I finally finished the fish.
These days when I work on my fiber art I start with a challenge to myself around a perceived area of weakness, or I center myself around a challenging idea. With the fish, I wanted to explore the concept of layers. I love fish! What I wanted to capture is the layers of depth when viewing coi in a pond. You can see the development of the idea in postings below.
I'm not satisfied with this piece yet. It's okay but just okay. I didn't like the way the light is diffused with the silk gauze and the netting is not opaque enough to do the trick. I tried doubling it up; I painted it; I tripled it up. Finally, I doubled it and stitched it down in ripples as you can see.
I have thought about using glass and painting on that and will return to this challenge later. The lily pads will be attached to the glass and if I can get Jerry The Glass Man to cut holes where the fish's mouths come out of the water then that will be the crowning touch.
I wasn't happy with the fabric lily pads when I first attached them but as I scrunched them and anchored them with stitches they improved. I used raw silk and muslin, Next time I may stick with only one kind of fabric.
I know some of you are interested in the comment above about challenging myself around what I see as a "perceived weakness". This is something I explore quite a lot in my own art making. I showed you the three pieces for the December show below- the challenge to myself to was stop (and know when to stop) before the piece was over worked. I am not finished with this exercise! I need a LOT more work on control and leaving things alone at that sweet spot where it says "I'm done!" It's so tempting to just do a little more and then that tips the scales away from the simplicity and beauty of the thing as it was. I hate, hate, hate it when I do that and must train myself to stop before it's too late. Can you relate?
4 comments:
Hi Marjie,
I love your finished piece! I think depicting this type of scene (showing fish underwater) in fabric is a hard design challenge. I think you've captured the essence. The fish on the right really look as if they are underwater. And I like how you have done the lily pads - showing them in a "weathered" condition. It's a great piece!
May you and your husband and family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Love,
Kristin in SC
Marjie,
what a clever and talented EOTDU you are! I've always known it, but it doen't hurt to repeat it loudly.
"Fish" is great as is; the thought of glass is tantalising' but how could it be hung and attached to the work?
Lola and i had the bestest, quietest Christmas; just us two, calm and quiet.
your Christmas is about to begin; hope that it's full of love and kindness,
Anna K.
Hi K and A,
Thank you for your kind words about this piece. It certainly has taxed my brain.
Anna-I am thinking that I would use clips to hang the glass...they clip over the glass and onto a firm backing so there is no frame edge. Have you seen those?
Christmas was fun and not so fun. I had to let go, again, of the feelings that I am responsible for everyone's happiness. Once I got over that then the good times rolled on inspite of the fact that Steve and I could not give gifts this year. That wasn't such a terrible thing after all as we gave of ourselves which was probably the best gift we could give.
Our dogs say "woooh" to Lola.
Marjie, I know the feelings of being responsible for every one's happiness at Christmas..I could not either do the things I do..bake, cook, and decorate like I do..and it did the best of me..but I had to sit and watch and when Christmas came..we had a great time and I did realized that it takes all of the family to make it a perfect one and not just one, me...so now I know I do not have to be responsible anymore..it will be a relief for from now on..
I do like your fish, and I do know where you were coming from and what you are trying to relay..It is good to stop because I too have over done art too..we all do it and it is hard sometimes to just "stop"..It is looking good and can't wait till you do finish it..lots of hugs and may the new year be less challenging for both of us..love, Lorraine xxoo
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