Thursday, February 20, 2014

Experiment in Abstract

This little abstract, approx. 10" X 15" started life from scraps. I was given some tiny bargello strips less than an inch wide and one day when I didn't know what I wanted to sew, I put them together with some other donated strips less than an inch wide. See the picture on the left, that came from the initial piecing.

I sort of saw potential but mainly it's purpose was to stimulate my creativity. I wanted to try a stencil with lots of little boxes, and low contrast paint with shimmer.
You can see the shimmery paint more along the top in this picture but it is done in three low contrasting colors over the whole piece. Look for it in the following pictures. It is an integral part when you see it in person.
Yesterday I decided to just make it. Stop with thinking and start feeling. I layered it with peltex to give surface design some body. I decided on a gentle curve and couched 5 different thick threads. I love Art Deco style, so couched on the braid along the side in that feeling.
 
The quilting is done in a right angle style like Frank Lloyd Wright style. Some of the quilting is done just repeating the free form curves across the bottom of the piece. I wish you could see better quilting line in these pictures.
I opened my box of sequins and am obsessed with tissue lame' at the moment.

 There is a metal bar attached  sums up some of my vision for this piece. I need to have a reason to make an abstract, it has to have meaning or it's just cold.
I found my meaning in this piece thinking of life's journey, the people that weave in and out of our lives, the sparkle of stars and beads add excitement, there are a lot of pieces to life but they go together into the whole. Tulle is woven in and left three-d, which means the way isn't always clear but confusion can be as smoke. Keep moving.




Please click on pictures to enlarge so you can see the details that I included. There is a lot of hand beading and sequins over the piece. Gotta have glitz in life!
LeeAnna



26 comments:

Live a Colorful Life said...

Beautiful embellishment.

Turid said...

Lovely! Thank you for lots of inspiration.

Anonymous said...

Oho! So much for not 'getting' the concept of 'abstract''!! :) Beautiful!!

:) Linda

hydeeannsews said...

it's so intricate! I bet it was a wonderful journey through all the abstract wanderings. =)

Pamela said...

This is awesome! I love how you interpreted the journey.

lindaroo said...

Wow! I love the way it plays with my brain!

Lorna McMahon said...

What a wonderful journey indeed! Your art is sew inspiring, LeeAnna! This is an incredible piece. The quilting in squared form, the curved fancy stitching and the embellishments all play so nicely together!

Joanne said...

Good Morning LeeAnna!
Amazing! How you can get so much creative abstract detail in a piece that's 10 x 15 inches!
Everyone needs a journey that awakens the soul!
I'm glad I can click on the picts to enlarge them!
Take care,
Joanne

Kathy said...

This piece is so complex and so lovely. Abstract always speaks to me more than realism, and I'm hearing it loud and clear. You have really let your creativity flow with this one. Good job!

Norma Schlager said...

Hard to believe that this came from someone's scraps. It is wonderful! I also have that stencil with the little squares, one of my favorites.

Gwyned Trefethen said...

There is so much to draw you in and examine with this piece. I have a bit of the magpie in me, so all that shimmer is especially attractive. Bet the piece is stunning in person and well lit.

LA Paylor said...

that's a problem with the blog photo. I couldn't capture the charm of this piece. It looks a bit cluttered in the photo, but striking in person. Thank you for realizing and forgiving the photo limits!
LeeAnna

The Colorful Fabriholic said...

Very nice - I love how illuminated it looks.

Christine Staver said...

Amazing what scraps can become. I really like this.

Windy Hill Happenings said...

A lovely piece...love the use of scraps...also loved your scrap quilt with black and white...and "martini glass"...Way to go!

Shauna said...

simply beautiful

Unknown said...

very nice. great how you can use little 1" scraps. The embellishments add alot to the quilt surface.

Maria said...

Wow! It's amazing!

Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation said...

this is so pretty and has so many fantastic details!

I'm so glad you shared at Needle and Thread Thursday!

:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

Lovely - thanks for linking to TGIFF!

Anonymous said...

I appreciated your walking us through your process. I like the play of light in the photos--i imagine it is more apparent up close and personal.

Regina B Dunn said...

I immediately saw Art Deco when I saw the photo. It's a beautiful piece.

Amy Art Quilter & Fyber Cafe said...

The blue colors are restful, but the couched yarns give it motion and life, Love the Glitz, the subtle stenciling gives it lots of depth, Well done! Beautiful!

Dar said...

It is beautiful and reminded me of a building or little shop in some old towne city. Of course with a lot more pizzazz. Thanks for sharing.

Val's Quilting Studio said...

100% awesome!! I can feel your creative energy and love it!!!!!

Kaja said...

I really like the way stenciling over the top of the fabrics adds depth and sparkle. This inspires me to go and try altering/adding to fabrics. It's genuinely beautiful.