The past several weeks have been a bit of a smorgasbord of projects. Through them all, I can’t help but think I’ve been subconsciously influenced by our reawakened garden which, especially during this glorious month of June, has visually been like a rich shot of espresso after months of presenting as the equivalent of a weak cup of chamomile tea.
Miss Rumphius’ Dream ©2022 Elizabeth Fram, Watercolor and stitch on paper, 5 x 5 inches
Ice House ©2022 Elizabeth Fram, Stitched-resist dye on silk with foraged branches, Private Collection
©2022 Elizabeth Fram, Stitched-resist dye on silk A thank you gift for @gollyokate, whose Catch-and-Release Program contributed, via her art, to feeding hungry families, maintaining community safety nets and helping the planet.
Now that our show Tucked In: Resilience in Small Moments is closing at the Gruppe Gallery on the 19th (there’s still time to visit this weekend if you haven’t already!), I can move beyond the writing and back-end administrative duties associated with it to dip into a bit of artistic free-styling.
Daily sketch practice ©2022 Elizabeth Fram, Ink and watercolor, 8.5H x 8W.
In process ©2022 Elizabeth Fram, Stitched-resist dye and embroidery on silk This avian fellow was originally meant to be a chickadee, but took a turn toward a more vivid imaginary specimen after reading The Feather Thief and as color returned to our yard.
WIP Detail ©2022 Elizabeth Fram
I look at our beloved perennials bursting back to life, each day’s view a bit different from the one before as they grow and bloom in a constant state of evolution, and I’m inspired. I think I’ll try to relax into that frame of mind in the studio for the next couple of months and see where it leads me.
Betsy,
The work in progress is so joyful–just a wonderful little bird.
Jamie
Thanks Jamie. We’re very bird-happy here – a pair of bluebirds just took up residence for the first time in one of the birdhouses Dan made for them years ago. So fun to watch!
There is that glorious fish! It now hangs on a wall I can see when I finish a morning sit to remind me that small actions (like small stitches) can add up to elegant gestures. Not a bad idea to open my eyes to. Thank you, Ms. Fram.
You are most welcome! What an inspiring/hopeful thought – well-worth adopting. Thank you.
Ah, Miss Rumphius! One of my favorite children’s books! Her brilliant idea to plant lupines to “make the world more beautiful” is an inspiration to us all. Your piece is as wonderful as the illustrations in the book, but in your own hand. Thank you.
One of the perks of moving back to New England is that Miss Rumphius is a known entity. When I would reference her in other locales, no one had the foggiest idea what I was talking about. Dan & I followed her lead in our wildflower field, and happily, there are now lupines everywhere in our yard!