The Stash!

Doesn't everyone have a fabric stash? Things they just had to have. "Essentials" is the title of this piece, an ode to collecting fabric and to my favourite fabric store "Quilt Essentials". If you can't make it into Abbotsford to check out the most excellent fabric store, dare I say, in the world (located right next door to Serendipi Tea) then check Quilt Essentials out at http://www.notyourruntofthemill.typepad.com
-Be careful though-you're gonna love it!


So many future projects, so little time-sigh!


It's all a little overwhelming when you love it all!

Weather Update: Raindrops and Sunshine

These drawings are much like the weather we had this past weekend. This drawing is titled "Rainy Days with Suzy". Suzy was a lovely women that took care of me when I was a child. When I was with her it was always serene. She had this amazing quiet strength that I always cherished. Sappy but true!


More embellishment. I just love the way stitches look on paper! It's not so good on my needles but definitely worth it!


After the rain comes the sun; just like this weekend. "Sunny Days with Suzy"is the title of this drawing. I had a chance to make paper in the sun this past weekend with Maceo! More about that next week!

It's all in the details!

On many of these drawings I embellished by sewing on them. I couldn't resist!

This is the drawing in the window titled "Suki"... one of my favourites.

Once I took the initial plunge of sewing mattes onto the drawings it was easy to get braver and bolder, as shown in this detail of "Suki".

You may have noticed this drawing in the back ground of Dianne and Shelly talking.

Believe me; when I bought the dress I really never expected to draw every polka dot!

It's titled "Lizzy-B" A mash up name of Elizabeth Taylor and Isabella. My Mom has always thought Elizabeth Taylor was the most beautiful women in the world. Although Liz was pretty smashing in her 30's, my Mom is one of the most beautiful women in the world (all together now... awwwwww). Elizabeth seemed to old of a name for this dress and again Isabella was a name in contention if we were to have had a daughter (although she probably would have ended up with the nick name Izzy-B).

Speaking of my Mom, she bought this dress for me when I was 13. It was very pink and frilly and even though it is so not my style anymore (like I could even fit into it!) I can't seem to part with it. It's named "Molly", an ode to Molly Ringwald. I so wanted to be her when I was 13. I still wish I could pull off the red hair.

Little Bits

Shelly (on the right) is the owner of Serendipi Tea and my local business host. Dianne (on the left), my Mother-in-law, was there on Friday to help hang the show.


The top drawing is called "Buttons of Lucy's". Lucy is a nickname my husband gave me. We had planned to use the name for a girl but had two sons instead.

The drawing hanging below is called "The Seed". It all started with this one. I was teaching a class called "Cascades, Wrinkles and Folds, Oh My" at the ACT in Maple Ridge and really got into it. Then, with the helpful suggestion and encouragement of my friend Linda, the idea bloomed.



The top drawing here is called "Flowers of Ann's". My middle name is Ann, plain and simple like me!

The bottom drawing is just called "Ann's" and is a detail of the skirt from the same dress I drew in San Fransisco.


I was just tickled pink to be showing at Serendipi Tea. I had a feeling Shelly's space and my drawings would be a great match. Everything went so smoothly... it was" easy peasy" (As Captain Awesome would say). These Orchids were my gift to Shelly to show my appreciation.

A few drawings

Most of the drawings in the "Butterflies" show have female names for titles. San Francisco is one of the exceptions. It received its title due to the location it was drawn, in March of this year.


As I spotlight each drawing you'll notice you won't find any butterflies...

Not one...

Not a single one...

Not even a tiny one in any of the dresses or fabrics. The drawings unveil the metamorphosis of girl to woman and the distinctive people we are through life. Plus they are just pretty... like butterflies!


The drawing in the window is titled "Suki", after my cat I adopted in my second year of art school. She had incredible markings, of which I documented in many of my silkscreen prints back in the day.

Butterflies

Art Walk kicked off on Friday in Abbotsford. Art Walk is a collection of local artists showing their work in local businesses and I am showing some of my drawings at Serendipi Tea! The collection of drawings I am showing is called Butterflies.

Serendipi Tea was also the location of the reception for the unveiling of each artist's work.


Here is a shot of my drawing titled "San Francisco" that I chose for the unveiling.

If you have a chance to stop by the tea house I would love to hear what you think of the pieces I am showing. The show runs until May 1st and the tea house is located at:

2626 Montrose Avenue
Abbotsford, British Columbia

I will be posting photos of my drawings from the show here through the next few weeks... just in case you can't make it to Abbotsford!

The first step...

Testing, testing, one, two, three . . . is this thing on?

huhhmmm (clearing of the throat) Hi, My name is Lysa and I'm an artist.

("hi Lysa")

It has been 24 hours since I last created something. I keep going mostly because of the support of my family who have been incredible. I'd also like to thank Captain Awesome who's been... well... awesome!