Gocco: lobster cards and envelopes

lobster cards and envelopes, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Yes, I have been going crazy with my little Gocco. Every moment printng and playing. I took my lobster drawing from last winter and decided to do a two color card for our shop at artstream. I first did some prints on heavyweight vellum for later use else where, but decided that we needed lobster cards. I have two different kinds of cards. One on Strathmore paper going into our shop on Monday, October 1st and one on smooth white cards going into my etsy shop then too.
The cards are two screens and the envelopes have the wave screen on them. A little wave to surf your stamp on!
We at Chez Schwake are off to our very first family weekend at college with daughter Grace. Excited? You bet!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Sarah Burns split jar

Sarah Burns split jar, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Oh how I love Sarah's work. Yes, I am a ceram-a-holic. I know it and thank goodness I can live with all this lovely work each day in the gallery. Makes me very happy...
This one off jar is a soda fired stoneware which is more sculptural than most functional ware. I love the ridges the twirly tops and the fact you can play with it to make it look differently each time you use it. Open, closed, back to front. Fun!
Go to the shop on Monday and choose from four different works. They are all very special!

Gocco

on vintage book page 8 x 10 inches $25
click for a large image

on white archival paper 5x7 inches $15
click for a large image

After fifteen years, I finally bought myself another Gocco printer. I used it a lot in the way back machine and had been longing to fire one up again.
So here you have it, my first foray back into Gocco. It has actually been sitting her pestering me for the past month and well, time was short as you can imagine, but yesterday, I took time for myself and had so much fun.
I decided to try a little illustration I had done earlier in the year which was in response to an illustration Friday prompt.
I made an edition of 30 on white or tan archival heavyweight stock and then a few on vintage papers and some special pieces printed onto monotype backgrounds (more on those later).
Goodness knows I am a printmaker at heart. This was so much fun.
Revealing surprise #2:
I went and did it. I opened an Etsy shop. These prints and some other goodies will be available from time to time there. My affordable artworks will be there as I am very happy with gallery shows for my fine art work. Any and all feedback is always welcome.

I love Blocks

Reader Irini from i love blocks sent me a mail about her line of jewelry. It appeals to me on lots of levels. First of all, I am not a dripping in diamonds sort of gal. I go for the fun and quirky in jewelry. Abigail Percy's line would be a first choice for something beautiful, elegant and real - hint hint to my special someone... and I love my Polli earring from Rare Device's shop.
But for day to day and for enjoying myself with a few within reach items, I Love Blocks fits the bill perfectly to me. Her little square necklaces are fun and affordable with a dozen different modern looks to choose from. My personal favorites are the birds on the wire (what a surprise...) and the dandelion. Go take a peek!

Having a ball ...

every ball gown needs matching gloves...by me

and who can have just one gown, when three is better? -by Chloe
Over in my homestate Vermont - a fine and fancy ball is being held by Elizabeth. Daughter Chloe and I adore making paper dresses so we thought we would play along. Visit the ball right here and dance by the light of the full moon tonight!

on my desk - sorting

on my desk - sorting, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

One surprise reveled:
I decided to take the plunge and apply to Jan's Poppytalk Handmadestreet market! I am pleased to announce I will have some new affordable art pieces at a "virtual table" there.
Here is my studio desk at home .. filled with more of these little gelatin prints waiting to become mixed media works for our next show...
The sun is exquisite today and our home remodeling is going swimmingly. Our floor (all FOUR layers of it) in the kitchen are gone!
It took three days, but Rainer and I pulled it all up.
Progress is good.

Danny Mansmith -Landscape

Found over at his Flickr account - a new landscape by Danny Mansmith. What can I say about this except that I love it! It just says "Good Morning World" to me and well, that is always a good feeling.

Students past ...

Today has been fun at the gallery. A student I had ten years ago (!) stopped by with her mother to say hello. She just graduated from SCAD and brought me her portfolio book. To say the very least, it was a great blast from the past and a wonderful peek into where she is headed! Her work is in metal and some fiber - jewelry and vessels. I hope to be able to show you more of her work in the months to come. She's stopping back by soon with some of her work. Go Makala!

