As I'm working on "Luna y Tierra" I'm rediscovering the power of parallel lines. That may sound stupid or even self-evident, but I'm fascinated with how very strong this element is. It's so simple--and yet, think about: picket fences, rows of gravestones in a veterans cemetery, railroad tracks, lines of waves at the seashore, vineyards, pencils or crayons in a box, orchards, rows of corn, soldiers or bands marching. Your eyes return again and again, and never find it boring.
Luna y Tierra process photo. copyright Bobbe Shapiro Nolan You can see how compelling the lines are. I'm finding that the piece needs lots of stitching, both large hand stitches, and complimentary machine texturing. It's very satisfying work.
The golden brown area was our hand-wiping cloth while we were dyeing the other pieces. It became so beautiful that I had to use it here--reminds me of the lunar or martian landscape. I painted the little flowers because they just looked smudgy on their own; this was a commercial black on white print that I dyed with two different yellow pigments.
The golden brown area was our hand-wiping cloth while we were dyeing the other pieces. It became so beautiful that I had to use it here--reminds me of the lunar or martian landscape. I painted the little flowers because they just looked smudgy on their own; this was a commercial black on white print that I dyed with two different yellow pigments.
Luna y Tierra process photo. copyright Bobbe Shapiro Nolan Here is a corner, with the parallel lines reflecting the curve. I filled in an empty space with French knots for texture. Maybe they're trees seen from above.
It's funny how often you can hear or read about the elements of an art piece (composition, line, texture, color, contrast, focal point, blah blah blah) and take notes and recognize their use in famous art--but it doesn't really have meaning until you feel the pull of its power. Or perhaps I just don't like being told what to do until I discover it for myself.
Back to sewing lines now.
It's funny how often you can hear or read about the elements of an art piece (composition, line, texture, color, contrast, focal point, blah blah blah) and take notes and recognize their use in famous art--but it doesn't really have meaning until you feel the pull of its power. Or perhaps I just don't like being told what to do until I discover it for myself.
Back to sewing lines now.
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