Sunday, June 06, 2010

Sunday/Rainday

I have decided not to complain about the #$@% rain anymore, but that doesn't prevent me from posting a few pictures from just a few minutes ago.



Meanwhile inside the house, I plug away at the Baños house quilt. I had such a hard time actually getting started with this piece. I'm not sure why. I kept fiddling with the fabrics, refining the drawing, knowing I was procrastinating. Finally, I decided the best approach was to break it into sections, actually layers of depth into the scene, starting with the front-most layer, then the middle ground, then the far background. Here is what I am working on now—the street and wall.

I am using my watercolor crayons to add color and texture to solid color fabrics. I have been experimenting with making rubbing plates that I use under the fabric, then rub over with the crayons to create pattern and texture. See that pebbly texture on the street? I got that using the plate below that I made by gluing lentils on a scrap of mat board.

 Here is another rubbing plate I made by gluing hemp cord on a piece of mat board. I drew the pattern on the board first, then glued the cord on it. I was not particularly precise about the design as I wanted it to be obviously handmade. I liked the hemp cord for this because it is pretty firm. The resulting fabric is at the right. By carefully moving the plate under the fabric it was possible to get a repeating pattern.

I'm not sure I will be using this particular texture in this piece, but I think it will have it's uses down the line sometime. I rubbed this one with a regular crayola crayon—one of Sofia's. I will probably experiment with adding some of the watercolor crayon for additional color.

14 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:20 AM

    Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Rain, Rain, Go Away...
    Come again no other day!!!

    That is what I call rain!!!

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  2. Thanks for sharing this unique technique.
    Deborah

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  3. Wow, Terry, what a great idea for those rubbing boards! Thanks for sharing it.

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  4. I am loving the sections you have shown us. Tres cool. Stay dry!!

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  5. Now you see, if it weren't for the rain, you may have not got so far on the progress of this work!

    Looking forward to seeing how it goes.
    Sandy in the UK

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  6. Johnson Creek the Second is truly impressive -- I fear for Johnson Creek the First (and the Mill End Store beside it).

    You did see Jan's haiku on FB today? I think it's the best yet.

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  7. You are awesome! Even in the rain!

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  8. Can't wait to see the finished piece.

    Your creek is looking pretty fierce.

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  9. great rubbing plates, very clever!

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  10. What a clever idea to make rubbing plates to provide the design and texture that you need.

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  11. At least those rainy days are giving you lots of indoor creative time! Your rubbing plates are wonderful (that lentil one is very cool) and the idea of cutting hemp to make your own shapes is also brilliant. I love how the bits are developing.

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  12. I love that humble lentils are all it takes to make beautiful fabrics. ;-) Good for you to just jump in and start on your artwork too -- I have a few pieces that I need to do the same with -- just go rather than try to wrap my head around it first. And, I know this sounds odd, but you could send your rain here. Poor Hawaii and Maui are in serious drought.

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  13. what you're doing with the fabric is absolutely beautiful...the rain is to (to me...but I live in dry hot southern CA, so what do I know???)

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  14. Your creek looks scary-high!

    About those lentils. Please tell me you didn't glue them down one-by-one.

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