Archive for September, 2013

done, done and done…

Sunday, September 29th, 2013

It is now official. I have finished not only the two large pieces for Earth Stories, but also the smaller lead in-piece and the accompanying journal so it is soup! I am so glad I did not wait any later to start as it took me nearly 4 months and the deadline of Nov 1 is rapidly approaching.

The larger diptych added up to 66″ long by 72″ wide with the smaller piece being the requisite 14″ x 12″ . Rather than ferret out a good resting place for it until the debut exhibit next May, I decided to simply cover the jellyroll of rolled work with cloth and let it sit on the top of the guest bedroom sofa. Out of sight, out of mind.

The past few days I’ve been thinking I would finish the ES journal, then press, roll and pack, in a certain order in five tubes the 15 pieces of my Tall Girl Series which is shipping out on October 9th for a special exhibit at the Pacific International Quilt Festival. If you’ve been anxious to see this exhibit en todo this might be your last chance!

The reason for my madness was all about not living in the present moment. My intention was to cut myself some slack after returning from a quick trip just days before the work is to be picked up. Suddenly I realized my hope of relaxing post-trip was interfering with my pre-trip sanity and that if I kept up at this pace I would be exhausted when I got there and defeat the whole purpose of going! So I’m going to leave the exhibit packing to when I get back trusting it will all work out. Hooray for 3 days of art and seeing old friends in Portland.

Meanwhile I am slapping random fabrics up on the design wall with the hopes of finding direction for my next project.

 

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today’s the day…

Saturday, September 7th, 2013

After four months, seventy hours stitching and countless hours considering design and construction...today’s the day I completed my mammoth Earth Stories piece! I still need to sign, photograph, title, create the requisite 9″x 12″ accompanying piece, work on the artist statement and compile the process journal. So lots of details until I am officially finished but the big girls are done! The photography of all pieces is due November 1.

This work is about the impact sustainable architecture is making on a moving planet. And while I cannot reveal the completed work before the exhibit opens in May 2014 I can tease with detail shots. I designed two vertical panels to hang within the requisite 72″ square space.

The dark panel (right) represents the Earth in flux with stitched segments layered upon each other. The lighter panel (left) is screen-printed with building shapes to reflect structures both standing and falling with the Earth’s movement. It too is constructed in stitched segments laid upon each other. The challenge was not only in design and construction but how to also make the pieces pop and correlate.

I learned so much along the way from reminders of how paint can provide much needed contrast in an otherwise neutral palette; how important it is to keep tabs on the working dimension especially in non-geometric forms; how just the right sharp scissors can make a world of difference in turning endless 90 degree angle corners. The pillowcase seaming required minimally 500 x 90 degree corners. And how I don’t have to do everything! Most importantly I learned to trust my gut, to get out of my own way and silence the inner critic. After much consternation I went with my initial vision and it worked!

As I wrap up the loose ends of this project my mind is busy thinking about what is next…something small is very appealing! I yearn to get back to dyeing and printing which certainly will take me somewhere. Wherever it is perhaps this segmented odd-shaped work will inspire new direction.

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