Red Shoe Studio

Traveling

It seems like I'm not home for more than a week at a time these days...last week it was a college visit to my old alma mater with my daughter...she's been accepted for next fall...I'm trying hard not to pressure her, but it was great to be back, and I would love to see her attend.

It was a women's college for over a hundred years, lots of traditions, and ghosts and great old buildings...it went coed 2 years ago and I'm still feeling a little betrayed, like most of the alum. My college roommate met me there and we had lots of fun giving the (edited) version of college dorm life to Kate.

We're off again for Spring Break...I'm planning to blog but you know, if the sun is shining, I may get a bit distracted.

Figuring it out...

I started figure drawing again last Wednesday and felt a bit rusty. This continues to be the most challenging type of drawing for me. There's so much to consider as you draw the human figure...planes and angles, and lights and darks...let's not even talk about creating a true likeness of your model. These are obviously quick one minute/five minute sketches...

This was my last drawing, about a 30 minute pose...I used water-soluble oil pastel, which I've never used before...it's always fun to use a new medium and I love water-soluble stuff. I'll be there again on Wednesday evening working hard to get it right!

What is red and white all over?

My beautiful new needlework tote from Bethany! Red ticking, scalloped felt trim, and lovely redwork embroidery, (here's hoping Bethany doesn't take too good at look at my, much more amateur, stitches.)

And if that wasn't enough, an embellished embroidery hoop with a dishtowel for me to make and a felt needlbook, (something I've ALWAYS wanted.) thank you, thank you Bethany!

Birds of a Feather

Postcard idea for an installation I'll be doing with a friend in April...feather print with paper cut bird. Must do artwork for installation over spring break....yikes! Time has really gotten away from me!

Definitely "Lady"

In my dislike column there's sitcoms (except for My Name is Earl). My likes include reality shows. Let me qualify that...good reality shows, and no, that's NOT an oxymoron. I'm talking Survivor and every season of Top Chef. But, I think I've found MY ultimate reality show. Sundance channel, British, it's called Ladette to Lady. The premise is these so-called "ladettes", which according to a BBC article I read online are binge-drinking party girls, are sent to an English finishing school and taught the ladylike arts of elocution, flower arranging, and cookery.
Needless to say there's plenty of flashing, drinking and bad language. They even train for positions as "chalet girls", a job I don't believe we have an equivalent for here in the States. The series culminates in a real old-fashioned debutante ball...I can't wait...I'm rooting for Clara to walk away with the prize.

Kate, doing her Cindy Sherman-style self-portrait of a Lady.

Necklace #3

Scanned cover of an antique German children's book, velvet ribbon and flowers, crystal and peridot beads. My little kitchen soldering station is put away until I clean the house. Darn.

Necklace #2

Photo of New York graffiti with iolite and coral beads. This is way too much fun...