Recently, I have been on a quest. I am cultivating enjoyment. I am exploring what makes me happy and I am following those leads. Cancer, as much as it happened 7+ years go has greatly affected me. The waves of healing, self introspection, the acceptance and embrace of my changed body, while standing present toContinue reading “What makes me happy”
Author Archives: Melanie (Melly) Testa
one in eight- a series
(The voice over volume is low, turn the volume up, if you are interested in hearing about the techniques used to print the piece in the video) I am printing, making, steaming, embroidering. All the things I love best. The weather is changing, it is cooling down. Change is in the air. All is well. Continue reading “one in eight- a series”
artful reboot
For a long while, perhaps a year or more, I have been having a hard time artistically. I needed to get a part time job, and I did. Its a good job, I like it. As in most things I do, I jumped fully into the job, started taking more hours, I began volunteering forContinue reading “artful reboot”
Handprinted Dharma Trading Unitard
This fabulous project taught me lots and lots. There are a few aspects of this project where I will continue to find and apply solutions to perceived problems. I started by printing a small swatch of cloth, just to see if my color choices were pleasing. The Unitard is a ‘clothing blank’, made of cotton jersey,Continue reading “Handprinted Dharma Trading Unitard”
Unitard and dressing a piece of cardboard
I have been wanting to print clothing blanks for a while. Luckily, Dharma Trading carries many styles and options and they have all the kinks ironed out. Their blanks have been tested for acceptance of dye, even the threads used to sew the garments have been considered and addressed. That’s where I found this Cotton/SpandexContinue reading “Unitard and dressing a piece of cardboard”
The Final Carve?
This has been an interesting repeat to carve. I love floral motifs and roses printed on cloth. Carving a rose by hand is a great challenge. Drawing and depicting roses is not easy, there are so many curved petals! Then, you need to figure out how to carve it in an elegant hand. I likeContinue reading “The Final Carve?”
Finding the lines through the drawing.
I love carving rubber. My mind and body reduce to nothingness as I watch the blade slip beneath the surface of the rubber, butt up against the pencil mark and lift the rubber away. I become calm and centered, my mind lets go, and I am free. It is bliss. I begin by carving awayContinue reading “Finding the lines through the drawing.”
What do Amanda Palmer, Jasmine Power and mail art have to do with one another?
This is one of those days that I have so much excitement, my blog post goes in two directions. First, I participated in a video shoot with Amanda Palmer and Jasmine Power for a song called, Mr Weinstein Will See You Now. The subject matter of which, is deep, poignant, and timely with a transformativeContinue reading “What do Amanda Palmer, Jasmine Power and mail art have to do with one another?”
Bird Buta Baby Quilt needs a border.
I am fairly sure, I will stick with the above layout. But, I think it needs a border. I envision that each corner needs to be a complete circle and that some darker value Single Color All Over Prints are necessary to create contrast. So, I set to work printing more cloth, to help getContinue reading “Bird Buta Baby Quilt needs a border.”
Bird Buta Baby Quilt?
It is such fun to come to the making of the thing! You may remember when I was carving the Bird Buta motif or the printing of the Bird Buta. If you don’t, head over there and check it out. There is a great video in the first of the two links in this paragraph.Continue reading “Bird Buta Baby Quilt?”
Melanie Testa 