Mixed Media & more from QBL
Here 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.
August 1st, 2009 at 8:36 am
Gloria… This is beautiful, intriguing, surprising & rewarding! It has so many layers to explore in technique and meaning. I think that you can go in all sorts of directions armed with these new discoveries. I had a class with Cas Holmes (links:www.casholmes.textilearts.net, http://www.casholmes.blogspot.com ) last year that went in a similar direction, redefining fiber art for me. Happy exploring, Deb
August 1st, 2009 at 9:24 am
Nice to hear that you had such a great time in Fran Skiles workshop. She’ll be teach a workshop for us in 2011. She had been teaching at Nancy Crow’s Barn when I was there for a workshop last year and it was always fun to take a look at the fun stuff her students were doing!
August 1st, 2009 at 9:33 am
Looks like a great class and fun too! I think your final piece is gorgeous!
August 1st, 2009 at 9:45 am
good review on the location/facility. the class seems like it was a lot of fun. love the awesome clouds in your architecture shot. thanks for the info on the class
August 1st, 2009 at 9:46 am
oh ps i love the colors in your artwork – the periwinkle bluish color is my favorite. nice!!
August 1st, 2009 at 9:58 am
Wow, Gloria, what an enriching experience.
I bet this will enhance all of your work for some time to come!
Betty
August 1st, 2009 at 10:28 am
Thanks Debbie! I am looking forward to see how this all evolves. I have years and years of various digital collages that I’ve done, and way back when I was a kid I did collages (I remember cutting out images from Nikon magazine, arranging them onto a thin notebook, and then putting layers of tape next to each other to completely cover and protect the images. I love needlework and quiltmaking and photography and digital. And I love art in general, always wanting to do more painting. So, maybe I’ll find myself on a new path merging it all together in a way that works for me. :) Thanks again for commenting.
August 1st, 2009 at 10:29 am
Kim, by 2011 I’m sure things will evolve even more. It should be a lot of fun to take a class with her then.
Patty and Leah, thanks! :)
August 1st, 2009 at 10:30 am
Betty, thank you! And I sure hope it will. :)
August 1st, 2009 at 10:50 am
Gloria, this is wonderful! Your finished piece is so complex and intriguing. I took a 5-day workshop with Fran at QSDS a few years ago, and had a wonderful time. Seeing your piece makes me want to pull out my unfinished works from that class and start playing with them again. I’d love to see you go further with this too.
August 1st, 2009 at 11:12 am
Thanks Linda. I was suppose to take a class with Fran several years back at QSDS but at the last moment had to sell my spot. It always bugged me, and every year since I tried to take a class with her. Finally I was able to do it.
I’ve always been intrigued with her work and wanted to learn her methodology. It’s the type of methodology that each will interpret their own way.
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:10 am
ah ha! you loved it,and you did fantastic original work and survived roomates and a 5 day workshop! excellent!
love you pieces….
August 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 am
One of my most favorite teachers, since she first was on QN. She inspires me on many levels. Your piece is wonderful.
The deep colors and directional lines give it
That intensity of the city.
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:09 am
Thanks Jane, and I did survive it! The first 5 day workshop ever that I made it through!
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:09 am
Thanks Wen. :)
August 4th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Your work is fabulous! I took Fran’s class last year at Fabrications ( http://www.fabricationsretreat.com/index.html ) and had a great time exploring, what was for me, way outside of my comfort zone. I’ve only finished one piece from that class but have three of the unfinished pieces calling to me. Like Linda, you have inspired me to pull them out!
Beautiful bridges and I love “Death’s Door”.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Thanks Deb. it’s good getting this feedback as I find myself vacillating between liking what I’ve done and second-guessing it all. I understand your comment about “outside of my comfort zone.” To me, that was more me driving up there alone, not having a clue where I was going, nor having a clue about the four people I was rooming with. Dining each day was interesting, meeting new people to sit with, recognizing others. All good stuff, but, again, outside of my comfort zone. Even putting gas in my car was funny! In NJ, you don’t pump your own gas. You sit and wait for someone to fill you up. It was a very good thing to get out from behind my computers and interact in the “real” world!! Then the artwork itself. I enjoyed watching Fran’s methodology and watching everyone else in how they were listening and what they were taking from it. It was all a very good experience. The group of us are even continuing to communicate via email. How long that will last is anyone’s guess. But it’s fun while it’s lasting. :)
August 6th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Gloria.. I just love the pieces you did.. the texture is incredible.. and the colors work really well with each other.. great job..
August 6th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Thank you, Laura! At times I’m very happy with it, other times I start second guessing this or that. :)