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Friday 31 August 2012

Jubilation - New Orleans Style

New Orleans is known culturally for its jazz and in particular for its distinctive jazz funerals. Historically, the jazz funeral could sometimes  include a parade.  A brass band would play somber dirges and hymns as family and friends marched to the cemetery. The tone would remain somber until the coffin had been placed in the ground. The brass band would play a couple more hymns, though these were played with a swing beat, to alert mourners that the mood was about to change, then would launch into wilder music with tambourines and drums. Songs such as "When the Saints Go Marching In" would be played. The music and dancing were both a cathartic release for mourners and a celebration of a life well lived. In this state of jubilation, the group would then march back to the location of their reception. Those who follow the band and family members to enjoy the music are called "the second line", and any parasol twirling that occurs in that ensemble is called a "second lining" that compliments the family's handkerchief waving and umbrella twirling. 
I drew this on white fabric with a pencil, then stitched over my lines with black thread. I colored it with Inktense colored pencils and made it permanent by using a textile medium. I wanted to give this piece dimension, so I cut it out and fused it onto black felt, then stitched it onto my quilted background.


13 comments:

  1. Love the skewed perspective of the musicians. I can almost hear the music! Here in Montreal we actually have a very popular choral group called the Jubilation Gospel Choir.

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  3. I have seen this while visiting and it was quite amazing. You have captured the enargy very well.

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  4. I do like your composition and the way you have married the fabrics/colours - it brings the whole story to life.

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  5. Fantastic ... love what you have done. You can hear the music.

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  6. Seeing this work in progress and seeing the final piece here - I can tell you the picture does not do it justice! You CAN hear the music as your eyes are drawn rhythmically around the piece - Wonderful!

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  7. Absolutely glorious. Thanks for the explanation too.

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  8. This looks loud and wild, your exaggerated perspective works really well!

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  9. a gorgeous piece. thanks for the detailed explanation. everything you have done works so well. the use of the black felt under the images must give it a dimension that although we cannot 'see' on our screens, i can only imagine how effective it must be. well done venetta

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  10. I admire your drawing ability. Great background fabric.

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  11. What a great feeling of jubilation. I do like this piece, and it makes me want to visit New Orleans. I can nearly hear the music from here.

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  12. Venetta, you never cease to amaze me. This is stunning! Perfectly composed, great choice of fabrics - it sings. Hilary

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  13. Another technique! What a great idea to set up the appliqué part on the black. And a great use of the Inktense pencils. It really does feel like the music is booming!

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