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Monday, March 6, 2017

Abstract possibilities

I have decided to work on my nature abstracts during the color challenge this year at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.
Remember the aqua piece?
I really love it. Right now I love it more than the Red one I'm still fussing with. Too much red actually but I have a specific goal in mind for these quilts. Anyway...
When I got stuck on the RED piece I pulled out some embellishments and scattered these dragonflies over the aqua piece. 
Pretty 
Lends it depth doesn't it? And focus? 
Then I found this
A quilted three layer scrap from my palm leaves quilt.

LOVE it!

so I played with the possibility of it going with the abstracts.

Oh, and Improv is a technique, a way of working. Abstract is more of a noun, the finished style.
Abstraction is a verb, a way of seeing the world.


So I tried it on this
What do you think? Kind of changes it from water to a mountain landscape now. Do I like the idea of ocean or mountains??? Hmmmmm
It's all wrong on here, and although the colors were pretty on the red piece, it was distracting.

Speaking of the red piece,
 I sewed the center sections and didn't have length enough to piece in the sidewalk across so I had to mix in a bit.
This setting was pleasing to me, but

Mr. Not Afraid of Color said it was too Christmas-y to him.

Blink, blink... really?

Now I've auditioned approx. a hundred other reds and patterns including this...


Which has a sparkle of glitter. I could do some straight line hand quilting with thick threads.
Or mix these two
I believe I want to engage the borders in some way, and this elongates the width. Can you believe this is nearly square? I don't love squares as shapes but these abstracts are what they are.
So I am enjoying the process now.

As I have "just done the work"
meaning going in the studio with the intent to sew, I am seeing a cohesive grouping develop.

 A sort of style.

I used to do whimsy most of the time. I still love to laugh at my art (or WITH my art) but I am growing.

The RSC has taken me out of my comfort zone. I like to work in colors of the season. Red would have felt much better in February, and Aqua this month as soft spring colors are all around us.

That being said




Each abstract work teaches me about art:
1. what I like
2. how to achieve a look
3. how colors interact
4. principles of design and their impact
5. the balance of "follow your heart" intuition and the principles of design (line, balance, color, etc) After all...


fridge art
linking to among others
http://www.conniekresin
http://busyhandsquilts.blogspot.com/
 
at

26 comments:

  1. JulieroseMarch 6, 2017 at 9:15 AM

    Oh yes, you have to keep that little strip--I love it...hugs, Julierose

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  2. QuiltdivajulieMarch 6, 2017 at 10:02 AM

    I like the mountains/ocean piece. As far as the red - what if (?) you add a single pop of yellow in there? That would edge out the Christmas response and allow you to incorporate more yellow with your quilting threads (as accents). Just a thought . . .

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  3. JoanneMarch 6, 2017 at 10:32 AM

    Floorganised! Thanks!

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  4. MarlyMarch 6, 2017 at 11:04 AM

    I think it's a pity red and its complementary colour, green, have been commandeered by Christmas but there's no reason they shouldn't be used at other times of the year. As long, that is, you stay away from holly and reindeer!

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  5. Tails Around the RanchMarch 6, 2017 at 12:00 PM

    Ooh, that blue was so soothing and restful. I felt my pulse slow down and breaths deep and cleansing.

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  6. claudiaMarch 6, 2017 at 12:14 PM

    I love the teal piece with the dragonflies...and then when you added that one extra piece...OH MY!!! I am in love with it!
    I'm trying really hard to do my reds. Um, I don't know what went wrong with me, or my sewing but neither of the pieces I did came out the right size! So, I packed them up and will try again today after I go into town (fighting every step of the way).

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  7. JoanGMarch 6, 2017 at 2:34 PM

    Love, love, love that teal piece. The pop of red just makes it sing for me. I like Julie's idea of adding a little bit of yellow to your red piece. Can't wait to see how it develops.

