![Almost Completely Moved In!]()
by Nysha Nelson | May 18, 2016 | Building Studio, Studio Nysha
The studio move is complete — well, almost complete. The moving of stuff from the old studio in Bartlett is done. I even dropped off the keys and got my deposit back. The unpacking is mostly complete, very few boxes remain. Even the gallery space is hung with artwork. The organization of the space however is not finished! Will it ever be? One frustration of moving in has been the redoing of things once thought complete. The office was finished. Then more unpacked supplies were found in another space belonging there. Not a few items either! Shelved items carefully arranged suddenly had to be rearranged because a whole new category of things went there with them. Shelving needed reconfiguring — taking shelves from one unit and adding to another unit eliminating entire units without loosing actual shelving. (Yeah! Metro Shelving and it’s versatility!) The best part of unpacking so far is that the two items I thought were lost in the move have shown up. I had hoped the scissors lost in the last move three years ago would show up in this move. So far, no. [sigh] Looking forward to someday soon actually creating with paper or fabric. It is great to create the space, and while I enjoy decorating it is not my chosen job. I would like to get back to what I really love, creating in fabric and paper while enjoying the studio of my dreams!...
![Spring Is Springing!]()
by Nysha Nelson | Mar 6, 2016 | inspiration, iPhone, Mandala, photography, Sparkmode
Spring is coming! Only a few buds have begun to appear. Yet they have begun. The Forsythia — I love their intense yellow buds. Especially the ones that are up against the tree line — with more shade than sun they are not as dense and dapple the tree line with yellow. There are also a variety of magnolias that have beautiful pinkish buds and a tree, planted by birds decades ago that have beautiful red buds. From a distance these buds give a red cast to the tree, up close they seem too small for much impact. See you never know what impact will be! Once I had manipulated these images in Photoshop Elements it occurred to me that I have an app on my phone, Sparmode that easily makes kaleidoscopic images of regular images, right on the phone! In just a few minutes I had done these… Interesting what another stab at something will yield! When have you done things again or over and been surprised at the results? Don’t forget to order your DVD or purchase your online video copy and learn how to Free-Motion Quilt TODAY! http://studionysha.com/adventures-in-free-motion-quilting-a-fundamental-guide/...
by Nysha Nelson | Feb 13, 2016 | Building Studio, Decorating, Lighting, Renovation, Studio, Studio Nysha, Tile
There is progress on the studio. The painters have given everything some paint, to return when everything else is complete for the final coat. Trim carpentry crew is almost finished, Electricians have started installing outlets and switches and soon lighting will go up. (Excited/Nervous!) Everything is beginning to really look great. It is difficult to not get too excited and therefore anxious to move forward. This part of the process is where it seems like things slow to a crawl. Some of these trades work while no other crews are around, trim carpentry and painters. We had a challenge with the tile — 3/4 finished with the tile and it looked like a DIY special. Not bad if I had done the work, not acceptable for a professional! Out came most of the tile and a week to wait for the replacement tile before work resumed with a new tiling crew; three generations of tilers in the same family (Grandpa logging sixty years as a tiler!). The second time around and the tile is beautiful! Other details like the stair were made months ago, before there was even drywall up. What balusters (spindles)? Which newel posts? This hand rail or that one? And then what colour are each of the components? If there is a colour change that is on my dime! Not theirs. [sigh] So getting it correct the first time is important! Lucky all white with black newel posts and hand rail looks great. A strong architectural look to the stair and balcony! Up next? “What height would you like this light fixture hung at?” More choices!...
by Nysha Nelson | Jan 13, 2016 | Uncategorized
Have you noticed the colouring books everywhere? They are in book stores, at the grocery checkout, even discount stores. Colouring is a pastime that appeals to many — a way to focus on making something beautiful while being calming. Here is a colouring page that I am working on. I began with an inexpensive drawing pad. 12 x 18 inches. I purchased this size because it was the best paper quality available at the local pharmacy and I had not brought my preferred mixed media or watercolour paper home for the long weekend. I established a string, or areas that I would place pattern inside of. Then I created the central ‘knot’ and the three knots that sit behind. Then a border of ‘flowers’ and leafy vines. The flowers were created using a blend of two patterns, (a) Cadent and (b) Fengle, both Original Zentangle® patterns. Rather than using a solid line I used a dotted line or stippling to vary the line quality. The vine was first penciled in so I could keep track of the over and under twisting. Then using Poke Root, another original Zentangle® pattern, I inked in the vine with a Micron 005. A thinner weight than the 08 center knot or 01 background knots. The farther I worked around the ring of vines the less I liked it. Despite my better judgment to stop there and call it a loss I pressed on, interested to see if I could salvage the whole. Next up was the pointy areas and a pattern similar to Twing (Original Zentangle Pattern) with one central orb instead of...
by Nysha Nelson | Dec 23, 2015 | Uncategorized
Audiobooks This summer I became an Audible.com subscriber and listener. I have a 23 mile commute to my studio and this gives me time to listen and absorb new thoughts. I have long been a fan of ‘informative nonfiction’ or books that are about an idea or concept rather than a story. I have a room in my house lined with book shelves that are filled with such books. I love them. I love reading and perusing books. Yet I don’t often take time to actually sit down and read a book. In the car — I have time. Since joining I have listened to: A Curious Mind by Brian Grazer and Charles Fishman. This is Brian’s account of meeting people and being curious as a practice and how it has affected his life and career. Very interesting! The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane Effectively a course on how to have charisma in all areas of life, personal and career. The big take away is that having charisma is a lot about focusing on others, really on them and being present with them. The Five Elements of Effective Thinking by Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird. These two mathematics professors talk about strategies that, if used, can lead to breakthroughs in thinking and problem solving. A great listen each of the two times I played it through. Goddesses Never Age: The Secret Prescription for Radiance, Vitality and Well- Being by Dr. Christiane Northrup While this book is clearly intended for women I knew after seeing her on Super Soul Sunday talking with Oprah that I would get a...
