Grampa Syed and Whit entertain each other!

We all need a little diversion! Playing with the Mac and tutoring Gramma (that would be me) while it's too hot outside for playing. Back to work soon!

Developing Ideas left and right!

When an artist works in more than one medium, it 's interesting to see the intersections and the ways techniques can overlap and complement each other. I am working here on a flat wood surface, basically doing exactly what I do on the gourds - draw the image, engrave the line in with a woodburner, and paint. The effect is quite similar to the gourds, and rather unique for a flat painting - almost more like looking at a tile piece. This is the beginning of a body of work having to do with women of various cultures surrounded by the patterns of their lives. Look for more at the Celebration of Fine Art in January!

Working on Japanese inspired box designs.

Currently, in an effort to respond to the cautious marketplace, I am working on box designs.  This means a couple of things to an artist.  First, it means that we are developing a price range that is accessible for a wide range of incomes.  Secondly, and of great opportunity for the artist, it means we can work out ideas for new work, or in my case, for elements of larger work in a vein not previously investigated.  I like these very graphic types of designs.  They work well in color and black and white.  They lend themselves to intricate ways of filling space and to creating complexities in negative and positive space.  Watch and see what happens and these little works grow up.