Lots of Painting Going On
Hello Colorful Friends!
It's been a colorful few weeks here at the farm. I have been a painting maniac. I've been working on transforming two sheds for my book project into "she-sheds." I still have more to do but you can see some of my progress here and here.
Here is a process photo of the finished "faux rug" I painted in the soon to be Garden/Toolshed. This shows the lines being added to the flowers on the "rug". The lines really help the flowers to POP!
I started a new Crewel Embroidery project using the linen fabric and crewel wool thread that I sell on my website. I'm using very simple stitches and can't wait to see how it develops.
In between painting and stitching, I've been planning the upcoming retreats here at the farm. I'm getting excited to be able to share my techniques, my studio, and all that I know with the students who venture to our farm in western Massachusetts. There are still slots available in all the classes.
Here are this year's Creative Retreats at our Leyden Glen Farm
• July 16-17 - Color, Fabric Printing + Lampshade Painting for Your Home - only 1 space available
• July 30-31 - Color, Fabric Printing + Embroidery - 5 spaces available
• September 24-25 - Color + Embroidery for Knitters + Crocheters - 5 spaces available
More information on my website here.
I provide morning snacks, lunch and beverages but dinner and lodging are on your own. Here's info for that:
"Where To Stay" "Where To Eat"
Here are some things that have been inspiring me this week:
• I have been inspired by Folk Artist Maud Lewis who lived in Nova Scotia and had no formal training. You can read a great book on her and see her colorful tiny house here. This week I will share how Maud inspired me over on my blog.
• This is a nice interview with Paul McCartney over on NPR about song-writing.
* The women over at 3191 did a lovely newsletter this past week about the Summer Solstice. Check it out here.
•If you are lucky enough to visit England, I suggest a visit to Charleston, the home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. I also suggest visiting Monk's House, the home of Virginia and Leonard Woolf.
• Many years ago I had the good fortune to visit the studio of pottery Mary Rose Young in the UK - close to the Welsh border. Mary Rose is such a colorful woman and her work has inspired my pottery and fabric design. Here is one of her new ceramic table legs. Mary Rose continues to be over the top creative, colorful and fun.
• If you have an over abundance of strawberries, make some easy strawberry ice cream. Recipe here. (Thanks Joanne for the reminder.)
My best for a colorful and creative week ahead.
Kristin Nicholas
A fun video of our farm, our farmhouse, and my family. A good preview for sure if you are thinking of coming to one of my Creative Retreats this July or September.