Begin
Where to begin? This is a question I ask myself as I contemplate launching into the creation of my next artwork. Over time I have learned to trust my instinct. Something will grab my attention and feel compelling enough to explore. This can feel quite precarious when I have an actual hard stop deadline. Such is the case with the 2024 SAQA Benefit Auction.
Inspiration strikes when I receive a picture of a robin’s nest taken by my friend, Lia Altshuler. Wouldn’t this make an intriguing thread painting, I think. So, I ponder the idea. I reject the thread painting aspect, but find myself clinging to the composition. What works – the nest. What isn’t working for me – the setting. And that is how I begin. I start with a photo. Next, I jump off the cliff and free fall into space as my mind races through possibilities. In order to slow down my brain I turn to the internet to answer the question, where would I like to set the nest?
Begin with EQ 8
Now that makes more sense. A robin’s nest really should be in a tree. OK, that is settled, but how in the world will I translate what is my brain using fabric and thread? To answer that question I begin with EQ 8. I design a simple abstracted background with the nest positioned in such a way that the eggs will land according to the rule of threes (think tic tac board intersections).
A great thing about designing on EQ 8 is now I have instant templates at the exact size I need. One of the requirements of the SAQA Benefit Auction is that all the work submitted must be exactly 12″ x 12″. Hint, learned the hard way, always, and can’t emphasize that enough, expand the edges of your work to allow for a generous trim and squaring up.
Next week I’ll quilt the pine needles and bark. I also hope to start building the nest. The large beige oval is there as guide. It will disappear as the nest grows and the eggs are placed.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
Before I began working on Anticipation, the working title for the bird nest, I wanted to finish May’s pink blocks. Done! Even better, June will be blue. While I was waiting for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge to begin this year, I got a head start by making my dark blue blocks. Thus, I can concentrate on Anticipation. Sometimes the fates smile down on you.
I’m linking up to the following posts:
