Stitching

I've been painting and stitching.  Usually I will paint first.  Around 11pm is my painting time then later I will stitch.  I like painting because it is fast for me.  I can lay and manipulate colors quickly. I go into another space where I mostly feel but not think. Now that I am thinking about it... I do my thinking about painting during the day.  Then at night, with paint brush in my hand, I let it go.

With stitching the process is slow, I can make color and shape with thread and fabric.  The slowness gives me time to think.  This piece has been in the making for a year.  I just checked my blog and see I posted the beginning of stitching the center piece a year ago January. Another note to self ...blog more often as it is a record of my work.

So this piece kept growing and keeps getting stitches.  I added the green background but when I look at it cropped I am thinking of losing the green.  What do you think?

In the Show

Long time since I have posted.  Finished "By the Sea #9" in November and entered it into Women Painter's West juried Winter Exhibition. The piece made it in and tomorrow is the show! So excited.

Sea Kelp Second Layer

Vicki Fisher-Lerer                  "By the Sea"  30" x 40"

The first layer finally dried and was able to add second layer.  Maybe one more, or two, layers to go and I think it will be finished.
Brainstorming how to do this in fiber:)

Sea Kelp First Layer

This weekend I started a 30" x 40" painting on the kitchen counter.  It just fits!  Can't use the counter for eating or cooking until the painting dries; (Using oils.)  I would move it...but there are paintings everywhere in the house/studio.  Maybe it is time to get a show again, or another storage shed.  Still in my kelp series, could be there for awhile:)  Will post again with the second layer.

In My Kitchen

Some people cook in their kitchen. I paint.  It is the perfect spot!  Through out my life the kitchen has been the place to hang out.  While growing up, hanging in my Mom's kitchen, Aunt Madge, Grandma's, and at friends, the kitchen was the place to be.  

In our house we utilize every space.  My husband has his real estate office here, my son tutors and studies in the front two rooms, and I have taken over the living room, dining room and kitchen.  It may look messy to some people but I love living with my fiber and paint.  Always in arms reach. 

Started this piece tonight.  I also worked on two of my fiber pieces.  Paint is much faster to create with, but stitching is peaceful.  Today I was able to create in the two mediums I love.

Time to stitch a little more before I go to sleep.

Thanks for stopping by.

Small Journey-Textile

I am taking a Small Journey with Jude Hill at Spirit Cloth http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/
Actually, I have been on a journey with her for the past year...and what I journey she has started me on!  She has fostered my love of textiles and hand stitching.  For several years I decided to take a side path from painting and learn how to quilt.  This quilting was done with a sewing machine and I was driving fast not much time to think.  Then I found Jude and started my journey with hand stitching.  It is slow and meditative,  True... I have many projects in the works and only one finished hand sewn art piece. (actually was finished until I manage to get purple paint on it.  No worries...I will sew something on it.)  Paint and fabric hard to manage the two, or better yet...emerge the two.

So, this piece I started awhile ago, just stitching, then into the waiting box.  Yesterday I decided to see what to do with it.  This reminds me of a window and that is what Jude's journey has started with. Started stitching on it last night, :)  Until next time...

"By the Sea #8"

"By the Sea #8" Oil on Canvas 24" x 36"    Vicki Fisher-Lerer

On my walks I see so many beautiful things that inspire me.  Most generally I walk in the same location, but each night I see something different on my walks.  Maybe the light is different, colors change, the sky is never the same.  I look closely at the things I see, take pictures, sketch and paint from memory and my observations.  Using this as a stepping stone to unlock my imagination.