Alternative Energy - vs- Fossil Fuels Journal

The artists were also required to create a journal about their subject and piece.  Here is the cover for my journal.  I made this wrap around cover for my journal.  The top image is the front and this second image is the back of the journal cover. 

Filling in with Screen Printed Turbines

 The large wind turbines are fused applique, but the smaller ones are screen printed and hand painted.  These needed to be added before quilting.

Earth Stories - Putting it Together

Here is a photo of the work in progress.  The big wind turbines are fused in place and I am auditioning this hand printed black fabric for the base.   Again, perhaps this will not be a collage, but rather, a whole cloth section that will be seamed to the top. 

Screen Printing ProCon.org Commentary

 It may seem obvious that white was the correct color to use for printing the text on this piece, but that was not the case at the time, from my perspective.  I was out of silver, and black seemed to dark, so it had to be white - it was just a process of elimination.  I hoped the different fonts and sizes of the text, etc. would result in a sort of cloud-like appearance from a distance that would take on a new meaning as the viewer would come closer.

 I contemplated cutting the fabric up and collaging it, but I thought I could make that decision later, if necessary (like - if I ruined some section of the whole cloth or something like that, hey - it happens).

 This last picture is the entire piece after the printing is complete.  I cannot express how very relieved I was to see this on my design wall at this point.  I really hoped I could proceed without ruining this big piece of fabric that I felt was very effective as it was without being cut up into a collage.....

Fossil Fabric for Earth Stories

 I hand printed black cotton with gold ink and fossil Thermofax screens.  I did several yards of this, too - planning to cut it up and collage it onto the bottom section of my Earth Stories Quilt.  Remember - this piece is to be 72" square, finished.  I needed a lot of this fabric, too.  I love the graphic and striking contrast between the black and metallic gold!

Earth Stories 72" Sunset Collage

 I spent many days hand painting fabrics to look like sunsets. I had 10 yards or more for the project.  I ironed fusible web onto the back of the best ones, and collaged them into a 75" wide fabric collage - all fused to a single fabric so I could work with it.  Then, I began screenprinting with gold paint using my grandmother's recipes (below).

Second Trial Piece Complete - Turbines at Sunset

 Here is my second trial piece for Wind Turbines at Sunset (with fossils in the ground).  I am exploring ways of presenting the conflict between fossil fuels and alternative energy sources.  I am trying to decide whether or not to include solar and hydroelectric energy in my concept.  Lots of things to think about. 

I am less than thrilled with this piece, but I learned a lot doing it and have more ideas about what to try next.  This piece measures 19 x 19"

First Trial Piece for Earth Stories

 Here are some images of the first piece I created as I began working through my ideas for my Earth Stories piece.  The final piece would have to be 72" square!  This one is only 11 x 14".

 I thought I might be using text for some of the printing, so I used what I had on hand - some Thermofax screens of my own journal plus some other language text pieces I have - I think this may be Arabic or Hindu and possibly also some Native American written language samples.  This piece is not being made with any idea that it will ever leave my studio.  I am just working through my ideas here......

Layering Vintage Silk Collage

Even though this is fused on, I thought some stitching would be in order before starting the embroidery.

Auditioning with Vintage Silk Collage

Now that the background is printed, I am satisfied that this additional layer should be put in place as previously planned.

Screen Printed Japanese Calligraphy on Silk

The printing looks sort of pink right now, but it will darken as it sets up.  Once it is heat set, the whole effect will soften and darken.

Shaving Cream Screen Printing

I want the printing to appear muted, so I went to a method I used a lot back before I invested in a huge selection of screen printing inks.  I am using unscented shaving gel, which dispenses thick and foams up with stirring action.  This mixes well with any type of paint.  In this case, I am using Jacquard Lumiere.  It gives a more subtle, less intense, less distinct print. 

The other really nice benefit is that that screens wash out super easily because of the shaving cream in the printing mixture.

Quilting Petroglyph Canyon

Progress.

Petroglyph Canyon

I have returned to this piece begun in May 2014.  Here it is as a fused collage.  Time for some layering and quilting. 

T Shirts for Family Reunion

 In anticipation of our family gathering at Georgetown Lake, my niece, nephew and grandson contributed artwork that I combined to create a Thermofax screen.  The kids helped me dye the shirts, then I did the printing over a period of several days. 

Petroglyph Canyon Collage Piece View

Well, here we are with all the black foundation fabric covered by hand dyed or hand painted, printed fabric.  My petroglyph canyon may need a little tweeking, but I am liking it so far.

Happy 4th of July to all my blog friends!

Expanding the Landscape

Looking at the work in progress on the design wall, I felt it needed to be a much more panoramic type view.  Square or almost square was not really working for me, so I started on another one the same size - making this piece potentially about 45" tall x 90" wide.  Standing back for a look - yes - I think this is going in the right direction.

Up on the Design Wall

I have been working on this piece flat on my ironing table.  It is hard to get a good read on the imagery that way - especially for something so large.  This measures about 45 x 50. So, I went ahead and fused the pieces I had in place using my iron and then I moved it to the design wall to get a better look at it.  There are spaces yet to fill in, but I think I am heading in the right direction.  The black is the foundation and it should all disappear.

Adding Sky Fabrics

Now that the "rocks" are all in place, I have moved to the top and am adding sky fabrics in muted blues, grays and purples.  Again, I am working with strips and filling in.  This is a new twist on some of my previous working styles.

Starting the Fused Collage Inspired by Petroglyph Canyon

I am working on my Teflon covered ironing table.  The chosen fabrics have been cut in very long tapered strips and are being fused to black cotton lawn, which is very light weight.  These are all fabrics I had on hand and most already had Mistyfuse on the backside.  I did print some petroglyphs on some of these fabrics in purple ink, but the other fabrics came right out of the leftover fabric stash.  I am already loving it!