Oil, Acrilic, Cloth and Stitch

What I like most about the creative process is the endless opportunity to experiment with materials.
I am just completing a six week oil painting class at CSN, our local community college ... given the concentration of time of four days a week and six hours a day, a sequence of related work developed ... some better than others ... the process of experimentation was the most important to realizing the art.

Art is determined by the composition, not the materials used.  It is freeing to have a plethora of techniques and media to make art.  I found a pod cast discussing "The Future of Fiber Art" to be of interest in defining what art is.   Recorded June 7, 2014 at Helikon Gallery and Studios in Denver's River North Art District: https://soundcloud.com/helikon-gallery/future-of-fiber-artist-panel

So on to the work completed.

Painted Rectangles #1

Painted Rectangles #2

Painted Rectangles #3

The process began by combining oil painted and silk rectangles onto one canvas (#1).  Top stitching was applied to the canvas to hold the pieces in place and to create a resist pattern for the next process.  The rectangles were coated with a sealer and then painted with oil paints.  The resin darkened the fabric, but did not create a base coat as I had hoped it would.  Instead most the oil paint soaked in to the fiber.  The most interesting textures were the paint on paint rectangles that developed during this second phase (#2).  I was able to scrap off extra paint so shadows of the first colors bled through the second coat of paint.  The technique did not work the same on the fiber rectangles.  Unexpected visual interest was created when where the paint covered the fiber rectangle and where it did not. The contrast in color was dramatic.

Using my trusty Iphone, I photographed the completed second step and then tweaked the colors using photoshop (#3). The colors and textures are more interesting now. The plan is to go back and replicate the color and lastly repeat color through top stitching.

Keep experimenting ... it is so much fun and good things seem to happen when you let go and enjoy the process!

Creating Layers, Creating Abstract Art

I am often asked how I create designs for my more abstract work.  We all design differently, yet I have found that I have a preferred method.  I usually start with a concept, that can be a technique I want to try or an image I'd like to make.  So I move from an idea (the large overview) to details (the parts that go together). To kick the brain into over drive, I sometimes choose to work opposite my norm and start with the details then move to the larger idea.

My love for experimenting, adding different materials, and using different techniques can be seen in the majority of my fiber art work. I love to create depth and interest with layers when constructing and designing. 

Keep reading and you will find a mini tutorial about creating layers in an abstract piece.  Included are some experimentation with materials, and construction instructions, and a few design tips.  I hope you enjoy the mini tutorial, Creating Layers, Creating Abstract Art.

Materials
Shear silk, 5 by 7 inches
Batting 5 by 7 inches
Backing, cotton approximately 7 by 9 inches
Wine bottle tin tops, two or more
Thread, various colors and types
Nickle plated sequin pins
Fiber board, 5 x 7 inches
Fabric (any type), 8.5 by 11 inches
Misty fuse, 8.5 by 11 inches

Tools
Sewing machine, straight stitch
Straight pins
Ruler
Rotary Cutter
Scissors
Seam Riper
Iron
Teflon sheet or parchment paper

Layering Instructions

1. Remove the tin wrapping found on most wine bottles.  The tin adds color, texture and is easy to sewing through.  The sewn stitches create beautiful textures and movement.

# 1 & 2

2. Make a semi quilt sandwich by placing the batting on top of the backing material. Place the collected tin pieces on top of the batting in an interesting design.  The shapes I used were randomly torn pieces of tin.  I choose different colors of tin to create contrast between each shape. Once you have a pleasing design pin down the tin.  To hold the tin in place, I pin from one side to the other side.

# 3

3. Sew each tin shape down.  The larger the needle and the larger the stitch the more visible the created texture.  Once the shapes are secured onto the batting, create an other layer of texture by free motion sewing secondary lines.  In this piece, I stitched free flowing lines radiating from the tin circle shape to create a sense of movement.

# 4

4. Next, select a piece of shear silk and place it on top of your base layer of stitched tin and batting, creating a three layer quilt sandwich (backing, batting, and silk top).  For the top layer I choose silk organza which allowed the tin shapes to shadow through.  Then I echo stitched the radiating lines which were added at the third step in construction.  I also stitched around the tin shapes to enhance the shape and repeat the pattern.

