Persistence Chases Gloom

I've been quite busy. The end of February brought about new business ventures. I opened a studio with best friend Roach in the Life Arts Building downtown. The photo above is from our opening night during March's Art Walk. There were tons of people. Even those who wanted to steal $1 items. Lesson : leave nothing at pocket height. Sad but true.

Aside from that, I've been working steadily. Odd. But it's working. I have space to work on a large white wall, (Yay! for a huge 15 ft. design wall!) a place for photographing the finished projects and display them. But really I've immersed myself in finishing things.

And starting things of course.

While painting the studio walls of all things, I get the itch to start another painting.

                     

Random yes. Highly enjoyable project to accompany my time. Yes.

And another. In all fairness, I just started this one on Saturday. Coming along nicely. I'm going to do a bit of Mola applique on this i think.

Also, as of this evening, this project from last summer is finally all pieced together. I decided on a solid white for the borders. And I admit, I did it kinda free form. By eye. The blocks aren't really all the same size. It was an experiment from start to finish. But I like the look of it, very crisp. 

I did a quick three hour work shift at the downtown studio and was able to piece the backing and get the whole think basted. Whew. 

I know. It's a lot. It FEELS like a lot. Continuously. And its an awesome feeling to close my eyes and think of all the things I've made today.

I used my first lap quilt "Worldly" on the balcony to watch the sunset at the studio and beamed with happiness in what I'd made.

Quilting = Love

I leave you with the design wall. The purples and tans will unite like wind etchings. The skull will get more English paper pieced rose stars and say something poetic. 

This is why I get up everyday.

-manda

Photo Shoot :: No Dump Zone

I got up at noon and got my slug butt working quick. Hauled brush for an hour and then went hiking for a photo shoot....preview photos of the new items going in the shop tomorrow.....

Summer Dwindles

Yes i know, a horribly lit photo. But its only a sneak peek. Its the sketch of my newest quilt, "Flamingo Me" and going to be my very first quilt contest entry, therefore, i do not want to show it till it's ready. I spent three days working on the sketch, and right now it's   3ft x 3ft square. I'm sure i'll need to add a bit more as a boarder to have it meet the contest size criteria, but it looks absolutely fabulous. 

I also have a new studio resident, Beast. Caught in the outdoor studio of Roach, he was one of two i kept. The other, aptly named "Beauty" died on the second day.

Jon had a regular widow infestation going on, six plus Brown Widows, and two fat Black Widows. Plus more hiding along the edges of their front walkway planter. Fun times!

I had a little Zine day, which though i extended the invite to 'friends', only three were in attendance. No matter, i was determined to make a new zine, and that i did, actually one and a half. To be noted, Roach made his first zine, a "Praise Bob" tribute zine of course.

I chose to illustrate a lovely poem by Christina Rossetti in 1857 entitled "A Nightmare". **Warning** Mature content follows...view at your own risk.

And the other evening, i spent a lovely time taking photos of different vintage 'Horizon' books at the Grind. Here's a taste of the inspiration i gathered. How i'd love to live here. This is the castle of my mind.

off to work on something and focus on my goals.

-manda

Contemplation Day

It's one thing to be lost in your thoughts, but to build your thoughts while doing a repetitive motion, that can be like a trance.
So i meditated while working on the RRQAL project, trying to catch up, Jon came over to work on his computer, and there was just music.
I finished two of the four blocks for the second row and am very nearly done with the last two.  Seven hours. Three real 10min breaks. Creation.

Here

The last two TINY star blocks waiting to be assembled

And I spent that time contemplating the many paths at my feet. There's a lot of spinning in decisions, not that i'm uneasy, but rather noticing how I've only been trying to align things that can align on their own, in their own way. I realize how much time i spend thinking unnecessary thoughts, so i thought useful thoughts today. Filled to the brim with inspiration. My mind filled with book projects, quilt designs, business ventures, and color feeling projects. 

Isn't the beginning the hardest part? 

I just think of continuous walking through continuous doorways. Unlock the flow. Do.

A Cockroaches Birthday Party!

I spent a good long run on this project. It was a fun test for myself. Accomplished.

And this evening, i'll get to finally relax after a really anxious edge walking week.

Late into the night

Through this day

And into the Sun.

Business of Business

I've been swept up in a lofty idea coming to fruition. It involved a pre-interview and then almost 8 hours of technical research, personal essay writing and resume building. Pheww. I thought i was going to loose it. Now i get to just wait for it. I'm not sure which level of anticipation is worse.
At least i have plenty of other activities to keep me busy.
I've lost total track of this week. But here's my nice 2nd block from the Summer Sampler Series quilt along. I'd better get jump started on the third!

On Flickr

And among all my sewing projects, i've completed two tailoring jobs this week, And....started an enormous curtain project that will be officially the largest patchwork i've created to date. I can't wait to make something even bigger. That gallery space is awesome.

on flickr

Oh! And since this is a running list of where i've been and what i've been doing, I wrote another little Zine  called 'Changing Energy - Plenty of Action But no Control' yesterday at the Blood Orange Info Shop, which is another amazingly awesome space. Like a tard, i spent three hours making the zine and playing with a baby instead of taking any sort of photos. But i'll put the zine up soon.

Alight. Back to work.

Forever Untitled

Jon had his first ever solo show tonight opening in the Inland Arts & Riverside Arts Counsil Gallery in the plaza. WHOOT! He created most of the pieces shown in the last week. Talk about inspiring! Sometimes we need huge events like a solo show opening to force us to make new.
Love it all. And soon, we'll be growing some roots in the space, such good things to come!
Enjoy!

A Christmas Present

Jon Roach Doll facial detail
Originally uploaded by amandamillar
After being hounded....I made him his very own self doll.
It feels like rolling down a hill. The momentum is amazing.
Jon is immortalized in cloth.
Merry Holidays!

o so HAPPY!

The new cards are IN!!!!

Many thanks buddy! RoachesNeedLoveToo.com

**happy dance**

Now, back to work....

XoXo manda