DC No. 124: Garland

 Friday I started two projects for Garland, Nadine's beautiful drawing challenge (Tinywolf). The first was an oval painting (perhaps I will finish and share here) and the second, a repeatable triangular stamp with a small tree.

When I woke up Saturday I had a severe case of vertigo, which is rolling into today. The spinning is not as bad this afternoon but I am unsteady on my feet just the same. (I happened to take this blurry photo, pink ode to vertigo, while loosing my balance!) It feels a bit suspect to have twirled my imagination around the theme of decorative spiraling garlands to now be possessed by VeRt!g@. 

Instead of finishing my painting or stamped garland, I decided to brighten this snowy New England day with my Ode to Spring garland. It's a necklace with an accompanying ring. With a surplus of disassembled fake flowers parts in my cache, I will returning to making up-cycled jewelry with them for a Spring 2014 Trail Pixie Studios line.

Emily Trespas

ode to spring | necklace & ring

re-purposed fake flower parts, nylon, florist tape & wire

Please link to other artists' garlands through Nadine's Tinywolf.

~ New for 2014 ~ Original Fabrics Designed by Emily Trespas (Trail Pixie Studios)

I am excited to share the first fabric design for my 2014 Trail Pixie Studios Collection.  

Little Red Radio Flyers

 

Each fabric begins as an original form of my art, which I then tweak and compose with design software. Many of my designs will be printed professionally. From these I will hand make a variety of items, like scarves and bags, which will be available for purchase through my Esty store and at galleries representing Trail Pixie Studios.

 My Original Print: Little Red Radio Flyer  

 

Mirrored layout for an abstract pattern.

 

Little Red Radio Flyer is an original relief print designed and hand printed by me. I drew a sketch, translated the drawing into shapes that would work well with the relief process, and then carved the block before inking it up and transferring the impression to fabric and paper.

If you wish to purchase some fabric designed by me to hand make something of your own from it, you may do so here.  Please credit my designs when you do; I would be very grateful!

DC No. 122: Everyday Objects (12/1/2013)

Emily Trespas 

2.5 inches high |  7.5 inches diameter 

Earthenware Clay

2013

For months I stepped back from this blog to focus on other things. When I recently re-visited blogs I follow and have not read in months, I was enamored by Kristen's invitation for the drawing challenge: Everyday Objects.

BOWL

Bowls serve many purposes; they contain, transport, and display. Today I went by the kiln house to find my fired pinch pots and slumped vessel projects from last month. Years passed since I worked in clay and this fall I felt compelled to wedge the wet earth into something both practical and beautiful. I needed to touch, form and decorate.

I slumped the bowl (pictured) over a plaster mold before carving its irregular sawtooth edge, and drawing into its surface with sgraffito.  Glazing was another experiment as I did not know what would happen during the firing over scratched passages and overlapping coats.

From soil, this bowl:

I missed reading A Sunny Spot and was thrilled to catch up on Kristen's—and other artists'—posts who participate weekly in the drawing challenge. Please visit A Sunny Spot and see how other artists transformed the mundane, ordinary and Everyday Object into art.

Keep Noggins Warm This Winter: Headbands & Neck Gaiters for Cold Weather

 
In addition to scarves, gator-bait gaiters and hats—I'm sewing ear warmers, headbands,  neck gaiters in soft and moisture-wicking materials. 

These are great for cool-weather running, skiing, snowshoeing, etc. When you need a little cooling off, pull it down around your neck. 

Stow in your pocket when spending time outdoors—sledding, skating, skipping, hiking and walking the dog...

For sale at Trail Pixie Studios.
Many prints will be added for the Holidays. 

RECENT NEWS:
Trail Pixie Studios handmade scarves are now available for purchase at The Museum Shop at the Addison Gallery of American Art in Andover, Massachusetts.

Trail Pixie Studios at The Museum Shop at the Addison Gallery of American Art

Trail Pixie Studios handmade scarves are now available for purchase at The Museum Shop at the Addison Gallery of American Art in Andover, Massachusetts.

