in progress – Page 13

"Rosehips", in progress, Indigo Dreams, Moons, Probably talking to just myself

“torn between two lovers”

Posted on November 2, 2016November 2, 2016 by arlee

I continue. And continue. And continue.

I’m reminding myself that the intended audience cares nothing for or about my “serious” work, that they want “pretty” or “interesting” for a reasonable price, and no one can blame them for that. The aim after all, of a Christmas Market is to get something into someone else’s hands for gift giving, and to get a few dollars in your own pocket. How can i complain about that? When i made “wearable art” in the 90’s that was my ONLY concern: i *didn’t* want things hanging about the Stoodio, or it was wasted materials, time and effort. The big problem really is that i committed late to the endeavour, giving myself only 37 days to get enough work together………..I blame ME for all of this then……The Financial Me says GO GO GO, and the Artist Me is dragging her heels and whining.

“Next year, i’ll start earlier for Christmas.” I *do* have an 11tybajillion ideas for that, so we’ll see what percolates up from the wells then. And all complaining aside, i like these efforts, BUT..

I keep staring at this, currently pinned to a design wall, trying out things in my mind, jotting notes, holding my breath.

I’m reminding myself it will all be “over” at the end of Nov 19, and i can return to this and other new work, with copious ideas, plans and colourways, motifs and techniques.

Snivel snivel snivel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PS Fabrics are on sale in the shop–winter clear out time! <——That’s a link 🙂

in progress

very hoppy (like i could resist that?)

Posted on October 27, 2016October 27, 2016 by arlee

❤ ❤ ❤

Actually, i’m quite enjoying this less “serious” phase in my stoodio/stitching corner.

embrilting, in progress, Moons

still juicing

Posted on October 23, 2016October 23, 2016 by arlee

I’d have had more done by now, but yesterday i was elsewhere, and though i had brought this with me, the minute i opened the bag, the needle flew out and was lost! And since when have i ever poked only ONE needle in for use???? Only yesterday………..

Fortunately, we are working our way through Deadwood, and my brain and fingers can separate to get something done 🙂

By the end of day i should have enough components for three moons, with interesting bits left for other projects.

And for the record, though Deadwood is dirty and grit laden, with horrendous behaviours and the lowest of criminal intent, it has much historical basis, incredibly well developed characters, and the language, oh the language is so wonderfully Shakespearean! (Some of it will go right over the heads of most, but i know you intelligent readers will understand 🙂 )

in progress, Moons

juice

Posted on October 21, 2016October 21, 2016 by arlee

Slow progress–so scattered right now!

Now wondering what background to use so they don’t fight!

"Rosehips", Collision: the work begins

choosing choosy chose

Posted on September 6, 2016September 6, 2016 by arlee

Of course, the Chosen don’t always make it in 🙂

Some of those corals and oranges are dibbydabs left over from long ago, brands or dye lots that i haven’t seen in ages, so we’ll see who makes it to the final round, and who gets thrown off the island.

The fabric is two different “filler” fabrics i made during residency.

"Rosehips", in progress

signs of Autumn

Posted on September 6, 2016September 6, 2016 by arlee

Sigh. As a gardener, summer is never long enough, and this year the tomatoes have proved it. I’ve had to do some drastic pruning to encourage the fruit that has formed, to prevent the plant from trying in vain to produce more, and to get what little sun and heat we’ve had on the fruit, to make those poor babies ripen. I’m hoping we get some of that, enough to start the ripening before i have to pick and bring inside to finish……

But, really, that’s not what this post is about.

While i’m not “stuck” with progress on the winged figure “Rosehips”, i have been ruminating about what she means. Autumn definitely, her browns of seed and stalk, the deep violets of twilight, the greys of shade and old nests, her faded features only glimpsed by outline and shadow. Autumn is both a joy and an overwhelming sense of sadness, lost or set aside dreams. There’s a sense of fecundity in the harvest, but also an end to the fruitfulness of long days.

In every seed though is new hope. Those samaras above are so perfect, so evocative of the season for so many. Thanks to good ol’ photo editing, they work perfectly for addition to the current piece:

Time to go through the threads again.

"Rosehips", in progress, journal: lessons to learn

thunder thigh

Posted on September 2, 2016September 2, 2016 by arlee

🙂 Wellllllllllllllllllllllll, they say you illustrate with your own features……………..

I should have looked at the original paint-sketch for her legs!

Shall have to pick out that madder on the right side–that leg should be bigger because she’s standing with a hip cocked forward, but even *my* sturdy alabaster thighs are proportionate, and this sure as hell ain’t.

This fabric is also quite a bit “brighter” than the photo, but i do love that chiaroscuro effect of the poor lighting today!

"Rosehips", Collision: the work begins, in progress

prepping for “Rosehips”

Posted on August 29, 2016August 29, 2016 by arlee

While i want the hexes/honeycombs/cells again on this piece, this time i want to stay away from bees! They are a recurring motif in my work, but beyond just laying there on the surface, they really wouldn’t be adding much to the story, so no bees this time, i promised myself.

But what else often shows up? Yes, rivers and roots, but not for this, methinks. MMMM, roses.

From “The Weight She Carries”:

Being as it is now the end of August, and Autumn is moving closer, it’s not the flowers that are around now, (though they will make an appearance as well), but the “fruit”, the rose hips. And so, until she has an “official” title, she shall answer to “Rosehips” 🙂

Fortunately, there is a yard down the way that has a wondrous showing of rosehips, so i quickly did a clip-by and brought these home to study:

Fast and dirty paint studies this morning:

Now i have to dig out some more fabrics and figure out HOW i will use these on this:

(Actually i already know what fabrics and what technique i will use, so stay tuned for that 😉 )

This is rather a trite exercise below, but who knows how it will transform with stitch? This cloth wasn’t terribly successful on its own during residency, so maybe just a bit of make up, and it won’t be such a plain jane!

On the other hand, it may just become a sampler/test cloth, which is okay too.

And just because traditionally one shows off one’s garden produce:

This one slipped under the radar by hiding under a monster leaf–i don’t usually let them get any bigger than 4-5″ long and easily circled by one hand, as it’s too much for one “sitting” to eat. Still tasted great though–pan-fried with butter and garlic, then dipped in sour cream-MMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

"Rosehips", Collision: the work begins, in progress

“rosehips”

Posted on August 25, 2016August 25, 2016 by arlee

Thinking of Autumn already.

Madder dyed silk to start.
I have a clear vision of this one already, with some different techniques going to be used to add life and dimension.

in progress, Probably talking to just myself

there will be feathers flying again

Posted on August 23, 2016August 23, 2016 by arlee

I’ve decided to start with this orientation, another cloth created during my summer Contextural ACAD residency.

Of course, with wings, there must be feathers. I have *just* enough of these “filler” cloths for those, more fabric designed deliberately to be cut up:

Not sure if both will be used, or just the one on the right. Or the one on the left. Or both. !!!!!!!!!!!

Previous feather work:

Above, detail of work in progress “Strange Soul Take Flight” 2013.

Below, detail of “The Weight She Carries” 2014.

There will be hexes again, but done differently this time.

Today i will take a print out of the cloth to the Day Job for those pesky boring spare five minutes when there are no duties to attend to: