Mixed Media & more from QBL
Friday, July 31st, 2009Here is another piece that I made as a result of the “painting, printmaking, and collage” 5-day workshop that I took with Fran Skiles (another image is a few posts farther down). I’m calling the piece “Bridges.” It’s about 31″ square (and, like my quilts, isn’t exact).
This is the full piece. I photographed it prior to the final varnish (which is drying and then needs another coat). It has some shiny areas that will be dulled out with the satin varnish.
On a base of white cotton duck that has mock French seams, reverse applique, and hand embroidery, the design was created of from some digital images of the Brooklyn Bridge printed on paper, acrylic paint, black and white gesso, black and white water soluble crayons, a variety of painted papers, silkscreen, color pencils, painted silk, painted cheesecloth, and probably a strand or two of my hair that got hung up in the medium and who knows what else. :)
I took some close-ups as the textures are hard to see in the full version. Some bridge structures are painted to loosely reflect the digital images that are also incorporated into the piece.
There are many, many layers on this piece, and it went in different directions. I had taken photos of the piece during the various stages. This allowed me to compare new layers of work with older versions. This was very helpful as I could see where the work was and where the it was heading. Once home, I printed out some of these versions to help me determine where I wanted to make additional changes. One talented artist in the class, Jayne, took along a travel printer. Each morning she had the work from the day prior in her journal with notes along side of it. Very smart! I was simply reviewing the images on the LCD of my camera.
I’m surprised how much I find myself looking at this piece. I actually kind of like it.
As noted in the post farther down, the first day of the class we created several “constructions” made by putting various textures into cotton duck. The construction above is the base for the “Bridges” piece above. In addition to the reverse applique in this construction are a series of french knots. As you can see from the finished “Bridges” piece above, everything on this base was covered. It almost seems like a why bother, but it ends up giving more texture/interest to the piece.
Here the two smaller constructions, both with reverse applique, mock French seams, and stitching. The image a few posts down is made on one of the above bases.
The second day onward would start with a discussion of what would be covered that day and then a series of demonstrations. That’s Fran above demonstrating some gloss medium techniques with various water soluble crayons.
And here Fran is demonstrating working with acrylic inks.
Each day the work on everyone’s wall grew. While I took many pictures throughout the week, I don’t have specific permission to post close-up images here. These, however, gives an overall feel of the “wet” room (the other room through the doorway was our “dry” studio – where we used the sewing machine (and eventually used for drying work).
More discussion.
QBL was held at a new location this year, Onadaga College in Syracuse, NY. I’ve not stayed in any of the older locations (although I did sell fabric many years ago when QBL was held in Cazenovia), but I heard many stories of how hot it was without air conditioning. There was no such problem here. Air conditioning was available full blast in the apartments and in the class rooms. I stayed in the above building. I was on the bottom floor in an apartment with four other women. Two ladies shared a room, and the rest of us each had a private bedroom. The doors of each bedroom locked, although my lock didn’t work (I left it, but told the administrators when I left).
This is the student building where meals were served in the student cafeteria. Our lunch and dinner were included in the housing fee. I give a two thumbs up to the food. A huge variety, and good.
Fran’s class was held in the Ferrante building (also where Jane Dunnewold’s class and independent study).
Lots of interesting architecture.
Another shot of the campus.
I hope in the future to post more images from the class as I finish them. Again, the class was a good one.