Art Quilt Workbook Chapter 4

Chapter 4 was about collage. I was definitely challenged! Creating a composition using my theme of water did not "flow" easily! I struggled to think how I could render the effects of water. I am realizing the programming that is stored in my brain about water; these are interfering with my

creativity. I tend to think of water mostly as a seascape, sunny and pleasant. I am realizing I need to think broader about water. So, I plan to do some more sketching, thinking and journaling about this subject.
In the meantime, here is what I created.

I used 8mm habotai silk to print an image I took of a pier in the Caribbean. The rocks are man made and had sharp angles which I thought looked sculptural. The water was crystal clear. I like the image completely so I could not alter it! Instead I added strips from a second image to the edge and quilted it. The quilting followed the water patterns. The finished quilt has a beautiful quality. The sheen of the silk and the colors are very reminiscent of the actual turquoise water.

I was not completely pleased with my work because the work was so controlled so, I tried again. This time I tried to create the effect of the ocean at dawn.

I am pleased with this collage. I used hand painted kona cotton for the sky area and some of the pieces for highlights in the water. Hand painted silk and organza overlap to create the water and clouds.
I actually go into developing the clouds as much as the water; after all, clouds are water too. Finally, I decided to cut the outside to reflect the patterns of the water instead of a hard edge.

I was still not happy with my controlled thinking so I continued with a third quilt just to push myself in the opposite direction and created the ocean at night. This was also challenging. I am pleased with the results.

The concept is something I had never tried before. I used several shades of organza. I cut them into strips free hand and overlapped them crisscross. The colors: red, purple, white created the highlights over dark green and black. I also mixed in slivers of sparkly multicolored fabric.
I actually like this one turned sideways. This orientation looks MUCH more abstracted, but nothing resembling water!
This Chapter stretched my thinking which is always welcome!

Art Quilt Workbook Chapter 3

Chapter 3 through me off a bit because there ar 3 quilts assigned and none pertain to my chosen theme. I decided to follow the directions (specifically) for the pear design. I thought the technique was effective but interfered with my creativity. If I were to use it again I would cut the shapes free hand.

The same week I was studying Chapter three, I read about twin sisters that collaborate to create textile art they call "paintings". http://tinyurl.com/6pxafu

Co-incidentally, they utilize a similar method and guess what? They were using pears as the subject and were using a similar technique cutting out the fabric free hand.

Affirmation is wonderful!

I am looking forward to Chapter 4 as the topic is Abstract. Now I can get back to my theme of water.

Art Quilt Workbook Group

I am participating in a workbook group. We are studying the Art Quilt Workbook by Jane Davila and Elin Waterston. There are 30 of us studying together online. We are now in Chapter 3. I have chosen water as my theme and set a color palette. Chapter 1 introduced the concepts. Chapter 2 covers several elements. A 9x12" quilt is made for each chapter. We are allowing 2 weeks per chapter to finish and report our experiences. There are 10 chapters; the last focuses on the business of art. When we finish we should have a nice series of 9x12" quilts.

I chose water as my theme because I live near a beautiful wide creek. This water is a daily part of my life. I have always lived near water and would not be comfortable without water access. Being near water gives me the feeling of freedom.

I have also been enjoying our pool this summer. So, I
started sketching while sitting by the pool. I also took photos of different sources of water. Water is usually moving which is challenging!

I happened to see a wonderful fountain while at the WWII war memorial in Washington DC. It was such a hot day I almost jumped in!

For Chapter 2, I chose the topic of perspective.


I painted some Kona cotton with the theme in my mind.

I found an old post card that I purchased over 20 years ago on a trip to Italy. I found it while looking through my sketch book. I have all sorts of references taped inside along with sketches. The scene on the post card was the perfect combination of water and perspective.

I used a piece of the painted kona cotton for the base and added many layers of sheers to create the effect of water.

I used the painted painted kona cotton for the base. Some of the sheers were hand painted silk and some printed.

The composition came together better than I expected; this was a good study. I now may attempt a larger version.

Homage to Edrica Huws and Wake Up Call!

Recently I was fortunate to have a link passed along to me that I am very grateful for. It is a link to a video on You Tube. The video is not professionally photographed and has too much movement, but it is still worth seeing. It is a retrospective exhibit of her life's work including personal history and statements. It is narrated by her son (I think) and has subtitles in English.

edrica huws patchworks 2 An insight into this original fabric artist's work - Edrica Huws.

This link will take you to all three videos
http://tinyurl.com/666r4l

This is an excellent art source and (timely) very relevant to the content of Clairan Ferrono's essay on The Ragged Cloth Cafe recently.

Clairan has prompted a tremendous amount of introspective thinking, which is excellent!

I was compelled to do some thinking of my own. Writing about my art, as she suggested, was the best method to assist me with sorting through aspects and reasons to answer the question:
"Just what IS my artwork about?"

I can say that my writing did reveal something to me and that is: I need to reach deeper; that my some of my subjects are not ABOUT anything; at least anything profound.

