As I'm busily producing lots and lots of the same items for our show next week, I'm realizing that I actually enjoy repetition. There's something quite relaxing about having a prototype and then repeating it, as long as I can keep playing with color and texture changes.
And I'm finding it's allowing time to let new ideas germinate while my hands are busy. I started a list of After Show Projects, which are probably especially appealing because I can't divert and do any of them right now. Maybe once I have time for them, they won't sound so good after all.
I've been working on a set of larger owls. These ones are about 8" tall.
And a parliament, which I recently learned is the word for a group of owls--how perfect is that?
I like this larger size because it allows even more room to play with layers of texture and color:
They look giant against the small ones, but it's mainly camera angle. The small owls are 4".
This week I received this fabulous little owl from Jacky. I am so thrilled with it! Jacky's owls were one of my inspirations, and I had been coveting one since I first saw them. Not only did I get this sweet little, meticulously stitched beauty, but also a very generous packet of goodies along with it. Thank you Jacky!
I almost forgot to post this wonderful giveaway from Jan Harris this month. Jan is giving away this beautiful coptic stitch journal. I love to work in coptic stitch books because the pages lie perfectly flat, but I never have the patience to make one. Hurry on over to Portland Art Collective blog and leave a comment to enter the giveaway.
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11 comments:
loving your owls. i understand how repeating the same pattern with different textures would be enjoyable. decorating the owl would be my favorite part.
Love those owls, I also can enjoy repetitive things like this. It isn't as though each one is the same! They all have such personality. Thanks for the heads up on the coptic book giveaway, I have signed up for it, also signed up to follow the Portland Art Collective blog. Are all your blog posts from this blog also on that blog or only ones related to PAC?
Oh Robin your parliament of owls looks wonderful...the wisdom bouncing off the walls at your place must be amazing!
Lovely to see your little owl and to know you are so pleased with her.
Good luck with your other owls. I am sure they will fly off the shelf. I know I love mine!!!
Jacky xox
They look like wise, modest, and tastefully dressed creatures - many a human parliament could certainly benefit from their presence in it...
Thanks everyone--they are such fun to make. And yes, Deanna, the decorating and choosing the details is what keeps them interesting for me. Jan, I only put an occasional post on the PAC blog since 30 members are posting there, so there are a lot here that do not appear on that one. Thanks!
Delightful--definitely "studio" owls as well, collecting bits of stash for their personages :)
I was a friend of Michael Stuckey and found your name on a letter written to a philosopher who wrote an article about him on the internet. Your work reminds me of something he'd like. I'm not sure if you knew him, but I just wanted to say in case you did, that his passing still effects me and I wish he were still in the world.
Ealice--no that was a different Robin Olsen who wrote the letter. I do not know Michael, but his story was very touching. I wish I could see his artwork but can't find it online. I was especially drawn to this line about him, "He preferred people to give attention to his art, which pointed towards stillness, self-introspection, and spirituality." Thanks for commenting.
love your parliament...such delicious colors and layers!
I find that repetition becomes a meditative act for me...a time relax, and as you mentioned, a time for new ideas to form.
I love the individuality of each of your owls: even though they are part of a repetitive process each has its own unique character. They are charming and quirky and would have me in a dither trying to choose a favourite.
Robin, how do you make the owls...do you have a tute somewhere? They are lovely!
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