Jeanne Williamson Ostroff

New Work in Progress: Dates in a Life Walking Project 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:02:35 +0000

This is the month of May for my Dates in a Life Walking Project 2026 painting, a year-long painting documenting the number of steps I walked each day. I have documented my steps in paintings since 2016.

In May I walked over 10,000 steps 19 times thanks to warmer weather, and more sunlight after work. On May 20, the high daytime temperature in eastern Massachusetts was 47 degrees and it rained just about all day. I didn't have wearing long johns on my bingo card for May!

I use a system of symbols to represent each thousand steps. Instead of showing exactly how many I walk. The black icons represent up to 9999 steps walked each day, red represents 10,000-19,999 steps and yellow represents 20,000-29,999 steps.

The base monoprinted grid is black, with Florescent Magenta background paint used to signify the days (mostly weekends, but also including holidays, vacations days, and sick days) I was not at work, which usually gives me more time to walk for exercise than the days I am at work.

Under some individual days, there is a painted line of color to represent reasons that may lower or raise the number of steps I walked that day, such as snow, rainy, extreme hot or cold, illness, and vacation.

The painting is created with monoprinted textures of a construction fence as the background, handstamped rubber erasers on fabric which are collaged on the background grid, as well as handpainting and stitching on stiffened fabric.

The second image shows January through May and plenty of room for the rest of the year.

New Work: 12 x 12 x 12 May 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 17 May 2026 19:03:29 +0000

May 12 x 12 x 12 is a mixed media painting that pays homage to the Bartlett Pear Tree that grew in our back yard for over 20+ years, that we had to take down due to a number of reasons. The four brown squares are an acrylic skin of the photo of the stump after the tree came down. There is a circle pattern in the stump that can be seen in the lower left corner of the upper right brown square. The small circles in the squares are collaged on the stiffened fabric to represent tree trunks in general.

New Work in Progress: 12 x 12 x 12

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 May 2026 16:59:00 +0000

I'm working on my May 12 x 12 x 12 mixed media painting. This month I decided to pay homage to the Bartlett Pear Tree that was growing in our back yard for the past 20+ years, that we had to take down due to a number or reasons. I printed a photo of the stump and made an acrylic skin to apply on the base fabric. Here are some process pictures, including removing the paper from the photo that makes it translucent.

New Work in Progress: Dates in a Life Walking Project 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 May 2026 17:40:00 +0000

This is the month of April for my Dates in a Life Walking Project 2026 painting, a year-long painting documenting the number of steps I walked each day. I have documented my steps in paintings since 2016.

In April, I walked over 10,000 steps 12 times thanks to warmer weather, and more sunlight after work.

I use a system of symbols to represent each thousand steps. Instead of showing exactly how many I walk. The black icons represent up to 9999 steps walked each day, red represents 10,000-19,999 steps and yellow represents 20,000-29,999 steps.

The base monoprinted grid is black, with Florescent Magenta background paint used to signify the days (mostly weekends, but also including holidays, vacations days, and sick days) I was not at work, which usually gives me more time to walk for exercise than the days I am at work.

Under some individual days, there is a painted line of color to represent reasons that may lower or raise the number of steps I walked that day, such as snow, rainy, extreme hot or cold, illness, and vacation.

The painting is created with monoprinted textures of a construction fence as the background, handstamped rubber erasers on fabric which are collaged on the background grid, as well as handpainting and stitching on stiffened fabric.

The second image shows January through April and plenty of room for the rest of the year.

New Work: 12 x 12 x 12 April 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:39:00 +0000

My 12 x 12 x 12 April 2026 painting incorporates hand stamped circles, dots, and stitched lines that create pattern. The monthly 12 x 12 x 12 series is my time to play and experiment with different ideas and techniques with the end result of a 12" x 12" mixed media painting on stiffened fabric.

Handstamping on Fabric

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:07:00 +0000

I handstamped 60 circle stamps for my April 12 x 12 x 12 painting and 14 red and another 14 black, for my 2026 Walking painting on fabric. The red stamps represent my walking over 10,000 steps and black represents under.

New Work in Process: 12 x 12 x 12 April 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:55:00 +0000

I started my April 12x12x12 painting yesterday without any ideas about what to do. I pulled out various leftover pieces of fabric from other projects and thought about how to pair them. After well over a half hour, I decided to stitch two together so they can be trimmed down to 12" x 12" when I'm done. I'm using a piece with multiple colors leftover from my my Dates in a Life Walking Project 2023, and the turquoise strip at the bottom, with a little black paint on it, that I trimmed off my Dates in a Life Walking Project 2025 painting after I finished it in January. I'm giving myself some time to consider what I want to do next.

New Work in Progress: Dates in a Life Walking Project 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:43:00 +0000

This is the month of March for my Dates in a Life Walking Project 2026 painting, a year-long painting documenting the number of steps I walked each day. I have documented my steps in paintings since 2016.

