Wednesday, February 21, 2007

WIP Wednesday

" Sunshine Pier" 12 x 12, mixed media

What have I been doing? This weekend I refinished a new wooden table for my sewing room. In a perfect world, I would have been able to cut a hole in it and make a place for my machine to drop in. Unfortunately, Jerry is not handy with this sort of thing and neither am I, so I will have to wait until I get someone else to do it. In the meantime, it's still an improvement.

I spent some time painting, thread sketching, and fusing. I made lots of things and ended up liking this one. "Sunshine Pier" was created by first thread sketching on a fabric "sandwich", followed by painting and fusing. I used Tsukineko inks at first, including the technique of blending them with aloe vera gel. I just couldn't get them bright enough, so I went back in with dye paint and acryllic. After all the paint was dry, I still wasn't happy with it, so I added fused pieces. This is what I love about working improvisationally. You can always do something else. Of course, sometimes you go too far and have to start over, but that's ok too.
I am really happy with this one. I got the watercolor look where I wanted it, the brightness of more opaque paint where I wanted it, and the solid shapes to help the design where I wanted them. Yes! I will be using this approach again.

And here is Jerry's quilt, coming along. I got rid of the angel fish blocks, increased the number of light blocks, and found some great "coral" fabric to make more of the alternating nine patches. The border will be next. I don't know how well the colors are coming across, but they are just wonderful "in person", and I am happy with my progress.

12 comments:

dee said...

Jen, this is so cool. I love the brightness. Were you thinking of Mardi Gras when you made it? It looks like a festival!

Barbara C said...

Two lovely pieces! The first one reminds me of a cityscape. The lighter fish fabric really makes that quilt pop.

Suzanne Earley said...

Sunshine Pier is cool! I got some Tsukineko inks last year and I'm still trying to figure out how best to use them.

DebbyMc said...

Very interesting way to approach this...I love the whole 12 x 12 piece, from the paints and inks to the stitching to the fuzing...I think I need to try something improvizational, might take some of my stress away...The Undersea quilt is looking great. I love water quilts, the blues are always so refreshing...I made DD a "water" quilt a few years ago with much the same feeling. DH's "surfer" quilt also had many of the same water feeling fabrics. Love it all! Gorgeous day here today, huh?

Shelina said...

Both of these projects are coming along so well. I wish I was able to be so iimprovisional as you are. I am trying to follow your example.

Paula, the quilter said...

Improve design is my favorite way to go. Both pieces are marvelous.

Samantha said...

That's so great and ispiring. I have a pile of fsh fabrics for my son, and you've got me thinking... Thanks!

Kay said...

Sunshine Pier is beautiful--I love the colors and the circle and straight line composition also.

Debra Dixon said...

Both pieces are just super!

Rian said...

Sunshine Pier is very pretty, and unusual. Thanks for sharing your technique. Jerry's quilt is great fun--like windows into an aquarium.

Frances said...

Sunshine Pier is wonderful makes me think of happy, sunshine holidays,

Anonymous said...

I love both pieces, but the top one is just luscious. Lucky DH!