dj pettitt

more little books

Still using my fabric images.







One of the backs:












Another back cover:

posted by DJ @ 7:00 AM 3 Comments

back to books

Here is another small book using fabric prints of my paintings.

posted by DJ @ 4:27 PM 1 Comments

heart songs

finished the painting...

posted by DJ @ 7:31 AM 3 Comments

painting withdrawals

I've been spending time on deadlines, and the business end of things lately, plus I started working on 8 art journals early this morning, but I was just so uninspired by it all tonight. I think it's painting withdrawals. I just needed to paint. So, I started one of the demo pieces for my next workshop in Kentucky, the first week of June. I'll still add some glazing, texture, and collage, but basically, the painting steps are finished.

Ahhhhh it felt good to be painting again :-)

posted by DJ @ 9:17 PM 3 Comments

book cover

I used one of the fabric images that I printed to sell on etsy, and made a cover for a small book. Here are both sides of the finished front cover:

posted by DJ @ 4:19 PM 4 Comments

prints on etsy

I just finished listing a bunch of fabric prints on etsy. They are giclee prints on cotton fabric of paintings, and digitally altered paintings combined with photos.

I'm so frustrated with paypal... I have them listed as free shipping in the US and $1 outside the US, but Paypal messes up almost every time, and over charges. If you purchase any, and you get over charged, I'll refund it back to you. I wish I could get someone there to help me, but I've tried everything and can't get any help.

I'll be listing more as time allows. These are paper backed, fabric (remove paper before gluing) giclee images, and can be painted on, used in mixed media collage, or even framed if desired. They won't smear or fade.

Enjoy!

posted by DJ @ 11:17 AM 3 Comments

more book fun

I'm having fun with this cute bird sketch, and have used it quite a bit lately. This one is on a small book with heavy watercolor paper for covers. The book is about 4.5" X 6" and has blank journal pages as well as a few embellished with sewing, hand painted paper, and a bit of altered purchased paper. My sweet grand daughter is graduating from 8th grade, so I made her this little journal filled with hearts and love :-)

posted by DJ @ 7:54 AM 7 Comments

Back from Texas

I had such a wonderful time. Sweet sweet ladies, and wow, did we turn out loads of art! I taught them all kinds of background techniques, as well as collage, and even fun with the heat press.

I'm all unpacked and ready to get ready for Kentucky workshop the first week of June... here's one piece that I did as a demo while in Texas. It incorporates the painted tissue that we did as well as wax and paint. I don't really do encaustic work, but I love to coat things in plain old wax. Mmmmm it's so deep and fun to look at.

posted by DJ @ 7:17 PM 2 Comments

I'm off to Texas

I'm leaving tomorrow morning for Texas to teach for 5 days. It's going to be so fun... non stop art for almost a week. Will be back late on the 10th.

Had to share a great birthday card from my friend Laveda. Isn't it hysterical? I'm still chuckling...



See you when I get back.. have a wonderful week!

posted by DJ @ 6:50 PM 13 Comments

new wall quilt

This is another wall quilt, but the painting is on watercolor paper instead of fabric. Backing and all other elements are fabric though. The binding was part of the treasures that I have that were my gramma's. It was a cotton, white binding tape in her quilting goodies. I opened it up, painted it with acrylic paint, then ironed it back the way it was before sewing it on the quilt. I love having some of gramma in my art work.







I took the large wall quilt (that I finished yesterday) outside, and got some better photos. Now you can see the black fabric better.









While out there, I couldn't resist snapping a couple shots of all the Spring beauty that is finally happening!

Labels: flowers, wall quilt

posted by DJ @ 8:21 PM 3 Comments

creating images

Using photos, paintings, and painted backgrounds to create new images.
















and my favorite.... the background actually started out as a photo of bowling balls!

really...

cool huh?