I use a system of symbols to represent each thousand steps. Instead of showing exactly how many I walk. The black icons represent up to 9999 steps walked each day, red represents 10,000-19,999 steps and yellow represents 20,000-29,999 steps.

The base monoprinted grid is black, with Florescent Magenta background paint used to signify the days (mostly weekends, but also including holidays, vacations days, and sick days) I was not at work, which usually gives me more time to walk for exercise than the days I am at work.

Under some individual days, there is a painted line of color to represent reasons that may lower or raise the number of steps I walked that day, such as snow, rainy, extreme hot or cold, illness, and vacation.

The painting is created with monoprinted textures of a construction fence as the background, handstamped rubber erasers on fabric which are collaged on the background grid, as well as handpainting and stitching on stiffened fabric.

The second image shows January through March and plenty of room for the rest of the year.

The Fence as Lace #14

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:05:00 +0000

Two friends who don’t know each other visited the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton MA this past weekend and sent me pictures of my painting, The Fence as Lace #14, which has been acquired by the museum and is on exhibit through sometime in December. It measures 95” x 62”. To explain the size, this picture is with one of my friends’ friend standing next to it. Thanks to both friends who sent me nice notes and photos!

New Work: 12 x 12 x 12 March 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:29:00 +0000

March 12 x 12 x 12 includes the texture of a construction fence with skins of photos of snowbanks, from after the February 2026 blizzard in the Boston area, collaged over the oval "holes" in the fence (it's subtle). The black paint at the bottom around the ovals represents the street, green represents grass under the 2 plus feet of snow, and the blue represents the clear blue sky after the storm was over.

More New Work in Process: 12 x 12 x 12 March 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:15:00 +0000

I outlined the ovals with the skins of photos of snow banks I collaged on the fabric for my March 12x12x12 painting. I have a little more painting to do and then I’ll be finished.

New Work in Process: 12 x 12 x 12 March 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:19:00 +0000

I created some skins of photos I took of snowbanks. I haven’t worked with skins in many years. I’m excited to use them again.

Here are some in process pictures from tracing, cutting, and then gluing, the ovals cut from skins of photos of snow banks onto the stitched and then stiffened fabric for my March 12 x 12 x 12 painting.

New Work in Progress: Dates in a Life Walking Project 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:41:00 +0000

This is the month of February for my new Dates in a Life Walking Project 2026 painting, a year-long painting documenting the number of steps I walked each day. I have documented my steps in paintings since 2016.

I use a system of symbols to represent each thousand steps. Instead of showing exactly how many I walk. The black icons represent up to 9999 steps walked each day, red represents 10,000-19,999 steps and yellow represents 20,000-29,999 steps.

The base monoprinted grid is black, with Florescent Magenta background paint used to signify the days (mostly weekends, but also including holidays, vacations days, and sick days) I was not at work, which usually gives me more time to walk for exercise than the days I am at work.

Under some individual days, there is a painted line of color to represent reasons that may lower or raise the number of steps I walked that day, such as snow, rainy, extreme hot or cold, illness, and vacation.

The painting is created with monoprinted textures of a construction fence as the background, handstamped rubber erasers on fabric which are collaged on the background grid, as well as handpainting and stitching on stiffened fabric.

Below shows January and February and plenty of room on this painting for the rest of the year.

Studio Wall

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 12:48:00 +0000

Six paintings hanging closely together on an 8 foot wall. I can squeeze at least one more in on the lower left, and possibly a few more small ones on the bottom. I need a bigger wall.

New Work: Wordle: Painted

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In January of 2025, I exhibited paintings I created from the results from my playing Wordle. Later that year, I learned that the NY Times offered people the ability to create their own Wordles with 4-7 characters and they can share their puzzle with others to complete.

I created a 7-letter puzzle, and I challenged my friends on social media to play it, and whether they were successful or not, to screenshot your results and email them to me.

This painting has the results of 24 completed puzzles from my custom 7 character word. The puzzles are grouped in fours, painted in narrow vertical stripes, in six sections, two across and three tall.

The fours patterns and colors (not the letters) in each square are painted in the grid of a monoprinted and stitched construction fence pattern, with collaged pieces of an antique crossstitched embroidery. The fabric is stiffened so it appears more like paper than fabric.

Wordle: Painted is mixed media on stiffened fabric that measures 26.75” x 29.25".

New Work: 12 x 12 x 12 February 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000

12 x 12 x 12 February 2026 is a mixed media painting on stiffened fabric, created with some photos of painted fuchsia symbols on streets that I was going to use in a painting a few years ago but never did. I cut the photos into quarters, then into ovals, and collaged over the traced pattern of a construction fence. I painted "square" at the intersections between the ovals and added more paint to create this design.

On Exhibit: Fiber Forward: The Judith Stern Weisman Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 12:37:00 +0000

This was a nice and unexpected surprise on the Fuller Craft Museum's website! I knew my piece is in this show but I didn't know it's on the website.

