Whilst I Anxiously Await.....

the varnishing of the pieces and the"putting together" of the 1000+ pieces that comprise Little Gracie II, I've decided I'd better get started on the next fractured quilt piece I have coming due on January 12th. And since the laundry is done, the house is clean and it's rather yucky outside -- today is a good day to do that.

As you may recall (see my post dated Oct. 10th, below) I did one of these a few months ago. For this project a picture was selected (in this case a poster print.) The poster was cut into five slices (as there are 5 of us in the group). Each member of the group selected a "slice" and is recreating it in her own style. Once everyone has their slice of the original picture done (in this case by January 12th) we will present it to the owner of the art quilt who will then attach all the slices together, quilt and then bind or frame them. It really makes for an interesting piece of art. I'm getting excited because my turn is next and I've selected a really cool picture which I will show you next month -- when it's time.

Anyway -- here is the original print of the current fractured art quilt we are working on:

This really is a pretty, slightly impressionistic painting of gladioli in a vase. I can't read who the original painter is. If you look in the photograph above, you can see where I outlined the "slice" (upper left hand side) I am going to do. Here is a close-up the "slice" that I have to recreate....

The first thing I did is place my "section" onto my light table and trace the general shapes. These are the shapes I will be cutting out in fabric to raw edge (fused) applique down to the base fabric which is a tea dyed and hand painted muslin. Unlike some of the amazingly talented ladies in our group who fussy cut each and every little petal of the flower, I think I am going to cut larger general shapes and "thread paint" the individual petal distinctions and shading:Next I'm in the process of inlaying some color with color pencils so I can see the variant shades of whites, pinks, tans and greens I want to highlight. This step really isn't necessary, but there are so many variations in color saturation I want this indicated on my overlay:

This is the step I am working on at this very moment. Once I am done inlaying the color on my sketch, I will transfer the sketch outline on to the base of the hand painted and tea dyed muslin background.

This really is a learning experience for me as I have not done much applique, nor have I done art quilts of this nature. I'm excited about the process and find I am learning every step of the way. You know, you can read all the books you want on a technique or topic, but it's not until you roll up your sleeves, get out the supplies at just dig in that you really begin the learning process. More to come.....