2-D, 3-D and WHEEE!

Cellular Junction, 2009 17" x 8"

 One of my goals this year has been to exhibit more of my work.  So far, I have had pieces in four shows, the most recent being the Piqua Arts Council (Piqua, OH) show.  I entered three pieces and was a little puzzled when I submitted them.  I entered the piece at left as a three-dimensional piece as it stands out about three inches and has definite dimension. 

The two other pieces, "Red Winged Blackbird" and "Standing on Sacred Ground" as 2-dimensional pieces.  While I often use dimension in my pieces, these are probably less dimensional than most of my work even though the quilting itself adds dimension and texture and the circular wood pieces certainly stand out from the background on "Blackbird." 

However, I viewed it like this.  Just as an oil painter, or an artist in acrylic uses impasto and knife work, quilters use quilting to add texture.  They are, inherently, pieces which are meant to hang on walls rather than have a sculptural quality.  In the case of "Cellular Junction" I wanted to have the sculptural quality, even though I couldn't resist adding the fringe at the bottom.

When I dropped the pieces off, I was a little surprised when I was queried as to whether they were 2-D or 3-D. I said how I thought they should be based on the intent.  They thought they were going to have to change the entry divisions, but it was just as I submitted them.

"Standing on Sacred Ground", 2010.  24" x 23" acrylic paints and cotton fabric. Machine quilted.

 

Redwinged Blackbird, 2009.  17 1/2? x 14 1/4"

With "Cellular Junction" and "Red winged Blackbird" I was basically playing...something I rarely get a chance to do anymore.  "Cellular Junction" is a biology term and is sometimes known as a "Intercellular Bridge."  Here is a definition.  I was messing around with quilts based on microscopic views and the structure of a Cellular Junction intrigued me.  "Red winged Blackbird" is something I just put together for fun...Red winged blackbirds are one of my favorite harbingers of spring and their song is one which I have loved from childhood.

I was not able to go to the opening, so imagine my surprise when I picked up the pieces and discovered that I recieved a second prize in the Two-dimensional division for "Cellular Junction" and an honorable mention for :"Red Winged Blackbird!"  I entered these primarily because I had them already completed, they were for sale, and I just thought they were fun. Since it was a art show, rather than a quilt show, I really didn't expect much.



I had hoped to put another piece in the Aullwood Show this year as well as put one another show, but my crazy schedule and the up-coming festivities here as well as my illness has meant that I had to let it drop.  I will, however, finish the two pieces I intended for Aullwood soon. 

Red Winged Blackbird composition

The Miami Valley Art Quilt Network is going to have another very small show at the Clark State Community College in Springfield. As if getting ready for Christmas wasn't enough, my entries for the show had to be in by December 21st.

Here's one of the pieces I put in. This is a red winged blackbird which I painted with acrylic paints on plain muslin. I intended to have the pieces be randomly sewn with the center being well....skewed or off center. This is an example of piecing by improvisation.

I would have liked to have had these more off square, but I think I'm just too symmetrical of a person to remember to do this more strongly. I was also trying to stay within a 14 x 18 or so size.

The circular pieces are wooden pendents which I glued on. I originally wanted to sew them on but I found that it was too difficult to sew them on after having quilted it. I think it needs something in the blank space at the top, but I don't know what. Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I've always liked red winged blackbirds. In the spring, I remember being thrilled to hear them singing in the rushes on our farm. They particularly love to be in areas where there is marsh and tall grass. We had them in Connecticut too as our property backed up next to a field which was fallow for several years. At the east end of the field was a creek.

Unfortunately, they are not common in my yard here in Ohio, although one would think they would be a perfect match for my grasses and the creek at the back of our property.

Since this is the second night of Christmas...just think of this piece as a "colly bird" --which is what they think is the original form of the "Calling Birds" from the Twelve Days of Christmas. So, what's a colly bird? Colly means coal colored...in other words, black.