While thinking about my Contrast design, I first thought
about using my favorite complementary colors—blue/green and red/orange—since complements contrast so beautifully. My first
quilt was pretty but too simplistic, a green tree against an orange
background, and it didn't have any emotional content for me.
Meanwhile, I read the book THE INVENTION OF WINGS by Sue
Monk Kidd. This is one
of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
Its intricate plot is too complex to summarize here, but it involves the
relationship between a young slave girl named Handful, given to the daughter of
her owner as a birthday present. This
book is all about the extreme contrast between the lives of slaves and that of
their privileged, wealthy owners. Thus I decided to base my quilt on this book.
Handful’s mother told her about an African custom of
choosing a tree to be a Spirit Tree, and so she and her mother choose such a
tree. When they steal a spool of red
thread from their owners, they begin to wind the thread around their chosen
tree, an act symbolizing the rebellion they feel but cannot express openly. That explains the name of my quilt and why there is red thread embroidered on the tree.
Too, quilts pay an important role in this book. Handful’s mother frequently makes quilts that
symbolize the legend that some of their people are able
literally to fly to freedom. Her
favorite colors are black and red. Thus
the background for my Spirit Tree is a mini-quilt of red and black flying
geese.
I felt to give further homage to the book, I needed to include
some literal wings. And so, superimposed over
the tree and the flying geese is an image of a goose in flight. I used a copyright free image, but I agreed
to cite the source of the image.* I printed this image onto ExtraOrganza, made
by Jacquard.
I fused the green batik tree onto the background with
Wonder-Under. I reinforced this with
tiny zigzag stitching. I hand quilted
using Perle cotton threads, black around the flying geese and red for the
thread around the tree and around the perimeter of the background. I made this
quilt bigger than usual and then attached it onto a 11” x 14” artist’s canvas. I loved using the new rectangular format!
 |
| a close-up of the goose in flight |
*PS For some reason, Blogger gave me an error message when I tried to do the link. So here is the citation: <ahref="http://www.geekphilosopher.com/GeekPhilosopher.com/photos/photos.aspx" target="_blank">GeekPhilosopher: Instant download of free stock photos, images, backgrounds, and desktop wallpapers. Pictures can be used for personal and commercial web sites.</a>
Alice Just love your quilt and the goose in flight adds such a nice surprise to the entire piece. As always your workmanship is amazing! I am going to read this book, as is sounds like something I would love. Thanks for the reading tip as well! A wonderful first quilt of our new format!!!!
ReplyDeleteAlice, Your quilt is so beautiful. I am in the middle of reading the book right now. I love how your printed on organza. How do you do that? I didn't see the goose when I first looked at your quilt. I just love the lightness.
ReplyDeleteTricia, glad you're reading the book! ExtravOrganza by Jacquard is the product I used for the flying goose image--printed it off onto a sheet of that with my ink jet printer.
DeleteMy sister-in-law just told me that I had to read that book - I guess I will now that you have endorsed it too. Beautiful quilt Alice, I love all the symbolism you've depicted and the goose just appears to be soaring off the piece!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! The symbolism is right for everything. Nice Alice!
ReplyDeleteHi Alice, I have read the book and your depiction is spot on! This is my favorite of all of your MM quilts. I'm so glad you chose this portrayal of our theme - and also so pleased that you added the goose. BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeletePS - Read this book all you Mavens!
ReplyDeleteAlice - your quilt is fabulous ! It was amazing that you took "Contrast" in so many different directions .... Color, transparency, texture; and your narrative was perfect ! I have to admit I didn't recognize the Flying Geese block nor the actual goose until I took a closer look at your quilt, and I found them to be very subtle expressions that were actually right there in plain view. Certainly a perfect study in "Contrast !" I haven't used Extravaorganza, nor have I done a gallery wrap as you describe (and Rita uses !), but will certainly check into that for some of my future work. And you're right... being able to choose which format to use is awesome !
ReplyDeleteAlice, you are full of surprises. This is a WOW quilt!
ReplyDeleteWhat artistry and symbolism. Love they way you endorse books. Absolutely best interpretation of them!!!
I love the way you added layers to this quilt - so much depth and so much symbolism a beautifully done, thoughtful piece
ReplyDeleteI didn't see the goose at first and I have not read this book but will order it when I log off. It's beautiful and reminds me of you. You have so many layers that begin to reveal themselves the longer I know you, making you as beautiful as your quilts
ReplyDeleteJanet, what a lovely thing to say, both about me and about this quilt! I feel greatly honored! I am glad I did the close-up of the "real" goose, as several have mentioned they didn't notice it at first. I was afraid that goose would sort of disappear, so that's why I added the zoomed in photo! Love you, Janet!
DeleteThis is so beautiful, Alice. And like several others, I did not see the goose at first look. Isn't it wonderful how every experience we have can result is amazing art?
ReplyDeleteThis is such a rich quilt, both visually and symbolically.
ReplyDeleteLike many others, I did not see the "real" goose at first, but what a wonderful surprise when I saw it in the close up. I have not read the book, but will put it on my list.
Thank you for describing your creative journey from a green tree against an orange background to a quilt that is so much more meaningful and personal.
This spirit tree was very unexpected, but rich and beautiful imagery. I love all of the symbolism. Great job!
ReplyDeleteWell done! Your quilt really tells the story well. The way you layered everything adds so much to the completed design. The organza with the goose on it truly makes it look like a spirit tree. Lovely.
ReplyDelete