There’s so many things that I notice now, that I don’t remember paying attention to when I was younger—such as the particular aspects of passing seasons. Maybe that’s because I’m getting old(er).
Tom and I are lucky to be living in a place where we can notice the movement of the sun throughout the year, and how it passes through the house and the studio from season to season. And as every month progresses, night-time dog walks either require a flashlight or not, depending on the phase of the moon. I grew up in a street-light-lit city suburb, so realizing that moonlight can also light up a night will always be magical to me. The photo above is this month’s July “Full Thunder Moon” shining through our bathroom window.
I’ve been continuing to tidy my studio as I have bits of time here and there. This week I pulled out fabrics to get started on a new project—my newest “Fly On the Wall: Studio Watch“—a Bella Luna (Beautiful Moon). Initial fabric selection is in the foreground of photo, above right.
After a couple other locations, the crescent moon portrait of our son Sam, “Earthshine,” seems to have found a good hanging spot in my studio, below right, as I can see it from most areas. It catches light nicely and sparkles, as it was meant to.
Djinni has been especially cute lately—on her throne or stretched out on the paper pattern for the moon portrait. She’s been enjoying that paper surface so much that I returned it to the table after I finished using it to transfer the design to foundation fabric to collage onto—and she stretched appreciatively.
Moths come in and out of the house with us at night, and I rescue them from the screens and doorways in the morning. Even the most subtle colored of them have intricate markings when you look at them closely. More summertime inspiration.
Tom, who’s not fond of frogs, toads, or snakes, pointed out to me that he did not let out a scream when he noticed this big (hand-sized) and beautiful bullfrog on our driveway last week, while walking our dogs at night. She patiently waited for me to dash out with my camera. The flashlight beam placed her in a spotlight…, looking like a rocky moon surface? A July Full Bullfrog Moon? I definitely had moons on my brain this week.
Back in my studio, Djinni is ready to wrap things up, and to sleep on the moon, again.
Join me via Zoom, for four Thursdays in July and August as I begin and then progress working on this new project—a personification of a beautiful full moon—live from my studio.
Fly on the Wall: Susan Carlson Studio Watch—Bella Luna
July 17 & 24, August 7 & 14, 2025—7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (no class on July 31)
Each session will last roughly 1-1/2 hours.
All sessions will be recorded for viewing later if you cannot attend live, or to review whenever you’d like.
Price: $78
USE THIS LINK TO REGISTER
Is there a Djinni moon in your future, just wondering?
Not a bad idea, though Djinni does already have her collage portrait in “Golden Temple for the Good Girls.” But you know, maybe a celestial combo could be the solution for a double portrait of the first pair of pups Tom and I had together. They passed more than 20 years ago and have been waiting a long time for their portraits. Thanks for the mental prompt 🙂
Absolutely LOVE the pics of Djinni and antics in and among the various steps of your collages..what a sweet and comforting feeling you must have when he’s near.
Hi Joanna! Thanks for enjoying my cat as well! I do appreciate her smile-inducing company, though still working on teaching her not to love me with her claws! 😉
The Djinni pix are priceless! Now she needs a quilt top for her new chair. Love your blog as usual!
Hi Diane! I did act on your suggestion for Djinni’s throne, and was surprised that she seems to like it plain, for now. If she starts to favor another pillow, blanket, or piece of fabric, I’ll try again!