Gloves Gloves and More Gloves

What inspires me?  Even before 17 inches of snow fell on my balcony last weekend, I knew that my next Post Card Project would be The 31 Lost Left Gloves of January. This won't surprise my FB friends on whom I have inflicted the 31 Pumpkins of October, the 30 Leaves of November, the 8 Hanukah Candles, and the 23 Snowflakes for the Rest of December.

Many people have theories about lost gloves, socks (wait for it -- they are coming in February), pen tops, and paper clips, and there is a dissertation on the space-time continuum in there somewhere. My issue with gloves is less about my losing them and more about Phil-the-Cat who controls them under the Well-Established Cat Principle, "What's mine is mine and what's yours is mine."

Phil at rest (not often)

First 12 gloves

Here is a first look at the gloves, which I created with a Photoshop horizontal flip of a free clip art glove.  I will have traced and painted 31 very small left hand gloves, some of which may be inspirations for knitters.

nanoscapes' Announces new Free Shipping policy on Cyber Monday

nanoscapes' contributions to Cyber Monday are a new free shipping policy and a new Gift Certificate offer. I hope that your holiday weekend was loaded with good food, family and friends, and an appropriate amount of rest and relaxation. FREE SHIPPING  In the spirit of Cyber Monday, I am announcing a new nanoscape policy -- free shipping for all cards and unframed matted prints.  For the very limited number of framed original nanoscapes, and insurance and shipping charges will be appropriate for the size of the work and at the nanoscapes' cost. GIFT CERTIFICATES  Giving the gift of a nanoscape is easy: click on the GIFT CERTIFICATE tab and use the always-safe-and-secure PayPal button.  Also included in the gift is an invitation for your recipient to have a nanoscapes Q&A with me.  I will be delighted to talk about the nanoscapes creative process and the inspiration and techniques used to create their cards and paintings. UPDATE #1  My Facebook Friends have followed the 31 Pumpkins of October and the 30 Leaves of November.  The Pumpkins were created to give me the working parts for entries to 2011 Pumpkin Festival Contests which have deadlines in the spring when I won't want to paint new pumpkins. The Leaves were inspired by my Pass the Baton "Alternative Careers" and "Professionalism Has Attached" travels to 17 law schools in 10 states when I chased fall colors until I caught up to them in Connecticut. UPDATE #2  I invite you to follow the progress of Rivers #1, the newest nano-in-progress on the nanoscapes blog. UPDATE #3   Sometime in January, I will hang a nano show at the beautiful library in Woodbury -- the one with the jungle-like atrium.  There is an extraordinary amount of space there and this will be the largest nano show ever.  I am still amazed that this part of my adventure began in 2006, which seems like just a minute ago.  As soon as I arrange the date, I will let you know. Thank you for your encouragement and support. Susan

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The 31 Pumpkins of October: 23 to 31

Pumpkin 24

The last of the 2010 Pumpkins...

If you are a Facebook friend, you know that I finished the 31 Pumpkins of October and moved on to the 30 Leaves of November.  Although there are still Farmers Markets going strong, here is the last of my 2010 Pumpkin Harvest.

Pumpkin 23

It was interesting to explore the World of Orange, a color which does not, as a rule, exist in my world. While it appears to be a one-a-day project, on some long days I grew half a dozen. Through the magic of Photoshop, I will be able to use these images to create 2011 Pumpkin Festival Poster Contest entries.  It makes perfect sense, because those contests have entry dates in March and April, and I know that I will have absolutely no interest in painting pumpkins in the spring.

None of you will be surprised to know that there is a bumper crop beyond the 31.  Ten hand-painted post cards are for sale -- first come, first served, with no preview for $6.00 each, including postage.  Checks only. No credit cards or PayPal. Send email to susangainen@comcast.net with "Pumpkin Post Cards" in the subject line.

Pumpkin 25

Pumpkin 26

Pumpkin 27

Pumpkin 29

Pumpkin 30

Pumpkin 31

Pumpkin 28

The 31 Pumpkins of October: Marching Pumpkins 7 to 22

 Some march to their own drummer -- and not in order.

Pumpkin #7

Pumpkin #8

Pumpkin #9

Pumpkin #10

Pumpkin #11

Pumpkin #12

Pumpkin #13

Pumpkin #14

Pumpkin #15

Pumpkin #16

Pumpkin #17

Pumpkin #18

 

Pumpkin #19

Pumpkin #20

Pumpkin 21

Pumpkin 22

The 31 Pumpkins of October: Three, Four and Five (and creative control)

With many parts of our lives outside of our personal control, I have long recommended that everyone have something to do "by hand"  that can be picked up and put down at will. These activities give you some control because you can select and discard colors, sizes, and other elements.  Many are portable (knitting, stitching, beading) and some require infrastructure (gardening, glass or metal work with torches). One of the few activities that falls out of this category is carving fresh vegetables. While it is "portable," you cannot take your carving implements through airline security, and a half-carved potato has a distinct and very unpleasant shelf life.

Pumpkin #5

Pumpkin #3

Pumpkin #4

The 31 Pumpkins of October: a Painstaking Exuberance Project

The 31 Pumpkins of October have returned me to the roots of nanoscapes: tiny spaces, extravagant patterns, and enthusiastic explorations of colors.  Each will be painted on Arches or Canson watercolor post cards, and signed and numbered.

Pumpkin #1

Pumpkin #2

(a tryptych of Pumpkin #2 is available as a matted print from the nanoscapes ETSY shop )