Grayson Studios Blog

Progress Part 3: Springing Forward with April Goals

Happy day, happy day. Our first 80 degree day in Atlanta.  The sun just energizes me.  As you read this post I invite you to sing or hum Dream Come True by the Brand New Heavies (click on the link and scroll to hear a sample).  Just wanted to share my happy day by sharing some happy soul music. I promise that you won’t be able to keep still when you hear this song.

After class today I went in the back yard and had my first fabric dyeing session of the season.  I changed up my process a bit.  I tried flat dyeing.  I think I am going back to using my tubs LOL.  I got as much dye on me as I did on the fabric but it was fun (I danced to The Brand New Heavies while working. My neighbor across the way heard the music and he started dancing too!).  I realized that flat dying will require me to tweak my process.  Still, in just peeking at the colors I am excited about most of the results.  I dyed 12 yards of fabric today.  Whew!  And now you know my first goal for April .  In addition to fabric dyeing I hope to build on the momentum of the last few months.

• Dye more fabric!  I need a wider palette of solid colors for my work.  I love the depth of color that hand dyed fabrics provide.
• Sew more.  I bought a few patterns for spring tops and bags. Looking forward to making these.
• Continue to work on my ufos (unfinished objects)
• Work on inventory for May my upcoming sale and show (click on the upcoming shows link at the top of the page for more details)
• Take the Bakery class! (I am already signed up. I have heard so many positive things about this course).
• Complete new doll styles. I have been studying the work of early American doll makers through books and workshops.  I have also been wanting to do more work in cloth and clay. This style of doll has been fun to work on so far.  Since I took this picture I have added clay to the head and neck area.  Sculpting the features is next.
• Develop sketches for two new pieces for shows I would like to be juried in to. (think positive thoughts!)

Ongoing

• Read more books! (Right now I am reading Ancestor Stones and Made to Stick.  Both books are excellent so far.
• Paint and draw everyday (I have been painting with encaustic.  This work is meditative.  There is something about working in layers that’s very enjoyable)

That’s my list for the month.  Let me know what you think.  I would also love to hear what you are working on.  Go forth and make beautiful things!

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 1st, 2010 at 6:32 pm and is filed under UrbanWildFlowerDolls, dolls. The entry is tagged under Accomplishments and Goals, Studio Shots. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.