Marsala: Water Tower #9

Water Tower #9

My response to the challenge has 9 or 10 other colours in it apart from the Marsala wine-red, which I had on hand from a long-ago dyeing session. If I were to do it again, I would use a more mottled fabric for the sky to add interest.

The image is based on a photo taken by a friend who visited New York and, knowing of my fixation on water towers, shared the photo below. 

original photo, taken by a friend

SEA URCHIN

I have titled this Sea Urchin as the idea popped into my head that I could use this colour after drawing up a piece, which I may add this was done in the first couple of weeks (the drawing that is), but only started the piece last week!  I had my computer on with the colour on the screen and went through my stash and eventually decided to use a selection of fabric that all seemed to be the right colour, so used most of them.  After completing the piece I realised I could have quilted it differently but it was too late, so here it is.

The background colour on the piece does not reflect what it actually is very well  - it is a lovely aqua which sets off the marsala.

Planted Feathers

I was grasping for a direction so started by using the 3 in 1 colour tool by Joen Wolfrom. I collected all the fabric, buttons, trims and threads in my stash of the suggested colours on the 'marsala' colour card and started playing. After a friend asked me if it would be possible to make fabric feathers I pursued the 'planted' idea.

Marsala, or three pieces in a series of one!

Having disappointed myself with the last challenge, I wanted to do better this time.  As I was labouring under the mistaken belief that the pieces had to be done by the end of July I was ready early for once.

I wanted to use some of my experiences in New Zealand as a basis for the piece, and Maori carvings in a rich red, marsala, colour seemed to offer the best way forward.

 Here's my first attempt.  I wasn't too happy with the finished piece, so I tried again!

 This was much better, but I still wasn't sure about it.  Then I spent a happy two days working with Gloria Loughman, and decided to try an idea from that session.  I've used the same marsala coloured fabric, and still have New Zealand as the theme.

I was much happier with this.  The hills are meant to look like parched grass, with sheep tracks going round the hills, but they do seem to have ended up more like sand dunes (we saw those too).  Trying three times was a valuable lesson, and I find now I like both the latter two pieces.

NEXT PERSON

I am sorry but I have been 'flying below the radar' for the last month or so while I recharge and catch up after our National Festival.  I am now back in the world of creativity and happiness as I am now committee free and my life is my own again.

......... the next person for the colour play challenge is ....

HEATHER

Such an honour...

Connectivity: Port Clyde
Heather Dubreuil

... to have my work profiled in the latest issue of the SAQA Journal, in Kris Sazaki's "Notes from the President" column. This Journal is available in print and on-line to SAQA members only, but I have permission to reprint the column on my blog, July 26.

I found Kris's insights to be perceptive and thoughtful. Those of you who ask yourselves how fibre art is essentially different from painting will see that question addressed briefly in her text.

Thank you to Dianne for suggesting that I post my news here.

Fun and Games in Durban

With some special time together with Phillida and the pressure of getting some Marsala coloured fabric, here are some pictures of our 'fun and games'.  We think we have cracked it although we did produce some 'interesting' variations along the way.  Best practice: we never let a bit of left-over dye go to waste - hence some obviously non-Marsala bits of fabric!

Notice how organised we were to start with - formulas written out!

First batch out in the sun

Soda being added

Not quite right - back to drawing board

Maybe?  Better?  We'll see when they're dry and ironed...

Almost there. Looking more promising.

Some of the variations and play pieces

We feel we have got the full range of Marsala - yippee!

Some of the lovely extras we finished up with - nothing wasted!

All that remains now is to make something stunning with all this yummy fabric...

Hilary and Phillida

FIRE AND ICE

This was my entry at the Festival of Quilts held last week in the Durban area.  Wonderful time was had by all and I was so thrilled to catch up with Hilary and Phil.

Hilary persuaded me to put my entry onto the blog and although I did not win anything it was a fun experience.  Saw some magnificent work and can't believe the talent that we have here in South Africa.

Watch me create a piece for SAQA on Youtube!

I donated as 12 x 12 piece for the SAQA online auction coming up in September. New this year, we were invited to send in photos of our process, which were then made into a video. The video was just posted on Youtube and here is the link to watch it.
https://youtu.be/N-WIrpE8doY
You can also watch lots of other people creating their work. What a great idea!
This is a photo of the piece, called Resilience.

White Lie

Sara Genn, whose website comments on ideas and issues in art, published a piece today titled "White Lie". Given the subject of our most recent challenge, you might find it interesting reading.

http://clicks.robertgenn.com/white-lie.php

Catherine Vlasto, John Singer Sargent

Blog and Website updated

You may notice that I have had to make a few changes to the blog layout as we had reached the 10 maximum pages on the right under Challenges.  You learn something every day - I found an app for stand-alone pages.  Series One and the Home page buttons are now separate pages in a tool bar under the title.  The problem under Challenges will rear its head again after the next challenge.  Time to work on that...

The White Challenge has been added to the website - please check I haven't made any mistakes or missed any links.

Pamela - Happy Landings!  Hope you find your way around all those packing crates before too long. We're all very happy you are able to settle and make a home again.

Hilary

The next colour is .........

................have fun.