Winter work

What I did during winter.

To create and be creative is part of who I am and there will always be something new brewing in my mind. This last winter it was all about yarn, needles and hooks. Especially crocheting is near to my heart. It's such a joy to pick up some yarn and a hook and be able to create something beautiful with such simple remedies. It amazes me each time how little it takes to make something wonderful.

Through facebook I found a group making Mochilas and I just had to try that.  To make a flat bottom with much pattern was a hard nut to crack but oh so fun. Below is my first.

The next one is easier because of that pattern. I'm still working on those two Mochilas. Not sure when they're going to be finished but sooner or later they will.

The first one I finished, is a small one and it's quite nice. It might come to use during summer.

The last one were made for a friend who turned 50 in February, and who love love love sculls. I had so much fun making it, and I had to look out if she turned up at my house. It was a hide and seek kind of thing. Needless to say she was over the top happy for the bag.

Yarn and one hook, that's all it takes. This is just a small part of what has been made so I'll have to make a post or two later on to show you some more.

Linking to PPF, happy Friday everyone.

Self portraits

Have you ever made a self portrait?

Self portraits are very interesting to look at, they convey some of the artists views and thoughts of themselves. Even if one know the person, one might get some new insight to their personality, or perhaps change some of our beliefs.

To make my own portraits is quite another thing, very interesting and it might touch ones feelings as well. The one below is tiny me, and it was very challenging to make. Mostly because of the technique, small patches of paper torn apart from  pre-paint magazine pages and of course to get a certain amount of likeness. Even though the mouth isn't right, I'm very happy with this one, and it was unexpected to meet all the feelings that came along. Quite a journey, I'd say.

This next one is done in the same technique, and was a try to locate the different values in a face. From the lightest to the darkest, and I think I did it quite well. I didn't like not to make my teeth white, but that was part of the task. Not as detailed as the baby picture, but that were out of my focus. It is me, but it feels a bit strange. I think it's the hair that doesn't feel familiar, it's too short I think.

The green one is practicing values as well, but this time with paint only. It's made on a very special paper with lots of bits and pieces in it. This is a very good portrait of me, if I might say so myself, and it amazes me each time I look at it. It feels like "we" share a secret or two.

The last one is the newest and the one one could use to point me out in a crowd. It's made with my profile pic as inspiration, have a look at the top of this post and compare them. I made it towards the end of 2016, and it's carved in lino and hand printed. I'm happy with the result even though the space between my front teeth isn't quite that big.
I still haven't tried to just paint one, too afraid to try I believe. Perhaps some other time.

If you haven't tried to make your self portrait yet, I challenge you to do so. It's unlike everything else.

One year without posting.

Where did the time fly?

I've had a busy year and my life is good. My studio has been closed all winter, I've been playing with yarn and hook/needles, but now I couldn't resist any more. Studio is open and I deep into the paint. It feels so good and as always when I start the ideas keep coming faster than I can grab them.

From time to time I have several magpies in the garden and the other day we had lovely sunny weather and the magpies really showed them self off.

At first glance one can easily think they're just black and white, but they actually have the most beautiful colors hidden in the feathers. The magpies was what got me started, and since then I have not stopped.

Twinks, neocolors and watercolor pencils. Black and white ink.

I hope you have a gorgeous sunday.