Monday, October 01, 2012

Wide Eyed Loopy-Finned Stickleback

I'm one of the new members this year and have been waiting excitedly for this first challenge.
I imagined our exploration of aquatic planet Loopiland in search of life. We identified and catalogued the indigenous flora and fauna...and I found the Wide Eyed Loopy-Finned Stickleback!


The challenge loops make up the side and lower fins, and since this piece is sculptural, there are fins on both sides for a total of ten loops! I'm considering adding something more to the tail to balance the numerous and exuberant back spines...thoughts?

I enjoyed making this bit of whimsy, and I hope it brings a smile to you, too!

Robert Hartley

12 comments:

FoulkeArt said...

This aquatic creature is wonderful! The three dimensional tail along with the loopy fins are fantastic and fun! Makes me want to go snorkeling in Loopiland!

Marilyn Foulke

ann said...

That is FABULOUS! How did you make those trailing things? This is sooo sooo FUN! I would like to see more photos of mouth/lips and eyes in particular.

Pam Harris said...

WOW! Great dimensional piece. What fun! I, too, would like to know how you made the spines. Looks very time consuming.

Sharon Robinson said...

This little guy is just adorable! What fun. And I love the colors you used. Please do tell us how you made the tentacles!

Linda Mac said...

This is a perfect creature for the Loopiland sea! Fun colors. I will echo the others - how did you do those tentacles?

Unknown said...

I am in LOVE with this! The colors and details are wonderful..and like everyone else I wonder..how did you make the spines??

fastfriday said...

The spines started as 2-inch wide strips folded rightsides together,then stitched lengthwise with a very narrow seam allowance tapering to a point, trimmed, turned inside out and stuffed with polyfill. For the longer ones that needed support and the ones I wanted curvy, a piece of floral wire was inserted in the middle.

Hope I see some spikes/tentacles in upcoming challenges!

Robert

Cay Denise said...

Wonderful Robert! Your sculpture gives a tactile sense of a creature moving through water (including the added feather in front). I love the olive-like eye or face...adds to its other-worldliness. Great job!

Susan Ward said...

Robert this shows me you have a wonderful imagination. Ditto to all the above comments. Thinking out of the box. Wonderful job!

Peggi Yac said...

I love your colorful tentacled fish. You asked for feedback about a tail and I think I would have given it one. Try cutting a flat shape to lay behind the sculpture to see how it looks to you and then decide. But it's delightful as is.
PeggiYac

Tobi said...

Not quite a quilt, but a fun denizen of the Loopiland depths!

Marilyn Wall said...

love the whimsical fish and colorful fabrics. I truly didn't miss the tail.