My favorite things and me

My favorite things and me, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

Over the course of the summer and autumn, I've collected various dried moonflower seedpods, berries, thistles, chestnuts and other nifty items such as cicada wings. As I find these treasures, I bring them home and place them safely on a wooden plate I have in my room. (Much to the horror of my husband. He says that I am like Bob, the stray cat, who brings home presents that no one wants to see. If I am honest, I would have to say that was true. Especially the time I brought home a dead garter snake so I could photograph it.)

In my own mind they were kept for inspiration. Each one has it's own unique texture. Some are sharp and quite painful to handle, but they are beautiful in their own way and I want to keep them around.

........ Bottom Layer....................... Top Layer........

Working in Photoshop, I layered a recent self-portrait I had taken with a photo of this plate of sundry items. The top layer's blending mode was set to "difference." The result is shown above.

Now my favorite things are a part of me and I, in turn, am a part of them. I'm really happy with the result and would maybe like to paint it in acrylic or watercolor or pastel.

A sneak peek

a sneak peek, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

Last weekend was the printmaking marathon. Saturday was spent getting all the materials organized, the frames ordered and paper purchased while Sunday I started printing at 7am and went to 10pm that night.

Towards the end of the night I was hand painting and signing the editions. I could tell I had stayed up too late and had begun to make some poor color choices, so I ended up going home rather than ruin any more prints.

Now, the weekend is here once again! (Well, almost.) This is the last weekend I'll have before the "cricket and sparrow" show at Kishwaukee College. Tomorrow night there are plans to go out to dinner and Sunday is the famous Steciak Chili cook-off, so Saturday will be another marathon of printmaking activities! YAY!

The photo above is a new print entitled "What A Tangled Web We Weave." It shows in perspective the branches of a tree as you look up from below. It is about how when I look to my future, trying to make it through seems impossible because of the shear mass. How on earth can I do all of this? I become overwhelmed.

However, if I just choose a path, am careful, and take it one step at a time; I am able to climb those branches right in front of me. By doing so, I come to realize over time that even those thin, far away branches will be there for me if I just keep climbing. I just need to work in the now and keep everything in perspective.

Nature teaches me quite a lot through simple observation.

This photo shows another print developing under the baren…

When the "cricket & sparrow" show begins, I'll post more photos of the new blocks!

Artwork now at Plum Bottom Gallery!

"First, the work looks great in the gallery– even our colors seem to compliment each other. Also I sold your dragonfly woodblock today–so congratulations!"

Hearing those words from Chad at Plum Bottom Pottery just made my day! I enjoy how he arranged the color scheme of the ceramics, jewelry and prints to agree with one another. I'll be able to go back up there in December for Plum Bottom Pottery's Holiday Reception and I can't wait to see the arrangements in person.



There hasn't been a lot of posts about my work because I'm keeping everything under wraps until after the "cricket & sparrow" show opens the first of November. I have 7 new blocks carved, but not yet printed. This week I'll be printing and then framing the following week. These pieces are even more about the texture and patterns found in nature and some are almost abstract. I can't wait to hear your reactions when I finally reveal them.

By Phil Cuthbert, master doll artist

By Phil Cuthbert, master doll artist, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

Last weekend, I met some incredible artists at the Art Walk in Sycamore, Illinois to benefit the Art Attack School of Art.

I want to introduce you to the work of Sycamore, Illinois artist Phil Cuthbert. He is a Master Doll Artist. The level of detail he uses in his polymer clay sculputres is undeniable.

He told me that when he created a doll of Indiana Jones, he called the people who made the original whip for the movie and used the same leather that was used for the original whip. In the Native American doll below he used real porcupine quills, bear hair, and peace-pipe stone. They are incredible to look at! In the photo below he is working on Marty McFly for the third time. He said the first time he made it, it just wasn't right so he scratched that version. The second time it was perfect and he put it in the oven to bake, but then his wife mistakenly turned the heat up to 450F to bake a pizza without checking to see if it was already on. Whoops! That one was a gonner. So, here is the third version on top of his toolbox.

His work appears in museums and private collections throughout the country and he accepts commissons with prices ranging from $500-$200 depending on complexity. If you want to reach him his email is pcuthbert at comcast dot net.

