Stitching into a painting can be a little nerve racking because you can ruin it if not careful. So why do it? Because I can't help myself. I want the texture, the contrast of materials, the relief effect from the raised stitch and more. It's a personal preference. I don't do it to all my paintings but there are some that call to me and I reply. I stitch them and even add small sections of weaving to them. It took me a while to get to this point. "I thought it's a painting you can't do that to it." How silly was that! I can do whatever I want to it. I'm in control. Once you say that to yourself then the sky opens up and you are free.
It's the same with tapestry probably even more so. It can begin to feel precious because of the time involved in the weaving. And then there are rules and more rules and "the traditionalist would never do that." Forget all that. If I want to stitch into a tapestry or even add elements to it to take it where it needs to go; then so be it. There are no tapestry police coming to my door. Once you accept this as the truth you will be amazed at how freeing it feels. Art should never box you in! Never! 
That defeats the purpose of art in the first place. Freedom of expression. 

So what do you have in the end? You have a mixed media painting or a mixed media tapestry. Simple. Some tapestry shows don't accept mixed media tapestry but many do depending on the level from which you deviated. If the base structure is still weft faced tapestry weave and you have just added to that then your usually ok to enter that show. 

Below are some small mixed media paintings (wips) that I'm working on for the shop update. Looks like that will be in about 2 weeks. I'm going to try and start adding items and doing updates biweekly. I'll post more about all of that on the shop site and update to Instagram as well.

These small paintings work well in a grid formation but I think I'm going to offer them individually so you can mix and match if you buy more than one. There are several more in the works so there will be a nice selection to choose from.
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The New Year is here and I have big plans just like most people. The trick is sticking to them and seeing it through. I have lots of weaving and painting ideas for the year. Many looms need dressing and canvases are stacked up in waiting. My notebooks and sketchbooks are over flowing all over the studios up and downstairs. There is no lack of ideas here. Probably too many at times. It's hard to shut the brain off, the only way to do that is get to work. Get those hands moving and with that movement my brain starts to calm and I settle in for a long day at the easel or the looms. Nothing works at quieting my mind like the actual act of creating. Throwing on the apron and getting those hands dirty, once I dive in it all feels ok. That long to do list doesn't seem so impossible anymore. The only way thru is by doing the work. Just start....and it will all fall into place.

Well, it's a heat wave here in Pa. so I'm painting because touching wool when it is this hot is not very appealing to me. I'm currently working on Watercolors and Mixed Media paintings,I even broke out my oils. Also getting some free form stitching done. A big push to get new work done and into the shop. I've moved the shop to this site however I'll keep the Etsy Shop just in case I need to use it in the future. Just trying to make this simpler by having everything in one place. I hope that makes it simpler,fingers crossed on that. So here are a few in progress pics of some of the work that is currently all over the studios. Stay cool. 

Out for some fresh air and a Winter Walk for some mind clearing and inspiration. I find that I'm often ready to tackle the task at hand and get busy in the studio after a quick walk with my camera in hand. I really need that in the Winter when I find myself camping out in the studio for days on end. Today the sun came out for a bit and the temp was not so bad. I love making these collages for inspiration I often refer back to them for color ideas when dyeing yarn etc. This will probably make it over to my inspiration walks page too but sometimes I like to put them on the journal as well. 

I'm back to these small paintings when I can get a block of time away from the loom. Really pushing to finish up the current tapestry so my painting has been on hold for a bit. I'm thinking some of these small paintings might be fun to weave as well, maybe small or perhaps blown up. I'll do some scale testing and see what I like. Just looking at this pic it's already much bigger. The original is only 4 inches. It's painted on a ceramic tile. I love the texture of the tiles. These would be great woven and then shown with the original tile painting next to it. I'll post more of these soon. The more I look at this one the more I'm talking myself into weaving it. 

Well, it seems that when I made some changes to the site and did an upgrade and  I lost my journal. Maybe that is a sign. A new fresh start for 2018. So pictured above are some new paintings that I'm working on. Painting on ceramic tiles and Aqua board. Some might become small tapestries as well. Still thinking about that. 

Also back to my sewing machine for some stitching on these mixed media paintings. I'm keeping the palette fairly monochrome and I really like the feel so far.