Sunday, October 15, 2017

Andrea's Reach





11 x 14 hand-dyed cotton, textile paint, machine stitched

"The desire to reach the stars is ambitious.  The desire
to reach hearts is wise and possible."  Maya Angelou

When I saw the new theme I googled quotes with the word "reach" and as soon as I read this particular one visualized a variation of this quilt.  I prefer to have at least two or three designs to chose from, but even after waiting until just a few days ago, nothing else came to mind, so decided that this was the one that wanted to be made!  It also allowed me to use the heart shibori fabric that I made in a class over the summer.  The challenge was to add the imagery in a way that would not completely detract from the background, but still convey hands reaching for the hearts.  Once I stitched the hands and hearts outline I experimented with making them a bit more prominent, but anything that I tried ( fill-in stitching and grey organza cut-outs ) overpowered the shibori hearts.  At that point, even though it did not feel like the quilt was complete, I thought it could be.  Then literally, in the middle of the night, I thought of stenciling in the imagery with a transparent grey textile paint, which I made even more transparent by adding an extender.  I was very pleased with the result, and feel that I finally found the balance between background and imagery that I wanted.



21 comments:

  1. Andrea, I too Googled "reach" quotations but somehow I didn't find that Angelou quote! Good thing, as I'd have used it, no doubt. But there is no way I could have produced a quilt as beautiful as is this one. Truly, I think this is one of the best ones you've done. I truly love it AND the wonderful quotation!

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    1. Thank you so much Alice, but I bet you would have designed a really special quilt had you also found this particular quote!

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  2. This quilt is spectacular. You have the PERFECT balance with the background and hands. Neither detracts from the other. It's symphonic. Your special techniques are phenomenal. And you love cats! Nothing more to say!!!❤️

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    1. Thanks Gail...Lol, I do love cats and their hair all over this quilt proves it!

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  3. Wow! The color is fabulous! It is a great 'Reach' quilt.

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    1. Thank you so much Teresa, it was fun to put together.

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  4. With the subtle color contrast and shibori texture it almost looks like the hands are reaching up in front of a stained glass window with the light shining through it and coloring the hands. Thanks for sharing your technique photos. They really help me understand what you wrote.

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    1. Thanks Judy, did not see the stained glass window aspect until you pointed it out! Glad the technique photos helped, I admit I can be verbally "challenged"!

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  5. I absolutely LOVE this quote Andrea. Reaching out for the hearts of others and to help others is what life is all about. Your quilt depicts this perfectly. A stunning design and execution!

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    1. Thanks Carolyn, thats exactly what I thought when I read it, especially now!

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  6. The quote is beautiful. I saw the movie about Maya Angelou. It was so moving. I love your colors and imagery.

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    1. Thanks Tricia, I'm glad I found the quote as it really resonates. Did not know there was a movie about Maya Angelou so will have to look for it.

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  7. Andrea this is beautiful as is the quote and the execution of the quilt. The touches of paint were a perfect solution for completion of the image

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    1. Thanks Sara...sort of like your quilt, I was happy to be able to use fabric made in a class.

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  8. An exciting and beautiful quilt. I love the shibori technique and using the paint was genius.
    Beautiful quote as well.

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    1. Thanks so much Jane, yes I was very pleased to have thought of trying the transparent paint on the images.

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  9. Andrea - As usual, your work is stunning ! Thank you for explaining all the different techniques (and pictures !) with us, and for sharing the quotation from Maya Angelou ...... Perfect Combination !

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    1. Thanks Kathy, and your welcome, glad the photos helped!

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  10. Andrea I was totally smitten with this quilt! I agree with all the others said - This particular color has been on my search list when lately when checking out quilting shops. Tone on tone is very subtle in creating depth. I loved the symbolism.

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    1. Thanks Dee, yes I love this color also. It is an mx dye called"Boysenberry", I think from Dharma, but maybe ProChem!

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  11. Just saw this, Andrea. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

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