Saturday, November 13, 2010

Portrait Quilt: a tardy journal quilt effort

(click to enlarge)
    Learning about portrait quilts has occupied my attention since a workshop with Esterita Austin a few weeks ago, so a journal quilt should mark that weekend. I wish I could have a new portrait that would put together my new wisdom, but I am still learning and not sure what directions to take.
    Today I watched Making Faces, a DVD by Maria Elkins, who presented several approaches to convince those who think they can't draw a portrait to try. I know I won't want to stitch on the faces as much, but this is a very informative DVD.  Portrait Quilts: Painted Faces You Can Do by Bonnie Lyn McCaffery also arrived in the mail yesterday and I have not had time to read it. It may be more about painting than I want to do, but I will learn about textile paints and presenting unstitched faces. Portraits for Fabric Lovers by the lucid teacher Marilyn Belford is extremely helpful re computer aides as is Photo-inspired Art Quilts by Leni Levenson Wiener which comes with a DVD. I also plan to check out Patt Blair and her husband's book. They work with computers and ink.
     I decided not to waste the inspirational workshop effort, but to turn my effort into a journal quilt. For the first time I used invisible thread on top (Sulky worked fine); and I used the unfinished piece as it was. I did not plan to complete the class assignment at home. I cut some maroon tulle to go over the slightly loose pieces, not entirely secured by MistyFuse, and quilted with the invisible thread over all. I free-motion quilted the text...suggesting I may not know where I am going now, but I will try try again.

5 comments:

  1. WOW ! A FACE IN QUILT ART ! I especially am amazed at the EYES. I think you have the technique down. I'll be interestd in seeing future such projects, but your painting of faces shouldn't be a left-behind endeavor. You're good at all of it!

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  2. This face was so eye-catching and appealing when I first saw it. Now it is even more so. Can't wait to see where all of this takes you.

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  3. Linda, I am most impressed with this! You really did a super job, and you inspire me (as always). Your free motion quilting is also well done. I don't think I could begin to "write" with the sewing machine nearly as well as you do! I eagerly await all your other efforts as you walk down yet another avenue of art!

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  4. I like the varied uses of red values. The shading is eye catching. I am impressed that you are writing with the sewing machine. I don't think there is anything artistically you can't do.

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  5. I love the colors and fabrics you used on your portrait. Terrific job! Great composition, too.

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