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  8. UnknownMarch 6, 2017 at 3:33 PM

    Just by adding that fun, warm hillscape to the aqua piece, my mind is taken on an adventure to a magical island where one of a kind jewel toned dragon flies live and flutter about joyfully! And the red composition is coming along nicely. It must be challenging to work within a single color, although the variations in tone are remarkable.

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  9. PaulaB quiltsMarch 6, 2017 at 4:54 PM

    You have given me so much to think about, so many choices and one builds on another. Like "The path not taken", all the what ifs..

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  10. AnonymousMarch 6, 2017 at 9:40 PM

    Two comments: red scrap on teal piece YES! And for Mr. NAOC, nothing is ever "too Christmas-y"! Late here, g'night!

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  11. easyweimaranerMarch 6, 2017 at 10:13 PM

    I love it... I like artworks with many details... it's a god feeling to discover a lot of different parts and colors... it is like a kind of meditation for me :o)

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  12. Libby in TNMarch 7, 2017 at 4:23 AM

    The red on the aqua is delicious!

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  13. Mary in Peoria HandmadeMarch 7, 2017 at 6:15 AM

    I love the island red added to the teal. Looks like the dragonflies' home. I think a slight yellowish piece might make the reds pop more? It is just such fun watching you design.
    mary in Az

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  14. MariMarch 7, 2017 at 8:11 AM

    Oooh, I like that little shot of red on the aqua! Looks like you're having a good time!

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  15. JayneMarch 8, 2017 at 6:30 AM

    Just one little strip of color changed the aqua piece...amazing when that happens! I kind of love the pop of color and the shape. Red can be challenging! But you will settle on the right mix!

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  16. LIttle Penguin QuiltsMarch 8, 2017 at 9:03 AM

    LeeAnna, I love your aqua piece for so many reasons! Amazing what happened when you added the dragonflies. Some strips of fabric turned into a place that I could really see! And then the little mountain piece completely changed it to somewhere else. I want to try something like this, but knowing where to start is slowing me down. I guess, maybe, I should start with a few strips of fabric! :)

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  17. SusanMarch 8, 2017 at 10:08 AM

    Love that scrap on the blue/aqua piece - it's a perfect fit! Hope you're keeping it on that one. Thanks for sharing

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  18. PreetiMarch 8, 2017 at 10:26 AM

    Like I said - small changes can make a big difference!
    Love everything you do.
    Hugs,
    Preeti.

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  19. PaintedThreadMarch 8, 2017 at 11:23 AM

    I love that orange strip!!

    The red quilt makes me think of a bookshelf with good books and knickknacks.

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  20. GlendaMarch 9, 2017 at 2:59 AM

    Love how you think, I all ways enjoy visiting your place its like a shot in the arm, takes me out of my comfort zone, but I love the teal piece with the dragonflies...and that wee touch of red ZOOM OH MY!!! I am in love with it! Its very very peaceful. Hugs Glenda

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  21. Linda @ kokaquiltsMarch 9, 2017 at 12:14 PM

    Love where your 'pile of scraps' is taking you! Amazing how a little changes give quite a different look.

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  22. Gwyned TrefethenMarch 10, 2017 at 2:37 PM

    What a difference that pop of color makes to the blue/green piece. Any chance of doing something similar, but different wit the red quilt. It needs a place for the eye to focus and rest. How about some glitz? A little gold?

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  23. LynetteMarch 10, 2017 at 5:57 PM

    I love this post. :) First of all, the aqua piece is marvelous with the dragonflies and the mountainscape. Secondly, your thoughts about lessons of the abstract process are lovely.

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  24. UnknownMarch 11, 2017 at 9:29 AM

    Thank you so much for sharing this! I've been looking at landscape photos for inspiration on how to make the sky part of a quilt I need to get started. Now, I have a few more ideas.

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  25. KajaMarch 12, 2017 at 12:59 AM

    The teal, with dragonflies and mountain-y piece is perfect!

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  26. QuiltGranmaMarch 20, 2017 at 12:02 PM

    I like the "leaf" fabric scrap on the aqua and green as a mountain... like in Australia. in their spring. got any kangaroos you could add in for character? heheheh!

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