This afternoon, I dropped off more scarves with animal silhouettes,  brightly colored minky cowls, and some assorted wintery combinations. Three different styles of scarves are available: infinity, the long and straight, and cowls.

Most of the first delivery of scarves, especially the animal silhouettes, sold in less than a week. So, if you like the animal inspired silhouette prints above, do make your way to the Museum Shop sooner than later.

The museum and the shop will be open Wednesday, November 27th. 
 

Photo of the Museum Shop with 

jewelry, books, bags and some scarves (not Trail Pixie Studios).

 

-----   -----   -----   -----   -----

 

The Addison Gallery of American Art is located on the campus of Phillips Academy at the corner of Route 28 [Main Street] and Chapel Avenue in Andover, Massachusetts.

HoursTuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays, national holidays, December 24, and the month of August.

Admission to all exhibitions and events is free. 

-----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Wrist Warmers —for adults and kids

KID TESTED

When I visited my friend in California, I gave her son a pair of fleece wrist warmers. When he put on the monkey sleeves his imagination exploded into a thousand possible uses, which he demonstrated with unbounded energy. He used them as saws, deflected oncoming enemies, waved arms of fire, roared like a dragon and twirled like a propeller.
 

When he first put them on.

 

At the dinner table getting ready to cut his meal into pieces. 

I have a room full of Malden Mills Polartec fleece and decided the season is right for some cozy fun! These wrist warmers, cuffs, gauntlets, mitts are like portable mountain ranges. I originally made these because the edge of my laptop is so sharp, the fleece cushions my hands while typing....

  
Available at Trail Pixie Studios Shop.

More coming soon.

DC No. 105: Key / Hole

Allow

acrylic on canvas 

4 x 6 inches

29 May 2013

As I hold the keys 
from my
collection 
—

unmarked

forgotten

forlorn
freed

from their responsibilitie--

I wonder why it is we secure what we do.

For access to other places, turn the latch towards Renilde's blog.

Bursting with Joy

Bursting with Joy

5 x 4.5 ins.

watercolor, gouache — acid-free board

August, 2011

I've been sorting through my studio flat files—Spring Cleaning. What a joy to uncover all sorts of colorful artwork about which I forgot. 

I painted Bursting with Joy while sitting amidst the rows of cut-your-own flowers at Rosaly's Garden in Peterborough, New Hampshire. 

Like joy, the colors Burst. 

View More Art from the Flat Files at the Etsy Shop.

DC No. 104: Proverb or Saying

"Perch"

a/c | 7 x 5 inches | 2013

e. trespas

Like a crumb before a little bird, 

I could not resist this drawing challenge.

Named after Emily Dickinson, I hold

her poetry like a sibling at my side. 

Please visit Patricia A's blog for more insights.

Tao

© emily trespas

This stirring—

 turmoil below

within

the eb and flow

a push and pull

will find its 

natural course

in time.

Hair of the Dog MSPCA Benefit

Hair of the Dog

Friday, May 3rd, 6—9 p.m.

60 Island Street, Lawrence, Mass.

Infinity Scarves from:

Trail Pixie Studios

 This Friday I am excited to participate in the 9th annual Hair of the Dog benefit Art Show and Wine & Beer Tasting for the MSPCA (Nevins Farm). 

What fortune we'll be able to exhibit at Chester's at Bell Tower Square (60 Island Street Lawrence, MA). The location is beautiful with hardwood floors, huge windows and exposed beam ceilings. (Photo of my space at the 2012 Hair of the Dog.)

For sale I will have a variety of accessories and mainly 2013 Spring—Summer 2013 scarves—in both infinity loop and traditional styles, as well as, several of past season's scarves on major clearance!  For the month of May, I will contribute 10% of all sales from Trail Pixie Studios Etsy Shop to the MSPCA.

For more information and where/how to purchase tickets please visit the MSPCA site HERE....

"We'll be sampling over 50 wines and beers from around the world, so you'll be guaranteed to find a favorite!  With tasty tidbits from Whole Foods Market Catering in Andover, and dozens of artists from Merrimack Valley showcasing their work, the evening is a "can't miss" event.  