Thank you to the Fuller Craft Museum and Judith Stern Weisman!

Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton MA

EXHIBITION: OCTOBER 25, 2025 - DECEMBER 2026

Fiber Forward: The Judith Stern Weisman Collection

Based in the D.C. Metro area, Judith Stern Weisman is a celebrated interior designer and passionate collector. Known for creating spaces where art, craft, and design weave seamlessly into daily life, she has guided others in building collections and discovering the joy of living with contemporary craft. For Weisman, collecting has never been about quantity; it has always been about discovering works that resonate—objects that tell stories and bring warmth, humanity, and character to the spaces they inhabit. Her collection reflects a profound appreciation for excellence in making, material innovation, and the lasting impact of thoughtful design.

In recent years, Weisman has generously donated works from her collection to museums across the United States, ensuring that these objects are experienced by today’s audiences and preserved for generations to come. Her gift speaks not only to her enduring love of contemporary craft but also to her belief in its power to enrich lives and spark meaningful connections. This exhibition honors Weisman as both a designer and a collector—someone who has lived with art in the most personal way and now shares that vision with us all.

Fiber Forward celebrates Weisman’s extraordinary fiber donations; please visit May We Present: Recent Additions to the Permanent Collection in the M. Tarlow Gallery to view Weisman’s gifts in other media. Fuller Craft Museum extends abundant appreciation to Judith Stern Weisman for her generosity and ongoing support of our permanent collection.

Jeanne Williamson Ostroff, Fence As Lace, #14, 2013

New Work in Process: 12 x 12 x 12 February 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:26:00 +0000

I found some photos of painted symbols on streets that I was going to use in a painting a few years ago but never did. I decided to use the top six photos in my February 12 x 12 x 12 painting. I cut them in quarters and then info ovals and glued them over the oval shaped holes I traced from one of the construction fences I have in my collection. You can see how it looks in process. I'm not sure where this is going yet. I'll be thinking about it over the next week and hope to do more next weekend. I have until the end of the month to finish it.

Cold and Windy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 19:27:00 +0000

17 degrees without wind would have been OK for walking outside because the sun is out and I was bundled up, but even with holding my scarf to protect my face, it hurt too much to walk more that two blocks. I am hopeful that the daytime temperatures will be much better after today. At least that's what the 10 day weather forecast is showing. 🤞

More New Work in Progress: Custom Wordle Project Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 19:17:00 +0000

New work in progress: It’s snowing lightly and I’m procrastinating working on my MIL’s taxes, so I glued down the pieces of vintage embroideries on my new Wordle painting about my custom 7 character word that represents the results from the answers from 24 people who took the challenge of trying to solve it. Next up, taxes, and also painting some lines between the six sections, probably with black but possibly not.

New Work in Progress: Dates in a Life Walking Project 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 19:26:00 +0000

This is the month of January for my new Dates in a Life Walking Project 2026 painting, a year-long painting documenting the number of steps I walked each day. I have documented my steps in paintings since 2016.

More New Work in Progress: Custom Wordle Project Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:53:00 +0000

Yesterday was bitterly cold, with a high of 9 degrees, and also the first day of a two day snowstorm which dumped 29" of snow on us (so far), with up to another 4" expected today.

It was a perfect day to work on my new Wordle painting about my custom 7 character word that represents the results from the answers from 24 people who took the challenge of trying to solve it.

I added small white fabric squares in the spaces separating the six groups of puzzles, and prepared scraps of vintage embroideries to be collaged on after the squares are dry.

Cold and Snow!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 17:15:00 +0000

I was determined to walk today even though it's 7 degrees and it feels like it's -3, due to the polar vortex and the beginning of a snowstorm that's expected to dump up to 24" of snow in the Boston area through Monday night. I managed one long block and back, and gave up for safety reasons. All of my body was warm except my cheeks and nose. When I held my scarf up to try to protect my face, my glasses fogged up. I tried. Safety wins.

New Work: 12 x 12 x 12 January 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 19:58:00 +0000

Each month, in 2026, I am planning on creating one 12" x 12" mixed media painting on stiffened fabric, after an eight year hiatus from doing it from 2007 through 2018, when I created one mixed media painting a month on 12" x 12" x 1" board.

It was a wonderful opportunity then for me to either experiment with an idea or technique I tried in previous work, or to try an idea or technique I might want to try, and it will be good to do to do it again as my monthly time to play.

This is 12 x 12 x 12 January 2026.

Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 22:38:00 +0000

As I began to work on my Dates in a Life 2026 painting about the number of steps I walk each day a few weeks ago, I decided to use a type of fuchsia paint on the background for days I am off from work, but I was not sure if it would look good with the red icons I use for when I walk 10,000 steps or more on a given day. Last weekend I went to the Portland Art Museum in Portland, ME. When I saw this Grace Hartigan print, Salute, with the red, fuchsia and black, I loved how it works together and I decided I am going in the right direction with the colors for my new painting.