words + pictures from the studio of Joan Colbert
Yes, it’s a busman’s holiday, but it feels like a vacation of sorts! Participating in the Rubber City Prints Dive into Printmaking workshop proved to be a nice break from the usual routine.
above: collage monotypes, process and prints
above: collage monotype
Tags: collage, monotype, printmaking, Rubber City Prints
Following it’s short-lived, but no less stinky bloom, the Dragon Arum, Dracunculus vulgaris, has gone to seed. This arum is best kept downwind – pollinating flies find the stench irresistable.
Tags: dracunculus vulgaris, dragon arum
Hundertwasser’s Cookie
monotype
Rubber City Prints Summer Exhibition 2016
June 17 – August 27, 2016
Summit Artspace
140 East Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44308
The archived Summer Exhibition catalog is available for online viewing.
Out of the Box and into my home . . .
Even before I knew the story behind the box created by Krista of Rubber City Prints, I planned to place my bid(s) on it during the Out of the Box Auction. When I learned that the sgraffito lettering and printed imagery was inspired by Krista’s friendship with fellow artist, Chris Paringer, I just knew it would be mine. Now, at each glance, it evokes fond memories of Chris, who died this past April.
Out of the Box Auction
Arts Alive Celebration
honoring outstanding local artists, arts leaders and arts supporters
June 15, 2016
Summit Artspace
Akron, Ohio
Loves Me, Loves Me Not
boxed volvelle
During Victorian times floral gifts came with subtle messages. Loves Me, Loves Me Not presents a selection of flowers and their somewhat secret meanings. It will be included in the Out of the Box Auction to benefit Summit Artspace.
Tags: volvelle
This morning’s golden tortoise beetle sighting was the first in a long time. The following was written when I first discovered these elusive insects a number of years ago:
The Beetle and the Bindweed
September 7, 2009
This summer’s garden seems to have had a unifying theme: beauty and the beasties, with a subtext of appearance and deception. Even the bindweed, which spent the month of July wheedling its way into the perennial and vegetable beds and tried to disguise itself among the clematis, provided a backdrop for some garden magic. This bit of enchantment appeared in the guise of the golden tortoise beetle, Charidotella sexpunctata bicolor. In a true sleight of hand performance, what appears initially as a drop of molten gold disappears the moment it is disturbed, replaced by an insect looking much like a nondescript, drab ladybug. Catching sight of a golden tortoise beetle was compensation enough for tolerating a few weeds.
From the attic to the basement, we gathered all manner of decor, collectibles, kitsch and wannabe kitsch, toys, household and holiday items and more – most of which found new homes! First garage sale ever.
Thank you to all who stopped by during yesterday’s Open Studio – I hope you enjoyed the afternoon as much as I did. Who knew that sunshine, wind, sleet and hail would each make an appearance?! Springtime in Ohio!
Tags: chandelier, open studio
“Winter will pass, the days will lengthen, the ice will melt in the pasture pond. The song sparrow will return and sing, the frogs will awake, the warm wind will blow again. All these sights and sounds and smells will be yours to enjoy, Wilbur – this lovely world, these precious days . . . “ E. B. White, Charlotte’s Web
Ohio winters proved too much for the bench that once belonged to artist Claire Cressler. Replacing the top has been on my to-do list for a number of years. Initially the plan was for tile, but the weather would again be a factor and the combined weight of the iron base and the tile would make moving it inside too difficult. Plan two was for wood painted a deep shade of red, but I liked the look of the plywood and trim too much to cover them up – and both were just rustic enough to accommodate some quick lettering along the edge.
Although this is a hopeful passage, there’s a strong feeling of melancholy, assuaged by the reminder that the world really is lovely, our days are indeed precious and, yes, spring will come again. It’s a pleasure to live with Mr. White’s words.
Tags: bench, charlotte's web
