On the Design Wall

Discussion on QuiltArt right now about what is on the design wall. This is a piece I started on a whim where I have taken some commercial fuschia fabric and made an 8point star from the design of the fabric. I am playing with options to 'hide' the lack of points on my star.

To celebrate the arrival of hummingbirds - which should happen very soon now - I painted a few onto the wallhanging. After this current (and I hope final) cold snap leaves Savannah - I am going to hang a hummingbird feeder outside. If I can see a hummingbird in the panhandle of WV by the end of March - I fully expect to see one in southwest Tennessee by the middle of March!!

Word #10 and #9

#10 in my Word series. More than one article in Artist's Magazine has given the advice to 'paint what you love'. In looking at quilt art, I find myself drawn to those pieces that are 'collages' if you will, of bright color, contrast and shapes. So I have been attempting to make these types of pieces - and failing.

So I feel I should go back to my first love, painting nature. Word #8 included a painted rabbit. This piece I used pictures taken at our home in WV of a Swallow-tail butterfly on azaleas. The butterfly and azaleas are painted with the Tsukineko inks and markers. I let the painting lead me to the color scheme of strong primaries - with a little green thrown in. I also broke the rule of design - put like items in odd numbered groups, 3 or 5. I used 2 groups of 4, just to see if it was irritating - like I used to sprinkle salt in the sugar bowl just before my sister 'sweetened' her cereal. That WAS irritating - but groups of 4 are just fine.

Again on this piece I used a paper printed with the verse captured in angelina fibers. I am really enjoying the shine that the angelina fibers add - and by photographing in natural light - you can see that shine in both of these pieces.

Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in thy word. Psalm 119:114

This is my piece for week 9 of 2009 - Word #9. About 2 years ago I did a selfstudy of color theory. I found many of the 'rules' of color theory to reflect God's glory. For this piece, my attempt was to show how black enhances, strengthens those hues next to and surrounded by it. Much as going thru tough, dark times in life , suddenly the small everyday items in our life are made sweeter and more meaningful. (I feel this attempt fell well short of the mark.)

Imagine how dark and tough it was for Mary and Martha to lose their brother Lazarus - knowing the Son of God, knowing their brother was loved and a friend to Jesus. Many people know the shortest verse in the bible - Jesus wept. But please know, He wasn't weeping because Lazarus had died. Why shed those tears when He was going to raise him from the dead? Jesus wept - in sympathy for Mary and Martha - knowing their tears. And He said to them, Said I not unto you that if you would believe, you should see the glory of God? John 11:40

That is a verse of high contrast - the tears and sadness of laying their brother in the grave - and the high worshipful glory of seeing their brother walk out of that grave.

Word #8 & Happy 50th Barbie

Just discovered that Barbie is 50 this year! EGADS! one of my favorite toys as a kid has been around for half of a century! And after this last move to Tennessee, I can't seem to find mine!!
Jamie Lee Curtis allowed herself to be photographed at 50 in the buff for AARP and in clingy lycra for all to see her all. I figured it was time for Barbie to show all too. And, please, Mattel - she is now 50! She has a problem with chocolate - so she is no longer long and thin. Her thighs actually touch now.

At 40, she had to come down off her toes! So sorry, no matter how 'sexy' they may be, 3" heels hurt!! And of course, in her 40s she had to do the Jennifer Aniston hairdo - didn't we all? As you can tell by now - this piece was done purely for fun! Not quilted yet, though. Still thinking about adding an aging Ken!

Not quilted yet - but this is the 8th in the Word series. The rabbit is hand painted with my favorite inks - in red and yellow, an attempt to 'stretch myself' whatever that may mean. I like the effect alot. The verse is Psalm 4:8 and one I use when sleep eludes.....'I will both lay me down in peace and sleep for Thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety'.