The most
reproduced image of Michelangelo’s, the Creation of Adam, which is on the
Sistine Chapel ceiling, was my inspiration for this quilt.
After I had
the hands completed and placed on the background of clouds I thought the
message was complete. The next day it just seemed unfinished. Yes, lesson
learned, always sleep on it and it may look different the next morning.
There’s a
bumper sticker that reads, “How cool, the same God that created the mountains
decided the world also needed humans.” My design was now almost complete.
To merge the
clouds and hands and mountains together took a bit of creative thinking. A photo was captured of the hands from the
chapel ceiling. Next, a line drawing was made on a clear plastic sheet for the
light to dark detail required in the hands. The hands are then made with a
technique where 5 values of very light to very dark fabric are selected and
used to illustrate the dimension in the hands. The mountains are then made by
the same technique using only three values.
Colored pencil has added a bit of shading.
When I had
all three elements ready to assemble another dilemma developed. Do the hands go
above the mountains or behind, or how far apart? Again, a good night’s sleep
and the next morning I tossed the drawing of hands over the mountains and it
worked and that is what you see. It is finished. Perhaps it was divine
intervention.
Of course, this is an excellent representation of reach. As always your techniques are impeccable. Hands are very difficult to execute but you have done a wonderful job with the 5 values. Purple mountains' majesty and the majesty of creation. Sleeping does indeed help with the creative process.
ReplyDeleteOh, Rita, how lovely! For each new MM quilt from you I think, "Rita has out-done herself!" And once again, truly, you have! Not only is this quilt visually beautiful, but what you depict is so meaningful. And your construction techniques and the amount of work you put into it: all of these are so apparent! You continue to amaze and awe me!
ReplyDeleteI love the complexity and simplicity in your piece. The colors are perfect and the composition choices you made in your sleep are spot on!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is fantastic. I love the explanation of your piece and how meaningful it is.
ReplyDeleteOh Rita, perfect as always. I love the bumper sticker quote that brought this altogether. What a spectacular job you did on the shadowing using various values. Really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis is simply stunning and a good testament to the power of letting a quilt talk to you in your sleep.
ReplyDeleteVery powerful interpretation of God's presence in our lives. Quilt is truly lovely
ReplyDeleteSTUNNING ! I recognized "those" hands from the Sistine Chapel right away ! Your cloud background fabric is perfect.... and your "Purple Mountain Majesty" is just that... "Majestic !" Everything in this beautiful quilt is styled to perfection. Congratulations on your amazing interpretation of our challenge word !
ReplyDeleteSuch a great concept! This reminds us that the world is so much bigger than ourselves. this is truly an encompassing work of art. Your work is amazing.
ReplyDeleteProbably the first concept of reach? I love how you have "re-purposed" Michelangelo's hands so exquisitely with the mountains. Your use of a double binding perfectly frames this gorgeous quilt.
ReplyDelete