Dogwood Gap Year (s)

I’ve just finished archiving all my dogwood photos today. I’m honestly more impressed with myself than I am shocked to say that I have accumulated over 2000 pictures of dogwoods between 2018 and now. I document my work a lot. I have literally tens of thousands of authentically curated videos and photos of my process that I like to look through often, so I figured I would share some of that with you. That way I can continue to organize them while picking out a few to share. It’s kinda cool to see things evolve over the years. Every year the past becomes the background to the present. That’s what make this Dogwood print behind me so cool. It’s an idea that started in 2018. And the results are now the background for the present.

Quick View

Dogwood Blooms no. 1.

$475.00

March 30, 2018

the hubby and I went to Pastorius Park in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, PA. I cut a few dogwood branches because I had an idea...

As soon as I got home that day, I realized I would have to wait for this one. It dawned on me that I was not skilled enough to make this idea a reality (yet). I would have to be patient with myself until I become the version of the artist I had in my head. So I put a pin in the idea until my experience and skills matched up with my ability to fulfill my vision.

A couple years later, I looked over into my neighbors yard and saw her dogwoods in full bloom.

I felt I was ready to start with this idea again.

Let’s begin…

It was a pretty full day at the farmhouse. I had to step away from this project for a while because our neighbor Suzie needed some help getting her alpacas ready for a special trip.

It was the Alpaca’s annual shearing day!!!

Although their screams of protest along with the kicking and spitting were alarming, it wasn’t all completely terrifying.

We did meet a pretty cool horse.

Horse Joke:

A horse walks into a bar.

The bartender asks

“why the long face?”

lol

Here’s what the alpacas looked like afterwards.

A few days after recovering from my Alpaca shearing experience, I poured the 4 plaster dogwood panels.

Here’s a closer look.

You can probably guess what happened after seeing the results. I had to put it all away.

Again.

I still hadn’t figured out how to make these raised, 3-D, plaster reliefs into paper prints.

My patience is my biggest strength. Because a couple years later, I figured it out. I found out that 1 of the 3 museum-quality art scanners in the entire country was located nearby in Doylestown, PA, and I excitedly had them create a digital version for me.

After a few weeks of painting they were ready to be scanned.

You might think to yourself,

Finally! That’s it!

Nope…

I’m never that lucky. There were another few weeks of editing to make it Ron Nicole print worthy. In the meantime we purchased a commercial printer. Because after multiple failed attempts to outsource printing, I knew no one else would give it the attention to detail it deserves

except me.

Wine by: Bodkin Wines

I specifically used rice paper because of its delicate nature. I once saw a Paule Marrot fabric print for sale and thought WOW,

I could create a collection of plaster prints

Doves by Paule Marrot

Also, rice paper is very archival.

I put a ton of work into this Dogwood print, so I had a party to celebrate.

Now the Dogwood panel print serves as a backdrop to everything that’s happening in the studio.

Last year I saw on someone’s Instagram stories that they were unboxing their purchases from House of Brinson. I noticed that Susan was using these really handsome printed patterns for her invoice presenters. I was so inspired I immediately went online and purchased a few knick knacks for myself. As much as I loved all the things I bought, I really just wanted to see that invoice presenter. It now hangs on my mood board in the studio. I took that inspiration and came up with my own invoice presenters. It’s that time of year again, so I will be heading to House of Brinson’s shop to continue showing my gratitude for all their wonderful inspiration.

I want all in my community to see the dogwood for themselves.

I have included a portion of this print as an invoice presenter for almost everything I’ve sold this year (along with a fun cocktail recipe to try at home).

What’s next?

Since my process is slower than slow, you will see dogwood every year from me. I’ve pressed multiple dogwood panel designs that will eventually become prints. I hope you enjoy collecting them so that maybe 4-5 years from now you will have a collection of dogwoods from me.

Until then, I will be creating many different plaster prints from the flowers I press.

Be sure to grab a print or two.

These prints will be retired soon so that we can make room for our next round of Fall plaster prints.