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Saturday 31 August 2013

Azaleas in my garden

In a northern climate like Quebec we didn't grow up with exotic plants like azaleas, but now we seem to be able to grow them quite well.  I'm not sure if our mothers just didn't have access to them or if global warming is making a difference.  But my orange azaleas at the cottage were brilliant this year. 

 I am trying to be a bit more abstract in my work.  And finding it very difficult.  I'm also trying to base this series on some colour theory.  I usually just use intuition, and for the most part I think it works.  I lost the plot on this.  I should have had purple as an accent if I was doing a triad, or even a tetrad.  But yellow spoke to me.  Perhaps next time I will be more formal about it. 

I was pleased to use some of my purchases at the Festival of Quilts - sari scraps, and 2 thermofaxes.
and it's probably not quite finished.  Rather busy here since before my holiday and after with elder care.  I may do a little more embroidery before I frame it.  (What a lovely cheat tool to be able to crop with the computer!)


11 comments:

  1. I like the use of your dark greens and the very vivid yellow green with the orange and yellows - very spring like and makes an interesting design.

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  2. I like what you wanted to do, Dianne. I would LOVE to be able to abstract my work. Keep up the good work. Hilary

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  3. It's pretty close to an analogous colour scheme, Dianne, as there is so much yellow in that yellow-green. With the addition of the lovely orange textural detail, there is a nice play between warm and cool. Personally, I would have preferred "flowers" that were more abstracted, maybe just seed-like shapes.

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  4. The strength of the yellow green and then the cool green intercepted with the orange thermofax designs works well, but I do agree with Heather ....more abstracted flowers, maybe.

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  5. Ages ago I had a lesson with Lesley Morgan and we analysed the percentages of each colour in photos then played around. I see the yellow in your photo but more of the gorgeous salmon colour. What would have happened if you had swopped the salmon and yellow areas - salmon strips and yellow thermofax I wonder? I know your time isn't your own at the moment but one day it might be interesting to revisit this piece and your ideas.

    Hilary

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  6. I like the direction you are going in. The colours remind me of some of Van Gogh's flower paintings.

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  7. This goes to prove that instinct has a place over theory! makes me want to get my screens out and have a play again.

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  8. How many times have we all started with a source of inspiration only to turn in a completely different direction? Isn't that what inspiration is supposed to do?! Hilary

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  9. I really see the Van Gogh colours from his flower studies here too. How you can make greens vibrate together with blues.

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  10. I find creating an abstract from an actual photograph very difficult - I think you've done it very well here.

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  11. How interesting that you used the silk sari scraps to create channels of green and then use embroidery within for texture and form. I especially like the peach thermofax touches in between. Love this piece and how it evolved from your inspiration!

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