Monday, July 4, 2016

Playing in the new studio!





I'm out in Idaho in my new home, though it will be more of a vacation spot for a few years.  I am so glad to be closer to family (literally next door!) after many decades of physical distance, and the last 20 years across the continent.

I love the house, and especially my new studio space - and today I played with paper marbling, having just taken an incredible workshop recently in Connecticut.  I have a small set-up here, that I purchased from Galen Berry, and although it seemed a lot at the time I bought it (prior to ever marbling anything), it is a rather limited palette, as you will see!  More colors on the way, now that I know a bit more.

This post is mostly marbling pictures, for my own records.... so lengthy!

First, though, here are some pictures of this beautiful part of Idaho.  Below is a picture from my backyard.  We lease the land to a wonderful young farmer, who plants and cuts hay for cattle and horses.  He has just baled the hay (in anticipation of rain this coming weekend).  The very dark green sliver you can see just to the right of the top forested area on the left is garbanzo beans, planted by our neighbor.

 Here, you can see our farm as we come in from Deary (a small town about 10 minutes away).
 And here you can see the place as we approach from the other side, from the canyon where the small towns of Kendrick and Juliaetta are located.   The bit of white just the right of the barn is my house.
 And here is my house - a back patio and large roofed front porch are scheduled in the coming weeks.  This view is from my brother and sister-in-law's side gate.  My new studio is on the rear of the house toward the back of this picture - deliberately placed so as not to interfere too much with anyone's view!



























Now, onto marbling!!


I used today as a play session, to explore pattern recipes, and to make sure I knew how to make the marbling bath (known as size), as well as how to get the paints fluid enough to spread on top of the bath before creating the patterns.  So here goes...

Throughout I am using Masa rice paper, a bit larger than 8.5 x 11 inches.  One thing I learned is to be more careful with my application of alum (which acts like gesso to hold the paint to the paper).  But I was pleased that my size worked fine.

First - an attempt at Spanish Moire, which creates that dimension look of rolled fabric/paper.... I only managed to get this on the bottom half....

I did better on this one, though still missing a lot of the paper!  This is the whole sheet; the top half is detailed at the start of the post.

Playing around with the double (bouquet) rake...

 This is supposed to be Feathered Wings pattern.....

Below on the top is the Bouquet pattern.... and below that the same but with double combing.  This produces much more detail in the pattern, and is one I will certainly want to hone.





Some more play....
 And a try at the French curl...

as well as the Thistle.
As I get a chance to unpack my studio at some point, I look forward to playing with my stamps and paints, like usual - but love indulging in the marbling as well.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and if you've time, please do comment..... I love to hear your thoughts!   xxx Lynn

10 comments:

  1. Lynn these latest experiments are just amazing, wow, - for the untrained eye, they just look incredible. Like I think I said in a previous post, I know nothing of paper marbling, other than the most basic shaving cream experiments I have heard described in paper craft magazines, - you have opened up a whole new world for me. I am now really curious what you will do with all those papers...

    Thanks also for sharing the photos of your new home surroundings, what a beautiful part of te world, and how wonderful to be so close to family! Make sure to show us your new studio too and enjoy this new chapter in your life!

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  2. Oh wow Lyn your designs are pure magic and incredibly intricate and I'm sure will be wonderful additions to any book making you are planning to do so I'm really looking forward to seeing how you follow these up. Loving the photos of your new homestead and the wonderful scenery that surrounds you and how lovely to be near your family. Good luck and enjoy your new home and studio. Huge hugs xxx

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  3. Wow Lynn, what a beautiful outlook you have in your new home, it is quite stunning - it must be wonderful waking up to that view every morning!

    Your marbling looks like something you would find in a high end fabric store, it is exquisite! I love the colour palette you have used, especially that vivid blue on the French curl one... As Brenda says, I look forward to seeing how you use these gorgeous papers. Hugs, Anne xx

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  4. Fantastic and beautiful designs! And bright colours as well. No doubt your new home is a perfect place for inspiration!

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  5. Lynn, I couldn't be happier for you than to know you are already playing away in your new place! How fun and truly heart warming. I'm so happy to know that you will be closer to family. These papers are exquisite works of art! Big hugs, Autumn

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  6. Hello dearie! I am back to blog land after a hiatus. So happy to hear that you are in your new place and I actually know the road in the picture! How amazing is that. Looks like you are having a fun time at the new place and the view is gorgeous! I am gobsmacked by these marbling techniques you have done and the many different designs you have created. Fantabulous colors and I can't wait to see what new colors you will be getting. Awesome sauce details in each design. These look hard to make! Wowzers and wowzers! Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki

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  7. Your marbling is beautiful - it's something I've always wanted to try but I can't justify the outlay before I know if it will be a success if that makes sense! Your papers look very professional and the colours are stunning.
    Lovely images from your new home too - it looks a beautiful and peaceful place to live and what wonderful scenery to wake up to each morning.

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  8. I'm sure I left a lengthy comment here - stunned by both your marbling and the landscape around you in your new place. A glorious post!
    Alison x

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  9. Lynn, it is great to be back visiting with you! Your new home looks amazing and what a view you have! I'm sure it gives you plenty of inspiration! I can't wait to see the new studio. I bet you are all set up by now. This summer flew by and I can't believe it's taken me this long to get around! So much happening in my life right now. What a move for you, though. I hope you will be happy in your new surroundings! You need to drop by Niki's house!

    Now onto the crafty stuff...your experiments in paper are fantastic! I know nothing about marbling,but it seems like you have learned so much. So many wonderful designs! I'm so curious as to what these will become. But right now, I enjoy seeing the lovely colors and mesmerizing patterns! So well done! Big hugs to you!

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  10. Wow, these are very cool designs, Lynn! These are so colorful and beautiful and look so professional - would love to see what you do with these fabulous pieces of art!
    I love the new house and especially location - wow! What amazing views and seclusion, and inspiration for creating :-)

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