Thursday, January 9, 2014

Frida Poodle-Kahlo

 I got it done last night!! Complete with earrings. Okay, here's how it went...
(Please click on all photos to enlarge, read the wonderful quote, and see details)
First, I layered, seamed, turned the leaf then quilted it. I pieced the two background fabrics together and fit onto the peltex so that the tequila, pottery, margarita glass and toucan would show. I printed out the quote with the "mistral" font, pinked it, and fused it to the fabric. I free form cut out out the poodle bits including the silk eyebrows, nose and eyes. I fused him together on release paper so I could audition the whole on the background before anything was cut. When arranged without leaf on the top + peltex, I quilted with the ever-bratty sulky sliver thread. That stuff will cause me to drink, so I like to do some work before the back is on.

After putting the back fabric in place, 
I positioned the leaf and paper quote on top, and started the real three layer quilting. Unfortunately the leaf was thicker than I thought and bumped up the ear, which really shows in the photo more than real life.

He looks stern, no?

My walking foot caught the paper a bit.

I scrunched up the leaf to add maximum texture as this challenge group is focusing on interpreting the great artists, as well as texture. I often focus on adding texture.
Frida is often pictured wearing long dangling earrings, so I pulled these from my stash of embellishments. I wove them in the 80's but never liked wearing them, but of course could not get rid of them!! Now look, they have a real job again!!
Ditto the scrabble tiles have found usefulness. I just took cross stitches to hold them in place.
Finally I added the skeleton key chain to represent the day of the dead, so often a theme in her work. Since she often did self portraits, I chose to do one of a poodle as her, with the lips, eyebrows, earrings, and her words. The binding was the top pulled around to the back, folded and hand stitched in place. The bottom was stitched closed, and an embroidered rick rack reminiscent  of a shawl appliqued and frayed. I shaded the poodle with prisma color pencil in the curls and under the chin.
For more STAT projects SEE
Next challenge is to interpret Toulouse-Lautrec  (muse help me)  LeeAnna

16 comments:

Maria said...

I love how whimsical and artsy! This is proof that you work wonderfully under pressure! Great Job!!!

Joanne said...

Hi LeeAnna!
You got the eyes and eye brows just right! Love it! It is so her!
I had to answer the quote! I'm here!
Thanks for sharing this creative piece of art!
Looking to your version of Toulouse-Lautrec!
Joanne

bearbuster said...

I learned something ... I did not know who Frieda was. But I Googled and now I understand those poodle eyebrows :) Just great! I suspect you had a day filled with creativity, maybe a little stress, and lots of satisfaction.

The Inside Stori said...

Adorable!!!

Unknown said...

This just makes me smile.

Shannon said...

This is great! It feels so right for your theme!

quiltedfabricart said...

Absolutely fantastic! Now aren't you glad you saved those earring all these years? I have lots of that stuff also. You never know when you will need one outdated beaded hangy earring. Your group is going to love this.

Snowcatcher said...

Wow! What a work of art! I love the addition of the earings and Scrabble tiles. Everything about this is so eye-catching and fun!

Anonymous said...

That's just cool! :)

Regina B Dunn said...

So many wonderful details that fit the theme. Well done!

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, LA. Just luv the Frida poodle with all the embellishments--what a great idea. Very funny!
best, nadia

M-R Charbonneau said...

Very cool and very Frida Kahlo! Well done!

Joanne said...

Just dropping by to admire the art work again!
It makes me smile!
Joanne

jeanne hewell-chambers said...

what fun!

Ruth said...

Brilliant use of eyebrows there ! Very cool.

Val's Quilting Studio said...

I literally caught myself smiling as I read your post!! You little dog is just so adorable and i always enjoy your whimsical style!!