Hello Readers,

Happy fall. A Horse Named Sky remains on the New York Times Bestseller still. I’m extending thanks to EVERYONE who has shown their support in any way - THANK-YOU! If you’ve ordered bookplates those will go out this week.

It has been a tremendous season for dahlias. The heat stuck around in Michigan and I was able to catch these end-of-season dahlias in my sketchbook. The deep purple are my favorite this year.

My Mom’s garden rarely disappoints with little wonders…

The purple parade extends from the garden to the kitchen. After researching (and a bit of procrastinating) I’m finally fermenting… and yes, surprise, purple. This jar below was all veggies, carrots, cauliflower, onions, red cabbage… and whatever else was in the fridge.

The flavor was tangy and worked well in a rice bowl. Curious to see how the flavor will mellow out over time in the fridge. Seems easy enough to add on top or to the side of dishes. I also tried to ferment some salsa, which took a bit longer. Overall, I liked the flavor and feel more confident about experimenting with more spices. (Maybe from next year’s spring garden?)

I’m focused on doing everything I can to help my gut health, seeing these colors change throughout the project was an unexpected joy. I had no idea how visually creative and inventive the process could be. There’s lots to learn about fermentation I can tell, a new technique for my Living Canvas. (And the lactobacilli takes LIVING to another level.) ;)

Hope the colors of fall feed your heart. When you see the color you love, squeal to spread the joy.

More soon.

Kirbi

I’m feeling a lot of momentum after the release of A Horse Named Sky. On our family trip to Lake Michigan, I packed a few sketching supplies to keep the creativity flowing.

My new basket was perfect for carrying supplies to our spot on the dune. New tools are an important shake-up. On a visit to my illustrator friend’s house, Deb Pilutti showed me some inking supplies I’m getting familiar with. I’m especially fond of this senneliner brush pen. It’s Payne’s grey, I don’t believe a true payne grey but I do like the blue hue.

The pens shown below I learned about from Emmy Kastner. With heat, they erase. Emmy demonstrated with a hair dryer in her studio. I’m familiar with the fabric versions of these pens for sewing but they are also available in the office supplies section.

I thought the friXion pens would be a unquie addition to my supplies pack for the beach. I could sketch moving subjects while the initial sketch lines disappear in the heat of the sun. Kind of like drawing against the clock in figure drawing class…. Fun!

But the wind on Lake Michigan kept my paper cool and the Michigan sun was not enough to make the lines disappear. Good news for those using these for writing.

Sketching on location is never without its challenges. Subjects move. Clouds roll. Some family members are known for their joy of a splashing….

Plenty of time for some drives near the lake shore for some inspiration and a few less distractions.

If you are going to try fricXion pens in your work recommend the ball roller version rather than the gel ones I have shown. The gel damages the paper a bit more with it’s pointy tip but it’s what Amazon could bring to me before we left for the trip.

I don’t mind the colored line holding together the drawing here and there.

A simple pack of tools on location can be a good thing. It isn’t easy with extra eyeballs around you - I try to enjoy being in nature and get in the zone.

I encourage myself to do something daring when I sketch, like drawing a flying bird that was only in view for a second. Go with the flow as they say! I’m not one to mess with a precious resting pup. I take breaks when they come - we are on vacation after all!

Observing subjects closely (whether or not the drawing turns out) is a meditation. Crohn’s has been giving me a heck of a time lately but staying submerged in my sketchbook is a powerful distraction from anything happening physically. This vacation was a much-needed rest!

Hope you get a break this week and try something new.

It’s back to the studio for us!

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