It’s May?! It’s spring?!

I’m tryin’ my darnedest to get spring going around here but Michigan has other ideas.

So while I wait for gardening weather, spring cleaning is happening and a bit of construction as well.

I am in the mist of working on illustrations for “A Horse Named Sky” which I MAY have mentioned comes out this fall!

The book takes place in the 1800s in the Sierra Nevada and willl include 100+ black and white illustrations. I know my fourth grade self would have died for this book. Making this book has been a celebration of an animal I love. Working on this project has added another dimension to my passion for horses. It’s not without its challenges though!

Some artists say that drawing horses is one of the hardest animals to draw. Leave it to me to take on a project like this! LOL Can’t wait to share it with everyone when it’s in print.

In April, Emmy Kastner opened up her studio in Kalamazoo and I road tripped across the state with fellow book maker Deb Pilutti to check it out.

Her studio lives above her family’s coffee shop and it gave us big studio energy.

Emmy reminded us the importance of play in art making and her studio was no doubt a reflection of this! She says she tries to begin her work day with experimenting and playing with materials.

It seems pan pastel fever is ripping through the state and Emmy has also had the itch for these smooth pastels. Emmy demonstrated using frisket with pastels, giving the illusion of cut paper. GOT to try it out!

Totally inspired. Thank-you Emmy. Highly recommend checking out her books (especially her NERDY BABY series) at the library or gifting to your littles.

When I got home I was eager to try Emmy’s technique but with all my things packed up right now, I could only locate some blue tape. Womp-womp.

Even so, I love the edge it created! Getting a variety of hard and soft lines with pastel can be tricky so this technique comes to me at the perfect time for me.

In case you missed it, in March I wrote an article for Muddy Colors “How to Speak Color.” I talk about the system for naming colors and how calling colors by their correct names can lead to better mixing.

To read, check it out here.

Let’s talk about some of my other projects! I told you all some time ago that the Tilda’s fabric collection “Windy Days” had my heart and I was going to do something special with it. Well, I’m making progress!

After “Quilt-a-Palooza” in Texas, I wanted to do something else with that Carpentar star with the tilted box. I created a border pattern and I plan to add another border with this muted blue-green fabric also from the Tilda Windy Day collection.

I have been obsessed with these “plus quilts” and have been wanting to give it a try but when it came time to make one, I couldn’t find any patterns I liked. So I made one up.

I plan to put this one up for sale when I get a chance.

Quilting on my Juki. This quilt has both the straight stitching quilting and free motion style.

I’m beaming with pride about this edge stitching and consistency in my stitch length on my meandering.

Well folks, that’s what I’ve been up to! Let me leave you with this note I found in my spring cleaning.

Simple enough!

I so appreciate you keeping up with my work. To keep in touch consider added yourself to my snail mail subscription.

Happy creating.

Kirbi

Happy New Year readers & friends!

I’ve been taking to my sketchbook and trying out new tools this month. It’s been keeping me busy while January does its January thing.

I bought these “TOOLI-ART” brand acrylic markers as a cheaper alternative to POSCA markers. They work for me. They’ve been especially great on top of some pan-pastels. (If you want to try this I recommend using a fixative over top of your pastels.) I especially like the wide color selection this pen has. This is the neutral pack and you can see there is a great variety of warm and cool colors greys.

These nature studies are inspired by my own photos from the trails we visit in the summer. Specifically trying to clue into textures and how to describe them in a way that is representative but still shows the hand and tools. These studies are supplementary work that will help with a book I’m in progress with.

In textiles, I’m working on a new quilt. My goal for this one was to learn a number of new blocks from Lori Holt’s book, Farm Girl Vintage. I love Lori’s books and her ginghams but I went with charm packs from Ruby Star - I thought the palette had a touch of 70s vibe that would work great in our home.

I’m drawn to buying charm packs but I learned it’s probably not the most economical for these specific blocks I chose. Adding in cream was a helpful way to stretch the charm packs out. I’ll keep that idea in my pocket for future quilts.

When I put my mind to quilt I can work quickly, my hope for this project was that the more complex six inch blocks would slow me down. Well, it has been two months, and counting on this one! Be careful what you ask for!

Admittedly, this isn’t my best block, but I’m crazy about this orange-y pink color!

