Impressionistic

This piece "impressionistic", sort of a blend of Monet, Gauguin, and VanGogh?  It is a collage type 'painting using nothing but paper-towel mop-up  pieces from my dye sessions.  The pieces are as tiny as less than 1/8th inch and up, all torn and glued onto a muslin backing that was fused to fleece batting.  After all the pieces were in place, I finished with a Matte Medium. 

I am posting two views of my (unfinished) piece. My Art Critic (read hubby) wants me to leave it with ragged edges showing.  My question to you is ...would it look better, more finished, trimmed ?

Also, any suggestions for quilting?  There is so much tiny detail in the piece, I worry that quilting could interfere...advice?  This technique quilts easily, but I'd hate to ruin it.

It measures 18"x28"

Your opinions and advice would be most gratefully received

Cherie

Fun in the Kitchen with Flowers

I combined two challenges for this floral themed FFFC challenge. The Fiberart Traders had a challenge to have Fun in the Kitchen and swap postcards with our results.

 A cookie cutter was used as a stencil for the 3 large flowers, spritzed Colorhue dyes on 55%cotton/45% silk fabric, turmeric center.

Floral toothpicks as resist for the smaller floral postcard on 55%cotton/45% silk fabric ..spritzed with Colorhue dyes , turmeric center

 I love the plastic doily texture underneath in the floral toothpick postcard..am not sure it shows in the picture.

Meena

FLOWER!

This was just the challenge I needed to take a break and create something just for fun :)

I've chosen the style of one of my favourite artistic movement: Futurism.
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futurism )

Flowers are not futurist theme so I've used them trying to add to the composition a sense of speed and using letters that floats free.

Technique: This is a white wholecloth I painted with paintstiks using the technique of masks. Then I've added freehand machine quilting.

Thanks for your comments :)

Sheer Whimsy

12.5 X 12.5
No style used to my knowledge. I have never used sheers so wanted to experiment. I was pleased with the transparency effect as I added layers. Originally, I had an iridescent center but then wished I had used orange so colored the center with paint sticks.

Thank you Cynthia for stepping in to give us a fun, summer challenge.

Comments/Suggestions welcome and appreciated.

Pam Harris

Warhol Meets Adams Meets O'Keefe

As you can tell by the title of this piece, I had some difficulty focusing on just one artistic style. What I finally came up with was a cross between Andy Warhol, Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keefe. Andy was represented in the multiple prints of a single image along with the use of the color red, Ansel's influence was the black and white photo print, and Georgia's nod was the close-up of a flower. I began by using a close-up photo of a rose which I had taken and altering it through PSE to sharpen it and remove the color. I then printed it onto fabric, creating three images to use. Here is where I wish that I had taken more time and used Digital Grounds on my fabric before printing on it. This would have given me a more saturated sharp image. I then cropped two of the images and left one complete. I placed the images on the black and white background and added the red and black framing around them. The quilting is very simply done, as I knew that it would not show on the patterned fabric.

Challenge 71 - Flowers with Style

Challenge 71:  Flowers with Style            Due: August 4th   Host:  Cynthia Ann Morgan
 
Choose a style from Art History to create a quilt featuring flowers. Your flowers can be geometric (like traditional or contemporary quilt blocks), stylized(like folk art), realistic or abstract (like impressionism & expressionism) or anything else you want.

Example Time Periods/Styles:   


Renaissance

    Victorian



Art Nouveau




 

Cubism - Picasso's Woman with Flower

Stylized - Picasso's Petit Fleurs

Impressionism - Monet's Garden

Stylized - Matisse's Le Lance

Expressionistic - Emil Nolde's Yellow & Red Flowers

Pop Art - Warhol's Flowers



Realistic -Nobuyoshi Araki's Rondeau



Japanese Woodcut - Hokusai

Van Gogh's Sunflowers

References:

http://livingartsoriginals.com/infoflowerart.htm 
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/quilt_show_flowers.htm

http://magdavacariu.blogspot.com/2010/07/flowers-of-emil-nolde.html

http://tinyurl.com/7tzgvkb

http://www.zampedroni.com/category/new-original-paintings/
http://www.easy-oil-painting-techniques.org/flower-painting.html
http://painting.about.com/od/paintingtipscomposition/a/10TipsCompositn.htm

Challenge 70

Don't like this, but tried...

