Variations

I have spent the last year and a half experimenting with different website layouts. My provider, Squarespace, announced new templates to choose from last year. I played around with them and was mightily confused about how the tools worked. So I abandoned the project. Then, about a month ago, they announced a new interface for the tools and I was encouraged to try again. The new templates allow for bigger images and the pages change based on what type of screen you are using. It wasn't as fun as I expected, very challenging, but worth the exercise... I think. You are seeing the results of that effort now. And I don't think I can turn back. There are probably bugs that I haven't noticed, navigation that is different, and  a new feature for a newsletter subscription. Join up by going to the contact page to see what I might come up with in the future. And let me know if you see anything that is not working or spelled wrong.

Meanwhile, back at my design board, I worked on this piece yesterday coming up with six variations that I am considering. The piece started as a focus on immigration, changed to refugees and now might be better titled...followers. I snapped a pic of the current layout (upper left) then using Photoshop, I experimented with a number of compositions seen here. Not sure yet which I will pursue. If you have a vote, let me know!

world view

I am working on a new piece inspired by the news again. I have a scalloped edged tablecloth with some hand-embroidered olive branches in the corners that started my thought process. First step is to stitch in the geography. Interesting how following the lines of our coasts makes me feel like I am suspended over the pole looking down.

world view, work-in-progress

Face Value to debut at LaConner Quilt Festival

Thanks to my two talented and precocious grandsons my Face Value quilt was accepted into the LaConner Quilt Festival in LaConner Washington (October 3, 4 and 5). Had it not been for their incredible drawings this piece would not have as much power and charm. Their drawings inspired me to think about the question we often ask children: What do you want to be when you grow up? Working with the drawings taught me to respect the looseness of their lines, the simplicity of their vision and the dynamism in their dreams.

Face Value - detail, 2014, Paula Kovarik

Some of the titles I added to the drawings are editorial in nature. Like: who ever plans to be an innocent bystander? or a man on the street?

If you are in the LaConner area please stop at the Festival show and let me know how the piece looks in person.

brain daze

Now what? Pundit (2) is done. Maybe. (except for the sleeve and the label) It leaves me with the feeling that I'm still missing something. Might be a brain freeze, I always get this way after finishing a piece...or maybe it's not finished? I've got that itchy feeling that its not right, not sure it accomplished my goals. I love the way this guy has dominated my studio over the past several weeks. You can ever have too much acid green, right? Maybe it really does have to be a series before I get it right. 

I need to turn it away from me for awhile in order to come at the decision with a little more objectivity. 

Pundit, detail

Pundit, back side.