Living in Texas, "Street Life" immediately conjured up images of insects that are teeming in the out-of-doors. I originally started out with trying to depict ant trails that are found everywhere but I did not achieve the effect I had in mind. Then I thought about other bugs that are plentiful here: the June or Corn beetle, the Love bugs (beetles), Ladybugs, just to name a few. The composition idea came from an exercise in one of my art books. I took "creative license" in drawing my own beetles. It is whole cloth painted with Color Hue dyes over a screen. I added details with my pigma and Fabrico pens. I outlined the bugs with black thread and quilted it with invisible thread.
I would never have thought of 'bugs' and 'street life' - what a wonderful idea. I like the labels by each bug - it gives them an aura of respectability.
ReplyDeleteGreat interpretation! Love the creative liscense and wish I could read their lovely names.
ReplyDeleteI like the way the screening texture softens the margins between the four main squares and their borders.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile, perhaps it's the colour or the invented bugs, but either way it's a very effective way for me to learn a lesson. I didn't know that insects were abundant in Texas!
ReplyDeleteGreat title by the way!
ReplyDeleteThe screening is so effective. This must have been a fun piece to do. It reminds me of a teddy bear quilt I did once. The best part was dressing them much like you did with your beetles. Great fun!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who grew up with screen doors and seeing all the bugs and moths on the outside attracted by lights on in the house this is soooo good. They certainly look real enough to me! I love the screen print - it's perfect! Portrayed like they they almost look like museum specimens. What fun.
ReplyDeleteHilary
my first idea for this project was insects one sees outside. i would never have handled it this well. a great interpretation
ReplyDeleteNow I am embarrased! Three pieces! Great take on the theme. We had our ususal summer attack last night of 'flying ants'. They come out after rains in the summer in their millions, around 7pm attracted by the lights and by 8pm they stop but you then have areas covered with discarded wings and large sqwiggy ants.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea - we never think of all the teeming street life there is in the insect (bug) world. I would never have thought of such a novel take on this theme. Well done on a very original piece.
ReplyDeleteWow! Love this interpretation Venetta. Bugs as art and street life. Love it!
ReplyDeleteAnother great slant to street life! With the colours you've used it's quite cheerful. Have you used techniques new to you too? Looks like many of us have which makes this exercise so great.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dianne, whole cloth painting is a new technique for me. It took many "tries" until I finally got the look I wanted...not as easy as it seems. I tried several other techniques for this theme with another focus but they didn't work out. My commitment to this challenge group is to try a new technique each time, however, I am starting to wonder if that was such a great idea. HA HA HA
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