An Endeavourer – The Journey Begins

I love spending time under the open sky, hiking trails.   I made quite a few nature theme paintings last year, and I was looking for another creative angle. I love natural sciences, specially astronomy. Looking at nature through a science-coloured-glass gives me a deeper joy and that is what I wanted to use for inspiration.

Here is my take on the Nature theme.  Please visit my post An Endeavourer - The Journey Begins for my inspiration behind this piece.

That Tiny Touch of Nature

In the middle of December, I was out gathering some native grass seed with a conservancy group, when a small bird demanded my attention.  She was a Sedge Wren, and I knew she was perfect for this project.  Just a tiny touch of nature on the edge of a huge city -- so easy to overlook but still surviving, still bringing a spark of diversity into a monoculture of humanity.

Sedge Wren

About three years ago, I had taken a picture of a Carolina Wren, and the curving lines of the branches and vines around it caught my eye.  I realized how shrubs that are nondescript to us, are important shelters from the birds' point of view.  I had done several small sketches and practice mini-quilts from that picture.

Carolina Wren

Since that first Carolina Wren picture, I have gotten other pictures of wrens and sparrows sheltered within branches.  I thought a series of them as a wall hanging would make a great project for our theme, but I only finished this one small square.

The original photo had composition issues, with branches taking up the majority of the space, and blocking the view of the wren, so I simplified it to turn it into this quiltlet.

I painted dye on the corners of an old linen napkin and machine quilted lines to suggest the leaves.  I printed the wren on inkjet printer cotton and appliqued her on.  The white area I had left for the tree branches was too white and plain, so I added some color with fabric crayons.  To emphasize the lacy gray-green lichen around the bird, I stitched some rayon braided ribbons and pique trim in loose loops.
I will post more of the details on my blog Deep in the Heart of Textiles.

As with a lot of pieces, I can see a lot of room for improvement here!  But I had fun making it, and I am glad to commemorate one of my own nature encounters.

Don't Poke the Bear...

When the word 'Nature' was drawn as the subject of our first Endeavourers Quilt theme, I was more than a little daunted. My impulse was to try to make a small quilt that would somehow encapsulate a sense, or a least an aspect, of the natural world as a whole and yet it is so vast!

And I really wanted to make something inspiring and uplifting (or at least cheerful) for this first reveal (and I apologise to my fellow Endeavourers for failing in that because because this first reveal seems like the most inopportune time for a sad post) but, truth to tell, although I love being surrounded by countryside and the starry owl filled nights and the ever changing seasons and the antics of the wild creatures, Nature as a whole, with its current mass extinctions and the degradation of the natural environment, fills me with concern.

How this led to a bear baiting analogy is something for which I can't altogether account but some recurring thoughts that kept coming into my mind were an image of the world in photos taken from space, the phrase 'Don't poke the bear!' and this stanza from The Burning of the Leaves by (Robert Laurence-Binyon)

"They will come again, the leaf and the flower, to arise

From squalor of rottenness into the old splendour,

And magical scents to a wondering memory bring;

The same glory, to shine upon different eyes.

Earth cares for her own ruins, naught for ours.

Nothing is certain, only the certain spring."

Source

So I decided to make a bear as globe-shaped as possible using some map print fabric and I originally considered having some people with a stick to suggest that when provoked to a point Nature can be expected to roar back.

Source

But too much of the story was missing in that, even if Nature can roar at us (metaphorically) in storms and tsunamis and floods and droughts and suchlike, it overlooked the enormous and irreplaceable loss both to individual species and habitats and to diversity. So I decided to leave out the people and have the bear floating alone in space. And that was when I chanced upon the saddest video I have seen.

And I added a tear for the albatrosses.

For the albatrosses themselves and for all that suffer similarly and for Nature as a whole that we have come to this.

I hope that one day I will be able to make a sequel to this quilt with a happier bear...and I'm sure my future Endeavourer quilts will be happier as I'm really not in the habit of making sad quilts!

Making the Quilt

I hand quilted my background from the back using the stripes in this fabric as a guide and using ordinary sewing thread.

