I want to begin by stopping, here: EXPERIMENTING. If you’ve been reading along lately, you may have noticed that word more frequently. I am definitely using some time this summer to experiment.

I have some large works I’ve completed that I like, and I feel that my way of working on these projects is pretty settled. I feel like I know what I’m doing.

BUT . . . I’ve developed an interest in working differently sometimes too. Arer there ways to get more of the feel of printmaking into my work? Can I like whole cloth compositions? Can I draw and paint more?

I’m not sure. But I’m interested in the process. And the project I’m describing tonight is definitely an experimental one. I’m just trying stuff.

This is a little still life sketch I discovered that I drew a few months ago. I worked with oil pastels very loosely on gessoed muslin. It seemed a good candidate for discovery. (I “gesso” – or prime the muslin – with a thin wash of latex house paint. It makes the surface behave more like watercolor paper. It remains stitchable.)

My first step was to collage and stitch some fabric shapes into the still life drawing. Mostly I used scraps from my stash of leftover printed fabrics. The teal strip along the bottom was just plain. I added relief print patterns —  a mix of two carved blocks.

Experiment discovery #1 – I remembered how much I enjoy block printing and what interesting patterns it can create. (Blue in foreground of photo.)

At this point, I have a simple sketch-like drawing, integrated with some fabric pieces to create interesting shapes. What now?

I want some transparent layers. (Why? Because I’m experimenting. Just trying stuff.)

I decided to overlay some fairly random color blocks right over the composition. My goal is to make it more interesting, and to integrate the sketch portion with the fabric shape sections. The tape on the composition is providing masked-off border areas. I’ll be rolling semi-transparent paint inside the perimeters of the tape.

Just a note about my favorite red: a mix of cadmium red with alizaron crimson. They warm each other up and the result makes me sing. It’s a strong color, and I know from experience it will work well when I make it transparent.

Here is the first batch of color overlays. Two red rectangles. Two blue rectangles.

As I painted them on, I felt they would be overwhelming. But now I don’t think so. So, to continue the spirit of experimentation, I decided to add some more. Some black – for some depth. Some white – to push objects back a bit.

And this is as far as I’ve come in this project.

I think it looks more painterly. I think it’s interesting to look at.

I have outlined the rectangles with stitch, but I have not done all-over quilting stitching yet. I’m thinking about possible patterns and colors.

And I haven’t finished developing up the mug objects yet.

So, the experiment continues.

. . . . . .

I enjoyed being interviewed by Jennifer Steck of ArtBurst Studios last week. She is an enthusiastic art lover and asks great questions. I talked through my creative process for two art quilts and talked some about artmaking in general.  If you’d like to hear the interview, it’s VIDEO REPLAY.

For all the artmakers: Happy creating
For all the art lovers: Happy appreciating

Thank you for reading. I always enjoy questions and comments.
--Bobbi

bobbi@bobbibaughstudio.com

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