Whe-e-w! Finally finished.

Over the past couple of weeks most of my time has been spent working on the scrappy charity quilt I mentioned awhile ago.  The original center portion of this was the piece I turned into my hanging "Whispers".  The quilt itself has been finished, but I think I'm going to keep it as a utility quilt.  Two reasons: 1. I really like it and find it restful, and 2. I no longer have a contact at the charity I have been supporting for the past few years. I know that there are other charities that would accept it, but it will take me some time to search them out.  At this point I think I just want to put it aside for awhile.  The finished quilt is 48" by 60", so it's not that large.  This is the best picture I can get of it right now.

This week I showed the finished hanging, "Whispers" to a friend whose judgement I trust, and she quite honestly expressed  concern about the lack of value change in it.  This has created a bit of panic.  Not that I was surprised at her opinion, as I had a few concerns myself, but--it is now entered in a show and I have paid the non-refundable entry fee.  I have an idea of how I can "jazz it up" a bit, but I recognize that this will be a last minute "quick fix".  Here is the picture, in case you don't remember it.  I'm not sure what colour should be added.  Most of the fabric I have auditioned has just faded into the background, but right now I'm looking at dark red-violet.  I just have to find the right one, dyeing it may be a problem.

Shopping

There was a small quit market locally today.  Almost minus 40 and the room was packed.  Go figure.  But I was there, so not everyone was crazy. :)   I was blown away by the colours.  I haven't really shopped for a few years, as most of my fabric is hand-dyed.. It was like a trip back to the 60's--bright colours,  yellows, oranges, and lime greens.  The patterns were somewhat retro as well--kitchen prints, toys etc.  There was very little of what I'm used to seeing.

This is obviously a recent fad, and the pendulum will swing in another direction at some point in the future.  How does this affect me as an artist?  My soul tells me that this is not a good thing for me.  The colours appear 'garish" to me, even if I am a child of the sixties.  My personal style is more subdued, and analogous is my preferred colour scheme.  Perhaps all that I'll do is  dye a few more brighter hued and pure colours, rather than shades.  I believe it would be better for my art, to remain true to my soul than allow myself to be seduced by, what are essentially, happier colours.  But at the same time, monitor my mood to make sure the ever-lurking depression isn't becoming too much of an influence.

All that having been said, I bought a "jelly roll".  the only one I could find in more traditional colours.  I can see it being used in another "hexie" project.  I have never bought a "jelly roll". "nickel bag", "layer cake" etc before.  Ar-g-g-g-g-h!  Maybe I have been seduced to the dark side. 

"Whispers"

I've thought a lot about the piece, and have decided to title it "Whispers".  The colours, lines and design are all  muted, so this fits, The diagonal line has been darkened, the sleeve moved, and my signature removed form the top left corner.  I have even found a show in which to display it, through my membership in a local art group. 

Shibori piece

The shibori piece was finished, with a facing, signed, and had a sleeve attached.  ( I still haven't come up with a title. any suggestions?) My husband made a dowel hanger for it and we hung it on the wall.  Then the more I looked at it the more I realized something was wrong.  Since any problems I have are usually related to value, I finally figured out that the angled line from bottom left to upper right was not obviously not complete. The portion on the left lacked enough value difference to be seen at a bit of a distance.  I reconciled myself to having to darken that line, which is only about 1 1/2" wide.How could this be darkened without any colour spreading or wicking into the adjoining areas or through to the back.

I decided to take a picture and post it here, asking for suggestions, on how to accomplish this.  While taking the picture, i decided to turn it upside down and see if it made a difference.  It sure did.

Does anyone agree with me?   This would make the job much easier, simply put the hanging sleeve on the other end, and somehow eradicate my signature, which is now upside down on the upper left corner.  I may still darken that narrow line a little but can probably accomplish that  with coloured pencil.

 With finishing this, I have been working on the charity quilt that started the whole thing.  Yesterday, I realized that I was getting a little tired of blue, especially when I realized that my  clothing for the past few days has also been blue.  So I am now doing the ground work ( dyeing at this point) on a new project which will be based on yellow, and today I chose to wear red.

Movie time

We rarely go to movies,but this evening saw "Into the Woods".   The visual imagery was unbelievable.  I'm almost speechless trying to describe it.  Moody, mystical, creepy.  Made my artist's heart and soul almost weep.  How can I reproduce it?  Answer: I can't.