Summertime in Winter

In the northeast this time of year, it’s easy to fantasize about bright colors and blessed memories of summertime. Let’s indulge! The first white phlox of the garden are in bloom. And…paper whites are on the ascendancy. I’m not quite there. Some people take off for a warmer climate this time of year. What are the other options? Well, this artist thrills to the creation of sunny images with power to transport the imagination. This was a busy week for Paola Prints. We’re getting a print order ready for two new designs and have almost finished a third. The Blues
Read More

An Artist’s Escape

Today was a difficult day, once again navigating the days preceding my older sister’s passing. As difficult as one can imagine that is, it’s sometimes harder to navigate other family needs related to their responses. It’s all part of life. We have the power to change some of it, but most, not so much. As an artist, I’m forever grateful for access to creativity that helps mitigate external forces beyond my control. I treasure the ability to tap into the energy that exercises beauty and strength for good. I had the pleasure of shooting a fantastic local lily pond a
Read More

Where Do Colors Come From?

Having worked in color all my life, I’ve never been intimidated by its use. Add to that an obsession with fairy tales and well, we’re off! I remember when a very successful decorator, on seeing my brightly colored pillows in NYC became vexed with me. “Too much color! Didn’t I know, color is intended for walls-as ART?” I admit it, I’m a little color crazed. But why does art have to be limited to walls? Overtime, I came to see a certain wisdom in her comments. Color, is challenging to integrate, and color carries with it, certain moods, which further
Read More

Happiness is Jumping Into Life

If you’re like most of us settling in for winter, you know how important filling your days with good activities is. For me a lot has to do with creativity. Having just finished a new scarf “The Blues,” it seems a fitting time to share what I’ve learned about warding off the blues. Light and color are two incredibly important elements in a day that have the power to elevate one’s spirits. The photo today is actually one I took this morning- And how dreary looking it is outside! So, of course, I opted for fantasy to escape the drab
Read More

And So We Go On

The Christmas tree is pretty dry but I refuse to take it down until after January 6- the Feast of the Epiphany. It’s celebrated by many as the day the three kings visited baby Jesus. Growing up in the Catholic tradition, and, thanks to my artist parents, we always kept the tree up at least till the 6th. Truthfully, if you can manage falling pine needles, the lights provide welcome respite from cold dark evenings. A pleasant ruse to keep the holiday magic going a little longer. I’ll take it. All good things continue on. Indoors and outdoors. What do
Read More

Winter Blues

Everybody knows that winter is here and yet, in Connecticut, we’re not seeing too much snow on the ground. I’m not complaining- it’s just a reminder. Winter blues are on the runway, waiting until holiday excuses have melted away. Are you ready to face that time? I’m being proactive this year. Winter Blues, a new Paola scarf under construction, is my way of engaging intense color this time of year. It’s imbued with power to lift spirits as we head into the New Year. What are you doing? Color in Winter Many of us add red berries to evergreen for
Read More

Desperately Seeking Holiday Love

Holidays are all about “matters of the heart”. I often wish we could divorce ourselves from the “stuff of giving” and focus on doing things for the “love”of it. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a real material girl at holiday time. Remember the Madonna movie called “Desperately Seeking Susan?” Great show and one that showcased the becoming of a late bloomer who thought love had passed her by. And they did it through the material world. all the stuff of new clothes and holidays. It’s that time of year. We’re once again caving to frantic pre Christmas shopping stuff and
Read More

Final Holiday Gift Scarf Call

Ok, I’m not a huge Pantone color of the year follower EXCEPT when I love the color. That would be Living Coral for 2019.  Orange and pink, all rolled together. Living Color just happens to be the dominant hue of two new Paola scarves. Bouquet One and Two. I put my daughter Bridget into both to model for this post. Do you love the rose overplay of Bouquet Two? I added a translucent rose over top of the basic Bouquet One. I find both adorable but that could be my fixation on those hues. Sewing has become a respite for
Read More

Which Way Forward the Artist’s Work?

I read an article in the New York Times recently that chronicles a Japanese artist who has over a lifetime, worked painstakingly to create beautiful fabric using indigo dyes and the ancient process of katazome- the traditional craft of stencil-printed indigo-dyed fabric for kimonos. His work is gorgeous and meticulously fashioned. Related Images:
Read More

Cold Weather is Here to Stay in Connecticut.

Motoring through Thanksgiving signals the start of holiday preparation in earnest. And a time to spend more time reviewing photography for new new scarf designs. If you’ve been watching the emerging designs, you know I’m addicted to all shades of pink. With the holidays, I made a concerted effort to add the traditional reds and greens. Related Images:
Read More