Monogram - Tangled

Since the FFF challenge was to do a letter, initials or monogram in a zentangled manner. I did that for the piece that will go on the back of the memory quilt pillow for my second cousins. Originally, I was just going to use the same fabric as the front. After the FFF challenge came out, I thought it would be really special to use their monogram. However, after the tangling was finished, I think it would have been better without it.

Zentangle Scissors Case

I found some fabric in my stash that already looked like a Zentangle. I printed out "Quilting" on paper, put the zentangle fabric behind some black fabric, placed the paper on top of both pieces of fabric and outlined the word by stitching around the letters with white thread. I then trimmed awaybthe paper and the black fabric from the letters allowing the zentangles fabric to show through. I then added batting and another piece of fabric. Using black thread, I did an applique stitch around the letters. I then filled in the spaces around the lettering with decorative stitches. Using the zentangle fabric, I added a piece of batting and folded the fabric in half and did quilting stitches to hold all layers together. Placing the two pieces of fabric with right sides together I stitched them together in the shape of my quilting scissors. This was a fun way to fulfill the challenge requirements and to make some functional, as well. I did do some zentangle doodling on paper, which was fun, too. Thanks for the fun Challenge.

Challenge 69

Perspective on the Lone Triangle Blues

SEA OF HOLES

I finally finished my "Beatles" Quilt , a month late :-(...Oh well, better late than never, yes?

The Beatles 'song' I chose has no lyrics.  It is from Yellow submarine..."Sea of Holes".

I used cotton for the base, silver lame for the main shapes (foreground), and many different sheers for all the shading.  The bright colors are all from one piece of  my hand dyed fabric.  Free motion quilted.  Metal decorative rivets applied.

It measures 22"x15 1/2"

LOVE the Beatles!!!  good challenge...

Comments and suggestions gratefully received,

Cherie

Charm

This was my first time playing with Zentangles and a lot of fun.  I started with a quote and then played with interpreting the letters in different forms and colors.  Although I am not thrilled with the end product (approx. 12" by 17") this piece was all about the process for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  After learning a little about zentangle I wanted to see how it would interpret in thread and free motion.    The biggest surprise for me was when I when I went back and outlined all of the finished letters in the heavy variegated thread that I had drawn all of the initial lightweight thread colors from.  It totally changed the look of the piece.          Ticia

Monogram

Here is my entry. It's an 8.5" square of computer paper. I used a BIC fine point Mark-It and a Pilot V Ball fine point pen to do it. I do wish I had chosen a different, lighter background for the upper right corner but it was too late once I started..LOL
I made up a few, and used a few "official" patterns. Already I can see that this could become an addiction. I had something else I was going to do for this, but I had started fooling around with the L in this one and was liking it so decided to go with it.
The scanner didn't do a good job of copying my cat and bird tracks, but overall I am pretty happy with this and enjoyed doing it!

Ann In Zen

Tangling is addictive! I spent several hours yesterday and quite a few more today working on this tangle. It was a lot of fun finding patterns that would work well in the area around my name. I don't know what I will do with my "masterpiece", but it sure was fun creating it. It is almost 8.5" x 11". ANN in Fallbrook, CA

Live Life by Inspiring Others to Fly

This was an incredible challenge -I had never heard of ZenTangles,  I love to doodle, this was fun/ the doodling part of " Live Life by Inspiring Others to Fly  " was done on a piece gloss photo paper. The fabric is Timeless Treasures, Confucius  Quotes. I purchased this at The International Quilt Show in Cincinnati, Ohio  a few months ago. It was one of those I 

had to have it moments:)

 Susan Ward AKA SusanPI2

Challenge 68

Wedding Memory Quilt

Wedding Memory Quilt

I wanted to make a small memory quilt in appreciation of the wedding invitation. I figured I would just stitched them as a straight top with filler between. Then when the FFF Challenge came out, I totally changed my thinking. This Gestalt challenge made a BIG difference in my design = turned it upside down. I wanted the photos to look as if they were casually dropped on a table. Of course, they were carefully arranged according to the Gestalt principals of Similarity, Proximity, and Alignment.

