2017

We move forward from two successful exhibitions in 2016 in Prague and in the USA to the challenge of an exhibition in the Netherlands in the Autumn. We continue to work on A2 sized pieces in portrait format and will be producing four pieces over the year with the theme of 'Freedom'. An essential part of our art is working in series to a common format which does give us all a framework for our creative endeavours.

Sunday, 29 April 2012

Desert Moon

Desert Moon - Detail

Desert Moon - Detail

Desert Moon
This little piece has been worked and re-worked for two months!  I started with a sketch that I found in one of my sketch books.  I liked the design, so I transferred the design to freezer paper, cut out my shapes and put the piece together.  Once it was assembled, I didn't like it.  The colors were all wrong and the design didn't seem to translate well in fabric.  I left the moon and the two background fabrics in place and began digging through my fabric stash.  One of my favorite things to do when I create a piece is to see if I can make the colors "float".  I love the orange moon (one of my moon photographs printed on organza and laid over a piece of orange printed fabric); and I absolutely love the way the blue/purple and turquoise fabrics "float" over that orange moon!  The fabric on the bottom third of the piece is a piece of silk that I hand printed using a method that I learned from Betty Busby.  After I got the quilt assembled, it seemed to lack "life"--even with the great color scheme.  I've never incorporated my sewing machine's decorative stitches into one of my quilts, so I figured, what the heck, I'll give it a try.  What fun!!  I also did some couching and some hand stitching.  All of a sudden the piece came to life and a really like it.  I added a few Swarovski crystals for a bit of sparkle.  I titled the piece "Desert Moon".  For all of its desolation, there is a magical energy to the Sonoran Desert and it is especially beautiful and mysterious at night. 

I must tell you all that I am having so much fun doing the projects for this blog.  I love seeing all of your work and reading your descriptions and comments.  You are all so talented and we are all influenced by so many different things.  It's a fabulous learning experience.   I really look forward to the time when everyone posts pictures of their pieces.   Keep up the good work!

Frances Murphy
April 29, 2012
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5 comments:

  1. Unknown30 April 2012 at 20:49

    I love the colours you have used- it works so well. i can just imagine sitting at the window looking at the moon, and I love your description
    Gillian

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  2. ElaineRM30 April 2012 at 21:02

    Frances, the more I'm looking at this the more I'm liking it. I see the vertical coloured lines as the trunks of palm trees that you would find at oases in the desert.The moon is gorgeous and the speckled starry sky Altogether a lovely piece.

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  3. Trish Graham2 May 2012 at 20:58

    HI, I just want to get up close and personal with this piece. I want to see all the detail. I hope we get to see the pieces for real some time.

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  4. Wil6 May 2012 at 18:36

    This means that you never should give up too soon on a piece. Handstitching is time consuming but the effects - like in this case - can be wonderful. Well done.

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  5. Unknown28 May 2012 at 19:25

    This one definitely evokes that spark of mystery that happens in the desert at night. What great fun to play with those decorative stitches.

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