Palo Duro Canyon drove my work this time. The Canyon is thirty minutes outside of Amarillo, Texas where I was born. Only Grand Canyon is larger. Georgia O’Keefe painted images inspired by it; and my friends who are marrying June 1 developed a romance on the ranches in the area.
I had the best time stitching trying to learn something. Well it takes more than two tries to learn new techniques. I just have to keep trying. I can begin another for a wedding card. I have now learned I must slow down, observe better, make many sketches, and THINK. I always wanted a theme to work on and maybe canyon or home could be a start. I will edit or omit the poor lighthouse.
But I like the idea of a lighthouse, my home as a light, an assist in navigating life. The warm colors of the Panhandle, yellow (in Spanish, Amarillo), orange and red are in a marbleized fabric on the back of the 2nd little quilt. This makes me think of old books...tales of the Apaches and Comanches who once roamed here and the sad histories shared by all people. CLICK to enlarge the images.
They are both lovely, they have a watercolor feel to then, soft and elegant. You can see that there is a personal connection on these. They are very special. I agree there is sad history there, but these quilts somehow show the hope for a brighter future. Good work, and great quilting!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI too think BOTH are spectacular Linda!!! I think the first is my favorite as it looks more like a watercolor. I have not seen the canyon(had never heard of it actually) nor the O'Keefe painting but I truly feel you outdid yourself this time - you have two beautiful works of art! I enjoyed your back story as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is a super example of how varied the end result can be using the same image but changing the fabrics. Although the 'watercolor' image portrays the canyon perspective a bit more to my eye, I equally enjoy the boldness of the high contrast version. And like me - you ended up with two quilts. :D
ReplyDeleteBOTH of these are so beautiful, Linda! How did you ever choose between them? I think it is so neat that you went back to your Texas roots for this little quilt. Though I have been to Amarillo (a certain wedding in which I was a bridesmaid and hubby was also in the wedding party!) sooo many years ago, why didn't we pay a visit to this beautiful canyon? I will make a point to do so, someday when we are taking a driving trip out West to Colorado! Truly, both of these are some of your most beautiful 12x12's; maybe THE most beautiful ones. I don't understand why you think either one needs more......
ReplyDeleteI like both of your canyons and your reflections on Georgia O'Keefe. Your stitching is lovely. I agree that the colors are warm and bright. Your sky - very Panhandle-ish. Love it.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - two quilts for the same challenge ! And even though they're of the same canyon, they look entirely different because of the different techniques, supplies and fabrics. Great job ! And thanks for giving my challenge word 2 lovely quilts :-D
ReplyDeleteThe first one is far and away my favorite of the two. It looks perfect to me. The illusion of the rounded bolders behind the lighthouse is perfect. And the trees on the floor of the canyon are amazing. Having been to Palo Duro, I think it illustrates it wonderfully! Great job! And I forgot to mention the wonderful colors!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to see both of these quilts. I love the softer painterly look of the first, but think the stitching on the second is a very nice textural addition. As I think in your heart-of-hearts you are a painter, I believe both of these quilts reflect that love.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I think you needed to make both of them because they each show the canyon in a different light. Plus all the detail in the painted one is as important as the simplicity and fabric choices you made in the second one. Looks like the start of a great series.
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