The Wedding Ceremony Booklet top is on the top, touching the family, who are now united by the marriage and the couple. The wedding group photo is on the bottom of everything, because although important, it is subservient to both the couple and the family. The father-daughter photo is parallel to the couple [they are still close, yet have a very different relationship], but not touching. I chose this photo of the couple as they were both intently looking at each other. The small center bottom photo is of the couple lighting the unity candle, another symbol of their pledge of troth.

I had this all laid out 2 months ago when I took it to a guild meeting and someone commented, "Those photos are very antique looking. Why don't you just tuck a little lace under to complete the look." Wonderful suggestion. However, it is not that easy "to tuck a little lace under". The corners need to be square, matched and aligned. I also was unsure of the fusing medium, so when I asked the quiltart group, I found I needed to use Mistyfuse Ultraviolet. So then I had to wait for the mail. Then life interrupted. Now, happily, it is finished.

Om

As a practicing yogini, Om is a big part of my life:  the universal and complete sound we use in chanting practice.   I've played with lots of Zentangles, I have a whole notebook full, but for this challenge, I added the text of the Sanskrit character and went from there.

I used a variety of sharpie markers (cuz I did this one at work!).... love the meditative quality of doing a zentangle.... someday, I'd like to take the class and teach others how to do this drawing meditation.

Comments, of course, are welcome.  Great challenge, Meena!  (PS I have a stash of black and white prints... one of these days I'll actually make a zen quilt!).

Zentangle

I began my zentangle design by drawing one in the original size format of 3 1/2" square.  What started out loopy ended as a bird.  I scanned the image into the computer where I flipped, slid, turned, etc., until I ended with a design I liked.  I printed it out onto fabric, frayed the edges, and fused it to the background.  I chose those wild fabrics because they resembled some zentangle designs.  Using invisible thread I quilted some on the zentangle design, the background, and then the border.  The finished size is 13 1/2" square.

First Wedding Anniversary

The basic design was created with my favorite font and the infinity symbol in Make the Cut software.

Then, I printed it wireframe on cardstock and filled in with various Zentangle patterns with Sakura Pima Micron pens.

I chose paper as the medium for this challenge as it is the traditional material for first anniversary gifts.

BREATHE FREE

Breathe Free
17 1/2"x17"
I have been thinking about Independence Day coming up and was inspired to portray Lady Liberty.
The background is white satin with four layers of organza and chiffon in gradually deepening colors of concentric circles.  The 'Zentangle' is entirely free motion thread drawing (no patterns or lines) with black thread.
The statue is black suede cloth, cut in one piece and appliqued with a very narrow zigzag.
The quote is stamped on a strip of white organza then fused onto the quilt.
I love this challenge Meena.  I have been fascinated with Zentangle for a few years, and this is the 3rd stitched piece I have done using this technique.
Your comments and suggestions are as always appreciated...
Cherie

Zentangle - Pen & Ink

Zentangles are right up my alley.  I have been doing Zentangles for the last 2-years and have thoroughly enjoyed creating designs and patterns.  On the other hand, text has been more difficult for me and so, this was a real challenge for me to create.  I have, however, liked the fact that I was pushed beyond my boundaries.  Thank you for the challenge.  Size approximately 9-1/2" x 8-1/2".  All critiques, criticisms and comments welcome.

Challenge 70 - Zentangles & Text

Challenge 70:  Text Inspired By Zentangles        June 22, 2012       Due: June 30, 2012

Host: Meena Schaldenbrand

What are Zentangles????   Zentangle is an easy to learn and relaxing method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns

http://www.zentangle.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX9CzJCuIOc&feature=related

For this challenge, create Zentangle inspired text in any size, shape or medium. You could begin with hand written text, computer fonts, rubberstamps, or decorative letters http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/galleries/186-decorative-letters and fill in with Zentangle inspired designs. Other ideas: your name, monogram, favorite quotation or humor.

Draw, emboss, etch, fuse, piece, appliqué, paint, ink or free motion quilt your Zentangle designs.

