his summer plumage. Bill truly captured the moment.

I chose to make a sketchbook page, adding to the bird a few sprigs of plants that I gathered up from the back yard and brought into my studio. It’s a style I learned from Jean MacKay.