Striving for a Goal
Original Photo of “the Woolie”
For over a decade (maybe two!) I have looked forward to getting the catalog for the Maryland Sheep amp; Wool Festival. The cover always has such beautiful and interesting sheep–or wool–related art. First time I saw the catalog, I said, “I am going to have my art on the cover some day.” Every year I say that. Last year, just as I was about to create a blockprint carving to submit, I pulled a muscle in my back and couldn’t do much in the month before the deadline. This year, I have been crazy busy writing an instructional booklet (on rya rug making) and almost said to myself, “Guess this isn’t the year to submit a new art piece for the Sheep amp; Wool Fest.” Then I stopped and realized that every year I wanted to do something, but always made an excuse as to why I couldn’t. That is a bad habit.
So a couple of weeks ago, I set aside about 30 minutes a day to design and carve the Woolie. I’m not going to show you the finished piece here, just a step in the process. But I will tell you that the design is nearly done and win or not, I am proud to have not procrastinated or forgotten to submit a piece. If it wins the poster competition, it will be printed on thousands of T-shirts, maybe coffee mugs, tote bags, and of course the catalog. If it is not selected, well, heck, the design will be mine to print as I like–maybe on a T-shirt for you. It’s win-win either way. Check out the Sheep amp; Wool Festival here: http://www.sheepandwool.org/index.php And now, back to writing the book…..
Cheers, Melinda Byrd
My drawingboard with linocut in progress (center in gray) and resources
