LizzyHouse

Last Chance!

Hey peepers. 

You've still got a chance to join in my Pattern + Print class at PNCA. There are a few spots still open, which is lucky for you. So now is the time to take the leap, commit, face the music, and all those other things. You want to know how to design patterns. You want to know how to ACTUALLY print. 

I'm the girl to teach you. 

You can find all the info here!

Also, PNCA is offering what's called a Fabric Pack, and it's two fabric design classes. Mine and another by Designer, Chelsea Heffner. You get a major savings when you sign up for the pack. Which is awesome if you are looking to get serious about fabric design. 

So... I'll see you next week! 

Quilt Con Supplies!!!

Quilt Con is upon us! 

I have gotten some emails concerning supplies. Particularly ink. You want oil based relief ink. Speed Ball produces an oil based ink that will work just fine. Or if you are looking to place an order, Daniel Smith is my recommendation! They have ink, they have palette knifes, they have miracle gel, and they have top notch customer service. 

You don't have to pre-wash your fabric, but you can! 

As far as blocks go, I recommend unmounted blocks, and I suggest that you get a few different types. There is a white type of block that is super easy to carve. Then there is a gray kind. You should be able to bend it. If you are really lucky you might chance upon a glossy gray block. It is soft, and structured... so it isn't painful to carve but you can get nice detail. The tan stuff is fine, it's just rough. 

Carving tool. Get the speed ball set that comes with multiple ends. DO NOT get the pulling/hooked kind. You will regret it. Those usually show up in my classes when you are using a vintage tool that someone found in an attic/basement. Get a new tool. The ends are sharp, it's not expensive, and it's what you need. 

These were the main concerns addressed in the emails! 

I'm excited to meet all of you. We are going to have a great time! 

Leave comments with any other questions! I'll respond to them here

hooray for Quilt Con. 

 

My true self.

My true self is a girl who wants everyone to be good to each other. 

My true self is someone who wants to give presents to everyone, all the time. 

My true self is alive alive alive when it is warm outside, and light at night. 

My true self loves the Legend of Zelda, and can not and will not apologize for it. 

My true self is a bit of a house cat.

My true self lives to help, teach, and serve people to find truth and happiness. 

My truest self is at peace when I am making things. Specifically, when I am printing. 

I re-found that true truest self the other night as I printed this tiny edition. It's one of those things. I knew I was supposed to do it, I've known it for ages, and I've had the supplies since August, and the knowledge for quite a few years, and still I put it aside, and pushed it away, because I was afraid. I was afraid to do the one thing that I love the most, because it would hurt the most if I somehow failed at it.

But that's a terrible attitude. So, when I reached the edge of my own plans, the ones I had created to avoid doing the one thing that I was supposed to do, I just jumped into it.

I started with this little turtle that I drew for my friend Leigh, who has been so good and dear to me. She has pet turtles, they are not sea turtles, but the sentiment is there. This turtle #1 is part of a series of 3 turtles. I printed the edition while I somewhat watched An Affair to Remember. The movie is too heartbreaking to pay full attention to it. 

But I too have changed my course. 

There is so much more to come it's crazy town. 

And I'm so happy about it. 

How are you doing? Tell me an aspect of your truest self. 

He's available in the shop, for you lovers of turtles or just me. 

10 Reasons why PNCA is the bomb dot com.

Just about a week after I get back from Juniper Moon Farm for our little fiber farm retreat, I will hop my little self onto another plane and head for Portland, to do a textile design/ printmaking workshop at PNCA. Like I said in my previous post, I have been very choosy about where I am going and what I am doing this year, and since you know that now, you also know that I feel strongly about where I am going.

So I thought I would give you 10 reasons why PNCA Continuing ED is the bomb dot com, and why I think you will think so too. So much so that you will want to join me from March 30- April 1.

10. Location. It's PORTLAND, OREGON, PEOPLE. I know that it's a really cool town, and everyone there is supposed to be really cool... but there are reasons that it's so cool. The reason that I wanted to move there in the first place was that it was just so beautiful. You are in the woods essentially while you are still in the city. And you always have water around you. Whether it be the weather or the river. Everything is green and beautiful, and I was just drawn to it.

9. Beyond just the beauty of the location, they have Powell's city of books, and literally some of the best food I've ever had in my entire life. And it's everywhere. Every thing is good. And there isn't any sales tax, which is great for visiting!

8. The Facilities at PNCA are the bomb dot com. They literally have everything that you could possibly need to produce professional, quality work.

Their exposure table for screen printing seriously blew my mind.

7. The atmosphere at PNCA is one of learning and exploring. The space seems to give you permission to think bigger. Which I am into...

6. That same atmosphere lends itself well to a nice sense of community. Even though the workshop only last for a few days, it does feel like you are a part of something, which I know that we are all constantly searching for.

