Art Piece # 059: Courthouse Friends # 14

Right Of Center, Art Piece # 59

Court House Friends 14 of 14, AP 59
| Cindy Anderson

Court House Friends 14 of 14, AP 59
Court House Friends Fourteen of Fourteen, Art Piece # 59

The First Change:

So much has changed since this item was originally completed in August, 2018. Early in 2020 I made the decision to reinvent a number of my fiber art pieces. This item was one of the projects chosen. After stripping away the facings and other finishing touches I treated all four edges to a fresh new cut. To their bare edges I added two new borders; the first a sky blue and the second a jazzy multi-colored print. The colors were chosen to compliment those already present. To the new borders I added rows of straight-line machine stitching using color-coordinated thread. The fabric sandwich was then attached to a 12” x 12” stretched canvas frame.

Added Embellishments:

Even though the borders added a striking new appeal, it seemed only natural to add additional embellishments. Smack-dab in the center of the composition is a hand-made, thread-wrapped copper wire bead. (Note: the bead was made by Jimenas Treasures)

Right Of Center, Side View,AP 59
Right of Center, Art Piece # 59, Side View

A sprinkling of French knots flank all four sides of the bead. Rows of straight-line hand stitching meander throughout the white, sky blue and jazzy multi-colored border. Each one of these embellishments adds their own vibrant touch.

A New Identity:

Just like my other reinvented art pieces this too had to be given a new identity. Known previously as Court House Friends # 14 of 14, hereafter it shall be called Right Of Center. The name was chosen because the thin strip of pieced fabrics is positioned right of center.

This is how my art piece looked when it was finished.

Right Of Center, AP 59
Right Of Center, Art Piece # 59

Isn’t it amazing how a small remnant of fabric can become the focus of a fiber art piece! How about sharing your thoughts?

 

Thank You:

Thank you for being here!

Cindy Anderson

Fiber Art By Cindy Anderson

Solo Art Exhibit at Raven’s Wish Gallery

On The Diagonal II, AP 9
| Cindy Anderson

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.

Here is one of the items in the collection.

Esmerelda, Art Piece # 55
Esmerelda, Art Piece # 55

thank you!

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…

Cindy Anderson

Fourteen of Sixteen: Court House Friends 14, AP # 59

Court House Friends 14 of 14, AP 59
| Cindy Anderson

Fourteen of Sixteen

Fourteen of sixteen what? Well let me explain.

I worked really hard to finish up a bunch of mini quilts. After adding the last stitch and tying a knot I sat down to write a story about each one. So far I’ve made it through the first thirteen.  Today we get to examine number fourteen.

One Strip

Who would think that a single strip of pieced-together fabrics could become the focus of a mini art quilt…why me of course!

Throughout my career, as a fabric artist, I have learned to appreciate the value of even the tiniest of fabric scraps. One never knows their potential. They could be

  • added to a grouping of other fragments to create a brand-new building block or,
  • proudly stand-alone.

When Should I Stop

The question echoed countless times by artists of all crafts is, “When is it finished?” Knowing when to declare a piece finished is tricky.

I have experienced numerous instances when I’ve made the decision to add additional enhancements only to later regret it. To help me attempt to avoid repeating that scenario I try to remember these guidelines:

    Forge ahead slowly.
    Take breaks.
    Pause to reflect. Rushing through the process opens up the door to hasty decisions.
    Photograph my work-in-progress in both color and black and white. The different perspectives help to point out the strengths, weaknesses and balance or lack there of.
    Take pictures from different directions or angles. Viewing a piece from different angles helps you to spot the areas that might need further attention.

An Easy Decision

For this piece, knowing when to stop, was a very easy decision. The instant I saw the conglomerate of tiny fabric scraps I just knew there was nothing more to do.

All it needed was a striking border and some crafty quilting.

Huge Impact

To bring attention to the slender arrangement, a vibrant border of white fabric was added. Within the boundaries of the border are strategically placed rows of stitching.

The quilting in the left and right borders guides your eye inward toward the center and back out again. This movement helps to

  • draw attention to the center panel and
  • provides a level of interest not present with simple straight-line quilting.

Finished

As a finished project this miniature art piece is a joy to both

see and

own.

The process, from start to finish, was a simple, relaxed experience. This tiny art piece will add a sparkle to my studio for years to come.

Court-House-Friends 14 of 14, AP # 59
Court House Friends 14 of 14, AP # 59

Quilt Details

  • Materials: Fabric top and backing are 100% cotton
  • Batting: Warm & Natural
  • Dimensions: 7 7/8” L x 5 3/4” W
  • Quilting Stitch: Straight and angular lines using white thread
  • Quilted On: Conventional sewing machine

What Next?

Now that you have seen this art piece are you curious about the others? Links to the other quilts 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.

Thank you for visiting!

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