100% of the ticket sales will benefit the animals and programs of Nevins Farm. Additionally 10% of all wine & beer and art sales will also be donated.

Advance tickets may be purchased online, at Shawsheen Village Liquors, or at the Noble Family Adoption Center through Thursday May 2nd.  After May 2nd, tickets are $30 at the door . For more information, contact the MSPCA at 978-687-7453 ext. 6101"

2013 Hair of the Dog Wine Tasting & Art Show

This week I am preparing for the 9th annual Hair of the Dog benefit Art Show and Wine & Beer Tasting for the MSPCA (Nevins Farm). 

Hair of the Dog

Friday, May 3rd, 6—9 p.m.

60 Island Street, Lawrence, Mass.

What fortune we can exhibit in Chester's at Bell Tower Square (60 Island Street Lawrence, MA). The location is beautiful with hardwood floors, huge windows and exposed beam ceilings. (Photo of my space at the 2012 Hair of the Dog.)

For sale I will have 2013 Spring—Summer 2013 scarves—in both infinity loop and traditional styles. As well as several of past season's scarves on major clearance. Also—for the month of May, I will contribute 10% of all sales from Trail Pixie Studios Etsy Shop to the MSPCA.

Infinity Scarves from:

Trail Pixie Studios

 In addition to donating 10% of any sales at the Hair of the Dog, each year artists also contribute a $25 art work to the EAC wall. This year I'll be bringing this "Little Flyer" print.

For more information and ticket please visit the MSPCA site HERE....

"We'll be sampling over 50 wines and beers from around the world, so you'll be guaranteed to find a favorite!  With tasty tidbits from Whole Foods Market Catering in Andover, and dozens of artists from Merrimack Valley showcasing their work, the evening is a "can't miss" event.  

100% of the ticket sales will benefit the animals and programs of Nevins Farm. Additionally 10% of all wine & beer and art sales will also be donated. 

Advance tickets may be purchased online, at Shawsheen Village Liquors, or at the Noble Family Adoption Center through Thursday May 2nd.  After May 2nd, tickets are $30 at the door . For more information, contact the MSPCA at 978-687-7453 ext. 6101"

TARC Spring Classic 2013

Perfect weather for the TARC Spring Classic Races last Saturday in Weston, Mass.  I was happy to spend time with the trail running community, to volunteer, and to support over 300 runners from registration to the aid table.

Getting the "Greg Lowe-down" on grilled quesadillas gave me the idea of serving pancakes at the start/finish aid station the morning of the TARC 100. I'm also thinking about a few hot pureed (sans dairy) soups like potato, sweet potato or carrot. We're also thinking of serving PIZZAS like Bogie used to have at the end of the Fells Race. So far so good?

Bill Howard and I are Co-Captains of the Start—Finish Aid Station and besides  race-day food-cravings for ultra runners we are ALSO on the lookout for volunteers anytime between—June 14 through June 16!
Curious? Please check out the race site for details: TARC 100 & 50 Milers.

For the past few weeks I duct-taped my mouth closed so I would not spill the beans about 2013 Spring Classic T-shirts!! These were un-caged last Saturday to all the runners from 10k to 50k. 

 Bob gave me carte blanche in the design with the only stipulation that "It needed a Yeti..."  Umm,  no problem, Bob. Promospark did a great job and I am thankful that "Dallas Green" is not the color of caterpillar guts  or electric kiwis but more of a Kelly green. Here's the way it all played out:

(Photo from Wendy Cashen Akeson)

More photos from the Spring Classic.

DC No. 100: Dance

Salomé

gouache/watercolor, vintage photo, gold leaf 

6 x 4 inches

2000

 

This week I strongly considered our theme “dance” as movement in nature—wind through trees, light on water, mating rituals—before choosing one of my Italian Miniature Paintings to share. 

