Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Nedra's Neighbor - 50 Shades of Gray


About a week after our last reveal,  we  left for a trip to Kenya and South Africa.  We spent 6 days on safari .   Our guides were amazing - so very knowledgeable about the habits of all the animals.  We saw many animals thanks to their expertise and learned  much about their interactions with each other. They could tell by their stature and behavior  if they were feeling threatened, perhaps by an approaching lion or leopard. It was especially interesting to learn that certain animals would often be found in the same areas because of a protective relationship that they had.  Warthogs could be found near giraffes as they  provide protection with forceful kicks from their long legs.   Warthogs and hyenas often lived in the same areas - a pack of hyenas are able to take down a predator and provide protection for both.  We saw oxpeckers, usually more than one, on cape buffaloes and rhinos.  Oxpeckers eat the ticks that cover the hides of these animals.  Zebras  grazed with antelope.  If the antelope spotted a threatening animal they would all stand and look in the same direction and  make a whistle-like sound to alert the others of danger.  It was fascinating how they all lived and worked together for mutual benefit.  During one of our excursions, our safari guide, George, was explaining one of these relationships.  He said, "the oxpeckers and buffalo could be neighbors, they need each other".  A lightbulb when on and I knew what I would do for the next challenge.

I used a photo taken by my husband on safari for inspiration.  I printed a black and white copy and was determined to try thread painting again.  I reviewed Rita's posting from her Spring piece which she thread painted.  I bought the instructor's book and soluble stabilizer in two weights.  I traced an outline of the photo on the stabilizer, then layered both stabilizers and put tuille in the middle.  I used an embroidery hoop and set to work.  Amazing how well it comes out when you follow the guidelines!!!   I really enjoyed bringing the buffalo and oxpeckers to life with the stitching.  Though I quickly learned that an  almost completely gray animal is very hard to do .  Despite using many shades of gray(50???) it was difficult to achieve the right depth and dimension, especially in the neck and head.  I really liked working on the horns and ears and feel they came out the best.  And to top it off the oxpeckers were basically the same color and equally difficult to depict!!  When the stitching was completed, I dissolved the stabilizer and trimmed the tuille and stitched it down to the background which I added greenery to and an overlay of tuille for contrast and effect.  I included George's quote which was printed on a piece of background fabric.  I machine quilted and did a thin traditional binding for completion.  Below is John's photo.


18 comments:

  1. Fabulous! Love the title. Perfectly captured the moment and the story behind the photo, a very unique
    interpretation for a rather "challenging" theme.

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  2. Nedra. So clever and charming at the same time! Stunning!

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  3. What a nice job of thread painting you did. So cool.

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  4. How wonderful! We also made a trip to Africa about 10 years ago. What beautiful animals. I love your quilt and stitching.

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  5. This is wonderful and I love the way the quote adds to the flow of the composition. It is funny that I never thought of this - where I live in Texas, cattle egret on top of cows is a common sight. I love your thread painting really makes me want to try the technique too

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  6. Nedra, you did a fabulous job on your quilt.... WOW ! I loved your narrative... I felt like I was experiencing your safari. And your description of the techniques was wonderful. I've never been to Kenya or South Africa, but your description makes me want to hop on a plane and make the journey. Wonderful job !

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  7. Just as Kathy said, your narrative made me long to go to Africa! How wonderful that you were inspired by our inspirational RITA to try the thread painting technique, and you succeeded so beautifully











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    1. On this borrowed computer, I didn't finish! I was going to add that this is another one of the quilts--so many, really--I'd love to see in person! Perhaps those of us going to Nantucket should bring some of our favorites to share?????

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    2. Excellent idea. We know they wifi pack "light"

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  8. You really captured these neighbors. Great thread work! The many shades of gray and green are just beautiful!

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  9. Working with all of that gray would have been so very difficult for me. You did a great job and I think you got the depth and definition that you needed. How many birds do we see as neighbors?

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  10. There are two birds, one in front of the other.

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  12. Oh Nedra, I absolutely ADORE this piece and this little "fellow"! What a very clever interpretation of the word, "neighbor" and what a beautiful job of thread painting. Hope you will bring this one to Nantucket!

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  13. Nedra when I saw this I laughed and laughed, the best medicine right now. I wore my hair just like that all through high school, I just didn't have birds sitting on my head. I love this quilt!

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    1. Oh that is too funny!Glad you like it!! I do think the horns look like a goofy hairdo!!

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    2. Oh that is too funny!Glad you like it!! I do think the horns look like a goofy hairdo!!

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  14. LOVE this quilt. The photo makes him look so mean and scary but your quilt makes him look like a friendly old neighbor. The colors are perfect and the thread painting adds the most wonderful texture. I must see this in person!

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