"Even in high summer, Tintagel was a haunted place; Igraine, Lady Duke of Gorlois, looked out over the sea from the headland."
Mysts of Avalon; Marion Bradley Zimmer
One of my all time series of books.
Fused and machine and hand applique. All fabrics were either dyed or painted (the dress) by me. Machine quilted.
I would appreciate your ideas, they're always so helpful.
Cherie
This is absolutely gorgeous. I feel like I'm standing right beside her looking off into the distance.
ReplyDeleteBetty Donahue
Hi Cherie,
ReplyDeleteYou can paint or dye fabrics for me any day--they're delicious!!
Very effective use of low-contrast in the sea and the distance. It definitely gives a mysterious and misty effect.
I love the dress. It looks very dimensional. Did you add folds and tucks or is it painted in? It looks to be both. The feathery embellshments are great too!
I can't think of anything I would change.
laura k
Thank you Betty and Laura. I love dyeing and painting fabric as much as I do quilting. The dress is dimensional. I have a piece of aluminum foil behind the silk, only attached at the skirt top where they are gathered together. This makes it so I can put pleats or folds etc. in the skirt, and it holds it's shape , but without feeling stiff. It is only attached to the quilt at the waist and along the sides of the skirt. (of course the sleeve and top of dress are attached as well).
ReplyDeleteCherie
Hi Cherie - You have really succeeded in picturing the line from the book. The piece as a whole tells the story but I am enjoying looking at all the parts that make up the whole - the fabrics used for the sea and the distant land and the sky blend so well and evoke a feeling of solitude and quiet. Even the richness of the gown, bird and green land don't diminish the haunted feeling. Your hand painted and hand dyed fabrics make this extra special.
ReplyDeleteRoberta
Hi Cheri,
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had lots of fun painting fabrics...and very effectively too! This is a wonderful composition and beautifully made. My eye was drawn first to the light area of her skirt against the green ground and colorful feathers. That dress is gorgeous. Since it has foil in it and not attached at the bottom edge...can you manipulate the edge so it looks less perfect, more like a dress would fall naturally on uneven ground? I think that would integrate her better with her environment.
The sky fabric really looks misty and haunted. You've captured that feeling very well. My only comment other than the skirt edge is about the hills in the background. They seem barren compared to the other hills. What would it look like to have them a bit darker and with some shading to integrate them with the other hills and have more of a definition between the sky and hills?
This is a wonderful piece, Cheri. I hope you take my comments as I intend them...to be helpful (and they are only my opinion!)
Cynthia
Hi Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comments, but especially for your suggestions! I have posted the revised "Lady of the Mysts". When I read your post it was a true "DUH" moment. I had always intended to have the skirt sort of being swept back by the wind. Somewhere along the way I deviated, don't know why...
I added color and darkened the distant hills. I would love your (and everyones) comments. Did I accomplish it, or does it need more tweaking?
I love these challenges, I feel like I'm getting Art Lessons reading all the critiques!
Cherie
Cherie--The change makes the picture much more realistic. It is amazing what a few little changes can make. I liked the original but am drawn to the second!
ReplyDeleteSally
Hi Cherie, Nice job! Do you like the revised one? That's the most important thing!
ReplyDeleteCynthia