Friday, October 31, 2008

Water




I finished this 12 x 12 Water piece that I made for the G4. I’ve been indecisive about posting a picture because it has issues. I used Melody Johnson’s facing technique instead of her pillow case finish or a binding because it was very heavily quilted and that method of finish permits “quilting off the edge.” The instructions are excellent and the technique is great. I’ve done facings before but it’s been some time and I certainly learned something: be gentle when turning. I also think I might have squared from the back (is that possible?) instead of the front. I have my next 12 x 12 ready to be faced so I will have more data soon.

I have been cleaning up old email files and I found something I’d saved from Marilyn Belford about work that might not feel “worthy.” She said words to the effect that it is done, and “you can’t win them all.” She does not discard, nor does she redo. I've taken that to heart.

I loved the “fabric” that I made for this piece (gelatin printing from Rayna Gillman's book, Create Your Own Hand-Printed Cloth) but I am not happy with the finished work, but I learned so much and I really should immediately start Water II.

2 comments:

Christine Thresh said...

Nice wet water. The piece would have been spoiled by a border (or even a binding). Good oh.

Terry Grant said...

I really think this piece is lovely! It sounds like your dissatisfaction is with technical issues of squaring and facing. Put it away for awhile, then look again. I think you will see what a beautiful sense of water and shimmering light you have achieved once you've gotten past frustrations with finishing techniques.