Scraps

 I seem to be obsessed with scraps these days. They call to mind the debris from explosions (think Ukraine), fragments of lives washed up on a beach from a plane crash or shipwreck. But also the piecing together of worn out scraps to make something useful or beautiful (think quilts in the traditional sense).

This and the next two images are the 'parts' that I'm making, which are then cut up and reassembled.

These consist of painted papers, gel prints, found papers, and repurposed 'pieces'.

Though these have a random look, I do pay attention to varying the scale of the pieces, and the scale of the patterns, textures, and marks on the little bits.

This work in process combines one of the 'collage quilts' (cut edited) with another work in process. 20"x20" on wood panel.

Similar in process to the above piece. Both are works in process.

Collage quilts combined and edited over a painting, 20"x20"

This one is finished. Ta DA!! 24"x24" on wood panel.

4"x6" window mat. Trying to see some possibilities of up-close tiny collages in this and the next two images.

4"x4"

4"x4"

Another option I'm considering is 'floating' these reassembled scraps as 'maps' or continents, with lots of space around them.

Same as above.

This process was inspired by my workshop, The Visual Sentence, which I taught in January in Tucson (hosted by MISA) and also at Hudson River Valley Art Workshops last June. The student work was amazing. 

Here is some student work from January (click the Facebook icon to see the post):

 

And this is from Last June:

 

Stripes Morph into Grids

I am still working, slowly, on my Stripes, but I started some smaller works that are becoming grids. They are very much inspired by the Quilts of Gee's Bend, in particular, the ones made from work clothes. I want faded, neutralized colors, like the worn out clothing that is given a new life in a handmade quilt.

I started by painting the center of the 9x12" bristol substrate in a kind of variegated neutral, and then started adding collage bits and some paint to the border. Not sure where this is going.

This is an example of the beginning, in this new series.

Beginning to add collage around the edge. I love the wonky stripes of gray on gray.

This is another one at Stage 2. I want to use minimal color, and emphasize the subtleties in the neutrals.

Still in progress

This one is resting.

This and the next one are a little more colorful. I like the wonky edge around the neutral center. Maybe I'll play with that a little.

Introducing Priscilla Read

I have been posting less frequently because I am happily busy with my online classes, Keys to Dynamic Composition and Unlocking the Secrets of Color. I'll be back to posting more regularly in a few weeks, definitely from Art Unraveled, where I'll be teaching on August 8th and 9th.

So, since I'm not doing a lot of new tutorials just now, I thought I would introduce you to one of the creative people taking my COLOR class, Priscilla Read. Check out her blog to view her fabulous quilts, drawings, paintings, and collage. She has been posting some gorgeous pieces in the class!

Here are a few pieces from our color class exploring paint and collage in specific color schemes.


In addition to taking my color class, Priscilla is also following the Sketchbook Challenge, with which I have been involved. I asked Priscilla a few questions about her art background and practice:

How did you get started in quilting?

I did a bit of quilting starting in 1976 when my son was born, then started back up when my father was in a nursing home in 1999. I made him a small quilt from a pattern in a quilting magazine. I immediately joined a quilt guild and learned everything I could about quilting. I served as a workshop coordinator for a couple years and took workshops in every technique possible from traditional to contemporary.





I see that you have the Sketchbook Challenge badge on your blog; what inspired you to follow the Sketchbook Challenge?

I follow blogs of some of the artists hosting the Sketchbook Challenge. Through those connections I happened upon the Sketchbook Challenge blog earlier this month. I intermittently draw and paint in a sketchbook or art journal, but haven’t kept it as a regular practice. The challenge themes interest me and the blog pages are filled with ideas and tutorials to jumpstart you if you get stuck. I like that the definition of a sketchbook and sketching is pretty open and includes any media and format. I like the idea of using the challenge as an opportunity to explore a new medium and as a place to share ideas with others.

How has the Sketchbook Challenge influenced your creative process?

I guess I’m not far enough along to say, but I expect it will open up new ways to express my creativity.



What role does color play in your work?

When I started as a quilter, I gravitated to traditional colors. As I learned more, my color palette expanded to include all colors from dull to highly saturated. I use contrast to make the color “sing”.

What drew you to take a workshop in color?

I’ve taken workshops for quilters in color and have done color exercises using both paint and fabric, but haven’t used both at once for color experiments in an organized fashion. I was drawn to this particular workshop because of the mixed media connection.

Can you tell us a bit about incorporating collage and other mixed media into your quilts?

One of my goals is to incorporate my own drawing, painting, and photographs into my work. As I am learning ways to use mixed media into my quilts, I am discovering my own unique style. I have a lot of interests and can’t decide on any one media – I guess that’s why I’m attracted to mixed media – I want to do it all.

Workshop Report

We had a fabulous fabric-paper workshop in Guilford last weekend. Thanks to all who attended and to Guilford Art Center for hosting it. I hope to teach another workshop there next summer. Here are a few pix from the workshop: Susan's mini-quilt in progress - Susan really got into the bead embellishment! - a couple fabric-papers from Cathy, and a few samples that I made.

Fabric-Paper

Here is one of the samples I made for my Fabric-Paper workshop this weekend (detail above, full piece at left). I'm working on a series of geometric vertical compositions using a limited number of fabric-papers. The workshop is at the Guilford Art Center in Guilford, CT. There are still a couple of spaces available. Thanks for all your comments on my painting/collages in the last post!

FABRIC-PAPER WORKSHOP!!!

I am teaching a really fun workshop on Fabric-Paper at the Guilford Art Center on August 7 - 8. I can't wait for this workshop! Fabric-paper is such a rich, creative, messy medium, combining collage and art quilt techniques. On Saturday we'll paint our own tissue papers and create loads of fabric-paper-collagey materials, learning some basics of color, pattern, and image making. Sunday will be devoted to making a fabric-paper mini-quilt. We'll go over design basics, and learn techniques of enhancing your image with painting, stitching, and beading techniques. You will come away from this workshop with a renewed confidence in your use of color and composition, as well as a toolbox of techniques and ideas that can be applied to fabric paper, quilting, collage, and other mixed media projects.

Fabric Collage

Just yesterday I was browsing blogs and found a little tutorial on fabric scrap collages. Not that I've never done this before, but somehow at that moment, a simple, straightforward project was just what I needed. I used a floral upholstery-weight fabric for the background, some tea towel fabric, my own hand-painted paper, and a few other snippets of this and that. After making the basic collage (fusing each piece down with fusible web) I stitched around the tea cup and saucer and painted the background and tablecloth. The little tea tag hangs off the collage. The reverse side says "Smile". Right now I'm about to make some collage samples for a workshop I'm giving on Saturday at Ink About It, called Painting with Paper. Tomorrow evening I'm giving an evening workshop on how to write a book proposal. Both workshops filled up quickly!

Fused Fabric Patchwork

I made this small piece of patchwork (16" square, approximately) with pieces of fusion fabric. Fusion fabric is made by layering fabric, papers, threads, and fibers on a base fabric using fusible web, such as Mistyfuse. It is inspired by Indian patchwork made with discarded ceremonial garments and saris, with all kinds of embroidery, beading, and shisha mirrors. I left mine un-embellished, as the fabrics themselves are so rich. I'm making it into a pillow cover.

Last weekend my Sweetie and I went to an opening of a show of quilts by Polly Stone. This is one of a series she did based on a trip to Machu Picchu. Beautiful textures, fine stitching, subtle colors... truly beautiful work.