Nahcotta show

Here are four of my gelatin monotypes which are over at the Nahcotta show. These are multilayered prints - with as many as six seperate plates on each print. They are available for sale and you can contact Deb right here if you are interested!

first day of fall!

first day of fall!, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

something a little less gooey and a little more pleasant to leave you with until Monday! surprises will have to wait until then too - sorry, but I have been a little behind!
blue skies to you until then --

when good gelatin goes bad ...

when good gelatin goes bad ..., originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

yes folks, gelatin is a temporary thing.
it molds, it weeps.
time to make some more! thanks for all of your nice comments on the tutorial. now of course i want to see what YOU make... send me your links to show and tell!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the first day of autumn!

Roger Allen skateboard photos

Roger Allen's skateboard photos, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Rock on. These little beauties are color photographs sized 8"x8" and each a gem of an artwork.
Mounted on Paulawina wood finished edges with Benjamin Moore paint in a variety of 80's inspired colors.
mod, beautiful, wow! We have thirteen of these which will be photographed soon for the to be put in the shop soon for $101 each - email me to reserve your favorite!
susan[at]artstreamstudios[dot]com

Gelatin print tutorial time

an assortment of work in process for an upcoming market
People frequently ask about how-to-do monotype gelatin prints and well, I always say, come to the studio and try it with me. It's addictive and spontaneous as well as a great springboard for other ideas in your artwork. I took some photos of one of my children's classes this week in action to give you the basics. There is so much more that you can do with the process and it is truly unlimited in creative expression.
First you make the unflavored gelatin. 2 Tbsp. per cup of water enough to fill out a form (at least 1/5 of an inch tall) you choose (cookie sheets are easy) Mix the gelatin over low heat gently to keep the bubbles and foam down. If you get foam, just scoop it out gently. When the mixture is clear and has heated to a rolling boil, pour it slowly into your form. Let is cool on a level surface. (Live in an older home as we do? check the surface first with a marble!) If there are bubbles or foam simply take a strip of newspaper and pass it over the surface to the edge to pick up stray foam.
Once the gelatin is set, put it in the fridge to harden further. You are ready to print!

it is shiny,slimey, and wiggly
Cut a piece of gelatin to fit your paper size.

go gently, too much ink makes blobs!
Using waterbased inks, roll a thin layer out onto the gelatin or paint it on.

this gelatin is a few weeks old, note the curling edges...
Use a variety of tools: brushes, bubblewrap, handmade lino blocks, paper stencils, corks, combs, what-have-you, to create an image on the surface of the gelatin.

Remember that it is only gelatin and can't take a beating!
Place your paper over the top of the gelatin and rub it gently with your fingertips.


palm trees in the blue by amanda
Peel it off and voila! A print is born! Want to come to a workshop? Drop me a line at susan[at]artstreamstudios[dot]com and I can sign you up!

Andrew Douglas Underwood

art esprit reader, (and fellow David Sylvian fan...) Andrew Douglas Underwood wrote to me this week about his paintings and well, I just had to share these with you. The beautiful use of color in his paintings - coupled with amazing motion brings me back to them over and over for a second and third look.

Go view more at website right here.
Here are a few words from Andrew about his work:
I live and work in Dallas, Texas. I was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, where much of my family still lives. Many of my family members are artists. As a result, art making has always been a part of my life. I went to art school in Cleveland and Baltimore. I love to read design magazines, blogs and books. They are a constant source of inspiration, especially when it comes to surprising color combinations. There are vines growing around the windows of my loft. My sketches of those vines were the starting point from which the body of work on my web site evolved.
Thanks so much Andrew!

tiny harvest

tiny harvest, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

just a photo i took sunday of our beans and some parsley.
thinking about how much i love natural green colors and enjoy growing things in our tiny garden plot.
today is a printmaking day, the gelatin awaits! Lots to do - and a surprise or two tomorrow -
enjoy your day!

p.s. happiness and love to stephanie levy and their new baby lucy!

