images

Every 3 months I travel to Cleveland to visit the aged Mater and spend time with my sister. I have started taking photographs on these trips, and in doing so, began seeing Cleveland- city of my youth- in a whole new way. The things that make the city special for me are the things that it has retained: A huge farmer's market meant for the people of the inner-city, delis with owners still working behind the counter, jazz clubs without a big attitude, neighborhoods with shops trendy and not-trendy, side by side. If you like a little edge in your images, opportunities abound. Here are some of my Cleveland eyefuls.

saturday morning

Christine stopped in on her way to Pilates, threw on one Corey&Co creation over another et Voila!

dots

Seeing spots.....on the wonderful linen fabric designed by Portland designer and painter Gretchen Langner of Langner Dzigns. And on the Corey family accumulation of dice. No, I did not make the slipcover to match Augie's spots nor paint spots on Augie to match the slipcover. (That is Harriet nestled in behind him, as always.)

jocko

Some friends are off to Provincetown this weekend and it brought to mind this monkey painting of mine. The memories are old and the painting is sold. ah...P'town.

me too

The delicate button detail on this exquisite knit vest by WHENEVER WHEREVER inspired me to add that touch to my next navy piece. A voile skirt was the recipient.

kimono style

I love kimonos of all sorts. But when I make kimono influenced garments, I "westernize" them a bit. Large gaping sleeves and obi belts are hard to wear for daily activity. 

freeing

Sometimes the sewing day can be a long one and I prop the laptop on the ironing board and play a little background entertainment. I have been watching a PBS series called Art 21. It profiles artists- their inspirations and methods of working. I was sewing the jacket shown here while listening to various painters and sculptors talk candidly about their work....and I found myself making different choices than I might otherwise have done. It freed me up! The jacket is made of pattern pieces cut first and then bleach-striped , so it already had some painterly qualities. I am inching toward my easel- closer every day.