Kishwaukee Valley Art League–October

4 color print by al stark, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

I am the president of the local Kishwaukee Valley Art League. It is a large group - about 50 - for our size town. In addition to that office I also am the Demonstration Coordinator. Funny, I just happen to know this really cool woodblock artist named Al Stark. Al was our presenter for our October meeting. He demonstrated his Moku Hanga technique by printing the 4-color chicken above. He also was kind enough to donate a framed print of his waxwings for the league's raffle - a $200 value!

After his awesome demonstration, he allowed members to pull a print off of one of his blocks. In the photo above Mr. Toth is learning how to print using a baren. It is really wonderful to watch Al work. His eyes light up and he is full of life cracking jokes and completely at ease when the focus is on his art.

He will be having a show with me in November entitled "cricket and sparrow" at the Kishwaukee College Art Gallery with a reception on November 3rd, 5-7pm. If you want to view more of our work, please stop by!

Jim Meyer, Woodblock Prints

So, here I was wandering around Facebook and came across this woodblock print artist from Minnesota named Jim Meyer. I wish I could just grab a screenshot of one of his prints, but somehow I don't that that would be right despitre free use laws. Instead I'll give you an link and you HAVE to promise me you will go look at his work! Promise? Here is the link.

I'll wait while you parouse his site.
. . .

See! Loook at the subtly colored blocks. Look at the woodgrain he is capturing and the registration and clean lines. I want to learn moku hanga from THIS guy. Below is a statement from the artist:

My aim is to make art that reflects the mystery and beauty of the creation. Hand-printed woodblock prints are well suited for that purpose—they are organic, low-tech, and require the patience of the skilled manual arts. Visually, they tend to be honest and strong.

I’ve been working with woodblock prints for about twenty years, starting in commercial art—making illustrations for advertising, design, and publishing—and then showing in galleries.

(side note: Michael, he has shown at the Silverwood Gallery on Vashon Island back in 1997.)

I've contacted Spudnik Press on Hubbard Street in Chicago to ask if they would offer a moku hanga class and they said it might be possible this winter or spring! Awesome!

Art of the Land

Starline Gallery & Studios, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

I was invited to the "Art of the Land" show by Mary at the Old Courthouse Gallery in Woodstock, Illinois after showing at their "Woman's Works" show. I have to thank her so much for introducing me to this benefit for The Land Concervancy of McHenry County (TLC). It is so cool to know that sales of my artwork will be going toward saving lands that future generations will be able to admire, walk, and hike in.

This past weekend at the "Art of the Land" benefit was just wonderful. I want to thank the patrons who generously purchased my work. I would be interested to hear from you!

1. Mr. Anderson's Magnolia: SOLD
2. Surface Tension: SOLD
3. Eaeth Goddess: SOLD
4. Blue Heron: SOLD
5. Blue Heron: SOLD
6. Dragonfly (unframed): SOLD

The food, the wine, the people and conversations made the evening memorable. I met so many other wonderful artists such as photographer Angela Swan, intuitive painter Laura Brown, a freaking awesome jeweley artits Leanne and Ivan at Triskele Moon Studios ...seriously, check them out!Another artist who uses lost wax casting of natural items such as dragonfly and cicada wings, burr oak leaves, etc. His name is Paul DeMuth and works under the name of Silver Cloud (silvercloud.net).

The bar's name for the evening was "The Green Bastards Bar." I guess one of the members of The Land Conservancy was at a board meeting objecting to a change of land use and the opposing side said, "Sure, let those "green" bastards have their way." So, that is now the name of the wine bar. It cracked me up. Having a great sense of humor can go a lot farther in furthering an agenda than fighting anger with anger. That was awesome!

I can't wait for next year! Thanks to Cheryl Perrone and all the organizers–you did one fantastic job organizing this event. Thank you for your hospitality.

The space at the Starline Gallery is top notch. I highly recommend it. The building's 100 year old history includes housing a manufacturer of toy bicycles and a farm implements manufacturer. The building itself takes up three blocks and the interior is an expanse of thick wood timbers reminiscent of a forrest, old brick and stone. Despite it's age, or maybe because of it, the space has a warm and inviting, yet modern clean feel. All the modern conveniences have been added as well. Plus, it is right on the Metra line for convenience.

Paul and Al & Elinor and I found the old boiler room. It is the largest boiler in McHenry County and was one of the old "twin sisters" boilers. Now it has been retrofitted into an awesome greenhouse space with patio furniture and a golden chandelier!