Labels: acrylic painting, altered photos, Photoshop

posted by DJ @ 9:56 AM 5 Comments

wall quilt

I still have a bit of the blanket stitch to finish around the edges, but had to set it aside to finish up the workshop in Texas, where I'll be going on Sunday. Wish I could get better photos, but the quilt is too large for the scanner, and too large to stand over it and get it in focus. I need to take it outside and hang it up.

posted by DJ @ 7:36 PM 9 Comments

finished with the painting...

now I just need to make it into a wall quilt.

Labels: fabric paintings, wall quilt

posted by DJ @ 8:24 AM 9 Comments

fabric painting

I was on a roll today... I love days like this!

This fabric painting is only blocked in, and not finished yet. It's 18" X 21", and will become a wall quilt when complete.

posted by DJ @ 8:17 PM 2 Comments

Check this out!

Look what I just found! Suzanne used a painting that she did in my class at Art and Soul last Fall, and made it into a quilt. Isn't it fabulous!

posted by DJ @ 6:57 PM 0 Comments

new project

I'm working on a project that will be in a new magazine. This is a crop out of it.

posted by DJ @ 9:42 AM 3 Comments

beautiful day

It was soooo warm and pretty today! I took photos of the most gorgeous bulls, cows, and calves .... along with fun farmyard texture photos. It was heaven.... I've been cooped up for so long with this cold weather we've been having, it was good to be out in the sunshine breathing in the beauty.






I couldn't resist altering the texture photos in Photoshop...

This is a hay rake... I think...




This was a big pile of metal pipe. LOVE this one:




Oil can hanging on a wall:





My favorite shot of the day. An old claw foot tub faucet:








This is the side of an out building. Not altered in Photoshop. Isn't that yellow incredible?




More hay rake:




Another favorite shot:




Wooden bunny:

posted by DJ @ 6:42 PM 4 Comments

new book

Just the front and back covers here... still need to add the signature. I created two fused surfaces using the heat press and polymer mediums (stuff cooked together under heat and pressure), then collaged over that, and topped it all with vinyl.

posted by DJ @ 7:46 PM 4 Comments

Piles of paper

I carved a few stamps yesterday, and made about 40 large sheets of painted and stamped paper last night and this morning. I'll use them in books and collage. This is the perfect go away art project. So relaxing, yet you feel so productive which is always a good thing.

posted by DJ @ 8:53 AM 6 Comments

still making small books

My scanner died this morning, so these are all digital photos, which are never great when the flash is used. Still... you can see how much fun I'm having :-)

posted by DJ @ 9:05 AM 8 Comments

more books

more book covers and two more finished. what a nice break, to create fast and simple books. I love the detailed books that take days and days, but I'm enjoying the change from intense creativity, to a bit of production oriented creating. I'm so fickle though... I'll be needing the intensity again soon...

posted by DJ @ 6:21 PM 2 Comments

and one more small book started

posted by DJ @ 11:28 AM 4 Comments

another small book

This one is a wonderful size. It feels good in your hand... 4.75" X 8". One, wrapped signature with heavy blank journal pages. I stitched on the center page, and added a little tab.


Back cover:



Center page:



Front of signature wrap:



Back of signature wrap:

posted by DJ @ 7:48 AM 5 Comments

bound and finished

This little book (6X9) has blank pages other than the collage on the first page, and the painted front and back pages on each of the three signatures. I'm working on making some books that don't take a week to make, that are still fun, and more than just a blank journal with an image on the front. I love making the high end books, but would also love to have some books that I can offer at a lower price. It's hard to stop though... I always want to keep adding.

posted by DJ @ 3:16 PM 7 Comments

new book

I'm working on some new books for class samples, and for etsy, and vendor tables.

posted by DJ @ 6:06 PM 4 Comments

finally back in the swing of things

Yesterday, while my girlfriend was over, I worked on some background techniques.





Later in the afternoon it was so beautiful... I couldn't resist snapping some photos. It felt so good to breath deep, and be in flip flops again!










We had our first asparagus treat the other day. MMMMMM my favorite veggie.

posted by DJ @ 6:58 AM 9 Comments

New Workshop in Pleasanton CA

I will be teaching a one day workshop in Pleasanton CA at the new ZNE convention Aug 21-25, 2008. Read more about them here. Complete classes and details will be posted on the ZNE site by May 15th, 2008. They are offering an early bird registration discount that is opened now.

