00016 - Western White Clematis

Introducing my 16th piece of my series, Standard Movement.

00016 - Western White Clematis of Standard Movement series

00016 - Western White ClematisClick here or image above to purchase a print

To begin with, the oval frame. My thoughtful Godparents found it at an antique store. They are so sweet. As many of you know, I love bubbled glass. Who doesn't? I love how it enhances my imaginative 2-D world. Next, something new this time around. I usually use vintage paper for the main background, in this case I used fresh, crisp ledger paper. I wanted this work to be much simpler than the last, so I left a lot of white space and added fewer textile pieces which represent orbs. I incorporated a white flowering plant that I discovered on a walk to Portland's striking St. Johns bridge. The plant caught my eye with it's showy seedheads.

St. Johns Bridge

I searched high and low. Alas I found the name of the white flowering plant, it's called Western White Clematis. I read that it is a perennial vine and a member of the Buttercup family. It also goes by names such as Virgin’s Bower, Traveler’s Joy, and Leather flower. It sounds like a terrible idea to get in contact with, its oils are extremely irritating to the skin. It can also cause internal bleeding of the digestive tract if digested in large amounts. Eek! However, Native Americans would use it for headaches and nervous disorders, in small doses, of course.

00016 - Western White Clematis of Standard Movement series

If you would like to purchase a print of this original artwork of mine, they are available in my online shop, here. The prints are a limited edition of 30, printed on a heavy cardstock paper, backed with matboard, and slipped into a cellophane envelope. Whew! Did you get all that? I will also sign each print and ship them in a bendproof mailer. Live near Portland and wanna save on shipping? I will also be selling these guys at Crafty Wonderland and Skating with Scissors Craft Bazaar. I'm so jazzed to participate in my first two craft shows!

Featured on ittybittybirdy's blog

Last Friday, Chelsea Ann and I headed out to the winding Germantown Road. We sure had fun snapping pictures with her new Canon. You can view the snaps that I took and her very sweet post about me here!

Featured on Itty Bitty Birdy

00013 of Standard Movement

Hello there!I have my 13th work of the Standard Movement series to share with you today! 00012 of Standard Movement

This 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" lil' masterpiece includes my signature coffee rings and globe-like orbs on vintage ledger paper. The blossoming bud happened to grab my attention on one of my many walks this week. It has such a sweet smell! Curiosity had me Googling to find the proper name for this thriving small tree. After a good ol' half hour... Ta da! It's a Kobushi Magnolia, and it's native to Japan.

00013 of Standard Movement - close-up

On the left, do you spot some handwriting? Yes, you do see correctly. Randomly yet meaningfully, I included a snippet of a fellow's charming message that was written in a young lady's 1976 yearbook. You ask, do I know these people? No. I am a collector of many vintage paper finds, including old yearbooks that people just happen to pass up. Looking beyond the musty smells of pages, I find myself in wonderment of it's background. I question, was it passed up because of the significant water damage and she felt it was no good? Or maybe this young lady's life ended and her belongings, including this yearbook were given away. Or maybe she flew halfway across the world in search of new adventures and was forced to leave all her belongings behind.

Along with surrounding myself with the delightful sweet smell of blossoming trees, I've been around not-so-pleasant smelling substances. In particular– epoxy resin, polyamine, and lacquer. I've been playing around with them to find the right fit to seal those darn fastidious picture frames. The ones that just don't allow space for glass, like pictured above.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend! I will see you on Monday.