Category Archives: Resources

Black Beauty

Happy Thanksgiving!   Here we are again in the midst of another holiday season…
To put a new spin on the black in Black Friday (and maybe to give you an idea of something to add to your holiday wishlist), I’m saluting one of my trustiest art supplies.

Platinum Carbon Ink

Blacker than black, lightfast, and quick-drying, Platinum Carbon ink has become indispensable to my daily drawing ritual. I have a converter in my Lamy Safari fountain pen which allows me to refill the pen directly from the bottle, a cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative to cartridges. Reviews mention that because this ink is pigment based it contains fine particles of carbon, meaning you should clean your pens frequently.

Dishes

Dishes     ©2017 Elizabeth Fram, 8.5 x 11 in., pen and ink

Hmmm… I haven’t done that. Maybe I’ve escaped any issues because I use my pen pretty much daily, but it would probably be smart for me to follow through on that chore before refilling the next time.

Curled

Curled     ©2017 Elizabeth Fram, 8.5 x 11 in., pen and ink

There is a lot to be said for the beauty and deceptive simplicity of a black line. It has the power to sensitively convey weight, value, texture, and gesture while supplying a lifetime of lessons for those willing to delve into its nuances. For a jump-start, explore this link to 10 pen and ink drawing techniques and tips. Also, Alphonso Dunn’s book Pen & Ink Drawing is a terrific beginner’s resource.

Paper Bag

Paper Bag      ©2017 Elizabeth Fram, 8.5 x 11 in., pen and ink

As time has passed I’m seeing how much what I’ve learned through my drawings has influenced and benefitted my textile work. Exploring the relationship between marks made with ink and those created via stitches is the fertile ground where discoveries take place.

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It wouldn’t be right to let you go without thanking you for continuing to check in with me here week after week, and for letting me know when a point of discussion strikes a chord with you in one way or another. Whether you weigh in publicly or privately, I am always grateful for your thoughts. The greatest reward of this blog has been knowing how much company I have on this journey.

Hard as it is to believe, this marks my 155th uninterrupted week of posts. If you have found Eye of the Needle helpful, please share it!   As a special thank you, enjoy this free download of important resources that have been the most fruitful in guiding me in my practice. 

 

Road Trip

If you haven’t had an opportunity to travel through the Atlantic Provinces of Canada, add them to your destination list.

Peggy's Point Light

Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, Nova Scotia     ©2017 Elizabeth Fram

Last week we carved a fun & relaxing loop by driving up to Quebec City, skirting the top of Maine, then descending to bisect New Brunswick while making our way to Halifax, Nova Scotia. We hopped onto the ferry in Yarmouth for the last leg, bringing us back to the US via Portland, Maine.

Sidewalk Cafe

SIdewalk Cafe, Quebec City     ©2017 Elizabeth Fram

It was a week of beautiful scenery, non-existent traffic, and delicious farm-to-table food and microbrews accented with abundant fresh seafood — all fused with local civic appreciation for the arts, walking trails and lovely gardens at every stop.

Public Garden

The Public Garden, Halifax     ©2017 Elizabeth Fram

Opportunities to draw have become a treasured part of vacationing for me, my sketchbooks being the most enduring and powerful of souvenirs.

High Roller

High Roller, Yarmouth     ©2017 Elizabeth Fram

It was a happy discovery to notice that Canadians don’t seem to be surgically connected to their cellphones as is so ubiquitous here. I feel like we hardly ever saw anyone walking and talking or texting, and restaurants seemed to be virtually mobile-free.

Breakfast Coffee and Fruit

Breakfast Fruit and Coffee, Halifax     ©2017 Elizabeth Fram

While it made sketching people a bit more challenging, it was lovely not to have the same bend of the neck and hand placement on each and every subject, not to mention avoiding being a captive third party in a conversation you want no part of.

Alexander Keith's

Alexander Keith’s, Halifax     ©2017 Elizabeth Fram                           Don’t let this sketch fool you. We didn’t really have a Dr. Bunsen Honeydew sighting.

In addition to the omnipresent public art that Canadians apparently and appropriately feel is an important investment in their quality of life, we caught several wonderful exhibitions that I will share next week; I hope you’ll return to read about them.

Ferry Line

In the Ferry Line, 6:30am, Yarmouth     ©2017 Elizabeth Fram

On A Different Note______________________________________________________________________________

My piece “Dichotomy” will be showing on home turf through the end of November in the upcoming exhibit Fabric of Our Lives at the Grange Hall Cultural Center here in Waterbury Center. The opening is Sunday, October 1 from 3-5pm. I would love to see you there!

Fabric of our lives postcard

If you are local, keep your eyes and ears peeled for future offerings at The Grange. Our community is very lucky to have a creative venue that offers something for everyone: theater, music, exhibitions, workshops, yoga classes, etc.

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And finally, I just discovered the 10 Minute Writer’s Workshop podcast. The name says it all, each episode is a short and sweet glimpse into the process of a wide variety of well-known writers. The ideas are valuable for writers and readers alike. You can find it on iTunes.