"if i only knew"- 6" by 6" Challenge

When I read that (in the July/August issue) Cloth, Paper, Scissor magazine had put out a reader's challenge, "Mixed-Media Stitched Square," I thought it would make a perfect challenge for heARTist Trading Cards. I kept it simple for our group. Anyone taking up the challenge only needs to create a 6" x 6" mixed media piece that includes stitching. Well in my book, the person issuing the challenge does not sit back and watch everyone create so I jumped in.

I decided to create in a way that I had not tried. I started with duck cloth, cut into three pieces and sewn back together. I covered the entire piece with matte medium and white paint. After it dried, I added Golden fluid acrylics. Once it dried, I added a vintage piece of black and white fabric which I also painted. The photograph is of my father's legal guardian's wife, Rachel, from 1919, which I discovered years after she died. While Rachel shared many things about her past, she never shared this period which is why I titled the piece "if i only knew." I wonder what parts of my past will be "discovered" after I am gone.  The photograph was a toner copy applied using matte medium then a glaze added. It was much too harsh as a black and white image. The postage stamp is from an envelop addressed to her husband, Robert, and bearing the cancellation date of "1929." It seemed fitting to include it. I also added a piece of vintage ribbon and black beads. I also used a piece of sequin waste, a make up sponge and a stamp pad to add some additional texture to the background. Sticking a fork in it and calling it done!   I'm happy! Never having worked in this size, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it and the process.  I plan to make several 6" by 6" pieces. Not sure if one will be entered in the challenge, but I do love exploring small art and sharing it with the wonderful group of artists that make up heARTist Trading Cards.

My Off the Wall Friday participation.

Revisiting Once in a Blue Moon

It's hard to believe that I created this piece in 2009 and while I was happy with it, it never felt (no pun intended) complete. I hung it for a while in my guest room thinking it would help by getting it out which happened until I decided to paint the room. Out of sight, out of mind. As I have said in the past, I am not subscribing or purchasing many magazines anymore. However, when my friend Vivian Aumond-Capone got a postcard in Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine (May/June issue, page 88 if you're interested), I decided to support her and the magazine by purchasing a copy. That is when I say the Reader Challenge "Felted Wonders" and after some delightful emails with Barbara Delaney to see if my piece qualified (it does!), out the piece came. I shared it again with my friend Barbara Wester who said that I needed to add more beads to make it look more like moonlight. This got me going. As you can see I added lots of beads and not just to the sky. I also added lots and lots of French knots to create even more texture. I'm sticking a fork into it and calling it done! I have not idea if it will make the cut for the challenge. It doesn't really matter to me. I will always be thankful for the jump start it gave so I actually finished this piece.  It has also inspired me to get some other pieces out and revisit them.