CAW - 'Strands' Show - Cat's Cradle

Cat's Cradle - Acrylic on wood - 7 3/4" x 12"

This is my painting for CAW's 'Strands' show at the Carnegie Gallery at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. The show features visual and performance art about hair, fibers, DNA and other “strands.”

Show Dates: September 15 – October 21
Opening Reception: Thursday, September 15, 2011 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Main Library’s Carnegie Gallery (2nd floor)

The theme made me recall a simple string game, called cat's cradle that I used to play with my mom. In researching the origins of the game I found "versions of this game have been found in indigenous cultures all over the world" Here's a How-to Tutorial.

close-up scan

While working on this these lyrics kept strolling through my mind:

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

This was the only part of the Harry Chapin song I knew, so in order to not drive myself mad with the repetition, I listened to some audiobooks. This time, as per a suggestion by Tracy Bishop I listened to The Golden Compass series, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, and WOW! it is an amazing audiobook series performed by a full cast. It has become my new favorite. (Don't tell Harry)

Here's some process shots

The messy part

Sanded and transferred the drawing

Clipped my color palette to the side of my drafting table.

Hmmm, I want more pattern

Decided to try some reverse transfers. Practiced on little test board, but still scary.

Came out darker than expected, but I like the wood grain showing through

Final close-up with painted textures

Illustration Friday: Boundaries

Some squirrels know no boundaries.

I've been finding with half eaten tomatoes in my garden....only the insides though....the culprits leave the tomato skin. I suspected the squirrels, and sure enough, one day I saw this guy stealing a green one, and another day one was eating a nice red cherry tomato. (Oh, but I should mention those are apples in the illustration. Didn't want you thinking I was fruit-identity deficient.)

This was a sketch from a awhile back that I colored up to add to my portfolio for the LA conference. I'm now working on a painting for a local show, which I'll post soon.

Until then, here are some photos of my sunflowers. I'm so glad they finally bloomed. I just hope the seeds develop before the first hard frost.

camera shy sunflower

contemplative sunflower

sad sunflower

sunflower with bumblebee