September 25, 2012

Fall Frenzy

If you've ever wondered if I do a lot of tests before finalizing my prints. Yes, I do...about a million of them. (Well, it feels that way sometimes.) It can be tricky to get the printed result to look like my original painting, especially when what I see on my screen tends to be lighter than my printed output.

I've learned with time that I can squish several 'tries' on one piece of paper by reducing and repositioning the image just before printing.  That has been a big paper saver. The image at the right is my final version. The late afternoon light is making them look a little darker and less sharp than they actually are.  I hope to have the print in my Etsy shop in the next day or so.

The gorgeous feather is from an Australian Ringneck parrot. It was part of the beautiful collection of feathers and shells sent to me by my friend Cindy. The colours in it are amazing. I showed you the original painting before.
I am in an intense preparation period. I'm two weeks away from delivering prints and cards to an arts and crafts show that I have been doing for over 18 years now. You would think that with all that experience, I would be very good at having my materials ready well ahead of time. No, not really. This time of year, I don't sleep so well (my brain won't stop), family dinners don't always make it to the table and everything else has to wait for my show delivery to be over.  So, of course, because I really shouldn't be painting, it's what I want to do the most! But instead, I will work on doing more prints and making some new cards as well as framing and packaging what I have already.  And, because I am distracted these days, Meeko seems to be trying harder to get my attention--not necessarily through the best behaviour.

The past week has been an interesting dependency test. We had a 'boil water advisory' for two days. It's the first time it has happened to us. (A pipe in a neighbouring municipality broke.) Then, our cable company announced that there would be interrupted service over a period of 72 business hours (depending on how many hours they count in a business day, that's potentially a lot of days!). We had no internet for half of the day yesterday. It's back today--for how long I don't know. Do you want to know something? I found it easier to boil water than I did to be without the internet. Fingers crossed that our street is fine now and they are off working somewhere else.

12 comments:

  1. Looks gorgeous, Kathleen! Love the colour!

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    1. Thanks Jody. It's a very beautiful feather and I hope I did it justice!

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  2. I know what you mean about the print testing... It seams like a very busy week but also fun, I enjoy printing and packing. Good luck with everything, specially with the things that not depend on you! Love the forget-me-not.

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    1. Yes it can drive a person a wee bit crazy! :) Thanks for the good wishes. I hope to get the forget-me-not turned into a print too. I like that painting and loved doing it.

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  3. You've been having a lot on your plate, Kathleen ... Sometimes life doesn't make it any simpler ... I hope calm will come back & settle again. Good luck for the arts & crafts show ! Wishing I could stop by !
    Big hugs to you & Meeko !
    xoxo

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    1. Wouldn't that be nice if we could make quick little trips everywhere we wanted. :) A hug to you too.

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  4. I recognise that feather! (in fact the owner loves squawking his head off in the tree outside my bedroom VERY early in the mornings). You have done an exceptional job with it's painting.

    Time & task juggling - it's relentless. I hope your To-Do-List is kind to you in the coming days!

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    1. Hard to imagine such a gorgeous, delicate feather coming from a rude squawker! :)

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  5. Katheleen, I had not read your posts since your tomato painting, and learned so much about you and how you are creating cards. This is perfection ! You make me laugh when I am thinking of you doing crafts on the floor with your babies.

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    1. I was sitting on the floor again today, cutting more cards!!! :)

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  6. That's so funny Kathleen- I can understand it though, my computer broke down and I went on withdrawl attack while it was being fixed. Boiled water anytime here as well!haha
    Happy art fair preparing;-)

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Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog and to leave me a comment. I love reading them. -- Kathleen

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