Yurts

lovely yurt from belinda!, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

...are something which have always fascinated me. The felting process, the idea of living in a felted home, even if ever-so-temporary has always been a goal of mine. Goal realized (sort of!)! Belinda from Luxembourg and expert felter, just took a trip to Kyrgyzstan this past August and brought me back a tiny yurt and doll to go with it. Go take a peek at her trip's hightlights over at her blog. It was a most amazing voyage with felting goodness throughout. Thanks so much Bel!

Jodi Green

I have been emailing back and forth with Jodi Green about her MFA project to post about her work at Whipup. Today I took a hard look at her etsy shop. I found these lovely journals and thought I would share them with you. Very special looking outside and very spiffy with the recycled papers inside. Nice way to start the week!
New classes at artstream begin today, which is always exciting, so I am sure I will have more to share with your from the studio soon.
Happy Monday!

enormous tiny artshow II

susan schwake (on r), originally uploaded by nahcotta gallery.

it was fun fun fun at nahcotta last night. nonstop artists and folks flying about the gallery. thanks deb for inviting me and well, it was so nice to enjoy another gallery opening there. i was so thrilled with the installation of my work too. no small feat to hang that much art work and have it look so very good. adam pearson who helps me hang each and every show was there too with wife Heather. his only words to me were Don't get any ideas!
lovely time! sadly, i was so busy before we left i left my camera at home. i will go back and shoot some photos later. luckily someone snapped a photo of lisa dejohn and i. it was a bonus to see lisa again!
and to meet jenn from swallowfield, leah piken and view all the beautiful work. we took a few hours more in portsmouth to visit three graces and see kim again along with some friends work there and hop over to the new contemporary gallery elio.
off to our opening now at artstream - do drop by if you are in town.

Tom Glover and Sarah Burns: WOW!

Busy with the opening preperations ! Go see more of the show here
at artstream. Everything will be online in the shop soon.... Go read the review by Ann Bryant here at the Portsmouth Herald. Do drop by:
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 15th, 5:30-7:30pm

Exhibition 9/10/2007 - 10/31/2007
Tom Glover: Paintings of Fenway Park
Sarah Burns: Sculptures and Vessels
Equinox Gallery:
Roger Allen: Skateboard Photographs

Erik Boettcher: Assemblages

Fenway and flora and more-a

Tom Glover Fenway oil

Erik Boettcher 1965 mixed media

Roger Allen photographs

Sarah Burns bead stack clay (yes it can be touched and played with !)

Sarah Burns Vases clay

Tom Glover Fenway oil

Our next exhibition has so many beautiful elements that it makes my head spin. Tom Glover has been working for a year on a series of paintings for us based on abstractions of the Fenway. You know, Green Monster, CVS sign, the striped infield/outfield, Bos-ton? Along side of this are Sarah Burn's gorgeous orbs, bead sculptures and vases which look simply plucked from the sea itself. If this wasn't enough, Erik Boettcher's work, which you know I just love, is hanging on the eQuinox wall along with Roger Allen's (from Vancouver) photographs. - (found him through poppytalk.) I am going to shower you with photos today and then break it down a little more in the coming days to give enough attention to detail for each artist.

Sarah Burns large bead sculptures clay
Show Details:
Opening Saturday September 15th from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. Do come by!
Through 10/31
A huge thanks to Ms. Anne Bryant on her glowing review of the exhibit, over at the Herald. I'm off today to meetings but see you tomorrow.

See Italy by Erik Boettcher

See Italy by Erik Boettcher, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Just another visual example of how perfectly cool owning a Vespa would be.
Available on Friday at the shop!