I used a piece of black lined from and old dress for the front and the quilted gave a subtle textured effect.

For the bear, I cut a head and a body shape in scraps of Soft and Stable and basted my print fabric onto them. This was an experiment and seemed to work quite well but the flatness and print made the bear-ness of it very indistinct.

So I marked with a frixon pen and stitched over the features in thick lines with two strands of dark brown embroidery thread. Then I slip stitched it to the background adding more stuffing and, finally, went around the embroidery with some lines of needle sculpting using using a thin cream sewing thread. The tear is crochet using six strands of embroidery thread.

Thank you to everyone who is joining in with this challenge. Although my offering, this quarter, is not very cheery, I'm very happy that we are all sewing along together and I'm very much looking forward to seeing all the other Nature Quilts and, of course, to the next theme, Janine :)

Ice Dyed Mandala Flowers Quilt: Divinity

"Divinity"

The first theme presented by The Endeavourers  is Nature. For two long months, I let the word roll around my brain. Such a broad topic needed narrowing, and so I asked the question, "What mental image do I see for the word nature?" Weather? Mountains? Animals? No, when I close my eyes I see flowers both wild, cultivated, and magical. Newly opened, allowing these eyes the first glimpse of  seductive blooms--never ceasing to amaze me with spectacular color and detail beyond the imagination of the greatest artist. And no matter how I pose the question, "Who could dream so vividly?," I am brought back to a divine creator. Therefore, I've titled this piece, "Divinity."

The Creation Process

These 4 separate pieces were created nearly 2 years ago in my studio through a process known as ice dyeing. You can read the details at Mandalas Created with Ice Dyeing at Pink Doxies, my home blog. I knew at the time they were interesting, but had not been able to see their possibilities until this project came about.

Stitch & Chalk

I started by sewing the four individual mandalas together. Then using chalk, I drew the details out. The flowers were fantastical! Not only did they remind me of exotic species, but of butterfly wings. I could see fairies in some of them. They were translucent and felt as though the sun shone through them. How they had changed! 

Using my long arm to freehand the details felt natural. I used a pale grey 50# So Fine thread so there would be only the slightest outline. I was not sure I wanted to change the overall feeling of the mandalas. There were so many subtle color changes, and I was only echoing one.

I was careful to not overwork the quilting process, but in the middle of one flower I realized it was flowing into the next. 

These pieces share similar properties of radial symmetry, but the colors are very individual.

These 'scales' appeared from the screen the fabric laid on during the dyeing process. I had to outline them.

Buttons & Beads

I had 4 vintage buttons in blue glass. I placed one in each center, and started to bead. At first I was hesitant to add too much, but each of these flowers needed visual weight to make them stand out from a distance.

The first flower center I finished taught me the biggest lesson. I placed it where I saw the center, but isolated from the rest of the piece. This button appeared 1/4" or so off center when seen from a distance. I naively thought it would add to the individuality of the flower so left it in place, and added the beads.

No matter how I turned it or who I asked, they made a face. It was 'off'. We expect most flowers to have symmetry, and this one did not. I was also disappointed in how the bead colors blended into the background. A few hours to stitch, but only minutes to rip out. I was learning.

Brighter colored beads, more symmetry...

...and a button at dead center looked much better.

I played with a slightly asymmetrical center here. 

This flower was the largest of all. 

To highlight the center, I added seed beads to the points of the inner petals or are they stamens perhaps?

A thick ring of seed beads create stamens in this flower.

Many beads were stacked, and a few sequins added more reflection.

I had just added the binding of a hand dyed orchid colored fabric, and the sun was shining so brilliantly. That's unusual for an Ohio winter so I had to snap a shot of the backing to let the quilting stand out. A few minutes to take in some light, then home to hand stitch the binding.

Done.

Such an interesting and varied theme this quarter, and I'm looking forward--as I'm sure you are, to seeing how the rest of The Endeavourers interpreted Nature. Share this game today, and tell us in the comments, "What do you see when you think of Nature?"

