How Tuesday: Capturing the sun

Last night, I was having doubts about this blog. Readership is low and I was uncertain of its value. Is anyone actually enjoying it? Hmmm...


 Then I went to play rehearsal. What a disaster...doubt about all my creative pursuits abound. 


Then I remembered this week's theme: sunshine. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, " Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine."


If no one else is reading the blog isn't really the point. The point is to be accountable to my creativity. The point is to live the life I want as an artist. I am glad that today's post is How Tuesday. I need today's activity more than ever--I have captured the sunshine. 


I made several solar prints to hang in the studio to remind me of the outdoors and my connection to nature as I work. Here's how I did it:

I bought photo-sensitive paper at my local science
museum but it is also available online.
I gathered some items from my yard for my prints.
I placed the items in front of the paper inside the frame.
Because the plants were in the thick side, I clamped the frame closed with
a binder clip. 

After a few minutes in a sunny window, I removed the plants.
The longer the paper is in the sun, the greater the contrast.

I decided to make a sewing specific piece for my sewing studio using
buttons, lace and fun trim.

All done and ready for framing!

I added the sewing print to my cutting area. The light is not a good as
I would have liked it for this photo, but it came out very well.

Framed my 3 favorite nature-inspired prints in inexpensive frames 
from the dollar section of my local craft store.


No matter the weather outside or my mood,
 I will always have these prints to remind me of sunny days.