The other afternoon, I was sitting in a coffee shop minding my own business, when a bright flash shot through my mind an an image of this work appeared. No kidding... it was just like a flash of bright light and in the middle of it I saw this piece, clear as day, then poof... it was gone.
I quick grabbed a napkin and jotted down the image along with a few notes, and went right home and began to stitch.
This piece has so many of the elements that intrigue me... texture, line, color, pattern, as well as that which appears old, patched, stitched and repaired. I enjoyed working on this so much that I think many more should come, different sizes and colors, bits and pieces... lots of ideas!
And yes, being the easily distracted person that I am, I know that there is a good chance by next week I will be onto something else, but I have a feeling this may actually keep me intrigued for a bit longer then my usual attention span allows!
Well, lookie there... I already did a second piece! And just like in the previous piece each patch is first hemmed under and rimmed in a red hand stitch, then it is discreetly hand stitched to a base patch, (also rimmed in red) which is made up of two layers of fabric.
The finished works are then hand stitched to a piece of 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper, making it a breeze to mat and frame!
I know that the work is very simple by nature, but it is done in a slow, thoughtful, meditative way, (and takes a whole lot longer to create then one might think). What is left out is often as important as what is left in, and simplicity can be deceptively challenging!
These untitled works have been listed in my shop here and here.
More works are to come.
Have a great weekend everyone!
23 comments:
I love the elegant simplicity of your work -- and these pieces are no exception. I also love the story of how you were inspired to create the first one.... believe it or not, I had a similar experience a few years ago. Mine came in a dream, but was accompanied by the same sense of "drop everything and bring this into being."
Oh dear you keep the bar high! I love these more than the last.
Your work is so inspiring and beautiful. Keep it up!
the first one reminds me off a sampler of sorts
the long part could make a nice bracelet
some hwere i have a bit of brown bag i embroidered
it reminds me of an electrical diagram.
I love how you get splashes of ideas.
I love the texture and simplicity....I also love how these are mounted.
gorgeous & inspiring.....
You are a very enlightened person - plus you have the ability to pass it on. A rare combination.
These are so appealing. As you note, simple, but yet lots to look at and study. Nice!
Oh, these are just fantastic, so inspiring. I just love them.
Love the patches and layers - simple and complex at the same time.
Thanks for the story of how the inspiration came to you. What fun!
Oooh, if you have the time to share, Victoria, could you elaborate on the way you stitch the pieces to the cold press paper? That sounds like the answer to my prayers of how to present small works so they don't look like potholders to the viewing public.
Thanks for sharing your talent, as always.
Diane
Thanks to each of you!
Diane, I would be happy to!
...To start, I carefully center the finished textile piece onto the watercolor paper and I temporarily hold it in place with a few pieces of painters tape as it peels off easily, but you could also use masking tape. (Helpful tip from art school days: First stick the tape across your clothing a couple of times. Doing this helps to cut down on the stickiness, preventing any paper to be pulled up when the tape is removed.)
Then using a thread the same color as the background, and a sharp needle, I go up the backside of one of the textile piece's corners close to the edge, hiding the knot from behind. Then taking a very small stitch I go back down through the textile piece and also through the paper. Carrying the thread across the back or the paper for about an inch or two, I then go back up through the paper and the work, very close to the edge, and once again taking a very tiny stitch, I go back down through all the layers. This is continued all the way around the perimeter of the work until I get to where I started. To end I bring the needle and thread back up close to where I started, then back down through the paper taking another tiny stitch.
To knot off, I slip the needle under between the thread and the paper a few times, securing and knotting it, then back up through the last hole of the paper and the work. I then slip the needle and thread along the top edge of the work for about an inch, bring it back off and cut the thread flush to the fabric. Bada-Bing-Bada-Boom, all done!
These are beautiful! They seem to be a synthesis of your prior work. I love the focus on the construction. Each stitch seems precious, and worth examination, bringing on a meditative state for the viewer. Bravo!
You've done it again. Another great work, simple and pleasing. Would you care to share your napkin sketch?
Wow, talk about inspiration! They are both really great!!
Thanks again. :0)
Julia, I thought about sharing the napkin but decided not to... I am very self conscious about two things... singing in public and the way I "doodle". Both make me cringe!
I love how the idea came to you. I have these images pop in my head often too, just had one yesterday in fact. I LOVE these pieces! Your work is going to be filling my living room soon! So far there are two of yours there!
absolutely love it, can think of lots of possibilities,, brilliant!!!
Brilliant!
So glad that you were able to translate a fleeting image like that. Another stunner.
These are beautiful & entrancing! Apparently not a minority opinion, since both works have already sold! Also, thanks for sharing your method for attaching them to paper..
gorgeous work! i love the idea of stitching onto watercolor paper.
I like your step by step approach, I think it really breaks it down and simplies it.
I am on this :-)
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