To the artmakers: When you’ve finished a work, do you ever just have a nagging feeling that something is not right?

Something is bugging you. It didn’t quite accomplish what you had hoped.

I’ve had that feeling about a work I created about three years ago that had elements in it I just loved.

I enjoyed exploring the theme of water and rust. I made all kinds of varied fabrics for this work. I loved how they spoke to each other. And I submitted it to a SAQA global exhibit “Opposites Attract.” It was accepted and the work travelled, exhibiting for over two years. But, whenever I saw pictures of it on display, that nagging sense that I hadn’t gotten it right would bother me.

The composition wasn’t strong. And I didn’t like the construction and binding.

So. Now the work is back from its exhibiting travels. And I have cut it up to recreate it, to reimagine this concept.

Here’s a look at the section I’ll be reimagining.

I love that photo transfer of the rusted metal siding with the window in it. (And I remember discovering that by the side of the road and photographing it.) It got lost in the composition.

My goal is to re-create this as a focal point.

I got some advice along the way. I took the work in its old version to my art group last week and they encouraged me to cut it up. (Tactfully, my friends were telling me it could be better.) Then I hung up the parts in the studio and looked at it critically with John, my best critiquer.

My decision was to add a large image of actual things that are rusting, and somehow blend them into the existing surface, adding a new layer. Quite a challenge!

Here’s the image I decided to use. This is from my sketchbook, a drawing about 8” x 10” depicting a rusting barn and an old truck.

Now for some nuts n bolts:  how to get this little sketch onto the quilt surface.

I needed to enlarge it to the final size to go on the quilt, about 400% of my sketch size. I marked out an enlarging grid and drew it freehand the new size.

To get the image on the quilt in the right place, I traced my enlargement onto vinyl, pretty roughly. Now I have something I can hold up to the quilt, move around and even rotate to find the best place for the added images to go.

I decided I wanted to add the new image to the existing quilt as a painted stencil. I’ll be stenciling a linear outline, which in some places will be enough, and in some places will act as a guide for where I need to add new fabric or more painting to flesh out the barn and truck.

The paper I used for my enlarged drawing is freezer paper, which will be my stenciling material. (You can draw on the un-shiney side like any paper. ) Then I cut it out.

(I used the see-through vinyl to figure out where to place the image. The drawing on freezer paper was then placed in that spot and ironed down on the quilt. The back side, the shiny side, sticks to the quilt during the painting process. I still can’t believe this works. It’s magic. Then you just peel it off.)

A lot more has to happen with this project: Refining the painted/appliqued image of the new elements, add stitching all around the new elements. Then whatever else I discover isn’t working right – tackle that too.

I have a sense that I’m doing the right thing to this artwork. It needed some re-imagining.

I’ll share more as the project progresses.

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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