Tag: fiber art

When I posted the first art piece in the Hot Cross series, Crossroads, I requested input and constructive criticism.  I’m grateful for what I received.  My brother, in addition to his comments, also presented me with a challenge:

He wrote: “I’m hoping one uses mixed media of some sort to look like a rustic cross made from the wood in an old barn… Consider that a challenge put forth.”

To my mind and my eye, Rustic doesn’t look like wood or an old barn, but the colors are indicative of those weathered structures one sees when traveling down a lonely rural road.

This piece incorporates burlap, with burnt edges, and hand dyed cheesecloth (not mine…created by Frieda Anderson – http://www.friestyle.com/ ).  The burlap and cheesecloth were anchored with single cross stitches using hand dyed embroidery thread (also not mine…created by Laura Wasilowski – http://artfabrik.com/ ).  My Sweets suggested I extend the strip piecing beyond the edge of the quilt at the top and bottom of the cross to imply rough and rugged edges.

I’m not quite sure I like the final impact of those extensions, however, since this art piece began as a challenge from my brother, I incorporated Sweets’ suggestion as an additional out-of-the-box effort.

Please let me know what you think.  All input and constructive criticism is appreciated.

Rustic (link to poem)

Next up: A break from the Hot Cross series, but I’ll back to it soon.

It seems appropriate that I finished the third art quilt in my Hot Cross series during Easter week.  The timing is pure coincidence, but providential.

Resurrection depicts an abstract figure fused to the cross, which was fused to the background.  The piece called for free form quilting rather than the linear stitches in the previous pieces.

Once again, I’d appreciate any input or constructive criticism in the comments.

Resurrection (link to poem)

Next up: Rustic (Hot Cross Four)

In my second to last post, I mentioned I am working in a series this year as a means to help define and find my artist’s voice.  I chose crosses because they visually appeal to me.  There are so many styles depending on the source.  Just Google “crosses” and you’ll discover image upon image of plain, ornate, Coptic, Celtic, colorful.

I also chose this theme because there are so many ways to shake up that linear shape.  I’m curious to see how many versions I can create.

Blue Radiance appears below (I was going to name it “Study in Blue”, but the final piece called for a different name).

Just like last time, I’d appreciate any input or constructive criticism in the comments.

Blue Radiance (link to poem)

Next up: Resurrection (Hot Cross Three)

Each year, I set goals for myself related to my art.  I don’t do resolutions.  I do goals, with defined steps leading to achievement.  This works best for me — I tend to reach the end to which I strive.  In keeping with my updated goals for 2016, my focus for the year is to make twelve (12) art quilts.  This will help to develop my work ethic, a body of work, and to find my voice.  My art “voice” is sort of all over the place; the best way to find it is to keep making art.

For the first part of this year, I decided to work along a theme to see if that helps to clarify my voice.  To that end, I’m making a series of crosses — one is done (see below), the second is in progress, and a third is in the sketchbook.  I’d like to make six in the series.

Please help…What do you think or see or feel when you look at the photo of the art quilt above?  Does this visually resonate?  Is the piece soothing and satisfying or jarring, incomplete, unsettling?  Your input will go a long way towards helping me understand

Crossroads (link to poem)

 

Next up: A Study in Blue (Hot Cross Two)