Yesterday was the reveal day for the Tangled Textiles latest challenge, Tools. Here's my interpretation of the theme:
This was my first ever attempt at doing mixed media work. I used my rusted fabric, other hand dyed fabric, pieces of paper torn out of a dictionary, gel medium, paint, and Shiva paintstiks.
I layers torn strips of fabric on black felt. When I was happy with the design, I gave it a couple of coats of gel medium. I think I mixed matte and gloss. I layered on the torn pieces of paper, and stitched. Then I applied Setacolor transparent paints, stamps, more paper- I just kept going until I was happy with the result. The last element was the large hand, done with a freezer paper stencil and Shiva paintstiks. And yes, it is my hand. After I let the painstik color cure for a few days, I gave it a couple more coats of gel medium. Here's some detail shots--
I had to think long and hard about how to finish the edges. I didn't want the hard line created by a binding or satin stitched edge. I finally chose to stitch a piece of blue-green tulle around the edge, and cut it so the edge was choppy rather than straight. It gave the shadowed effect I wanted- finished, but subtly.
It was a strange experience creating this piece. At times it literally felt like a out of body experience. At times I wondered, "Where is this coming from?" As I have spent more time with it in the studio, however, it has grown on me and I'm happy to claim it as my creation. It has also sparked a desire to play more with the mixed media.
7 comments:
I just love looking at all your detailed images! This is such a cool interpretation of the theme. Love your big hand, and then all those small hands - were they done with a stamp? The whole composition is just perfect!
Very successful!!
This is such a good interpretation. I can relate to it so much since I too feel exactly as you do. In the last two years my hands have begun to complain when opening tight covers and lifting heavy objects or quilting for long hours. I took them for granted for all of my life and now I am doing all that I can to care for them so they keep serving me for many years to come! They are my most important tool as well.
I found your solution to quilting on rust fabric very interesting. I will definitely try that with that huge piece I purchased and could not use.
Oh I do LOVE this piece! Great going Bev!!
xo
Wonderful done! I also love your tutorial on how you came to and made it. Thank you for sharing!
A great job, and terrific interpretation of the theme. Like Barb, I can totally relate to the way you feel about your hands.
The large hand is interesting--did you use the freezer paper cut out as a resist, darkening around it, or as a regular stencil?
Beverly, this is really a terrific piece. I suspect this may not be the last time you work with mixed media.
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