Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Reveal Day at Material Mavens: Canyon

      Today was Reveal Day at Material Mavens, the international art quilt group. Our topic was "canyon." I am sort of embarrassed by my effort. I should have looked at a photo of The Lighthouse in Palo Duro Canyon, but I am always in a hurry. I have learned my lesson: be patient, think, make many sketches, don't run with your first idea. You can visit the site to see more than a dozen interpretations of "canyon" in a 12" x 12" quilt. Yes, I hope I have learned. Below is my presentation at the MM site:


       Palo Duro Canyon drove my work this time. The canyon is thirty minutes outside of Amarillo, Texas where I was born. Only Grand Canyon is larger. Georgia O’Keefe painted images inspired by it; and my friends who are marrying June 1 developed a romance on the ranches in the area.

       The Grand Canyon has an Eagle structure and Palo Duro has a rock formation called The Lighthouse. My lighthouse looks more like a bottle, unfortunately (champagne for the upcoming wedding?). I made two futile efforts. My first “Canyon” is tamer. I used fabric paints and Sharpie’s Rub a Dub pen. I always felt it needed crows or blackbirds that O’Keefe put in her painting of Palo Duro. My second “Canyon” has stronger colors and shapes are simplified. It needs some yellow beaded flowers. I layered mostly batik fabrics, and stitched all over.

       I had the best time stitching trying to learn something. It often takes more than two tries to learn new techniques. I just have to keep trying. I can begin another for a wedding card.  I have now learned I must slow down, observe better, make many sketches, and THINK. I always wanted a theme to work on and maybe canyon or home could be a start.


       I like the idea of a lighthouse, my home as a light, an assist in navigating life. The warm colors of the Panhandle, yellow (in Spanish, Amarillo), orange and red are in a marbleized fabric on the back of the 2nd quilt. This makes me think of old books...tales of the Apaches and Comanches who once roamed here and the sad histories shared by all people. CLICK to enlarge the images.


8 comments:

  1. Linda, I LOVE the canyon at the top! You are always so critical of your work. I think the bottom one I would like to see in person. It looks like some embroidery stitches! It is probably great too when you can see the fabrics in more detail.

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    1. Thanx. Both are loaded with embroidery stitches. Click to enlarge...but it was enough for you to visit the site and comment :*))

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  2. I love the colors and the lovely embroidery stitches. Of the two, I think I prefer the one with more vivid colors, though both are beautiful. The lighthouse you are so critical of--it truly looks like a rock formation, something that just suggests a lighthouse. Of all the little 12"x12" quilts you have done for the MM group, these are among my favorites. Be easy on yourself!

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    1. OK...I take your advice. I was just so annoyed that I didn't make the effort to build a layered lighthouse by looking at a photo...so the scene would be more particular to Palo Duro. Joe likes the brighter colors better and I guess I am fonder of the watercolor effect of the first one. Thanks for the comment!

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  3. My very favorite one yet! Didn't we have some great times at Palo Duro when we were kids...wow, we were the lucky ones! I like both, but the first one touches my heart.
    Thanks for sharing your talent and your thoughts.
    Love U,
    RA

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  4. As I said on the MM post, I love the warm, bright colors. The lighthouse is perfect. I never thought of it as a bottle. Your stitching sets off your colors. Love it.

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  5. Super. I love them both, though the popping color of the second one especially draws my eye. I sort of think of the two as the Canyon seen at different times of day, thus the difference in color. Your sewing seems magnificent to me -- always love your ideas materialized. ss

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  6. Hi
    I love your” bottle beacon” in Palo Dura Canyon—very nice to see. SR

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