Week in Review 2022 – 12/30

Beginning to End

In the beginning there is an idea. Where do my ideas and inspiration come from? Many artists answer that question “from nature.” I could say the same, but that is both accurate and inaccurate. My ideas are more like a nagging pebble in a shoe. I know I have hit on something when it takes over my mind and I find myself drifting, planning and experimenting in my head. Then it is time to pull together a plan.

Pillars of Creation as viewed through the James Webb telescope.

The Plan

One of the global exhibition calls offered by SAQA is for an exhibition titled Fierce Planets. Let’s just say science is not my strong suit, but the opportunity is such a good one, if a long shot for me, the call niggles at me. In other words it is a proverbial pebble. Shortly after the call came out there were new photos released from NASA taken with the James Webb telescope. The Pillars of Creation haunt me. It wasn’t until this past week it hit me. Why not create the image the same way I have been creating my sunrise artworks? So, beginning next week my main focus will be an abstracted version of the Pillars of Creation, with a working title of In The Beginning.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge

How Does Your Garden Grow will look similar to this when it is finished.

In the Beginning won’t be my only project starting up in the New Year. I will be working on How Does Your Garden Grow as one of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge participants. Already, I suspect, combining these two projects is overly ambitious. Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained. What’s the worst that can happen? I don’t meet the deadlines. Maybe, just maybe, I will. If I don’t begin, I definitely won’t finish.

The End

Lola Bathed in Light worked up quickly. I can hardly believe it took less than a handful of studio days from beginning to end. This is my entry for SAQA’s annual Spotlight auction. Every piece in the spotlight auction is 6″ x 8″ with a “raw” finish. This allows them to be mounted behind a white mat and slipped into a cellophane envelope for viewing. The auction takes place during SAQA’s annual conference. However, you don’t have to be there to place a bid.

I’m linking up to the following posts:

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By Gwyned Trefethen

I am an artist who uses fabric, thread and miscellany to create designs gifted to me by my imagination.

12 comments

  1. I really like How Does Your Garden Grow, so lovely on a wet, dreary, gloomy, gray day. I look forward to seeing the progress of In the Beginning. Happy stitching & Happy New Year!

    1. It’s wet and dreary here, too. I’m looking forward to the big reveal for January’s color. Meanwhile I am attending to all those items on my to do list that could distract me from my studio time. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Happy New Year.

  2. What a beautiful plan for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Combining two challenges can make both of them even better. Looking forward to seeing your plan turn into fabric.

    1. Thank you, Angela. Seems I will have double the paper piecing fun in 2023. This should help maintain accuracy for when it is time to assemble the individual blocks. I’m eager to get started.

    1. Thank you, Diann. I have my fingers crossed that In the Beginning will visually effective. Currently, I am debating about whether to add glitter to the atmosphere/sky fabrics so the piece will sparkle when lit. Time to do some research on what medium will see in the glitter without change in the hand of the fabric dramatically.

  4. In the Beginning sounds like such a fun project! How Does your Garden Grow looks like a perfect fit for the RSC. Lola is beautiful!

  5. In the Garden is going to be a great piece to work on all 2023. You’ve got all the colors with patterns at the ready! Looks like tiny dark tulips will be your first blocks!

    1. Sue, thanks for the heads up. When I linked to the RSC site on Saturday, the color of the month hadn’t been announced. Now I know I need to get cracking. 🙂 Yes, I designed my quilt in EQ 8. It is a matter of printing out the paper piecing foundation patterns for the “blocks” of the month, sorting the appropriate scraps and sewing.

  6. “How does Your Garden Grow” colors are so expressive! I’m especially interested in your final images because “The Secret Garden” has long been one of my favorite books as Mary revives the once-colorful garden. (The Broadway show was a stunner, too.)

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