REACHING FOR THE SUN - By Teresa Schlabach
This summer I was lucky to spend 2 weeks in Southern France. While there I saw fields and fields of sunflowers. They grow up to 5 feet tall and the flowers are bigger than my head! The flowers reach for the sun until they start blooming and then turn their backs on the sun as they bloom. I found myself reaching for the warmth and happiness of the sun everyday. There is no substitute for sunshine. I thread painted this sunflower based on a photograph I took. The center is actually Alpaca wool and silk stitched in a circular motion giving some depth to the flower. Sunflowers represent happiness and that makes my heart smile.
Teresa, your thread-painting continues to amaze me! It is so beautiful. Your sunflower quilt is a perfect vehicle for this talent of yours!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt!!! One of my favorite flowers made by one of my favorite artists. Nothing more to say, it's fabulous!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful color, composition and use of the silk and alpaca wool! Your quilting makes everything stand out perfectly!
ReplyDeleteOh Teresa, I just adore this quilt. I saw those beautiful sunflowers in travels through Spain and their beauty is forever pictured in my memory. Your skill at thread-painting is A+ and you make me want to try it one of these days! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYour sunflower is beautiful. I love how you used wool in the center. What a perfect choice for Reach.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful interpretation of the theme - the texture looks wonderful and I wish I could see it in person
ReplyDeleteOh my. How I love sunflowers. Such happy looking plants. Your quilting as well as your photography are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteTeresa ---- What an exquisitely perfect quilt ! As others have mentioned, your thread painting is absolutely superb, and makes your sunflower look like its actually "reaching" out from the fabric. Thank you for sharing your story, AND your talents with all of us !
ReplyDeleteTexture - Texture - Texture - holy wow. love this. I tried growing some sunflowers this year, they were 'chocolate' colored. I did a flower piece recently with Jane Sassaman and she teaches you how to look at flowers/plants from natures point of view which made me really appreciate the detail in your work. Showing only part of the flower and having it eclipsed adds a bit of drama. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous in all aspects! I'm sure you re-visit your time in France whenever you look at your quilt. Love your thread painting and use of the alpaca and wool in the center which adds great texture and dimension.
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