I'm working with some drawings that just fell apart on me.

I tried adding some things to the surface and they just blew the marks away. So now I am cutting the drawings into pieces that could be assembled to make a new drawing. Or be part of another drawing. One that may be dimensional and may even be fastened say with a stapler. Just a couple of ideas I am working with right now.

I have a few days to do holiday things and then I will be back in the studio.

Winter essentials. I love my little sketchbook (thanks Carol). I can hold it in a gloved or mittened hand.

I haven't been into the studio in a bit. Been working hard on a set of projects with pressing deadlines. If I had been in the studio more it is likely ideas would be flowing better.

Until then I have my favorite little fountain pen and my handy dandy orange sketchbook. It's easy to make small drawings in the cold and wind, even when you have to use Blistex or Chapstick.

I hope to have more news from the studio soon.

New drawings. In the studio November. These are a new series of drawings. Mixed media. Working. I can't talk about them yet. I don't want to formulate any thoughts. They are still about process right now.

Matte finish vinyl paint, graphite, and white ink on Rives BFK white

I was thrilled to have Don Brewer visit my studio at 1241 Carpenter. We had a great time opening up my flat files and talking about my drawings stored inside as well as the kinds of materials I like to use when I make my work. I gave him the full studio tour.

excerpt from Don Brewer's post on my studio building 1241 Carpenter Street. The link to the full article is at the end of this post.

I spent a long day in the studio Sunday.

I walked over from home; took a different route and enjoyed the cool weather. By the time I got up to my studio I was feeling a bit more tired than invigorated by the walk. I decided I didn't have the energy to make drawings on the wall.

I poured a tall glass of water and put on a half pot of coffee as usual.

Open Studios in October is grueling; but it is invigorating and inspiring too.

Each day I would change the work on my walls.

Talking with visitors about my work of was a great deal of fun. I pulled out this drawing to show a visitor that asked about how my work was informed by the seasons.

I set up my about.me splash page and want to share it with you: http://about.me/stellagassaway/.

I've been trying to figure out a single source portal to send folks to more a bout me. I'm using Google+ but I thought I would try this a bit. I think it captures the right spirit. I'll be linking to all that is me from there.

@ste!!a

I've begun organizing my studio for the upcoming Philadelphia Open Studio Event. The weekend is coming up quickly and I'm working to get ready. I've made a number of new drawings and that has left the studio a mess. Tools paper and drawing implements everywhere.

POST is a great time to get the studio in order before the weather gets to cold to open the windows and doors.

Worked for hours organizing drawings in the studio.

Open Studios is coming and it's an interesting time for self assessment. What new work do I want to show? What old drawings do I want to try to push out into the world?

I've got work in progress I can put on one wall to talk about — visitors like to see work in progress an in an informal way. It's always interesting to think about letting some one, anyone into this very private space.

THIRD FLOOR
Studio 303

I will be participating in Philadelphia Open Studio Tours this year after taking last year off. Plenty of new work to show you. Some sale items and maybe even some limited edition prints.

Come see some work in progress too.

I'll be participating with 16 other artists and creative businesses in the building. There are more than 30 studios that will be open in our neighborhood.

See you in the studio!

my website:
www.stellauntalan.com