star testing

After the storms passed last night I settled in for the season opener of  AMC's
"The Killing" followed by the latest episode of "Madmen". Over three hours I split my attention but conjured up these ideas for the stars I will be placing in/on the Firmament. 

I worked these on a table mopper stained from the last dye session but I know that they will do just as well against the blue/green/lavender.







It's a good thing that I enjoy freeforming with snips and hand building complex thread.

Based on the planned size of the finished piece, the final "host" of the firmament  could number fifty or sixty which will be worked directly on it.

"The Killing" did not disappoint but there may just be a KILLING over the commercials!

 Yesterday I put off reading an article in the NY Times about the resurrection of the show -I didn't want to run into any spoilers and I won't print any here.  The article had tasty bits about the actual writing of the story. Much to think about for my own writing.

I've self-identified as what's called a "spontaneous" writer. A scene here, a character sketch there adding up to a whole pile of (very) loosely related fragments. Picture a cow shitting it's way across a broad pasture, wandering, circling and stepping in it's old crap. It's become frustrating, pointless and messy.

I won't call it a plot but I need to make a map for myself with the things I like about a good story, well told.  A Start, a Middle and a Resolution - with plenty of wandering, woolgathering and time shifts and character exploration worked in along the way - just respecting those time honored markers in the long run.

play it again..

A Sunday tradition here at the House of Lacativa - Settling in with the  NY times and a Braves game on TV only to be awakened by the kind of thunder I call "high, wide and handsome"..in a moment the overcast became deep gloom and the skies split open.

I just had time to snatch the crop off the line on the upper deck. Everything just as I hoped it would be...now to put on a pot of hot water for the spaghetti.

Colin went to Turner field last night to see the post game concert- Run DMC. The concert is held down on the field and he had the presence of mind to stop and pick up a handful of dirt from around third base.

 I brought the paper bowl of coarse grains upstairs to the studio and before I could put them in safekeeping, Sweetie stepped into the bowl as if it was her personal toilet. I caught her just in time...

back from gone?

 I was dumping files off one of the digital cameras and chanced on this and was disturbed that I had dismantled it and since dismembered most of the elements. There was too much wrong with it but parts that I wish I had saved.

I know I won't be able to recreate it but the vibrance and the energy of these B&W shapes appeals to me right now. Even in the middle  of a color blizzard I needed more of them. Spent the morning cooking up a batch of what I hope will be a neutral black..there are hides all over the deck drying in the sun.

And since I was already out there and making a mess, I refilled the jars with what I hope will be a gentler round of colors (despite appearances here)

stars rushing in

At some point soon, there will be stars on (or is it "in") the firmament.

I am really going to have to restrain myself here.


And suddenly I have a craving for further pieces of black and white!

Dye day tomorrow...

happy friday!

morning gloom

The racket of power equipment started with coffee this morning. The electric company has been prowling the neighborhood pruning and lopping trees that overhand or otherwise threaten the power lines which are still archaically strung from poles in this old neighborhood.

That tree on our next door neighbors front lawn has been leaning pretty much like that for a long time. When it does fall it's going to sweep down poles, wires, transformers and all.  Still, I'm happy they did not cut it down but merely manicured the front side..ridiculous if you know any geometry at all.


I went back to minding my own business only to run into a little resistance at the work table. Oh well, the light wasn't yet really optimal for hand stitching.

escape

Having a day off in the middle of the week is such a treat I don't mind giving up Saturday nights. We went to see Star Trek Into Darkness today. I could take or leave 3D but it was great fun-
love having all my buttons pushed.

I have given up watching movie trailers and reading reviews so I won't spoil it for anyone. Let's just say if you have ever been a fan, you'll love it.

Earlier today I settled on some changes for Firmament. I'll be basting away all these pins tomorrow and starting a few applique experiments for the skyful of stars I've imagined.

 One of the coolest things on my new phone is Droid Sky View.

the Royals

Now, that's what I was looking for.

(washed and dry)

the Creatives

 I've been following Mad Men again and thinking about how the executives talk about the "creatives" as if they were a herd of witless critters that needed to be whipped into some kind of frenzy to lay eggs or artwork.

The suits seem to have no appreciation for the people make something out of nothing.

I spent the morning playing God -bringing eyes, teeth and tongues to the blind and toothless. A few wings too.

Now, there's a garden and a pool to tend.

Memorial Day

This weekend I felt the turning of the Great Wheel.

The Moon was ablaze with messages and blessings.  I remembered that it's been a full year since we lost Karma. Today I went in the pool for the first time this year, but no lifeguard stood watch .

We all noted that this is the first Memorial Day without Pop, who was a WW2 vet who served in the Navy in the Pacific aboard the destroyer escort USS Braine. We all still struggle with the loss but I've realized how strongly his  influence will remain with all of us. More than just memories persist. Poppy is there in the decisions that we make, in the way we face the world and how we all make the best of each situation with an abundance of caution.

My two best friends have both been waiting a long time for important things - a place of her own for one, and a job for the other. They both got what they needed! And my son Colin has finished an important creative project.

It has NOT been business as usual in my life these past few days.

notfails

I named the image "fails" but I should take it back. Just because they didn't hold the intensity of color seen here, in the wet, doesn't mean they didn't turn out to be beautiful in a delicate way.

Thinking though a solution and have a few new pieces stewing right now and will see what tomorrow brings.