Nature Theme Prayer Flags

What does one do when a Prayer Flag Swap is cancelled? Finish the flags and hang them in the breeze, of course! One of the reasons I like doing prayer flags is to experiment with various techniques and products without concern of perfection. Since I will not be swapping with other artist, the pressure is off and I can just have fun. (But I will miss receiving truly beautiful art from others in the swap.)

Having bought a new printer for the RV and knowing I would be creating while traveling, I chose to experiment with printing on fabric for this project. This sweet little Epson WF-100 is not much larger than a book.

(I prefer Epson printers for fabric printing as they use the Dura Brite ink that doesn’t smear and is pretty much water proof.)

Usually I adhere fabric to either heavy duty freezer paper or to the sticky side of a full size mailing label (my preferred method) before sending it through the printer. Since we were traveling in a small RV I needed to limit my supplies so I took along June Taylor Fabric Sheets for ink jet printers.

Using photos from our winter trip, I cropped and sized them in Photoshop Elements and printed them on the fabric sheets. It was a long drive across the country, so I embellished with embroidery as I rode along (no, I don’t drive The Wanderer.) When I arrived home, I stitched a casing and added eyelash trim. 

The printer performed perfectly, no jamming or ink smears.

Fabric pens travel nicely (aren’t messy like fabric paint ;) I used Tulip Fabric Pens  to paint on drop cloth (which is becoming a favorite canvas.) Adding buttons, beads and a couple little butterflies, it is quite a cheerful little flag.

Now that I am back in The Underground, I have choices. My plan is to finish those projects I have started before I began something new. With a head full of ideas and a wide selection of supplies, I bet that doesn’t happen.  And now I hear my garden calling…..and I must go.

Walking to Art

Currently we are in College Station, Texas; Handy Randy’s hometown. The Wanderer is taking a rest while we are hanging out at my mother-in-law’s house near the campus of Texas A & M University. When visiting I love walking the many paths and sidewalks around town. One of my favorite walks takes me to the J. Wayne Stark and The Forsyth.  art galleries on the A & M Campus.

Currently in the Starks gallery is the Frames of Mind Exhibit

as well as works by Fredrick Carter, a former architecture student at Texas A &M.

Reduction of architectural structures to their basic forms.

Exhibiting in the Forsyth are works by Joseph Henry Sharp, a popular Native American Artist in the early 20th century.

As often is the case, my favorite exhibits are those of the students; probably because of the diverse styles and mediums.

It was a bit serendipitous to find what looks like an arrangement of polymer clay canes, 

as I have recently renewed my interest in working with polymer clay by joining the Polymer Clay for Newbies, Not so New and Tips and Advice Facebook Page. 

On Tuesday we will point The Wanderer east and head toward home and back to The Underground. I must admit I am looking forward to returning to the studio where I can display my WIPs (works in progress) to evaluate, critique and make changes. (Now if I can discipline myself to not try to play with all the cool supplies I have hoarded; think art papers, craft paint, resin, scrapbook/card papers, fabric, wood, you name it. Oh the nemesis of AADD!)