I love playing with color so I was happy with this theme!
I was inspired by a color study book from 1821 -- a Scottish painter named Patrick Syme adapted an even earlier color study book, published in Germany in 1774! What set Syme's book apart from others in the genre for me, was that he chose items from nature that matched the colors he charted -- details like "Flax-Flower Blue [is found in]the Light Parts of the Margins of the Wings of the Devil's Butterfly."
I have written more about this book, Werner's Nomenclature of Colours, here, and you can also see a spectacular website devoted to it here.
I wanted to play with color interactions, so I built up several layers -- a background of horizontal batik stripes, an overlay of Lutrador painted with textile paints, a layer of couched cords, and some details of yarn butterflies, and small treasures from nature.
Well it looks like Blogger has changed things since the last time I was here, and I cannot figure out how to add captions to the photos! So the top one shows the whole piece -- it is hung up on our outside lattice; I did not create that fancy border!
The other picture shows a detail -- I love the effect of the Jacquard Lumiere paint on the Lutrador, but I don't like that stitch holes don't close up if you have to remove stitches! I would have liked to embroider or even machine stitch patterns around every square, but the heavy threads I wanted to use would have torn the edges, I think.
I have written more about how I made this piece at my own blog, Deep in the Heart of Textiles. I hope you can drop in over there!
This is amazing Gwen, such a wealth of meaning in the details and so much work! You have really embraced this theme and then some :)
ReplyDeleteWerner's Nomenclature is such a lovely book, isn't it? What a marvellous and ingenious quilt to illustrate the theme - so much beautiful detail, I really wish that I could see it in real life. I love the treasures highlighted against the 'windows' especially that turquoise charm against its orange compliment.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I thought I would be so original, working from that book, but it seems it is a well-known book! :)
DeleteI really like the complementary areas too.
I love a rainbow and this makes me smile! The layers are gorgeous and the little details draw me in.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it was fun to experiment with the fabric paint and thread couching!
DeleteLove it! Made me smile to see it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it was fun to play with.
DeleteThis reminds me of the cover of a photo album I picked up once in a stationery store. I love these little “windows” of color. Very pleasing to the eye. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am hoping to get to an art supply store to buy some natureal crystals to add more details. :)
DeleteI agree the rainbow of colors is so pleasing to see. The addition of the thread and the embellishments just adds to the pleasure!
ReplyDeleteThank you,it was fun to make and I think it will be fun to continue playing with it!
DeleteI love all the texture, layering and embellishment you've used. It all works together to create a beautiful quilt with so many interesting details. I especially like the way you can see how the background colours look different against each of the foreground colours and the inclusion of the objects from nature.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Through this group, I have learned that I really like overlaid thread work and embellishments, and I look forward to doing more!
DeleteIn my mind you made an apartment building called The Rainbow Arms. Inside the people are all grooving to some happy tune and smiling at each other. The quilt is just so fine!
ReplyDeleteIn my mind you made an apartment building called The Rainbow Arms. Inside the people are all grooving to some happy tune and smiling at each other. The quilt is just so fine!
ReplyDelete