Techniques used: Hand painted cotton fabrics, stamped with original stamps, pieced, metallic thread, Batik center, tulle, free motion quilted; 11″ x 7″.

Dancing Zebra #2

Dancing Zebra #2 detail 1

Dancing Zebra #2 detail 2

Dancing Zebra #2 detail 3

We are asked to select a theme for our sktechbook and I chose Happy Thoughts. I took the plunge today and made my first entry.

Sketchbook Project #1

Adagio Triptych

Andantino

June 3rd – September 3rd 2010
Curated by Bina Sarkar Ellias
Founder, Editor, Publisher, Designer of International Gallerie Magazine

This a first for the Pen and Brush and it will be exciting to see how folks respond to the online venue.

What do you think?

Sleeves Galore

By the 15th sleeve, I had enough. I was looking through some photographs I had taken of  birds at our bird feeder and found this beautiful Cardinal I captured this winter.

I immediately new this would be a fun change of pace and printed the photo onto cotton fabric and got to work. I guess this piece was still on my mind when I went to bed last night, because at 4:13 this morning, with hot coffee in hand, I headed into my studio and continued working on Red Cardinal in Winter. I have the piece quilted and am preparing to fill the center of each flower on the border, with a single gold bead.

Red Cardinal in Winter

Ah, the sun is up…need a coffee refill.

Well, it has been nearly three days since I started writing. But I am determined to catch up, albeit, it may come in in dribs and drabs. Here we go:

Last night was a deeply moving and bittersweet event that brought me back to a time in my life when I worked extensively in musical theatre. Richard Enquist, a truly talented lyricist and dear man I worked with on several musicals, succumbed to cancer and passed away. He knew that he was failing and decided to put together a retrospective of some of his works. Unfortunately he passed away last thursday. However, the concert was held in his honor and the concert hall at Lincoln Center Library was overflowing, so much so, that chairs were added to the stage and folks had to be turned away. I reunited with dear friends from years gone by who were in the original cast of several of the musicals I was cast in at the Jewish Repertory Theatre in NYC. Of course, the critically acclaimed Kuni Leml was the highlight of my night’s music. I was honored to be asked to sing my solo and a touching duet ( which I originated over 25 years ago) with the beautiful and talented Barbara Mcculloh. She too was in the original cast. It was both joyful and bittersweet. Richard’s wife Jane Brody, spoke so eloquently about Richard. Here are just a few photos of those of us together from the original cast of Kuni Leml.

The original cast and musicians from Kuni Leml

A fun moment backstage at Lincoln Center

I woke today (Saturday March 28th) and completed my SAQA 12 inch square for the Benefit Auction. My Auction piece is part of my new series “Enticement” and it is “Enticement #5: Green Eyed Beauty. The piece is  a 12 inch square. I used a photo transfer onto 100% cotton of my own original drawing. I used my own hand dyed fabrics, curved piecing and free motion quilting. Here is both a full image and detail. Of course, please visit the

SAQA Website to learn more about the upcoming SAQA Benefit Auction

Enticement #5: Green Eyed Beauty

Enticement #5: Green Eyed Beauty Detail

After I photographed and sent the images off for the SAQA website, My husband and I headed out to the opening of the Katonah Artist Associations Exhibition at Northern Westchester Hospital. Everyone’s work is beautifully lit and hung, and it was a great opportunity to meet some of the other artists. Here is a photo my husband Jonathan took of me between two of my pieces “Woman in the Reeds” and “Woman With 15 Flowers”. There is also a long shot.

Northern Westchester Hospital

Onward yes! Last weekend I attended the opening of the Carriage Barn Arts Center in New Canaan, Ct where my piece Adagio was included in the Katonah Museum Artists Association’s Juried Exhibition. It was thrilling to have my artwork included among more traditional art forms. This is often a discussion on the SAQA website and in emails. The gallery is beautiful and the turnout was exceptional. The event was made even more special when my dear friend and artist Benedicte Caneill showed up to see the exhibition and show her support. It really made the entire event that much more special.

Welcoming us to the Carriage Barn KMAA Juried Exhibition

The Beautiful Stone Gallery and huge magnificent doors

My dear friend and talented artist Benedicte Caneill

A huge space, high vaulted ceilings and superb lighting

Other works in progress are Enticement #3 and Enticement #6. But I haven’t photographed them yet. So, that’s a rap for now!