Visual Sources for my Salomé:

• Detail of Salomé’s dance, Herod’s Banquet, mosaic of XIV century Basilica di San Marco, Battistero, Venezia, Italia;

• Birds, Basilica di San Francesco, Assisi, Italia;

• “Venice, 1931,” vintage photographic test print (un provino) from Porta Portese flea market, Roma, Italia. 

  To be enraptured by other dances 

visit Patrice A.'s Blog. 

Jersey Skirt Experiment

I enjoy figuring out how things are put together and work as a whole. So, today I decided create a pattern for a swishy skirt that has a wide, fold over waist band. I chose a soft jersey material that drapes well.  After cutting out the pattern, the sewing was relatively fast, in part due to my  serger and cover stitch machines. Now,  I am looking forward to a warm spring day ....!

Thin strips in coral and heather gray.

DC No. 99: Tiles

The last time I enjoyed the small beach in Atrani, Italy, I dove all afternoon collecting sherds of tiles 

along the ocean floor. 

Debris from home renovations— tiles were cast into the sea to tumble & roll with tides until 

trapped in coves. 

Sea foam and aquamarine are the colors of

 La Costiera Amalfatina. 

 Medley, watercolor, 12" x 10", 2013

 For more tiles please visit Ariane's Rose.

DC No. 98: Beauty

No. 2

charcoal and crayon on newsprint

11 x 8.5 inches

2013

Drawing sees beauty in everything.

Behold — more beauty in tinyWOOLF.

Embellishing | New Ribbon

What a pretty start to April! 

Some new ribbon for embellishing bags and scarves and a whole lot more...

Happy Spring.

Leaves of Grass Collection | Totes and Shoulder Bags

"Leaf" 

10 h x 12 w x 4 d

Strap 29 l x ¾ w | 23 ins. hanging height | Reverses to Olive

Many thanks to FPM for the prompt to start sewing bags again. She requested another tote from me after dedicating her first one to carrying a marble sculpture to and from the studio. As an artist and poet in her own right/write, FPM also inspired my naming of this collection after Walt Whitman's, Leaves of Grass.

I playfully dive into my collection of cotton and canvas to create some new shoulder bags, totes, beach carry-all's and prom-inspired purses. Some are already available at the Etsy shop.

I hope you enjoy. 
Happy April, too.

DC No. 97: Egg

Egg: Simple, smooth, a container of secrets. 

Below are two of my oil paintings relating to this week's drawing challenge theme.

 

"Secret" oil on wood, 36 x 24 inches, 2001

 Detail of "Secret"

Working with a limited three-color palette of Ultramarine blue, Burnt Sienna and Zinc White, I developed this painting as an in-class demonstration for my students.

In-class Demonstration, oil on canvas, 12 x 12 inches, 2011

Please hunt for Norma's blog to find more interpretation's from this week's drawing challenge. 

DC No. 96: Willow

"Sensing Spring"

woodcut silhouette on braille | collage 

 8 x 5 inches

For this week's challenge I moved beyond my initial ideas and chose to share what are the rearranged scraps from my first response. The collage is  concise and an economic design. It gets at the heart of spring, too—grays into greens.  

Artist Carole Reid hosted this week's challenge with her spring-inspired theme, willow. Enjoy all the drawing challenge contributions at her blog.

Sachets—In the making

Last week at a local second-hand shop I purchased a beautiful vintage collection of  ladies hankies. Yesterday I prepped a few to make into sachets. 

All they need now is to be filled with dried lavender buds, their matching ribbon added and sewn up. These will look so pretty on clothes hangers, door knobs, in the car or your purse.  

See my other sachets currently for sale in the Home section of Trail Pixie Studios on Etsy. These make a pretty Easter or Mother's Day Gift.

DC 95: Moon

The moon reminds me of texture, walking, phases — and our smallness amid this universe. For this week's Drawing Challenge I created two new moon prints:

"Moon," collograph with chine colle, 3.5 x 3.5 inches

 "Phases," collograph, monoprint, embossment, 9 x 3.5 inches

12 years ago I pulled this lunar eclipse print:

"Eclipse," mixed media print with relief, drypoint, chine colle and pin

For more moon observations visit Patrice's blog.