2011.019 "Sunspot Reflections"

This color theme is beginning to look familiar, isn't it? I have discovered that I am seriously missing the warm sunshine lately and it is definitely showing in everything I am creating. I bet the last three would look pretty cool together on a wall though!

I also seem to be fixated on fractals lately. Not that they are any easier to create, just that I find such beauty in their structure. So much like snowflakes in the way each one is vastly different from the last. This morning I realized just how long I have loved the geometry and intricacy of fractals and hypotrochoids.

When I was a young girl I received a toy called a Spirograph for one of my birthdays. It was one of my most treasured toys. The "vintage" set looked like this:

I was excited to discover there is an updated version of this set. It will be fun to try it out with my boys and see what they think.

Having discovered hypotrochoids, concentric shapes and fractals so early in my life I understand a bit more why I find them so captivating now.

Today's blog piece is another compound fractal that pays tribute to warmer days. This one is called "Sunspot Reflections".

Sunspot Reflections - 12x12 compound fractal

~ Lisa

You can purchase any of these blog pieces printed on canvas and stretched over a 1/4" gallery frame through my new website: http://www.lisacantrell.com/

If you would prefer I also offer printing that is wood mounted and smooth matte laminated. You can order these from my ArtFire studio page online at:  http://www.artfire.com/users/LisaCantrell

You are also invited to joing me on facebook :www.facebook.com/lisacantrellart

If you'd like to try out the updated Spirograph toy you can purchase it online here: Deluxe Spirograph

2011.018 "Grandmother's Doily"

My Grandmother had doilies all over her house. Some of them I'm certain were very old and none of them were machine made. Like snowflakes these little fragile handmade works of textile beauty are each unique in size and pattern. I hadn't thought about the word doily for so long but this morning as I was sitting down to make today's blog piece my dear Grandmother was on my mind.

Have you any memories that are so significant you can close your eyes and almost literally step into the scene? I feel that way about my Grandparents' house. Furnishings and decor were rarely (if ever) moved. Though she has been gone for 20 years I can close my eyes and see every detail of her house and smell that familiar essence that only emanates from the house of a Grandmother.

Today's entry is the result of reflecting on my Grandomther's house and those unique and beautiful doilies.



Grandmother's Doily - 12x12 compound fractal



~ Lisa

You can purchase any of these blog pieces printed on canvas and stretched over a 1/4" gallery frame through my new website: http://www.lisacantrell.com/

If you would prefer I also offer printing that is wood mounted and smooth matte laminated. You can order these from my ArtFire studio page online at:  http://www.artfire.com/users/LisaCantrell

You are also invited to joing me on facebook :www.facebook.com/lisacantrellart

If you're interested in learning more of the art of making Doilies check out this book: Treasured Doilies - Crochet Patterns

2011.007 "Un Rayito de Sol"

Buenos Dias!

Today I awoke with my 2004 trip to the Yucatan Peninsula and the lovely Mayan artisans I met there on my mind. I think we all have special places we have visited, domestic or foreign, that have left such an impression upon us that they become a permanent part of who we are. For me it was the Mayan culture I encountered far away from any tourist zones in the Yucatan. My experiences forever altered my view of the world and my taste in food and gave me a new perspective on all things hand made and home grown.

With all this on my mind it's no wonder that today's piece, a compound fractal, came out with a splash of that influence. I called this one "Un Rayito de Sol" which means "a little ray of sunshine" in Spanish.

Un Rayito de Sol - 12x12 compound fractal

Have a beautiful day!

~ Lisa

You can purchase any of these blog pieces printed on canvas and stretched over a 1/4" gallery frame through my new website: http://www.lisacantrell.com/ If you would prefer I also offer printing that is wood mounted and smooth matte laminated. You can order these from my ArtFire studio page online at:  http://www.artfire.com/users/LisaCantrell You are also invited to joing me on facebook :www.facebook.com/lisacantrellart