Wednesday, May 23, 2012

My Current WIP

Last week I focused on flowers and how they have a way of appearing in my work. So it should come as no surprise that my current WIP (Work In Progress) is based on my new hibiscus plant.


I could have recreated the picture or a detail from the picture, but I prefer to give a sense of the image - an artist's impression. I am naturally drawn to value changes, light and shadow as well as positive and negative space. My first step was to select green fabrics from my collection to use as a background and for the leaves. Next I hunted through my hand dyes to find a coral/pink fabric with sufficient contrast to show up against the greens. 


I used my photo to trace the shape of the hibiscus flower, but opted to draw my leaves free hand. Although I've been making art quilts for over a decade, I still love the process and appearance of pieced blocks. So, that is what I did for the background. What gives them the artistic flair and makes it hard to distinguish the blocks is how I randomly piece the fabric, busting through the concept of using dark fabrics consistently in one section of the block and light in others.


The next step is to add thread. I will quilt the background and enhance the hibiscus and leaves with thread painting. The final step will be to add french knots at the end of my thread painted stamens. 


3 comments:

  1. Oh, Gwyned, it's going to be just stunning! I can't wait to see your finished product!

    Quilt on, Sista-

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. Isn't anticipation of how a WIP will progress what keeps us motivated. I am just as eager as you to see how this piece finishes. I may have a concept, but never really know what it will look like until it is done.

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  2. I love hibiscus flowers. I am certain that it will be gorgeous when it is completed. Will check back for sure.

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