I’ve been looking at the work-in-progress in my studio. This morning I did a bit of stitching and now it’s up on my easel. Resting. (Actually, both the quilt and I are taking a breather. The surface stitching I needed to do is right in the middle of the piece, in a very thick difficult-to-sew section, and it was kind of like bear wrestling.)
This is the quilt depicting old row houses and the big sidewalk, which I’ve written about a few times recently. I’ve begun to add the character, a little girl.
I realize that I feel very at-home in this work. I am comfortable in its presence. So, I’m trying to think through how color is working here.
The quilt is dominated by the three primary colors: red, blue, yellow. These colors can feel very grounding. Every other color can be mixed from them. (with addition of black and white.) But here, I’ve subdued them from crayon-bright color.
Details from the work-in-progress
I remember once being in a painting class in which another student, whose work I admired, said she always mixes every color in a work with at least one other color in the work. Or, every color is mixed with a third, neutral color. This keeps the work in harmony and all the parts speaking to each other.
I realize as I look at my palettes that I work this way more and more.
The primary triad can look quite different depending on how much of this mixing you do. Here are some samples of fabric I’ve printed with acrylics, from my working scrap bins.
These colors are mostly pure hues.
These colors have been toned down, mostly with a mix of burnt umber.
These colors have been created from the primaries, mixed mostly with burnt sienna.
If you want in-your-face bold: mix less. Use more pure colors.
If you want more softness or to evoke an emotion: mix more. Use less pure colors.
Learning how you like to work with colors, and how you respond to them, is part of the ongoing work of studio experimentation.
My last opportunity to extend this invitation: TEXTILE TALK--- THIS Week!
I’m so excited about this upcoming opportunity to talk about my work, “Becoming One With the Night,” along with three other artists who are also exhibiting in the SAQA Global exhibit “Beyond the Mirror.” (Because SAQA is very professional and organized, we had a zoom practice session last week. That gave me a change to meet and hear the other artists. So, I’ve had a peek. The talk will be fabulous.
It’s Free. It’s open to everyone. It’s about an hour. It will be LIVE on Wednesday, December 2 at 2pm, Eastern Time US. I hope you’ll plan to attend. (Good thing it’s on zoom. Attendance for the Talks has been 400-600 per session. You won’t have to fight for a good seat!)
Save this link – this is how you get in:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MRtTrviBTUy1333KJS4YsQ
Thank you for reading.
I always enjoy questions and comments.
--Bobbi
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