5. They take really good care of me, so I can take really good care of you. WHICH IS HUGE!

4. PNCA is giving you a little time outside of your everyday life to learn new skills, or grow an idea

3. They know, love, and cultivate art.

2. It has been my experience in Portland that people are really nice. Just genuinely down to earth nice, and the peeps at PNCA are no exception. They work hard to make sure that your experience is a positive one.

1. PNCA is a dream come true. They have a whole team of fantastic people working to create a brilliant continuing education program that stands leaps and bounds above most if any art programs in the country. They are about your success, and I am about your success, and that is why I love PNCA.

So won't you join me? We'll learn how to design patterns, I'll talk to you about the ins and outs of the textile industry until I can't speak anymore (like literally lose my voice), I'll give you some insight about color, and I will cry my eyes out when I express to you have much printing means to me, and what it can do in your life. Then I will clean myself up and teach you to print.

if only I were kidding. No but seriously. There will be voo-doo doughnuts, and me.

you can register here!

My Alphabet.

I have a list of things that I love.

I have a list of recipes I want to make.

I have a list of places I want to go.

I have a list of artwork I want to do.

This piece is on that list, and is now crossed off that list. I have always wanted to do an alphabet. I don't know why... I think it's something that I started thinking about as a child, and contemplated as a printmaker, and got excited about as a collector of nouns, regular and proper.

This print is a collection of images that represent the alphabet to me. Like if we were to sit down and play a word association game with each letter of the alphabet, these are the things that I would say.

Here are the words:

A. is for Airplane, B. is for Bee, C. is for Cake, D. is for Dress (that Jana made me), E. is for East of Eden, F. is for Fox, G. is for Gemstones, H. is for House, I. is for Incandescent, J. is for June, K. is for Kitten, L. is for Link, M. is for Mail, N. is for Nintendo, O. is for Olympics, P. is for Printmaking, Q. is for Quilts, R. is for Ribbon, S. is for Sewing Machine, T. is for Top Bun, U. is for Ukulele, V. is for Vince Guaraldi, W. is for Washi Tape, X. is for X-height, Y. is for Yarn, and Z. is for Zelda.

This 18x24 print is in an edition of 125. It is a two color screen print, hand printed by yours truly. It comes packaged in a mailing tube ready as a gift to give, or to unwrap for yourself.

The first 10 buyers will receive a free gocco print of T is for Top Bun. A personal favorite, and a $15 value.

All prints will ship on the 5th of December!

Find the Print here!

clean hands.

This past week I made my triumphant return to printmaking!

When I graduated at the end of 2008, I didn't realize that I was in a way walking away from it. My focus has been on fabric design, and pattern writing, and teaching, and moving, and other things. None of these things were meant to be so permanent. The only thing that was ever supposed to be permanent was the printmaking, and it was the first thing to go. What?

So some years have passed away, and my pining to print is no more, because I am.

Yesterday I was working on a new piece, a work that I have always wanted to make, and I found myself getting ink on my hands. This ink, would then get on my paper. I was in the studio alone and managed to get everything in order again, but while I struggled I was able to think about printmaking, and the program I had completed those years ago, and the people I had gotten close to because of our chosen degrees, and close proximity of the presses.

The thing that kept coming to me was that I needed a set of clean hands. At school, any time that I needed a set of clean hands, they were there. Or you would bring and extra set with you, or, you would have an inky look of desperation and someone would go over to the sink wash their hands and be at your aid. I was also a set of clean hands more often than I can recall. That's the kind of group we had.

There's a metaphor there that I have been unwrapping.

When we are in the middle of things, that are difficult, or painful, or covered in ink, we need someone to step in. Sometimes we can call for them, and sometimes we are too in it to see that we need help. That's when that set of clean hands swoops in, and holds things up until you are back on track, or find a pair of gloves, so they can get back to what they were working on.

But it goes both ways. Sometimes you need the clean hands, and sometimes you are the clean hands.

I'll keep thinking about it. You think about it too.

and just like that, I feel like myself.

 

Portland I love thee.

I get off the plane and remember how men find me attractive here. That's a good start.

I checked into my hotel and was thrilled by the details.

I went on a quick walk to Powell's and found my Mom's book. My Mom's book is in my second favorite bookstore in the entire world.

I was gratified I went in the wrong direction on my first walk to PNCA because I got to spend longer in the rain.

I love PNCA and what they are doing

I adore Jon and Pad-See-Ew.

I love meeting new people and teaching them something I am so passionate about.

I love getting to see my twitter/market friends in real life.

I am so impressed with the ladies of Bolt and Modern Domestic.

Lots of us feel the same about a lot of things. Which means we can make/ demand change.

The later I stay up the harder it is to sleep...

Printmaking makes my little heart soar.

Japanese books make my little heart soar.

Patty Mills makes my little heart hang glide. (new boyfriend)

I miss New Seasons and I love chatting with Sarah

Excited to print with my peeps today, and sad that it's the last day. 

