Western Landscape - WIP

chatfieldstudios · #1 12-05-2007, 10:14 PM

This is my challenge to turn a series of Fat Inchies (FI's) into an abstract western landscape. There is an exhibit coming up in January called "Views of the East/West", and I'd like to finish it before then.

The first photo is the 6.5" sheet of potential FI's with white rayon embrodery floss and baby bouclet yarn couched on a piece of yellow and blue dyed fabric.

The second photo is of the FI's cut into 1.5" squares. They look sort of cloud like which was my intention....so far so good!

The third photo is of two different blues, and the challenge is how to make a transition from one color to the next. I probably won't worry about that until I have some more colors/textures. But I can do it by adding another value inbetween the two existing blues, or I can try to play with some shapes. It will be a fun stretch for me. I sort of like the tails that have so far not been clipped...they may add something to the end product. There, of course, will be beads and other embellishments added but probably not until the end. Just trying to abstractly represent the elements of a landscape at this point using just the FI's.

Tomorrow I will be working on some earth colors for the foreground of the landscape...greens, oranges, browns, etc.

Comments and critique welcome as this unfolds....

beebluefern · #2 12-06-2007, 12:09 AM

I love blue so these, to me are wonderful. These look like clouds and the wind shaping them...I think you are on the right track with this. Can't wait to see the rest of the landscape that you will create!

chatfieldstudios · #3 12-06-2007, 01:02 PM

Pam, it's good to know that you like blue

Thanks for your feedback, as I am really stretching my creative "strings" on this one. I love to draw/paint in the realism style, so fiber pieces which don't by nature lend themselves to realism always are a challenge.

beachwalker · #4 12-06-2007, 02:46 PM

This looks lovely so far, Cindy. I think your color transition challenge will resolve itself as you try additional FI's in your composition.

I'm sending you a PM showing a sample from a partial skein of novelty yarn I inherited from Tom's aunt. It has somewhat the same look as what you're using in this piece. Could be it would work in a spring or summer piece.

chatfieldstudios · #5 12-06-2007, 05:35 PM

Thank you Cindy!!

Well, I'm either really far along or I'm back to the drawing board. But I reach this phase in everything I do...whether it's drawing or fiber art. I almost ditched an art quilt a couple years ago and it won second place in an all media show when it was complete.

First of all, I worked on getting some foreground textures and colors today. I was happy with how they turned out.

Secondly, as I was laying it out it seemed a little static, just one little square after another. My husband suggested that I tack them all together into
one piece. But I rather like the fact they are distinct separate pieces. So I tried giving them a little movement....offsetting the rows, and then offsetting the columns.

Thirdly, I tried to come up with a transition piece that would create a little bit of depth, hence the odd shaped middle section. There was this little voice sitting on my shoulder that told me to cut them this way. I sort of like it but I don't like the division in the middle. So I may try making a similar transition piece in inchies, or making 3 shapes so the division is not down the center, or I may have parts of two different finished pieces

decisions, decisions!

My light is going for today, so no more pictures, and I have to work at the gallery tomorrow and Saturday. But I have a place to start when I pick it back up on Sunday....working on the transition piece.

Your comments, preferences and critiques are welcome. Just don't feel bad if I don't take any of your suggestions

This piece is about to take on a life of it's own.

chatfieldstudios · #6 12-06-2007, 05:39 PM

One more shot with the transition piece that I forgot to add

chatfieldstudios · #7 12-06-2007, 06:07 PM

My little voice said I was done cutting yet! So I cut up the transition piece...it still has some movement to it, but it doesn't distract so much now.

I can sleep better tonight, I don't hate it at this point.

Rose Queen · #8 12-07-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chatfieldstudios

...I can sleep better tonight, I don't hate it at this point.

Well, I should hope not! It's really an interesting composition and obviously very personal. Great idea and so cool of you to share it with us!

chatfieldstudios · #9 12-10-2007, 04:15 PM

Thank you Rose Queen....the creative process is always the most beautiful struggle I engage in. Except maybe for childbirth...when you're in the throes of it you could just give up, but it's such a high when it's over

lisilk · #10 12-11-2007, 02:08 PM

Those darker rich jewel toned ones are magical. Wonderful flow and movement. Beautifully done Cindy.

Li

chatfieldstudios · #11 12-12-2007, 03:30 PM

Thank you Li, that's exactly what my husband said...however, he didn't like any of the other things going on with the piece...I have learned over the years to trust his judgement.

So after getting some feedback, I have scrapped everything but the dark purple irregular cut shapes. Not that they won't be used in another piece, but I needed to take this piece in another direction.

Here is my new selection of colors..I will keep the couched yarns toned down in their contrast. I have a lovely yellow fuzzy and tan fuzzy for the bottom that was graciously given to me and when it arrived I knew exactly where to put it. (

) Like little dried grasses and tumbleweed.

This now speaks to me more of a western sunset....

lisilk · #12 12-12-2007, 03:59 PM

Now you are talking sunset on the desert colors! Those are perfect and so harmonious together ( and yummy too!)

I think all of those pale blue patches might go nicely for an abstract ocean or water themed abstract.

Li

beebluefern · #13 12-12-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chatfieldstudios

Thank you Li, that's exactly what my husband said...however, he didn't like any of the other things going on with the piece...I have learned over the years to trust his judgement.

So after getting some feedback, I have scrapped everything but the dark purple irregular cut shapes. Not that they won't be used in another piece, but I needed to take this piece in another direction.

Here is my new selection of colors..I will keep the couched yarns toned down in their contrast. I have a lovely yellow fuzzy and tan fuzzy for the bottom that was graciously given to me and when it arrived I knew exactly where to put it. (

) Like little dried grasses and tumbleweed.

This now speaks to me more of a western sunset....

Oh yes!

beachwalker · #14 12-12-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chatfieldstudios

Here is my new selection of colors..I will keep the couched yarns toned down in their contrast. I have a lovely yellow fuzzy and tan fuzzy for the bottom that was graciously given to me and when it arrived I knew exactly where to put it. (

) Like little dried grasses and tumbleweed.

This now speaks to me more of a western sunset....

Beautiful, Cindy!

chatfieldstudios · #15 12-15-2007, 12:51 PM

Well, we are moving along....I think I have my final layout of pieces. I moved some of the pale yellow pieces up along the top of the mountains/hills.

They have all been satin-stitched around the edges. Next is to start hand-stitching and adding beads and embellishments to the individual pieces.

It's still to be determined how to frame this but I think it will be with a 1/4" inbetween each of the pieces with a small piece of foamcore underneath each to make them look like they are floating.

I plan on having some hanging beads from the purple pieces so the gaps look a little more finished.

I will take pictures of the individual pieces as I go so you can see better what I'm doing.

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