The train runs through the southern part of the town. I came just in time to catch this image.

Today was one of the most pleasent days of the year. I had to go exploring on my bike. There's nothing better than being on my bike and freely roaming city and country views. I will be doing a lot of riding, and picture taking along the way.

Looking down Davis, the main street of Corning Iowa.

Bike tour begins...

What I love about the Opera House is that a lot of original architecture, furniture, and surface still remain. The natural sunlight creates peacful lighting that fills the space.

From center stage

From the stage

Beautiful colors! From the Opera House cieling. www.corningoperahouse.org

Backing up...I haven't been consistent at blogging, but since I'm doing my residency this summer, I feel it's important to write and document it. This image is from my BFA thesis show. Now I love doing installations. I thought I should put this image up so that there isn't a such a huge jump from the art I've been previously showing.

At the Surface Design Association conference, I got to be assistant in Alice Kettle's workshop called Following a Line to Tell a Story. There were fifteen of us and our room was full of thread, fabric, buzzing machines, and of course creative people. Working with Alice was a wonderfull experience becuase she has great patience and enthusiasm for her student's personal discovery.

Layered Affect

In the middle of the process and I'm enjoying seeing my vision turn into something! This image comes from several prints of my three patterns I'm working with. This is the print table. It's finally getting lots of use-no longer here and there. This summer will be great for printing since I will be enjoying my residency in the in Corning, Iowa. Small town living and looking forward to it.

This image comes from a day that I was experimenting with 

different colors printed on strips of organza and poly lining.  I am 

currently working towards my thesis for printmaking.  Noticeably 

bright colors are an important part of what I do.  Using these strips 

I'm attempting to build three demensional sculptures of the elements in

my pattern designs...hope it all comes together.  I will try to keep updating. 

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.