Questions
Questions, life is full of them. It isn’t long before toddlers go from their first words, such as mama and doggie to asking why. I don’t recall ever asking why is the sky blue or simply barraging my parents with questions. However, as I work in my studio I am thinking why does this work, or more often not work? How can I fix what is bothering me?
Rainbow Lorikeet
Although I basically know the steps I will follow to go from thread painting to an artwork that can be wrapped around a canvas frame, the big question is what should the background be. I rarely know that, even as I am creating the thread painting. This is particularly true with the rainbow lorikeet. I turned to the web in order to figure out where rainbow lorikeets hang out.
The answer appears to be a rotten, but solid tree trunk. I used the above image to guide some key lines and textures for my background. Now I am questioning my sanity. So, what else is new? I typically go through a “this is total rubbish” phase. I’ve learned to persevere .
I won’t stitch anything down until I am satisfied, or least deem it close enough, with the various elements to be appliquéd. It is a start.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
Readers ask me what I will be doing with the broken heart blocks. Love getting questions like this. Admittedly, the image of last week’s green blocks suggests that when they are combined the secondary image looks like a bow or butterfly.
This will not be the case in the actual quilt. I always design my Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt before I start making blocks.
Of course, once I start creating the quilt I realize what in the design works and doesn’t work. If you look at the upper right corner of broken heart blocks, that is the layout I am going with. The blocks in the upper left will be their mirror image. What you can see is that the blocks never form that secondary pattern.
What questions do you ask yourself as you stitch?
I’m linking up to the following posts:
He took my breath away…
So very impressive!!!
Your absence of breath took my words away. I’m speechless with gratitude.
Oh my gosh, the way this bird looks at you just creeps me out and yet makes me laugh with joy and your skill in that thread painting.
I understand why the lorikeet’s eye feels like it is looking straight at you. I am drawn to portraying wildlife with eyes. I liked this one’s confidence and perhaps cheeky look.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
That cheeky lorikeet is delightful but I do confess, his tree is trying to compete with his foliage! I’m betting the answer to your “why” will come sooner rather than later, though, and in the end all will be just as you envision. 🙂
I agree Margaret. Although I am not trying to recreate the tree, I do feel the neutral colors and swirls make a nice contrast to the lorikeet. I hope that by adding more solid color fabrics the chaos will be tamed.
I appreciate your discerning eye.
How amazing is your fabric painted Lorikeet. I am totally in awe of your shades of colors that makes it just shine. What a wonder!
I used just over 20 different threads to paint the lorikeet. Most are polyester threads from Marathon Threads. They are fairly fine at 40 wt. and have a great sheen. They are my go to quilting and thread painting thread when I want the thread to be seen.
Nice to hear from you.
I love the lorakeet, your thread painting is beautiful! I can’t even begin to imagine the skill and patience it takes to create a design like this. Thank you for sharing this lovely design, happy stitching the surrounding forest!
I have been blessed with the time and space to develop techniques, such as precision piecing and thread painting. It helps that I am happiest in my studio, despite the inevitable frustrations. So happy the lorikeet speaks to you.
The thread painting is magnificent! I agree the background is a bit overwhelming, so can’t wait to see what your collage additions do to tone it down. You are amazing!
Me either. I a frequently to busy on the weekends to work in the studio. However, I do pass through the studio multiple times a day. Each time I do I ponder potential solutions. OK, what I hope will be solutions to tame the background.
he is beautiful!!! that is so impressive
Alycia, you are too kind.
We once saw some birds called “rosy-faced lovebirds” which are native to Africa, but have somehow made their way to the Phoenix, AZ, area, and they live in the trunks of the palm trees. My photos from that sighting look a lot like yours of the lorikeet’s surroundings. I think a variegated brown batik could work for your background – I’m sure you’ll find the perfect fabric, Gwyned! What questions do I ask myself in the sewing room? Is this working? Do I like how this is going? Do I have the perfect scrap for that block? It’s good to be able to answer yes to those questions, but it doesn’t always happen!
If only I had a variegated brown batik. Seems when I selected the brown batiks every single one is high contrast mid to dark brown with beige foliage. They seem to bleed into each other. I do have a more solid brown hand dyed fabric I am hoping will break up the chaos and give the eye a place to rest.
Amazing how we can amass so much fabric and yet struggle to find something in the stash that will work when we need it.
Wow, what a gorgeous piece of work!. Your thread painting is amazing!
Thank you, Margo.
Wow, I love your lorikeet, it looks very expressive and seems to be leaning out of its nest to keep an eye on us. Love the background too, and how it suggests a tree without taking advantage of the bird. Right now I’m questioning a lot myself, learning a new technique to sew a striped sky 😉
Thank you for sharing your creative process, and linking up.
You always leave the most thoughtful and positive comments, Fredrique. Thank you!
Who would have figured that such a bright bird hung out in such a dark environment? Not me as I wouldn’t have thought the bird would hang in such a place to be so easy to spot! You sure have captured this bird’s spirit with your thread painting. As for your question. . .I often ask myself, hmmm what would work there? With all the fabric in this space there HAS to be the ONE! LOL
It does seem curious that a lorikeet would hang out in a place where it isn’t camouflaged or hidden. Perhaps it has a nest deeper in the tree and the photographer caught it as it was scanning the safety of heading out for food. Another thought is that it was fierce and protecting young. You do have me thinking, Terry.
Fortunately, fabric tends to be forgiving, so finding the ONE isn’t always necessary. We, as in the general artisan/quilter population, do have a tendency to deliberate, don’t we?
I too can reach the total rubbish stage. The project earns a time out and then we can reconcile. Just as I had to do with my recent “stained glass” quilt. 😉
Thanks for sharing in Sew & Tell
Nothing like a time out and/or deep breath to restore the equilibrium. I’m grateful you give me a place to share.