I realize that small is a relative term, both for ice cream servings and works of art. For me, a small work of art measures less than 25 by 25 inches, which is a medium for some. A small ice cream serving for me is one and a half scoops. While I envy artists who turn out interesting work that is just 4 by 6 inches, I just can’t seem to work that small.
My work continues to use paper and fabric as I try to learn how to integrate them. Often, I begin with monoprinting on a gelli plate to develop papers and fabrics with intriguing designs. It’s just fun to crank out a dozen prints in the time it takes to sew a fussy seam. Of course the downside is cleanup is more onerous.
Two of my recent collages are made with bits from my prints, plus photos and hand painted papers.
“Fiddling” combines lots of magazine images, old art postcards and painted tissue paper, plus a monoprint or two.
Moving on to pieces made with fabric and paper, I finished “Fiddleheads” with hand stitching and learned I shouldn’t use a canvas backing if I want to hand sew.
In my latest fabric/paper creation I used gesso and markers to stencil chairs on fabric, paper, and nonwoven Pattern Ease. The edging is fused on using Frieda Anderson’s method.
Observant readers will have noted that none of the above pieces have batting, though the last two have backing and a bit of top stitching. I haven’t given up on quilting, but have found sewing heavily on paper is tricky. You can end up with a perforated line effect if you’re not careful, and there are no do-overs.
I’m linking to Off The Wall Friday.
I love your work! Thank you for sharing this, and thanks for the inspiration. I want to try something like this.
Thanks for the compliment. I hope you try some of the techniques I talk about.
It is so fun to see these pieces and read about your exploration and techniques. I wish all the textures from the different materials showed better in photos. I like “Chairs” very much, especially the large chair profile in the gradated fabric. At least I hope you meant for that to be a chair!
The piece you really miss the texture on is “Fiddleheads.” I did a lot (for me) of embroidery, but it doesn’t show up well. And that’s indeed a large chair profile. The striped fabric “seat” reminds me of the brocade fabric on my granny’s good mahogany dining chairs.
Oh, I forgot, I’d title it: Unseated.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I love all your work.
Regarding the Chair quilt, I like the name “Take a Seat.”
Thanks for the compliment and for the input on title.
A lovely variety, and I especially like the rich colors in “Chairs.”
I think eclectic might be the kind term, and I did enjoy developing the palette for chairs from some scraps.