I’m so happy to announce that a number of my art pieces are currently on display at a solo exhibit in Raven’s Wish Gallery. The event runs from July 31, 2020 until August 25, 2020. You can observe the exhibit by following this link to my show. All of the items are available for purchase.
Before closing let me thank you for showing an interest in my activities. I am grateful for your participation and look forward to your comments.
Best wishes for a wonderful day!
About Cindy
The world of art has always brought me joy. From my childhood explorations with chalk and paint to my creations using fabric and thread, I have utilized art as my vehicle to stretch my wings and explore the world around me.
My favorite art form has been given many names; I know it as “free-form” quilting. This direction has taken me on a journey resulting in the formation of more than 200 art pieces. Most of them center strictly around the manipulation of fabric. Some of the later pieces have added elements of hand stitchery. All of them have brought me an immense sense of joy.
I use this blog to share glimpses of my art and the environment in which it is created. Most of my art pieces are available for purchase. You may see a sampling of them at Raven’s Wish Gallery in Janesville, Wisconsin.
My art is periodically on display in a variety of venues. To learn about my current exhibits you may send an email to cindy [at] inastitchquilting [dot] com
Now go and create your own masterpiece. With warm hugs…
In April of this year I made the decision to reinvent a number of my existing works of art (see Operation Renovation). We were in the midst of our “safer at home” quarantine for the Covid 19 virus and I was itching to create something new. The items chosen were small in size and easily adaptable for attaching to a stretched canvas frame. Mounting fabric art pieces to a frame is my favorite finishing technique.
A Little History
Courthouse steps is the name of a quilt block pattern. The pattern, a variation of a log cabin, is easy to make. In 2018 I participated in a block swap with a group of online quilters. The pattern chosen for the swap was the courthouse steps. I received twelve finished blocks from the swap. Most of the blocks were made from color combinations that I didn’t like. The unusual groupings gave me the opportunity to use my abstract piecing skills.
As the name of this item suggests there were fourteen new art projects that resulted from my experiment. The first post written about Courthouse Friends 11 of 14 was shared back in August, 2018. In that journal entry I shared the details of this small fiber art piece.
Step One
Since Courthouse Friends 11 of 14 was currently in a completed state I had to first strip it back to raw edges. Once that was completed I could begin making plans for the new design. The body of the art work remained unchanged. To adapt it for framing new borders were added. One of the fabrics used in the original design was still in my inventory. The specimen, a purple fabric with multi-colored orbs, was selected for the first border. The variety of included colors helped to bring more focus to the pieced center.
For the final border I chose a royal blue material printed with varying shades of blue spheres. This blue along with the circular printed design added complimentary elements that helped to unify my project. As an added benefit the circles in both the first and second borders reminded me of polka dots and polka dots are among my favorite embellishments.
final touches
To polish off my newly remodeled fiber art quilt I used coordinating threads to stitch designs similar to the original version, then stapled it to a 16” x 20” frame. After sealing the back with a barrier, affixing hanging hooks and wire, soft bumpers for ventilation and a label, the jazzy art quilt was ready for display.
a new name
Before declaring my refashioned fiber art quilt complete I had one last detail to attend to and that was a new name. Going through all the steps to redecorate this lovely project without assigning a new identity seemed unheard of. Courthouse Friends 11 of 14 was christened Visions of the Past.
the reveal
Let’s see how Visions of the Past looked in the before and after photos.
Courthouse Friends 11 of 14, Art Piece # 56
Visions of the Past, Art Piece # 56
I think the redecorated fiber art quilt turned out rather nicely, if I do say so myself! Then again I am probably a bit biased.
share Your thoughts
I enjoy reading the reactions and opinions of my readers. Please feel free to include yours by adding a comment.
thank you for visiting!
About Cindy
The world of art has always brought me joy. From my childhood explorations with chalk and paint to my creations using fabric and thread, I have utilized art as my vehicle to stretch my wings and explore the world around me.
My favorite art form has been given many names; I know it as “free-form” quilting. This direction has taken me on a journey resulting in the formation of more than 200 art pieces. Most of them center strictly around the manipulation of fabric. Some of the later pieces have added elements of hand stitchery. All of them have brought me an immense sense of joy.
I use this blog to share glimpses of my art and the environment in which it is created. Most of my art pieces are available for purchase. You may see a sampling of them at Raven’s Wish Gallery in Janesville, Wisconsin.
My art is periodically on display in a variety of venues. To learn about my current exhibits you may send an email to cindy [at] inastitchquilting [dot] com
Now go and create your own masterpiece. With warm hugs…
I’ve been sharing photos of my recently completed art pieces. Last Thursday we took a look at number ten. Today’s post features the eleventh of sixteen.
So Different
Each of the mini art quilts, in this series, are unique. This one, in particular, is quite different from the rest. Unlike the others this one has a vibrant display of color. Notice the varied shades of purple and the added pops of blue.
Not Just A Border
Surrounding the center panel is a border that serves three purposes:
added color,
interest through piecing and
dimension.
The center panel is wrapped with a perky shade of teal. I chose this color to echo the tiny sections in the center of the quilt. The energy radiating from the border adds a wallop that not only unifies but also engages you.
The Border Construction
Moving on from the border’s color, let’s take a look at the piecing. When adding borders typically the strips of cloth are made from one section of fabric; unless of course the quilt is large enough to require additional piecing.
Given this art quilts small size there would be no need for borders created from multiple sections.
Ignoring standard practices I decided to piece mine. Each is created using random lengths of cloth. The intersections between adjoining fabrics add resting places for your eyes and the opportunity to pause and notice features in greater detail.
Interest Through Quilting
All quilt sandwiches (quilt top, batting and backing) are secured either through a technique known as tying or stitching. I have never been a fan of tying. The simplistic appearance of a tied quilt doesn’t fill my personal desire for texture and interest.
Typically my minimalist art pieces are quilted with simple straight lines. The straight lines provide the required function yet do so in a manner that doesn’t deter from the quilt’s over-all appearance.
For this specimen, rather than stitching numerous parallel lines, I decided to add some angles. The angular lines accentuate the unusually pieced borders. Take a close look.
Did you notice that the stitching extends inward toward the intersection of the border segments and then makes a right angle. Doesn’t that 90 degree angle add even more panache. I think this added touch of class helps to make this mini quilt spectacular. What’s your opinion?
The Evaluation
My goal, at the beginning of each art piece, is to create a work of art that will harmoniously, engage and intrigue its audience. Each of the design elements are carefully chosen. The selection process takes into account the individual design steps as well as the intended conclusion.
In making my final evaluation of this original art piece I would have to say that this project has met and exceeded my expectations. I hope the same is true for you as well.
Court House Friends 11 of 14, AP # 56
Quilt Characteristics
Materials: Fabric top and backing are 100% cotton
Batting: Warm & Natural
Dimensions: 9 1/2” L x 5 6/8” W
Quilting Stitch: Angular lines using variegated threads
Quilted On: Conventional sewing machine
Want to Meet the Rest of the Family?
Now that you have seen this art piece are you curious about the other quilts in the series? Links to the other pieces are filed under the category Courthouse Steps, Block of the Month. Go ahead and check them out! You won’t be disappointed. While you are at it share with me your thoughts about this art piece as well as the other members of the family.