I feel energized and ready to make some serious changes in my life, so I can help others make changes in theirs. This was the proverbial kick in the pants I needed.

photo from PNCA flickr group

May you all get a good kick in the pants.

The Working Proof

Last Christmas I was feeling really lost. I didn't know what I was doing or where my life was going, but more than that, I couldn't understand with all the things that had happened in the past year, why it really mattered. So I was searching. And searching for me tends to take me to people and places where I feel grounded.

Halloween in Seattle with Jessica,

Thanksgiving in Rexburg...

So, as usual, my confusion and sadness were sorted out with printmaking. With hard labor in the lab. With all the variables and the comings and goings in my life, Printmaking remains a control. The constant.

So I just started cutting. I didn't know why, but I felt impressed to cut out these fish. I sat there for hours and hours and cut out fish after fish. Then I went back and used a hole punch to make their eyes. Anyone who came into the lab that wasn't working was enlisted to fish cutting. After I gave a proper fish cutting demo, of course.

What came from my lost state were three pieces. I had never monoprinted until then, but it was the perfect way to express myself. More than 400 paper fish helped me to express my feelings, and my desire to be found, grounded, important, and acknowledged. In my work, in my family, by my God, and in my life in general.

I don't have an image of the first 2, they were almost immediately bought by the school, which was a real blessing, but I have the third. It's called Miracle Fish, and it's become available as a print through the Working Proof.

About the print:
The original Miracle Fish artwork was created as a monotype, and was printed using nearly 400 paper fish that were cut out by hand. The idea behind the piece is that we each count. No matter what, someone cut each of us out, and whether we are in the background or the forefront, we individually matter. Sometimes we get lost, but no matter what, the value of the fact that you ARE, and that you somehow CAME TO BE, matters. Find yourself and make it count.

Doing this work, during that hard time, truly helped me to find myself. In fact, after I pulled the first print from the first plate, I had a breakthrough and per usual, I teared up. But what's more, I was doing the work I felt impressed to do, and I found the answers I was searching for in them.

The print available through The Working Proof "is a digital print on acid free, Neenah uncoated matte 100lb cover paper that is 80% recycled. It was digitally signed by the artist and was numbered by The Working Proof."

There are only 50 available, and they seem to be flying. So let Miracle Fish be a reminder to you that you count, and your life matters in any state or stage, or help remind someone you love of the same fact. Or just an addition to your art collection, because you like it, or it holds a special meaning to you. OR you just like having a little piece of me in your house....

And to add to the love fest, The Working Proof donates 15% of the cost to the charity of my choice, and I've chosen Farm Sanctuary.

Printmaking and Prayers.

The Printmaking:

I stayed longer in Rexburg than I had planned, because I felt compelled to. Because of all of the ups and downs this year, I felt like I wasn't a very good artist anymore. If we haven't covered this already, and we have, I am very hard on my self. I think the biggest problem was that I hadn't been able to print since April, and I found through earning my degree that printing with a press is not only an integral part of my creative process, but a major factor in my mental/creative/emotional well being.

So by staying in town, I was able to spend some solid time printing, and I feel more like a whole person. Like I said, I have been doing some monoprints-monotypes, and I pulled one last night, after the final run, and I nearly cried. It was like a blessing or an answer to a prayer to be able to complete something so solid, and wonderful. It made me remember why I print-make, and that even if I haven't printed since April, I am a fine artist.

The picture above is of the first run on a print. It's called Miracle Fish. Funny how much expression a little fish with a single eye can have.

The picture below is of my little sister, Melissa.

The Prayers:

The prayers are for my littlest sister, Melissa. After a terrifying chain of events this weekend she had to have emergency surgery last night. Luckily she goes to school at Johns Hopkins, and is in good hands. So my grandma is flying out to Baltimore to be with her tonight, to be followed by my Mother. So if you could remember Melissa in your prayers, it would mean so much to my family.

some news, and an almost update.

first the news. Castle Peeps, won't be released until April. Boo Hiss Boo! I know, I know... If you think that you are growing impatient, think of me, your littlest Lizzy, who grows weary of always waiting. But, in anticipation, starting the New Year, I will do a new tutorial each month for something grand using Castle Peeps, so when it finally arrives, you will know exactly what to do. There will be a plan. I love a good plan. Don't you?

my little update is this. I've finally started doing some monoprinting. For those of you who don't know what monoprinting is, it's essentially painting on a piece of Plexiglas, applying a great deal of pressure, from either a press, your hand, a car... or even a pencil, by applying the pressure you transfer the ink from the glass to paper, or fabric, or whatever. Also, because it's a "mono" print, there can only be one. You know... like the Highlander. So each piece is an original, like a painting.

I've got to tell you though, printing these past couple of days has made me happier than I can remember being in a long time. It's so fulfilling to produce work that you are happy and excited about.

My pieces aren't dry quite yet, but I will give you a little look.

More to come soon! and soon a shop update!