I tend to function well with the elements of art instead of the subject. I enjoy exploring and discovering as I create. What makes me land on a certain combination? I am not sure yet.
I follow my instincts and many times I am successful, so something is connecting; I just need to find out what and how this happens.

I am not terribly concerned about it because I don't want to interfere with my instincts. They have served me well; however, to grow and rise to higher levels of accomplishment I agree, I should evaluate my work now.

Now that this has been raised to my consciousness, as I work, I will be thinking about it enough (hopefully) to find new insight. I hope to realize what else I can explore and enjoy while advancing onward.

Clairan's essay was a wake up call for me and many others. Thank you Clairan!

By the way, there are many additional posts on the Ragged Cloth Cafe by accomplished textile artists, that are well worth the time to read.

Home Alone

Well, this week I had a week to myself!! I had company here for the week prior and had a good amount of "chill" time. My husband left for a week long conference in Boston along with the company. Mass exit! It was perfect timing...after I realized the precious gift of private (studio) time was in my grasp, I was off and running!

I thought at first I would just jump right in and have fun; however, I soon realized...it had been awhile since I had actually sat down, totally focused AND had NO distractions. This was actually eerie....I did not get off to the robust "charge out of the gate" pace I first anticipated! Instead, I found out I was NOT focused at all. My mind was going in too many different directions. I had to go through and sort out.....what did I want to do the most? What had I been aching to accomplish, if I only had the time? What was that technique I wanted to try? Where is that fabric I have been saving? Next, I took a nap.

My second visit to the studio was equally weird. I sort of stood there and stared at things.

Finally, I said to myself, "Just jump in and go for it!" So, I did just that. I started to cut strips, (how ordinary is that?). It was methodical, it freed my mind to not have to think to hard.

Cut, sew, cut sew....I did this for hours. Then, I started to see something developing!

Backtrack....I have been reading a good book: The Disorder of Longing
I have that condition...I admit I do "long for".
I was about 3/4 through it; savoring the approaching ending.


I decided to take a break and read for a while. What a luxury even to be able to let give myself permission to take the time to do these things.
There is one scene in particular, that is descriptive of which the entire story hinged upon.

While reading this section I am immediately stop; I have to get a pencil and paper to take notes.
The story is set in the late 1800's, Victorian era. The main character, a female has discovered the most rare and precious orchid in Brazil.
She describes the setting: She has on a turquoise dress, simple cotton sun dress and barefoot. She spots the cluster of colors: red, purple, yellow and must go closer to see clearer. She inhales the perfume while taking in this incredible scene. She decides to lie down among the flowers and become one with them. Her turquoise dress mingles with the orchids. She is now looking up through the flowers to see the view from under the leaves. She sees the red, yellow and purple flowers against the vibrant blue sky.

What a palette. As I jot down the colors....I realize...OMG---these are the VERY colors I had been working in all day!

The next day, back in the studio I ponder the composite I have created. It is not a composition at all.
But, I like sections. After a good bit of thinking I decided to divide it.

One section that I liked the most became a 5x11" design I titled: Hopscotch

The fabrics I used created an interesting illusion of transparency.
The block shapes look as if they are moving and playful.
The base fabric, a gorgeous hand dyed in shades of red and yellow. After cutting strips of various other fabrics I decided to weave them and place them onto the hand dyed fabric. I included strips of painted watercolor paper. They were painted in deep tones of purple and turquoise.

I tore the painted paper and this created a white edge. The white edge became an important accent within the composition.

The transparency was created by using printed chiffon. This fabric is really tacky....but, has great color passages.

The challenge came when I needed to finish the edges. Hopscotch finished

In my first attempt I used the lining fabric, single layer stitched 1/4" from the front. This didn't look too bad....but didn't suit the mood of the piece.









My second attempt utilized the chiffon. Same width and method. This looked better, but still not right.









My third try proved successful. I used the chiffon, however, I placed it strategically along the edge to continue the color passages as best I could. I didn't want to stop the flow of color. I sewed the single layer strip to the front with a 1/8" seam, turn to the back nice and tight. Along the way I decided the orientation should be vertical; the view as in playing Hopscotch.

Now, the remaining sections are under "construction".
One is developing and has promise.
Title: Peace, 5x6"




This is the longest post I have made yet!

When it rains, it pours! I enjoyed the rain...
does it show?

I am always interested in your comments; please let me know what you think.

Think "outside" the

Take out Box class has concluded on Joggles.com. The class was joyful! New ideas came forth!

Jane R. had three cleaver ideas: Her lantern version is lined with shiny gold fabric. I love this idea!
Her traditional version is delightful.




Her third version is for a friend with cats. She plans to fill it with cat nip goodies.

This class is available in October on my yahoo site.
Four Lessons, $45

For details contact me: contact me

My yahoo site: Studio Quilts Goldilocks and Friends is open to all who are interested in learning and communicating about Textile Art. We share the passion for art in general but focus on fiber as our primary medium.