This quilt is definitely the most challenging quilt I’ve attempted and I’m nervous to see how the experiment will turn out. I better finish this up fast because this TULA NOVA pattern burning a hole in my pocket! Planning on doing something unexpected with the colors. More soon!

This snow is the perfect weather to get down to work in the studio, I’m signing off! Look for my article coming out on Muddy Colors next week. Take care. - Kirbi

Summer is here and hot! Let me show you what I’m working on!

Lately, I’ve been back to the basics, revisiting foundational studies. With my experience in drawing and painting, I’m realizing my mind is more “ready” to take on some of the nuances that went over my head during my art school days. Fighting the sunscreen, I’m working on the muscles of the face by the lake!

My recent research doesn’t stop at humans. Road tripping with my honey we made lots of stops to see some of the massive working horses that plow the fields. Nothing quite sticks to memory like experiencing what I’m studying in real life.

The horses weren’t the only ones we met.

Below a video of my favorite horse (AND HER BABY) we ran acorss in farm country. If it’s not working you can watch on my youtube channel. Link

Using what I learned in the field and some textbooks I’m commiting the anatomy to memory.

Let’s talk sewing!!!

My puff quilt is all done. This project was huge and HEAVY. I went wild with my colors (and antagonized for days how to arrange them. ;) Maisey has found herself quite at home on it, in fact, at home we fight over it!

I was first inspired by the “traditional” american style of quilting. The image below is one of my great-grandma’s handmade quilts. (Thanks for the photo Mom.) For my quilt, I altered the pattern to incorporate more machine sewing. Next time, I will try her way :) I’ll write more about making my MEGA PUFF in July.

This fabric below by Tilda took my breath away in the shop. While I woudn’t use it for other areas of my home it fits in perfectly to my eclectic studio. I was inspired by this pattern: Link It was simple to make, easy to follow and serves as a good “base” pattern if you want to customize it.

I decided to add free motion meandering to the bags before I put the lining in. I was delightfully surprised when it added some stiffness to the bag. I’m so addicted to free motion, I wrote a little about my (ongoing) journey with it in another post here.)

The look is quite subtle. Can’t wait to stuff these with pens!

Let me leave you with one of my rununculous! Isn’t she perfect?! We got to enjoy them for only a short time before the bunnies got to them. SIGH*

We’ve been enjoying summer and I hope you have too. Until next time!

Kirbi

In my last post I wrote a little bit about our dream studio, the perfect place to make. But a studio is really wherever you create. So often we put off our dream projects — searching for the right space, the right desk, the right ergonomic chair, the right lighting… when really, we can start making anywhere.

Below, I’m sketching outside, with floral inspiration right outside my door!

As some of you may know, I struggle greatly with my health. The waiting room, the hospital and the infusion clinic transform into my studio whenever I’m there.

Nothing’s going to stop me from making!

During one of my stays, my Mom brought me hollow, lightweight bamboo stick that works great for my macrame when I’m at the hospital. It tapes up to just about anything!

These green pendants I made at another hospital stay and my Mom’s bamboo find continues to work! I didn’t know what I’d use these pendants for at the time but later I ended up turning them into some bunting for the backyard. In my illustration work, it’s all about planning so it’s refreshing to create with no end product in sight. If it turns out to be something, great, if not the hours it gave me peace are well worth it.

FaceTiming with Maisey who was not happy I was in the hospital again.

Maisey would much rather keep a close eye on me when I’m not feeling well. A lot can be created on the couch, especially with the ability to draw on my iPad. I created all the sketches for Summer of the Tree Army on my iPad — on an airplane and here on the couch.

Some of my infusions I’m able to get at home. In fact, insurance finds it cheaper to do this believe it or not. The IV poles are a honker to store but I’ve found other uses - the IV pole works GREAT for big macrame projects like this one.

At times, my arthritis can limit my movement so much I need to rest my hands and body. Knitting, drawing and other fine motor crafts aren’t an option. Here in a hallway bed in the ER, I used my camera to take interesting photo compositions. I especially had fun with the ceiling mirrors. Was I creating masterpieces? No — but it was a powerful distraction and far more positive than “scrolling.”

Snuggle up wherever you are comfortable and make something! <3

The studio, really is, wherever you can imagine.