Sunday, February 03, 2008

My adventure in self-portraiture 21"x30"



Well, I didn't know what to do for this challenge; I have done a previous "literal" self-portrait, and have to admit, it is not really my thing. So, I went more with the favorite technique idea, and hoped to pull together something from that angle. Although I enjoy using a lot of different techniques, my favorite techniqe is still piecing; and more specifically, collaging fabrics together.

The design is from a sketch I had done a long time ago. It resembles a paving pattern, which reflects my background in Landscape Architecture. I started pulling blue/gray fabrics out of my stash; I think because my mood was reflecting the gray sky gloomy weather we're having, which really starts to get to me after a while. So I guess this might be considered a portrait of my mood this week.

Blue has always been one of my favorite colors, but I can't say I use these smoky, grayish blues very often! I do have one of my favorite batiks in there, which I am now down to just a scrap of. Any guesses as to which one it is? Finally, the piece is quilted with a number of icy blue and green rayon threads.

Hope you don't mind my "not really much of a self-portrait" self portrait.

Brenda Jennings

3 comments:

Cherie in Del Mar said...

Hi Brenda...
I really like your blue/gray quilt. I actually see images in some of the squares...a bird, a cat, a butterfly, but the most interesting for self portrait is one side of a face with a wonderful eye staring out at me ( third row of squares in the middle of the row). What if you accentuate this with stitching and or embellishment?

good job...Cherie

Cynthia Ann Morgan said...

Hi Brenda, it may not be a typical self portrait, but it definitely expresses you...your unique style and use of color and pattern. It's a lovely piece and I like it very much!
Cynthia

Carole said...

Those are definitely MY COLORS, so I am naturally attracted to this piece. I like how you expressed that the favorite technique expressed you more than a literal self-portrait.
I am glad you took the challenge up in this way.
It is lovely.
Carole