Zentangles are patterns usually drawn on 3.5 x 3.5-inch square tiles, but are being used in larger ways in drawings, quilts, decorative clothing and objects:

http://tanglepatterns.com/zentangles/what-is-a-zentangle

http://startartblog.blogspot.com/p/zentangle-glossary.html

Strings divide the tile:

 http://tanglepatterns.com/category/tanglepatterns-strings

http://tinyurl.com/6o2y9e6

http://tinyurl.com/7tqxmmk

List of official tangles and how to:  http://tanglepatterns.com/category/a-tangles

Daily tangle and how to tangles, lots of freebies:  http://www.tanglepatterns.com/

More tangle tutorials: http://openseedarts.blogspot.com/2011/07/lets-connect.html

http://tinyurl.com/88daey8

http://banardesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/zentangles

Weekly challenges: http://tinyurl.com/6qfrkam

http://iamthedivaczt.blogspot.ca/p/weekly-challenges.html

Zentangle blog: http://zentangle.blogspot.com/ 

Zentangle newsletters:  http://tinyurl.com/7o42s6b

Text/Zentangles:

http://tinyurl.com/859sdbk

http://tinyurl.com/6mj4c4r

http://tinyurl.com/6snk5jp

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26604339@N04/6145791317

http://startartblog.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html

http://lindezines.wordpress.com/category/zentangle/

http://tinyurl.com/72g2vem

http://tinyurl.com/87quash

Works well with Zentangles:

Pens: Pentel gel roller for thicker fabrics, or use micron pens for cottons ironed onto freezer paper. Draw with .01 PEN     Color with .05/ .08                                                             

Oil-base paint pens: Deco-Art, Marvy, Sakura and Sharpie are versatile and can be used on pottery, plastic, metal, even wood.

 Have fun!

Octopus's Garden

18" x 23"

I first thought of doing Maxwell's Silver Hammer -- but I don't like the images from that song!  Octopus's Garden has a much more cheerful image, "knowing you're happy and you're safe!"  And I had just received the background fabric which is a perfect sea bed, so that decided it.

The design decisions included: should the child have trunks?  a pillow?  and does it really matter if the octopus only has seven tentacles?  I decided no on all these points!  I added some glitter on the octopus, to liven him up, and foil on the child, plus a few bubbles on the left, which are hard to see in this photo.  I used up almost all of the background fat quarter, including putting it wrong-side up in the background behind the octopus's head.

This was a fun piece, and even if I'm posting a bit late, I really only got started on it last Wednesday!  I welcome your comments.

It Was A Musical Year

"When I'm 64" is a great little song, full of visual imagery. I chose these lines from the first stanza:..."Will you still be sending me a valentine, birthday greetings, bottle of wine?" I love the whimsy of this song! Anyway, the background is a collaged mishmash of acrylic paint, ink, torn wrapping tissue and pattern paper. It also has a layer of textured organza fused over the top. All the other elements are layered and fused. The label on the wine bottle is zentangled; both the bottle and wine glass have acrylic painted details. Note the date on the neck of the bottle - appropriate, don't you think?!
My quilt measures 19"w x 21" and hasn't yet been quilted because I am about to run out of time - the hubby and I are leaving for a Mediterranean cruise in less than a week!

Imagine

My inspiration for the challenge was John and His  historical song Imagine 1971

You Make Me Dizzy Miss Lizzy

I chose to do "You Make Me Dizzy Miss Lizzy".  The backgkround is hand dyed. The dancers are printed, the music notes are beads.  It was fun but very challenging to try to depict more emotion in  color and movement than the actual representation of figures and places.  Good mind opener.  Thanks!

Pat Havey

I Wanna Hold Your Hand:

Still Crazy and Nuts About Him After All These Years!

The Beatles' song that inspired this metal quilt is "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"

The quilt background is a crazy patch. The hands also represent a lifetime partnership.

Female hand: silver nuts . Male hand: gold washers

Under the Old Oak Tree

The Gestalt principles used in this quilt are Proximity and Similarity. The leaves of the tree were fussy cut and individually glued onto the branches. All these small parts became a recognizable tree because of their proximity and their similarity. I made this quilt for my grandson's playroom. He loves farm animals and tractors and at eighteen months can make many animal sounds. The tree took hours and hours of cutting and placement, as well as all the quilting to hold everything in place, but I'm so glad it's finished in a timely fashion so that it can be hung while my grandson is still young enough to enjoy it.