We were looking at one of the old photos which was mounted on the wall outside the boiler room. It showed someone working a monstrous machine which bent huge thick pieces of metal. The man sitting before it didn't have any safety equipment around him. Paul, my husband, came up and said "Oh, that's ol' 'Bendy' he was a great guy, but had only three fingers on one hand." We all laughed and talked about doing EVP work with ol' Bendy. I guess we have a sick sense of humor.

I felt so good when I came back home, that I went right to the studio finishing up a block I've been working on and drawing another that I had time to glue onto the block with nori paste.

Next stop... Sycamore's Art Walk: a benefit for the Art Attack School of Art in Sycamore, Illinois on Saturday, October 2, 2010 from1–7 pm. I'll be at the Taxco Restaurant right downtown.

Off to Door County to deliver framed prints

Driving up to Door County by myself was an adventure! All I can say is that I'm so, so glad that my phone has Google maps and it could tell me where to go. If only it could tell me not to merge into another lane when there is a car in my blind spot! I got lost in Milwaukee on the way up AND on the way home. Let's just say there are some neighborhoods that are WAY different than in my humble little rural town! Yikes!

Finally I arrived and checked in at Beantown Campground to get my tent site. I had been driving for five and a half hours in the rain. I noticed the creeks and rivers were high which meant it had been raining for quite some time, but really didn't mind. Camping in a tent in the rain in Door County was still better than not.

So, anyway, I arrived and John, the owner, asked if I still wanted to campsite. "Umm... yeah," I replied a little uncertain. Were there no campsites left, I wondered? Then he said these magical words, "It's not that busy and there are some sleeper cabins open." I thought about it a bit. Money is tight and just driving up here was a luxury. "No thank you," I said. "I can't afford that, I'll just take the tent site." Then John says to me: (angels start to sing and a bright light opens up) "same price." THEN he gives me a heater!


Hands On Art Studio, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

It was 9-11 and John gave me faith that good people are still in the world. So, if you have to go camping, or need a sleeper cabin or nice cabin or RV site; please go see John at Beantown Campground in Bailey's Harbor, Door County, Wisconsin. He is the bestest!

I dropped off my framed prints at Plum Bottom Pottery with Chad Luberger. We talked a bit about what direction we both want to go towards. I was able to meet Angela Lensch, a jewelry maker who creates woven gold and silver jewelery. She is a Plum Bottom artist as well. They both seem intelligent, soft spoken, capable and down to earth. I think we are going to get along just fine. I get so nervous meeting people, though! If you asked me five years ago if I thought I would be driving up to Door County by myself, talking to people I don't know, to drop off my artwork at a gallery I would think you were crazy. This will be one wild ride where I push myself to do new things and take chances on myself. It feels good.

I had asked Chad and Angela what restaurants they recommended. They suggested the Coyote Roadhouse - which I remembered as a biker's bar from when I was younger, but now is an mid-priced, comfort food type of place. They asked if I liked seafood (which I do!) and suggested the in downtown Bailey's Harbor. That was the choice for me. I never noticed this building before. Once I stepped inside, it was as if I was transported to a Gentleman's English cottage. One room was lined with books with weathered tables and chairs. I didn't want to take up an entire table for just one person, so I requested to sit at the bar. Everyone was so friendly. Chad had suggested the mussels. I've never eaten a mussel before, so I had to ask the bartender how to eat them. I was horribly embarrassed. All that disappeared the moment I put a bite into my mouth. Oh my goodness! I've never tasted anything so wonderful - at least not for a very long time. The next thing I ate was a Brazilian inspired chicken stew with white meat seared in dendê (palm oil) and simmered in an aromatic broth of coconut milk, lemon grass, chilies, and, Cachaça rum, paired with steamed rice. (Description is straight from the menu).

Towards the end of the meal I met a couple from Davenport, IA. We both knew Jodean the director of the Venus Envy Show there. We had a great conversation and as I left, I felt so wonderful.

That afternoon, before dinner, I went to the Hand-On Art Studio and painted a bowl with a dragonfly and a butterfly from The Ridges brochure.

It was an absolutely perfect day.

I awoke after a fitful sleep and went to shower at the campground facilities - a LONG, HOT, calming relaxing shower. I took my time putting on my makeup and drying and curling my hair. Another luxury! The primping wasn't for anyone else but me. In fact, my plans included hiking, but putting on makeup and doing my hair just made me feel good.

