Mostly I prefer to work on a project in my studio and to share the process and results in a consolidated post after the work has gone on exhibition. Process-focused posts include:
- the process of creating Budgies Uncaged;
- Budgie Murmuration;
- Hope, Promise, Bounty: Reap What You Sow; and
- Regrowth.
This time, for something different, I will be sharing my latest project more or less in real time. I’ve decided to make a piece with a view to submitting it for the Carrefour Européen du Patchwork/ European Patchwork Meeting 2014 contest- Imagine. My general view on contests, challenges and theme exhibitions is that I will only participate if it is consistent with the body of work that already I want to create. In this case, the theme “imagine” fits easily with my Dreamlines series.
I don’t know about you but when I scrunch up my eyes, colour and patterns dance across my inner eyelids. I sketched these concept designs using the Doodle Buddy app on my iPad:
Then I had fun finding bright colours in my stash. Rather than a black background, I am inclined to go with a deep blue.
When I came back to the studio this morning, some of my composition had fallen to the floor:
Today’s task is to start sewing some of the coloured units together. What are you planning to work on next?
This the first installment in my series of blog posts about the process of creating Dreaming in Colour. I invite you to follow along.
Jenny M says
I like how you are sharing your work in progress with us. Are the units speaking to you, saying “they all don’t want to be included in the quilt?”
PS. I listened to your floor talk re: Living Colour, at the quilt show in Melbourne recently, and my girlfriend & I felt it was a highlight of our visit to the show.
Brenda Gael Smith says
Thanks for stopping by Jenny. The great thing about working on a design wall means that you can “edit” as you go. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the units don’t make the final work.
And thanks for your feedback on the Living Colour floor talk. I really enjoy this part of the curating process.
Elizabeth E. says
I love your philosophy about entering contests, but in general, I think I don’t enter enough of them. I’d love to see a post sharing your ideas about when and where and how many contests and shows feel right to you, if you would ever consider writing about it.
Thanks for sharing your process with us.
Brenda Gael Smith says
Hi Elizabeth – thanks for your post suggestion. I will mull that over. In the meantime, one key thing is that I value my memberships of Ozquilt Network Inc and Studio Art Quilts Associates for highlighting calls for entry and exhibition opportunities.
Lucy says
Looks good Brenda, I actually like it with some bits missing – makes it very ‘organic’. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Monica Johnstone says
The ones on the floor make this look like an installation–once things go up on a white wall they look so intentional!