Tuesday, April 17, 2012

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.


3 comments:

  1. I keep a quote above my writing chair at home that says, "Writing is finally play, and there is no reason why you should get paid for playing. If you're a real writer, you write no matter what. No writer need feel sorry for himself if he writes and enjoys the writing, even if he doesn't get paid for it."
    I think this is applicable to blogging. If you blog and you enjoy it, that's all that counts. But I for one enjoy reading your posts and filing away ideas for the vaunted day when I have time to get crafty & try them!

    ReplyDelete
  2. you continue to go!

    go go!

    persistence and diligence

    etc

    or smething

    :)

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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