Afterward, I packed my belongings and went to Toft's Point. It is a refuge for plants and animals just next to The Ridges in Bailey's Harbor. There were three distinct areas: the deep woodlands, grassy areas as the path led towards Lake Michigan and then the rocky shoreline. A family had raised 7 children in a cabin there in the 1860s. I tried to imagine how free, yet how hardworking they must have been.

As I walked the path, the little red squirrels chittered after me. I was all alone, so I spoke to them. "I'm sorry little squirrel, I won't hurt you, I'm just passing through." But then they kept following me! "Little squirrel," I said with exasperation," How can I leave you alone when you are FOLLOWING ME!" Then his friends came along. They chattered and whistled at me to leave also. They only left me alone when the wood ended and the grassy open areas began to appear.

I was amazed in the woods how I couldn't hear any sounds other than nature. It was so quite. The needles from the trees cushioned my footsteps and muffled sound. I wanted to just lay down and take it all in: the light shining is slivers through the trees, making the leaves shine like Tiffany stained glass and resting upon lush mosses.

I have a new place to love and it is called Toft's Point.

Happy Birthday, Jacob!

cupcake sushi for jake's birthday!, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

Born at 7:21 pm 17 years ago, today is my son's birthday. This morning I made him French toast with Cherry syrup. Paul made cupcakes and I decorated them as sushi when I got home from work. Most of it was colored fondant and frosting, but I used pearlized, extra-large jimmies for the rice and spread green sparkle gel on the "nori" to make it shimmer like the real stuff.

Afterward, we all went out to dinner at Fushi Yami and had hibachi and sushi. (Delish!)

It is hard to believe he is becoming this man before my eyes. I wish I could show you how much he has grown, but he didn't give me permission to use birthday photos of him online. Ah well, I have the memories in my heart.

A Weekend in the Life...

20100821130312, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

Saturday I met with Al and El to discuss a college gallery show proposal at Shawn's, a local restaurant. I had the best Peach-Pear smoothie. After some decisions were made, we went on a hunt for the local Agrari Gallery which turned out to be a conference center with wall space. Not quite the gallery situation I was thinking of, but it is a start for this area!

Al and El wanted to go to Blumen Gardens, so I agreed to some with and I'm so glad I did! I had no idea this beautiful space was here right in Sycamore! The photo above shows a succulent garden on the roof of a small shed. NPR, was being piped from inside. We wandered around and looked at the beautiful plants. Sunflowers were everywhere and they, along with some other gorgeous flowers, attracted butterflies and moths of all types. We even saw a hummingbird moth. Al got a good photo of it.

Then it was off to the studio. I hadn't been in there since the summer shows! It was a mess. I cleaned and straightened and organized. Now it is ready to roll.

Sunday Maria, El, and I went shopping at , a local farm market. I hadn't been there before either. I'd passed it several times in the past, but just had never stopped. Again, I'm so glad we went! You wouldn't believe the great prices! 75 cents for a huge, fresh red pepper! Crazy! Our idea was to shop, then come back and cook a meal together. That's exactly what we did. El provided with best bi-color sweet corn and some yummy cake batter flavored iced drinks and crusty bread. Maria made roasted red peppers, a tomato-potato-jalapeno dish& salsa. I made a zuchini-leek-squash dish with parmesan and feta cheeses. We also had salmon burgers and pork patties.

After that it was straight back to the studio to take advantage of the clean-up the day before. I started a new block showing the bog at the Ridges in Door County.

This morning, J. started his senior year at school. I really am praying he will do well. (You can pray too, if you're generous and the praying sort.) His birthday is this week and I'm hoping to make cupcakes decorated as sushi rolls. I thought if I used green fondant for the nori and rolled little bits of fondant for the rice, it could be good! This coming weekend, we'll be taking him to the Ju-Rin in Geneva for lunch.

The honey bees lost their hive today

the honey bees lost their hive when the tree was cut down, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

The tree that was marked earlier in the year by the city to be cut down is not gone. They came today. The bees are buzzing around so confused. They don't understand where their home has gone. I'm sure they won't make it through the night. When I came home from work, they were clumping together or digging into the ground. I feel so bad for them.

Hopefully the raccoon family made their escape and found a new home. The woodpecker no longer has a home either. Poor little things.

The tree was rotten in the inside. It needed to come down for the safety of the electrical wires and houses. It is just a shame.