Friday, February 01, 2008

Abstract Self-Portrait


In designing this quilt, my thoughts were to use the blue-green colors and soft organic shapes to portray my quiet interests of reading, quilting, music and being at home by myself. The bright, bold orange and yellows with straight sharp lines show my more outgoing, adventurous side that likes to hike in the mountains and go scuba diving. I choose to do raw edge applique and zigzag the edges to outline and highlight the different shapes and fabrics so they didn't all blend together. Does it work as a design? Does it say "self-portrait" to you?

Nancy Schlegel

7 comments:

Wendy said...

It definately says Self Portrait to me.... I love orange and blue together and the juxiposition of shape and color is wonderful.... What would happen if you integrated the shapes and colors across the quilt (or another one?) to show the integration of self? Hmmm, I might have to think about that one myself!

Carole said...

Love how you did this Nancy!
Funny you said thoughts about the 'Voice Within.. what makes you tick'... me, too.
I love the colors and the thought behind what you did. I kind of like Wendy's thoughts, too, a little bit more of the orange already jutting out......

Nice work!
Carole

Nancy Schlegel said...

I appreciate your comments about integrating the two colors. I had considered doing that, but decided I wanted to keep them slightly overlapping but separate. Having done that, design wise it might have looked better more integrated. Nexe time!'

Nancy Schlegel

Cherie in Del Mar said...

I like it just as it is...however, I see scuba diving and mountain climbing...where is the "quiet you"? hahaha

This is one of my favorite color combos! Pretty quilt
Cherie

Cynthia Ann Morgan said...

Hi Nancy, love the contrasts of temperature and shape in this piece. Good portrayal of a cool chick and a hot mama....would have worked for the Fire and Ice challenge too!
Cynthia

brendaj said...

H Nancy,

I like the contrast as well, especially how the cool colors are organic shapes and the hot colors are angular. Great job.

Brenda

Cay Denise said...

Hi Nancy,

In looking at your piece, I do not get the sense of self-portrait. Sorry!

I do pick-up on the wavy and incline shapes (as well as color differences) which could be interpreted as water and elevation changes, but they seem to inhabit the piece as distinctly different pieces rather than as a unified whole.

I've missed the organic shapes that convey your interest in reading, quilting and music. Can you point those out to me? I also apparently mistook your intention that the bright colors represent your interest in scuba diving. I would have related that to the blue wavy lines.

It is an interesting abstract that seems like two separate quilts to me that could be further developed into some exceptional works.