Come on, Doxie girls. 

Let's go sew.

Quilt Reveal of "Nature Photography"

This exciting day has arrived!
The Endeavourers, a new online art quilt group has its first quilt reveal for its members!
Our group of 14 quilters from around the world were charged to interpret the theme of NATURE and make a quilt based on it. You can read our mission statement HERE.

I was not the only member who had ideas churning in my head for nearly two months. Nature can be defined in many ways such as the essence of something, human nature or that of Mother Nature. I chose to focus on the definition of nature as "the phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans or human creations." 

I continued to look at photos I had taken in the last few years on my walks and travels--that showed how I interpreted the theme of nature. I could not decide on a single photo that told my story, so I selected 24 of my favorites. I chose to collage them. Below is my completed quilt (22.5 inches by 21.5 inches) I call NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY.

I challenged myself to move out of my comfortable piecing techniques. The idea of film negatives (from bygone times, when I was a kid and a young mom) where we took photos and didn't discover the results until they were returned from developing and printing. It is so much easier now, delete the photo that does not meet our expectations, save those we want on a hard drive, CD, memory stick--or, the Cloud! To be printed when we desire and how we desire.

To read the details on how I tackled sewing this quilt, visit my blog HERE.

A late start!

Hello everyone! Nice to meet you all!

When I first saw the title "Nature" I thought "Oh, that will be quite easy" ..... Nah!


I have to admit I had trouble getting started, although I had the idea of working from this photo right from the word go!

I started with ideas of drawing the branch with leaves and berries, but soon realised that including leaves would be too complicated in the time I have left!

I hope you will visit my blog where I am sharing more details with all my blogging friends.

Hugs,

Barbara xxx

Dipping Into Nature

I am very glad to be a part of this group.  Participating in the themes and challenges will spur me to try new subject matters, materials, and techniques.

But what a huge theme to start with -- Nature!  So many ideas are swirling in my head -- how to pick just one?

When choosing from among a wealth of possibilities, here are three tips that work for me:

1) Start from where you are.

I am very fortunate that, after decades living in cities and suburbs, I get to divide my time between two very different rural properties.  (Texas is more or less divided in half, with the eastern half being green and humid, and the western half being tawny and arid.)  I have spent a lot of time over the last eight years, trying to learn and document all the species that live in these two places.

East Texas farm in November.

Central Texas ranchita in November.

And when I am in more urban settings, I still notice touches of nature that managed to survive and thrive, and I take pictures of those too.  So for this project, I will start with an image I already have, and some techniques I already have experience with.

But that still gives me so much material to choose from.  Capturing the ideas on paper in quick collages and sketches clarifies my thinking -- it's like each idea is happy to be noticed, and it stops chattering, "Pick me! Pick me!"

(For years I have told myself I would start an art journal, and this group has provided the impetus to finally do that.  So that is already source of satisfaction!)

But that leads me to my next point --

2) Do not go overboard in researching a direction.  For me, this is not the time to seek out and study dedicated artists.  Even at the art journal stage, lots of people produce phenomenal, finished work that overwhelms me and makes me think I should give up now. I avoid looking at a lot of websites and look more intently at the subject I am working on.

3) Small strokes.   As in canoeing or kayaking, small strokes can help you progress.  I realize that this is not going to be the Great American Quilt on Nature, or even (I hope) my own Ultimate Nature Object.  This is just one step. Maybe some day these small strokes will bring me into the rushing rapids of creativity, and I will develop a recognizable style, but if not, at least my own thinking  should become more creative.

My project this time is going to be very low-key, but I am enjoying the time spent on thinking of possibilities, and on enriching my work habits!  

Just A Tease

Thank you Catherine and Janine for forming this group.  I have enthusiastically thought about the theme and what I will stitch.

If I had not had a battle with two bouts of the flu that rotated through our house, and a wedding in our home, I would have done more research on the technique I chose.  My project is hand stitched.  As I went along, saw mistakes.  I corrected some and others I let stay.  I accept this piece as a challenge to myself to learn and grow.  I'm excited to see what the NEXT project will be.

