Saturday, October 28, 2006

Jaws that Bite, Claws that Catch


I love this poem and had a pretty clear picture of what it would be from the start. In my interpretation the Tum tum tree is the "monster" with jaws and claws and glowing red eyes. The grass is blowing in the vortex around the sundial in a primordial forest.
The Vorpal Blade awaits the hero.
I used textured paint to create bark on my tree, lots of metallics (which makes it hard to get a decent picture). Another fun piece.

I would love comments, please.
Cherie Brown, Del Mar

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I love this, and would not change a thing!Great job!!

Tina Marie Rey said...

There is a lot of depth to your piece. The tree looks great - it feel solid and heavy - the paint on it really worked well i think. I enjoy the effects of the moon - the haze around it with the midnight clouds. The background fabric adds a lot to the full moon glow = it feels as if the glow is poking out around more subtle reddish clouds. I feel like my eyes keep wanting to jump to the edges, a bit distracting. I think a more calmer edging would make the center of the piece pop - i think it is great piece. Super Job!

Roberta Ranney said...

Hi Cherie - You have done a great job portraying a sense of darkness and danger with just a few elements. I am of the school that believes that sometimes less is more. I particularly like the moon with the dark cloud passing in front of it. And the eerie tree looks as if it is waiting to grab and claw.

I think the glistening edges are a distraction from an otherwise well done work.

Roberta

laura west kong said...

Love the moon and the bejeweled tree. Personally I like the ribbon edge. It ties in with all the other shimmering elements in the piece. Great job!

valerie said...

This is a very nice piece. I love the shimmer. I especially like the clouds and foggy stuff around the moon....creates great mood.

Cynthia Ann Morgan said...

Hi Cheri,
Wonderfully spooky! The moon and sword add some great contrast to the darkness. The only comments/questions I have to consider are:

Since the cloud behind the tree branches is similiar coloration and value as the tree and the branches overlap the cloud, does it take away from the impact of the tree?

The foreground fabric being the same as the sky makes the grassy/tree area look like it is floating. Was that the intention?

The ribbon edge does tie into to the sparkling feel of the moon and metallic threadwork, but the straight interior edge of the ribbon grabs my eye. Would overlapping the elements of the picture integrate the edging better? If the edge of the ribbon was softened (cut whispy or curved, threadwork, burnt edge or something else), would it add or detract?

I absolutely love the effects achieved in the upper left with the moon and clouds. Great job, Cheri!
Cynthia

Cherie in Del Mar said...

I am trying to respond to these comments...this is my 3rd try, and I keep on losing it! Here goes...

Thanks to all of you for your kind words and helpful critiques. I think this is such a great way to learn and grow.

I had a ball doing this quiltlet. I felt like a little kid making monsters.

Cynthia, I see what you mean about the hard straight line of the ribbon border being a distraction. I will try distressing it with burning, and maybe some threadwork or such. If it works, I'll post results.

Cherie