This theme provided such a wide expanse of ideas!
Early on I decided I would look at the idea of the changes and transformations that artists perform, as they turn fleeting images into more permanent form, and as they use humble materials to spark ideas.
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| From this... |
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| ... to this. "Artist's Alchemy," a textile sketchbook page of art quilt ideas. |
I wanted to capture the possibilities and decisions that a quilt artist might work through to capture any simple image -- what fibers and fabrics to use? What threads? What techniques? How much embellishment? How realistic or abstract? What scale? Which composition? What kind of borders?
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| A quilt artist's palette of threads and fabrics. |
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| The photograph printed on cotton, and couched with boucle threads. |
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| The web done in beads. |
As an artist, when do you stick with the tried and true? When do you step further from your comfort zone onto a new path? How does your art transform the way you see yourself?
I was trying to portray an artist's sketchbook or bulletin board for a
project, with 3-D items and mini-quilts, melded into one giant page. I could happily continue work on my piece for weeks. You can read more about how I put it together
here.
I am really enjoying looking at how everyone else interpreted this theme, and the choices they made in portraying Change/Transformation.
This is a wonderful concept and you've brought all those ideas and techniques together beautifully. I love seeing all the different elements displayed together and your beaded web is the icing on the cake. I also like the questions you pose and your methodical approach :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, I had so much fun working with this idea!
DeleteWhat a fantastic idea! I love the way it's enabled you to play with different techniques - each element is beautiful - and that you've assembled them in a way that makes you think about the way an artist transforms what they see into art and is changed in the process.
ReplyDeleteThank you. At first I was overwhelmed by this theme but then it sparked so many ideas!
DeleteThis is amazing, what a brilliant interpretation and so wonderfully executed. There are so many things to love about it :)
ReplyDeleteI love how you started out selecting items you might use, but then your mind just took off. The couched boucle' made an amazing spiderweb and comparing it to a beaded one was perfect. This is a great project.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think we all go through the same steps of considering all the possible materials and techniques, and that is what I was trying to capture, the behind-the-scenes part of art. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your interpretation! the beaded web is fantastic! truly a masterpiece!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was worried I should have stayed more consistent with the sizes and shades of the beads, because it seems I want to change things up every inch. So I am glad it came across well. :)
Deletewhat an original idea - and it can still change and transform any time you like
ReplyDeleteYes, it will be easy to move the little pieces around or add more. Maybe it came from my time as a preschool teacher, and those flannel board stories with the moveable pieces. :)
DeleteI had no idea where the spider web would take you when you posted your spark for the theme. This is marvelous, especially since I don't really journal many ideas. It shows so the grit of your planning.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments! I really love the idea of keeping an art journal but I am not consistent. It doesn't seem like there's time to both journal and to actually complete projects, does there.
DeleteThe beads where my favorite take too, but the couching was a real close contender very real. This would be a lovely wall quilt.
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