Back to Wings, 9

Slowly, slowly, it takes shape....

Long way to go--more stitching pleasure...

Another Start?

Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm not supposed to be starting another piece when I have zippo time and a TO-DO-LIST as long as my arm. Well, tough!

With the times being what they are, I felt that my last sketchbook page needed to become a larger work. 

No, truth to tell, it was when I realized I had enough of the background fabric left that I made the decision to expand.




Here's the beginning: Two sheets of newsprint serve as the stabilizer to which I'm pinning the fabric.

It currently measures about 2ft. x 2ft., but will inevitably grow. The uneven edges please me. I'll add more red bits. The idea of palimpsest (loose definition: an underneath text or image shows through despite new layers) comes into play here. [The main reason that I went to graduate school is so that I can throw around big, impressive words. ha!] That the original flowers (in the darker fabric) come to represent a flow of blood adds layers of meaning, some irony, some horror.

I am currently thinking of pulling together a small exhibition that connects my artwork to my blogposts and to the so-called Arab Spring. No idea of the where or when, but "leap and the net will appear."

Back to Wings, 8

As usual, just inching along....

In the comment sections, Susan mentioned that this was a tedious technique.

Time-consuming, yes; tedious, rarely. The possibilities of what can be done are endless. This is high adventure...

A Bit of Sketching

A bit of fun, sketching with a friend.

Her cat fell asleep and didn't move a whisker...quick!

I sketch in a recycled planner/calendar so that I can feel free to fiddle around and play, with no expectations. No worries about ruining expensive imported paper (which I can't even find at the art shop anymore--the dinar is worthless) or facing a white page... 

Pomegranates are in season now. A blind sketch first.

I love the way colored pencils layer. I could do a million studies of pomegranates and never tire of their color and shape--consider the Pomegranate Tree Quilt. Come to think of it, my colored pencil marks seem to be influenced by the way I have come to stitch on the machine.And, of course, I eat a least a couple a day. Pomegranates are a part of me...

Back to Wings, 7

The Wings keep circling back into my creative time, little that there is. 

While I'm sewing down leaves full of pins on the Pomegranate Tree (a prickly and time-consuming undertaking, even on the machine), I've inched along a bit here.

I get lost in the needle-turn appliqué, pleasantly entangled.

Still Pinning

Looking at pomegranate trees in my garden and then looking at the one 

on the wall made me think that I needed a few more dark "leaves".

Now, I'll take it off the wall and machine sew all the pinned patches. 

Fabric piles have invaded my sewing table--this could be a challenge. Fabric everywhere....

A Sea Monster in My Pocket, 6

The action's over at MulticoloredPieces today.

Just Stitching Holes

So I'm cutting out holes and reverse appliquéing them. Just as long as I don't snip the shirt...

Almost finished...of course, white is treacherous. 

So if new spots appear, there will be more appliqué.

My Favorite Teapot

tMy favorite teapot belonged to my (formidable) grandmother and dates from the 1920s or 30s, I suppose. It has seen much use and can tell many stories--it served tea at my mother's wedding, for example. So it makes an excellent subject for sketching. A first sketch a couple years ago (already?):












But lately, I've become a bit irreverent. I've used it for blind sketches done in the Sketch Club--Oh, yes, a friend and I now have a Sketch Club. Members include two grandmothers (founding members), and whichever kids and grandkids happen to be in town. Strictly for fun, once a week.


















I just love those lines. It seems to me the teapot has taken on more life, more personality. The one on the right seems to be flexing its muscles (you go, girl!), while the one on the left seems to be in a prissy snit with nose in the air. Art has to be very fast, lately. 


    

A Sea Monster in My Pocket, 5

Almost finished...

Just a few more holes to reverse appliqué into place. As usual, this design just kind of grew--I had originally planned a small...appliqué flower? 

It's always surprising, just like life.

Sketchbook: Plants

A bit of time to sketch occasionally, a few minutes grabbed here and there. This started with a watercolor wash background (just playing) onto which I imposed a potted plant.

Working with artists' quality paint makes such a big difference in the quality and intensity of colors. I'm thinking the background would be really cool in fabric....yes...........