THE WORLD IS ON YOUR SIDE

MY PROCESS - THE BEGINING

2009-07-09T08:31:33-07:00

I am embarking on a new series of art pieces over the next several weeks. My process involves many steps that I am going to document here on my blog for you to see. This is a process that I have been developing myself over the past 12 years.

There are so many patterns,color combinations and possibilities that I often can't decide on how to start a project. So I've picked a pleasing color palette and I am going to start dying paper. I don't have any big idea behind it yet, I just had to get it in motion first. Once I have the paper completed I will be more intuitive about what direction it will take. I'm learning how to get out of my head and work with my intuition more. I tend to over engineer things.....that's how I'm inclined to work. I am now exploring how to express myself more instinctively and less analytically. Wish me luck!

To start I will be dying a large batch of old book pages, waxing them out and then removing the wax. Once I have several hundred pages completed they will be like a textile that I can use like a paper fabric. Really the pictures will give you a good feel for what I am doing. Please feel free to ask questions!

Here is a preliminary color sketch along with the book pages that I will be dying. I've also divided the paper into individual groups so I know how many dye batches I will be doing. Many of the book pages came from old free books I found on the street last weekend. This is how I start!

MY NEW CAST OF CHARCHTERS!

2009-07-07T13:43:40-07:00

The best part of being a greeting card designer is knowing that my artwork is a part of peoples celebrations and connections. I take great care in creating each new card and sentiment. I create cards that say the things that I like to express to the people I care about. When people use my greeting cards to express their thoughts and feelings to a loved one, I am honored.

To see the entire line you can visit my web site urbanbirddesigns.com and if you would like wholesale ordering information for your retail store please contact my outstanding distributor, COLLGAE GREETINGS 866-763-3861. Card and prints are also for sale at my etsy store.

Here is my collection so far for 2009!

IF NOT YOU....WHO? IN MY THOUGHTS

GUESS WHAT? EXPECT MAGIC

PROFOUND MICHAEL

2009-07-02T10:19:42-07:00

I have always had the feeling that we can change our world through dance and music.....like really change the world! After watching the world react to Michael Jackson's death I am sure of it because it is happening right now.

There are profound events that captivate our worlds attention like 9/11 and the tsunami in Thailand on December 26th 2004. These rare events create a global simultaneous awareness and cause us to vibrate together as a planet. The tsunami evoked a world wide, shared compassion and 9/11 evoked fear. Michael Jackson's death has people throughout the entire world singing and dancing in the streets and remembering a more innocent time and our child within, all at the same time!!! THE WHOLE WORLD IS DANCING AND SINGING TOGETHER!!! Collectively this energy is powerful. Think of the energy of the planet after 9/11 and the energy of the planet this past weekend where you heard Michael's music everywhere and we all shared in his magic. Big difference!

Now imagine more and more world wide events that will capture our attention and cause us all to feel united. I suspect there will be more - Iran for instance. The more we connect on a global level, the more barriers break down and space is made for tolerance and peace. The more we love, celebrate and dance together the more we shed light on injustice and intolerance everywhere.

Michael already had a vision of a united planet. He was a sensitive soul that I believe felt the pain of broken families and nations. He can look back at this life as a monumental success as he continues to helps us all heal and embrace each other just as we are. Congratulations Michael on a job well done, now rest up!

Watch people celebrate Michael around the world.

ARTWORK IN PROGRESS.......

2009-06-30T11:37:36-07:00

Here is a piece that I am working on right now. I had a bunch of old book pages that I had dyed, leftover from various projects. I also had the cutting board that I used for 9 years when I lived on Glisan Street that I had been saving for I don't know what. So I decided to make a piece working with what I already had and I cut all the little one inch squares that you see here. The next step is to glue them all down and varnish the piece. I will keep you posted on the finished product!

I'm thinking of calling this piece "AMUSEMENT". Because I am just having fun with this and not over-thinking it -which I love to do!!

WALNUT TOFU FROSTING

2009-06-20T12:14:54-07:00

I don't know about you but I really do not like frosting. I don't eat cake on a regular basis but I will always be a good sport at birthday parties and have a slice even though I mostly avoid sugar and wheat. But c'mon, its a beloved one's birthday. I will dutifully eat the cake but I always leave behind a sickly sweet sugar and butter lump that I am all the better for not eating. To me frostings are far too sweet.

So when I volunteered to make the birthday cake for a double birthday party for my good neighbors/friends, I set out to make a frosting that I would actually eat. I modified a recipe I got from a vegan cookbook and came up with a light and YUMMY frosting that I ate every bite of as did everyone else.

For the cake I used an organic chocolate cake mix and made the frosting from scratch. It was all super easy!

WALNUT TOFU FROSTING

1 lb firm tofu - drained

3/4 cup walnuts

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon agave

1 cup walnuts - coarsely chopped

Using a food processor, grind your walnuts until they become powdery, don't let them get too pasty. Add the drained tofu and blend together. Add the maple syrup, vanilla and agave and process until it is all thoroughly combined.

I would taste it at this point for sweetness. Add a little more agave if you want it to be sweeter.

Make sure your cake is cooled before you frost it. Add the chopped walnuts to the sides or top of your cake. YUMMY!

HOW FUN WOULD THIS BE?.......

2009-06-14T17:52:13-07:00

On my recent visit to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, my town of origin, I went to the Nomad on Brady Street which is a popular bar where my good friend actually met her husband. In Milwaukee the chances are pretty good that you will meet your future spouse at a bar. If it weren't for Wolski's I would not have met my sweetie of 17 years! Anyway.......I received some very wise words at the Nomad written in pen on my drink coaster. These words of wisdom have come to be one of my new mantras. Here it is folks...........

"HOW FUN WOULD THIS BE.... IF YOU WERE MORE FUN?"

Brilliant! That was a perfect mantra for me to take on as I started my week of visiting countless relatives and friends. Of course I love seeing everyone, however, it requires stamina and performance that can overwhelm me before I even get there. So on this visit, I took responsibility for my own fun and I found that I had plenty of energy and enthusiasm to go around.

So the next time you are feeling overwhelmed ask yourself - how fun would this be if you were more fun?

Here is my sister Sarah, my grandma and me. My grandma is 89 and she knows how to have fun! She's quite the pool shark!

BATIK 61009

2009-06-10T14:55:23-07:00

Here's a batik I've been working on for the past two days. It measures 3ft x 4ft. I took the pattern from one of my doodles. Any suggestions for a title??

Here's some close ups.

BUTTERFLY BATIK

2009-06-09T16:38:29-07:00

Here is a batiked curtain panel of butterflies that I did and will be featured in my Oregon Art Beat segment that will be on in the fall ( I don't know when yet but I will keep you all posted). This was kind of an experimental piece. It looks really cool at night too when the butterflies are silhouetted!

URBAN BIRD TEASER

2009-05-14T10:07:42-07:00

I just finished 2 new greeting card designs to be released in June. Here is a little teaser!

MORE DOODLES......

2009-05-14T09:44:47-07:00

Jennifer Doheny