In
April 2019, I had the opportunity to film a few segments for Quilting Arts TV.
This opportunity was pure delight for me! I am a big fan of the show, and to
have the opportunity to work with the folks in the quilting community was
wonderful.
Working
with Susan Brubaker Knapp and Vivika Hansen DeNegre was like spending time with
rock stars. Their attention to detail and insight to the particulars in filming
were amazing. The support staff team they have assembled is stellar. Thanks to
Kathy, Katherine, Kristin, Jeannine as well as everyone behind the cameras and
sound room. Sorry I did not get a chance to learn everyone’s names, but please
understand that they all work together like a well-oiled rotary cutter. They
made me feel like a star, taking care to feed me, iron my clothes, help
organize my supplies, and make suggestions on my content and presentations.
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Susan Brubaker Knapp and Sherri Lipman McCauley |
I
am looking forward to the airing of my segments in the 2400 and 2500 series
this summer. I will be included in episodes 2403, 2405, and 2411. Topics I
presented included flinging paint, painting with gestural motions, making
improvisational blocks from painted scraps and adding color with the use of die
cut appliques.
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QATV set |
I
like to work extemporaneously and in the abstract. I love to apply paint on
fabric, incorporating the two mediums into cohesive designs. I work in an
improvisational mode, allowing the paint and fabric to dictate the direction of
my artwork. Often, my artwork is pulled together with machine stitching,
applique, hand embroidery and machine quilting.
I
came upon paint flinging quite by accident. I was working on a piece using
thickened dye, applying color with a syringe. After applying the dye, I hung my
piece from the pot rack hanging from the ceiling in my kitchen to dry. As it
hung, the color started to drip and move down the fabric. I liked the effect,
and began to experiment with other tools for the application of color. I found
that syringes, squeeze bottles and droppers each create a distinct line form.
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Chaos |
I
like immediate satisfaction, and might be a bit impatient regarding the time
needed to batch and wash out dye, so I experimented with using paints. The
results with the paints were outstanding, and so, my flinging shifted to using
paint for my designs.
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Teal Circle |
After
experimenting with gestural painting on fabric, I found that I really liked the
serendipity of the paint landing on the fabric.
Each application is distinct, each gestural stroke creates something
unique and abstract. I love the surprise and the mark of the paint on the
fabric. After
creating my painted pieces, I make a whole cloth quilt. I enhance the surface
with colorful accents of paint and layer with a felt backing. Using a walking
foot, I stitch the piece with gentle curves and add a few hand stitches for
interest. The edges of the quilted piece are finished, a hanging sleeve is
added and the piece is ready to be hung on the wall.
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Branches Yellow |
My
improvisational piecing method began as an answer to the question-What do I
make from these scraps of painted fabrics? Modifying my take on the traditional
log cabin and courthouse steps, I constructed the blocks with non-traditional
fabrics. The blocks were then pieced together with neutrals, creating a modern
look with negative space. If you have a few scraps and pieces of fabric from
previous paint or dye sessions, bring them out to your cutting mat and try a
little improvisational piecing.
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Black White Blue |
Sometimes
a whole cloth top of black and white needs a little color to bring out the
design. This can be accomplished with quilted lines of a contrasting color or
fusing on a raw edge applique. I especially like working with circles and
spirals. I have been known to use a die cut machine to cut shapes out of fabric
with fusible web on the back. This works well with cottons, silks and polyester
sheer fabrics. Before you quilt your top, examine your design to determine
where you want to add a pop of color. Audition a few shapes in different
colors, select the appliques, fuse, layer and begin to machine quilt your
masterpiece.
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Lines #1, Lines #2, Lines #3 |
I
thought preparing the necessary steps to demonstrate the process would be no
big deal. BUT-after breaking down the steps, I realized how much work I needed
to complete. Selecting quilts to showcase was a challenge as well. I wanted
each segment to display the appropriate artwork in support of the process
demonstrated on set.
Was
it a lot of effort, anxiety, and fun? Oh yes! And, given the opportunity to do
it again, I would commit to it in a New York minute!