Here is a sneak peek of the project I am working on.

I would be interested to know what other member's take is on their reason for participating in the group.

About Procrastination

I am really looking forward to this being a communicative group because I love seeing what other people are up to and following their creative process, so I had good intentions of making a work-in-progress post as my contribution.  Sad to say though, I have not even started on my quilt.  There are some valid excuses for this - some events have taken up a bit of time and emotional energy recently and for the last week I've had the sort of cold that makes you want to lie on a chaise longue, clutching a lace hankie while bravely protesting in a weak voice that you're alright really, or in my case sprawling on the sofa, sniffling and watching re-runs of CSI Miami.

But the main reason for not having started is Procrastination.  Every time I make something to a deadline I leave it to the last minute which causes a lot of stress and every time I think I will start earlier next time.  So I was thinking about procrastination, and instead of a WIP piece (or actually even just getting on with my quilt, oh the irony!) I thought I would write about that instead.

Procrastination is the thief of time (Charles Dickens, I looked it up) and it's definitely the curse of the crafter.  Why do we do it? (I'm assuming I'm not alone.)  

Personally I can find many reasons to procrastinate, including:

1 there are always other things that need doing - clean the bathroom, put on a clothes wash, etc, etc

2 I'm never sure where I've put all the bits of fabric that I need and the thought of hunting for them is wearying

3 I use the family dining table when I'm working, and it's always covered with stuff so I need to claim a bit of space before I start, and I need to clear it away again when I finish.

But these are feeble excuses because 

1 nothing truly catastrophic will happen if the bathroom is a mess for a bit longer or if everyone runs short of socks

2 half an hour spent sorting the stash and retrieving the necessary bits is not arduous and would be doubly productive

3 again, this is a dispiriting activity, but no big deal!

So I don't think these are the real reasons and so, again hoping this is not just me, why do we do it?  For me part of the reason is lack of confidence and the fear that what I make will fall short somehow.  Social media is a blessing and a curse because the opportunity to engage with other like-minded people is so lovely, but it's too easy to fall into comparing yourself with other people.  There's also the fear that my work won't match up to the original grand ideas. 

Part of the reason is fear of commitment.  Fear of committing limited resources (time, fabric?) to a project and somehow 'wasting' them.

I think we have to hang on tightly to our own identities, the idea of making what we want to make and what interests us, doing it as well as we can, and try to enjoy the process and the constant discovery.  Nothing is a failure and nothing is wasted if you have learned something.    Also, you don't get interest on unspent time and you can't take a fabric stash to the grave!

Is procrastination ever a good thing?  Well yes.  Even when I'm cleaning the bathroom, or putting on a clothes wash, I'm thinking about the project in hand.  It's an absolute luxury and source of happiness to do this and it's why I enjoyed taking part in Four-in-Art and why I wanted to keep going with a new group.  

Putting things off also means that you can take advantage of lucky events.  Since the random number generator picked this theme, Nature, from the list we'd all contributed I've followed a lot of trains of thought and had come up with a couple of ideas that 'would do', but last week I was wandering back and forth in front of my dining room window while chatting to my sister on the phone and I looked down into the neighbour's garden and saw a scene that really inspired me.  Now I have a definite plan, and just hope I can pull it off!

So now that I've banged on ad nauseam about procrastinating, please tell me I'm not alone.  Do you procrastinate?  -  if so why, and how do you get round it?  I'd love to know what gets in the way of your creativity.  If you don't, I admire and envy you!  

A Little Peek

Before the February 1st reveal, I thought I would give a little peek at what I have been working on for my NATURE themed project.

It is also a practice run on posting here on the blog. Come back in a few weeks!

Where to start?

Well our first theme, Nature, has been decided so it is time to get my thinking cap on, but where to start?

Do I go for something sweeping like a grand landscape?

Maybe a landscape tamed?

Constrained?

Or flipped, nature taming man?

It is a lovely dilemma isn't it?

Hello World

This is a test post.