I love September. Some may think I’m crazy, but I gladly welcome the cooler and grayer days, earlier evenings, and the sudden sense of sharpness in the atmosphere. Among other things, it brings a renewed energy to the studio.
No matter what the season, it’s always a treat to watch the colors change and evolve, but late August through November is special. Lower in the sky now, the sun casts everything in a richer light. The garden is beginning to wind down and in a month or so, after a couple of weekends of fall clean-up, I will be able to plant my garlic and call it a season, leaving more time to concentrate on stitching and drawing.
Detail 1
I am continuing to explore this idea of transition in my current piece (what you see here are detail images from it that are about 12 x 15 inches each). I am incorporating layers of silk organza that have been hand-stitched and then dyed to create lines and swoops of pattern. As the pieces are laid over one another, interesting variations in color and depth are appearing and the passage from one section to the next is becoming the meat of the piece.
Detail 2
I am at the point of starting to puzzle out how I am going to push this idea further — how to create an interaction between the dyed patterns and the embroidery that will be laid on top.
Stay tuned.
Love the muted softness to the pieces and the way the patterns pull me around. Can’t wait to see them live. Dianne
I’ll look forward to your discerning eye and comments next week!
I love the term ” silk organza”… and the actual fabric gives such layering opportunities. I too will be eager to see these live! xo
Exactly…layering opportunities! It makes for a fun process.
I haven’t sewn in years … but I love reading about your creative process. The fabric and the stitches seem to take on a new life. Although I know it is a lot of work it almost seem like magic.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I love the season of August thru November. Bring it on.
Thanks Nancy.
I think you hit the nail on the head — there is definitely magic & kismet in the patterns that emerge once the stitching is pulled out. It keeps things interesting and challenging!
Oh yes, Betsy! Just yesterday I mentioned to a customer how lovely it was to watch the farmers on Rt 100 bringing in the hay right next to a large yard of lime green grass. The colors are so rich — even the “dull” ones. We are so blessed to live here! Kathy
Yes Kathy, we surely are.
With all the places we’ve lived, I don’t ever remember enjoying just watching the colors change throughout the year… in the fields, by the side of the road & in peoples gardens… to the degree that I do here!