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Sunday 31 August 2014

Port Clyde

Port Clyde




Just after our Grey challenge was announced, I was lucky enough to take a one-week holiday, driving down the coast of Maine. Port Clyde is a tiny town at the southernmost tip of a peninsula jutting into the Atlantic, and its claim to fame is as the departure point for the ferry to Monhegan Island, established as an artists’ colony over 100 years ago. Actually, Port Clyde reminded me of Port Wenn, the fictional setting of the Doc Martin series, because of its terrain, its quirky characters, and its fishing culture.




Port Clyde, original photo











When I saw this photo, taken on a very grey day, I knew I had my subject. I especially love the web of wires overhead. 

When playing with the various greys in my stash, I was struck by how the hues become more apparent when the greys are placed next to each other: blue-grey, green-grey, violet-grey, warm grey.

Port Clyde is made of hand-dyes, fused, and machine-stitched with heavy black cotton thread.

9 comments:

  1. Brilliant. Normally the electric cables would spoil the picture but you have captured them at exactly the right position and they make the image. Of all your pieces, Heather this is one of my favourites - finely balanced composition and colours.

    Hilary

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  2. I love this one Heather. Your ability to take a picture and see it's potential is amazing - I would have rejected this photo as boring, particularly with all those wires - but you have made it into a thing of beauty!

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  3. I cannot say anything more. Beautifully executed.

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  4. It never fails to amaze me how you see opportunity. Very nice subtle colours.

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  5. I do like this piece, and once again you have picked just the right things to leave in and leave out. And I like the flow of the composition.

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  6. I would never have thought to use this photo as inspiration for this piece but it has worked so beautifully and your interpretation brings the whole exercise to life. Really well done. Congratulations.

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  7. I love all the metaphor and drama in your choice of setting and mood. The winding unseen crest of the hill and tangle of wires make for a powerful dynamic in this windy town but the warmth makes you wonder just what a visit might bring about. Great piece!

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  8. So much going on in this piece Heather. You have taken an ordinary shot of a boring looking town and made it come to life.

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  9. I love this quilt,and agree with all the comments. I too would have ditched the original photo as uninteresting. It is amazing how you see the potential in something that most people would find uninspiring.

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