Community art projects

the original plan was to have them horizontal,
then we found out the space was vertical... no problem!
Community art projects are part of my life. Since 1997, I have been helping groups of people make art. Sometimes it is to display in a public place like a library or public building, other times the participants take home the art to keep. This summer I worked with around 40 people, all with special needs, to create a piece of work for a new pediatric clinic in a local hospital here. The space was being designed by a company in the midwest and all I had to go by was two color chips (online!) and a couple of photos of chairs which were being purchased for the room.
A challenge to say the least! If you have been reading this blog for awhile, you may remember the original drawing for it posted here. (on May 21st)

the artwork, finished, not installed
We attached them to the background and Voila! My design and their work was complete. We installed it last week and got a quick shot of it. I was floored at the beautiful interior that our piece was living in. The project managers are thrilled with the piece too! The cloud above the droplets was a complete and utter bonus, don't you think? I am always happiest when projects like this are in process, however with this one, the end product was really something to write about! I apologize for the low quality photo below. Professional photos will be forthcoming after October 1 from the press release. I am planning to use my design again in personal art work as well as another piece which I am planning for another public location.

installed in the clinic

Lara Cameron

Just a little peek at one of the lovely fabrics designed by Melbourne native, Lara Cameron. You may have already seen her shop at etsy but did you see her interview with Patricia over at Craft Synergy? More photos there of her beautiful work.

Susan Schwake - "adaptation"

adaptation, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

One of my nine gelatin monotypes on birch for Nahcotta's Enormous Tiny Artshow. Do stop by on Friday night if you are in the Portsmouth, NH area!

sun on a sunless day

lone sunflower, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

nothing more, just the lone flower which stands in the garden!

Erik Boettcher's Holiday Inn

Erik Boettcher's Holiday, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

sneak peek from the new show here at artstream! Tom Glover has created a huge series of abstractions based on Fenway Park. Sarah Burns has constructed amazing flowing vases and larger than life bead stacks for the main gallery show.
Mixed media work - by friend, Erik Boettcher - part of the eQuinox show also featuring Roger Allen's skateboard deck photos. Shooting some gallery shots when the sun returns. Stay tuned... it's more than exciting, it's playful!

The word for the day is pour ... as in pour your heart into it, the rain falling outside and pour me another one Jeeves, won't you?

flossy -p handbags have arrived!

here at the shop you can peruse some lovely new items from flossy-p. Yes, it's true, she sews up some amazing beautiful unique bags too. Not just illustrations for flossy... no sir! She is a woman of many talents. And this white bird bag just sings. More here at the shop. But hurry - like all of her work, they are one of a kind.

Blue Bell Bazaar

Found over at Gosia's bluebell bazaar at etsy. Wouldn't this be a lovely edition to a vintage cup collection? I think so!

Gretchen Wagoner

Winter Collage, gouache, & resin on wood panel 8"x8" $400

has a new website and it's smashing. She also has some work at the upcoming Nahcotta show "Enormous Tiny Artshow II" ... I saw her artwork first over at designsponge, then when I dropped off my work on Friday. whoa.
You just have to see them live I tell you. The resin is a wonderful foil for the images directly below the gloss finish.
Nahcotta's opening is this Friday in Portsmouth - make sure you stop over and say hello. 343 tiny pieces of art, including 9 of mine. See you there!

dance ii

dance ii, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Their momentum is building... for a really big twirl!
you can tell it's not easy because she's so tall... but they are in love, so it doesn't matter.
for Illustration Friday today - momentum!
Go over there and say Happy Birthday to Penelope - it's her big day!

New Work

before they sing, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

This is one of nine new gelatin monotypes I made for a group show I am part of at Nahcotta "Enormous Tiny artshow II" in Portsmouth. So happy to be part of this! Click the image for a little better look. These are multi gelatin plate prints (monos actually...) so it's hard to capture the subtle layers ... they are 9x9 inches created with the gelatin plates onto baltic birch. It was quite a learning curve to print with wiggly gelatin onto wood, but I am happy with the results. The frames were made by my friend Pat out of sugar maple to float the birch support. Thanks Pat!

Most excellent Ladies + Gentleman

Some of my favorite artists are showing at SQ. Foot Gallery check it out ...
They always do such a lovely job!