I started a new drawing series instead of working on what I was supposed to be working on (class prep). Sadly, this is very indicative of my creative process. New things come when I actively avoid the current things that need attention.
My latest thing is drawing brightly colored thrift store afghans with gouache, flair pens, highlighters, and ink. I don’t know how to knit, but I love making obsessive marks. It’s also been so satisfying to have a drawing sitting out on my desk for a few days where I can continue to work on as I wait for Hank to find his shoes or where I can scribble some lines while I sit and listen to Hank tell me about his day while eating a snack. It’s been the first time in a long while that any active making happens while other people are awake.
A few months ago, Risotto, one of my favorite risograph print studios based in Glasgow, reached out about having Outlet curate a Portland version of their popular Riso Club. I used this deadline as an opportunity to finish this first afgahn drawing.
Thanks to my Outlet co-owner Leland, for creating these separations and also pushing me to do a 4-color process print (which I typically stray away from). The four colors that we are using are mint, fluro yellow, red, and teal, and then POOF! Full color, baby! Leland and outlet print assistants Michael and Zab also created a BEAUTY of a print to be part of this series. I LOVE RISO!
I have the beginning started on two more afghan drawings (these are 11x14). We love a cozy, second-hand, handmade afghan in our house, so I have a library to choose from for inspiration. The plan is to have a series of prints ready for all of the holiday markets over the next few months. The originals will be available if anyone is serious about owning a cozy, second-hand, handmade afghan drawing.
I am speaking on a panel this Saturday for a Design Month Portland panel at the Tomorrow Theater about the 2006 film Marie Antoinette. When this movie came out in October of 2006, I was so enamored with the film (and the soundtrack) that I dressed up as her for Halloween that year. Thanks to Flickr, I was able to find this very low-res photo quickly. I loved Flickr. I hate that it’s no longer what it was circa 2004-2010, but what a good run. If you miss Flicker, please check out this niche Instagram called Forgotten Flickr. This account describes itself as “Exploring the archive of abandoned photos on Flickr, focusing on everyday snapshots.” I promise this will not be the last time I write about Flickr. Brace yourselves.
I could easily search Flickr for these two very early daily drawings from 2006 and 2007. Again, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, FLICKR! The drawing on the right is from a few days ago and just lives on my Dropbox with the last 18 years of Daily Drawings. I am deeply considering uploading the entire archive to Flickr so I can keyword search. Oh, digital archive organization, I could talk about you forever.
Speaking of Daily Purchase Drawings, here is the rundown from the latest batch: massive chocolate cake from Lauretta Jean’s! marathon school-prep session while Hank played for five hours at PDX Play Date, my continuing obsession with Trader Joe’s Fall Leaf Tortilla Chips, a glamorous car lunch of Taco Bell, elastic cord for the many bracelets that we have been making for Hank, Pink Pearl Erasers for our Printmaker’s of Portland meetup, and finally, a tiny and expensive can of wine for my Bob the Drag Queen Back to School Date with my buddy Briar.
My writing time is up, my battery is dying, and I am leaving you with my current favorite gif: Vampire Kermit attacking an adorable Vincent Price.I will ALWAYS like and save every Vampire Kermit image that scrolls into my view as I stare at my terrible phone. Pinky promise. See you next week and thanks for reading. :)
I really like drawings like this, that you can keep returning to. it's the artistic form of scarf knitting. Also Flickr! It's still great! I still use it all the time.
I have a new word! Procrastiworking pretty much sums up my day from 9am-noon daily. The afghans are beautiful.