Having made that decision, I turned my back on it for weeks. What I want involves drawing, and I'm not ready to put my skills out for all to see because like many of us, I'm pretty sure they suck. At least when compared, say, to Susan Shie or Hollis Chatelain,or really anybody in the People and Portraits Art Quilt Portfolio, because of course we all seek excellence and nothing less will do. I made a sketch that sort of showed what I wanted but couldn't figure out how to enlarge it and get it onto the silk background, ground my teeth a bit, looked through some art books and finally decided NEVERTHELESS I will give it a try. Then experimented with what medium works best on thin sari silk.
And took a deep breath, stepped off the cliff and started work on the full piece. While I concentrated on the figure, a plan for the rest of the surface began to develop, and as I stitched hair last evening I discovered how this will turn out. She is going to be fine.
That said, this piece won't tell the full story that I want to express. I think there will be three related pieces. Well, at least two. Photos of the finished work are due in September, and I'll be recovering from surgery for most of August. In between physical therapy sessions, my new hip and I should be able to get some handwork done.
While noodling about that project, I finished a banner for Grace Church in Alvin, TX. My friend, the Rev. Nan Doerr, had requested something that would include a small stained glass window rescued from the old church that has been replaced. The current church has wonderful contemporary windows in a beautiful sanctuary. Gee Gee and I visited, took photos, had a delightful shopping trip to find the right colors of silk. Design was easy for this one (and I had a chance to use some tools that had been sitting unnoticed in a drawer--a flexible ruler to transfer curves, a fine compass and protractor). We will deliver this piece on Sunday.