My current yardage! I was very happy with the registration. I'm finally getting the hang of the registration. Now I just need to start producing more patterns. My thesis show will be here soon, and I have so much work to do.

This banner was made in collaboration with the people of Corning IA. I was there recently for an art show and a mini artist residency. I decided that it would be fun to have people design thier own panel and when sewn together, the pattern I designed connects them. Everyone's an artist!

Sample time! I've decided that although working with dye is great for color, it's not so great for water usage. Even rinsing these small samples takes too much water. I'll stick to small scale for experiments. When it comes to yardage-pigment will have to do. More to come on that note...

This print is titled "Junk Jewelry." This screenprint submitted for the printmakers guild show under the theme of "Adornment," was inspired by a bag of cheep jewelry that I couldn't bring myself to get rid of. Stuff you never wear, but still want to keep.

I wanted people to participate in what I was doing. I printed out several fabric peices that had the same pattern. The pattern was simple and had an empty space for each person to fill in their own design. I will sew them all together to create a quilt that will connect the pattern.

Homecoming parade in Corning

I had my first solo show this past weekend in Corning, IA at the Corning Center for Fine Art. The show was a mix of peices that included painting, prints, fabric, and found objects. I stayed over the weekend and participated in homecoming festivities. I also did demonstrations and had participation with people who were interested in making their own peice. It was a lot of fun meeting new people and being part of the events.

Pictured here is the inside of the Corning Center for Fine Art.

Believe in Your Cell-over

AMP 8-10 010, originally uploaded by ashleyrodriguezreed.

For the month of August I was out drawing images for this US Cellular campaign. Each time we were out, I had to draw three images in order to attract people to participating. It was a good experience but I'm glad it's done.

Graduation from Fort Jackson

P7240031, originally uploaded by ashleyrodriguezreed.

This was my brother's graduation day from Army basic training. He will be back to finish his senior year of high school before he goes on to AIT (army intelligence training). He seems to like being involved in the Army but I hope that after this year his chances of going to Iraq are smaller.

plantation

plantation, originally uploaded by ashleyrodriguezreed.

For our family vacation we went to Savannah, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach. This is Boone Hall Plantation which is still a working farm. Several movies have been filmed here and of course lots of history has been made.

Currious Cat

tommy in dryer, originally uploaded by ashleyrodriguezreed.

My mom and I were making t-shirts for her salon, and as we were putting them in the dryer the cat jumped in and wouldn't get out. Typical cat.

MOTHER'S DAY My brother James, far right, is going to Army bootcamp next monday. Wish him luck! This picture was taken on Mother's Day which never goes without any drama. Nick, as you can see isn't happy. Well, that's because he just got smacked in the head. He kept trying to pull my mom's shirt up for the picture, and she took care of that!

"THE BIRDS" I worked with the cosutme designer for a play called "The Birds." Pictured here is the peacock. I designed stencils and hand painted various costumes. Depending on the bird, there was a different stencil. I started with sketches and then transferred my drawings to the clear plastic to be cut out. It worked out well.

This is a snipit of a project I did for an organization. They were hosting a party for the current exhibition in the UNO art gallery and needed a way to decorate/cover up the room it was in. Some trusty friends and I worked hard for a week to print yardage. Nothing high tech, just cut out contact paper stuck to silk screens to make the image. No time for exposing. Pictured here are my designs.

Jesus said buy folk art. Walking down canyon road we found many interesting places to look in and at. Mostly we liked the way the road felt as we strolled, tucked between pueblo buildings surrounded in art. It was neat to be able to walk into a gallery with the artist available to talk and answer questions. We were surprised at how friendly people were in Santa Fe. It made our visit especially pleasant.

I wanna be a cowgirl. When Katie and I were in Santa Fe, strolling around the Plaza, we wandered into a boot store but for me it was more like a gallery. The boots were carefully made with applique and unique designs. Unfortunately they were very expensive, but at least I have pictures.

First Day in Santa Fe

I've been friends with Katie for 15 years and we've never taken a trip together! Thursday we leave for Santa Fe hope to be inspired and laugh a ton. I want to get good pictures too. I'll show you what we did...

Ready to Gesso

 

My canvases came out good and now it's time to get them prepared to paint. My composition goes across all three panels as if there are no gaps. I'll post more pictures of the progress.

Stretching the canvas

 

Frames are built!

 

I am working on a commission for a painting and had to go back in the painting studio and fiugre out how to do it again. It wasn't hard but my friend Joe helped me get started and then I was confident enough to continue.

Experiments in Printing

 

This fabric was done using several techniques that I was messing with. Using an empty screen, stamping with a textured paper towel, a stencil that I cut out, and another screen I drew circles on with dye that dried and then released when another dye passed over it.

Finished product

 

Wool covering

 

The wool gives the surface a little more cushion for the ink to absorb into the cloth versus a hard surface. Over the wool is muslin cloth to protect the table from dye and make a smoother surface.

Look at it shine!

 

The table below gives it structure. The surface I print on allows me to print fabric that is wide and gives me room to make a registration on the sides. Under the duck tape is craft felt.

My table is complete!

 

I worked on several ideas that didn't quite seem right. All dealing with wood, it would make a heavy print table that would be hard to manage. I wanted something more portable that I could store easily since I can't leave my table out for more than a few days. I have to share the space with ohter students. My professor came up with the idea of using this styrofoam insulation. I used duck tape to make it hindgeable and so the pins could stick to it without being pulled out by the force of stretched fabric.