I will be teaching an altered fabric collage technique. It's the technique that I have been using for book covers, and am teaching in my book classes. I've added the complete description on my site here.

posted by DJ @ 6:55 AM 2 Comments

settling in, and totes on etsy

Wow... after returning home, jet lag hit and I've been laying around for days with a huge empty feeling. I battle that when I come home from a show, and it's so frustrating because the other part of me just wants to go and create. Patience while refueling isn't one of my gifts. Today is good though, and I'm finally beginning to feel better.

I listed two totes on my etsy site that I wasn't able to fit in my luggage when I went to WI. They are from the group that I created for my Belle Armoire, artist profile article that will be out in July.

I have a girl friend coming over tomorrow to create and play in the art room. It will be a nice time, and a great way to work back in to creating.

posted by DJ @ 3:29 PM 5 Comments

Valley Ridge Students

As promised... AWESOME art from my students at Valley Ridge last week!
Sadly, I forgot to take photos in my tote class, so photos of all of the students who didn't stay for the second workshop are missing.

Can you believe the talent here? I enjoyed everyone SO SO much.







































And last, but certainly not least... Kathy is the owner and spectacular hostess at Valley Ridge! She made a guest book to use for the farm house.



If you haven't taken a workshop at Valley Ridge... it is a treat that I promise you will LOVE. Kathy and Bill think of EVERY detail for your comfort and enjoyment!

posted by DJ @ 8:48 PM 12 Comments

I made it home!

What a trip this was...soooo much to tell! Nine days packed with every emotion from one end of the spectrum to the other. On my trip home, I was one of the hundred thousand American Airline refugees, but am very thankful that it was on the way home, and not trying to get TO class. That would have been more than I could have handled. I can't imagine the stress of students waiting on me while I was trying to get to Valley Ridge to teach. Although, the students in my workshops were incredible, and I'm sure would have been kind and understanding... I'm just thankful that other than missing one connecting flight on the way to WI, that I got there in time, and the bulk of the American Airline mismanagement fallout was on my way home. It only took two days to reschedule my flight home, and 15 hours flight time, so I was very fortunate.

If I had been forced to stay longer in Madison, and continue the art party with Randi, it certainly wouldn't have been stressful though! OHHH did we ever have fun. The weather was awful, so instead of photo shoots, we decided to have a motel art marathon. And marathon it was. We stayed up most of the nights creating and laughing. We were suddenly very aware of just how much fun we were having, when at about 2 AM one night, the neighbor banged on the wall. We were so embarrassed, and had no idea how loud we were laughing and carrying on as we worked on our books. Other than that, we were well behaved though... :-)

When I got to the hotel after teaching, Randi had decorated the room with art posters, homey quilts on the beds, a hazelnut candle, and everything we would need for a fun art vacation... even a card table, sewing machine, and an extra chair.

Here's the poster she made for me. It was sitting on my bed with a lime green pillow and matching scarf. The minute I walked in, I knew it was going to be a dream vacation...



We both made a tote, and worked on a book. I'm anxious to unpack and continue working on the book. Creating with Randi was so inspirational, and even though we were doing a variation of the book that I taught while at Valley Ridge, brainstorming and working together stretched me creatively. We went to the dollar store, picked up more goodies for creating texture, found a Half Price Book store and purchased old books for signature paper and images, saved take out trays and silverware for pallets and texture tools, ate M&M's, and made a HUGE mess....



Both of our books incorporate photos from a Rembrandt art book from Half Price Books. Mine isn't bound yet, and far from finished, but here's a preview of the direction that it's going. Hopefully when Randi gets home, she will post hers to her blog.


front cover:



back cover:















We also played around photographing our art tools. Of course that's always fun.







I also have great photos of my students and their work from the workshop. Stay tuned as I will share them a bit later.

posted by DJ @