# 5

5.  Use a seam riper to cut out sections of the stitched silk. This simple step creates an other visual layer and can be utilized to repeat shapes used in the design. Repetition in a piece is an important element which often helps to solidify the design.  You can create repetition through color, texture, shape and line. I am a switcher at heart and find this to be one of the most satisfying aspects of creating a piece.  Incorporating stitch into a design creates a subtle layer of texture, color and line.  While top stitching (quilting) may not pop as a design element, it is the thing that pulls a piece together artistically.  Details create interest. 

6. After you are satisfied with stitching, mount the completed work onto a 5 by 7 piece of fiber board. I cut the board to size and pin the complete piece starting from the center of the four parameters.

# 6 & 7

7. I finished my piece by attaching it to a background fabric which was fused onto a fabric wrapped artist canvas.  

Last Words
I am a stitcher at heart and find this to be one of the most satisfying aspects of creating a piece of work.  Incorporating stitch into a design creates a subtle layer of texture, color and line.  While top stitching (quilting) may not pop as a design element from a distance, it is the thing that pulls a piece together artistically.  Details create interest.   And the eye enjoys seeing something more as it moves in to have a closer look.

Keep layering, experimenting, creating and having fun!
If you have any questions, email them to rickieseifried@yahoo.com.

Shades of Grey ~ Stitched

In August, yes, last year, the Shades of Grey design was pieced using hand dyed fabrics.  After many months of procrastination and with a deadline for our local quilt show coming due, I stitched. The piece was stitched with approximately twenty different thread colors and four different thread types on a home sewing machine.  The subtle hues of grey, brown, yellow and blue added depth to the shapes.  Three different metallic threads added light to the fiber piece.  A combination of two batting types, wool and silk, were selected for loft and resilience to unintentional fold lines.  I am pleased with the texture and movement created by the stitching.

At the annual Desert Quilters of Nevada 2014 show, Shades of Grey won a first place ribbon in the Art Quilt category.  This year all the Art Quilts were hung together in gallery style.  There were over forty entries and grouping them highlighted the talents of the many artists.

Shades of Grey ~ 21 x 28.5

Detail

Layer Upon Layer ~ Creating More Art

I am in constant search and experimentation of materials and techniques that will allow me to enhance color and texture in my work.  My two main loves are textiles and threads.  I have been working with a self created technique that adds color through permanent pens and oil paint onto digitally enhanced transfers.  In this manner I am able to layer my color pallets adding depth and complexity. Then I create surface textures, shadows and highlights through free motion stitching and thread choices.

My latest piece was completed for entry into  SAQA's (Studio Art Quilt Associates) 2014 Trunk Show which travels the country.  After the traveling tour,  the 50 quilts chosen from the 407 entries become a permanent part of the collection of the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky.  I am awaiting, not so patiently, to hear the results of the juror's selection.

Entry of Spiral Revised
Materials: Canvas, print, pen, thread

Spiral #3

Spiral#3 ~ Detail

Best of Show ~ CSN Juried Student Exhibition

The CSN Art Exhibition was juried by Denise R. Durante, a Public Art Specialists, Artist, and co-owner of D'Art Designs, LLC in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Her selection for the gallery included work from the studio arts as well as mixed media.  Pieces in the gallery were placed in aesthetically pleasing groupings.

Below are photos of my piece Moon Over Bourbon Street whic was honored with the Best of Show award.
Click on the images below to see larger versions.

Moon Over Bourbon Street

Moon Over Bourbon Street ~ Detail

The piece was created using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, then printed onto fabric. Oil paint along with a combination of threads were added to create highlights, shadows and texture.  The piece was free motion stitched on a home sewing machine.  The two professors that most influenced my work are Wayne Littlejohn and Keith Conley, both can be found teaching in the CSN Art Department.  Their encouragement to explore the use of different media pushed my art to a whole new level.  My sincere appreciation to them for their continued support and invaluable critiques.

The following three art works can also be seen in the gallery as well.  Four pieces were entered into the show.  If you look closely you may see development progression between the pieces.

Spiral #1 - Mixed Media: Water color paint, ink, stitch.

Mixed Media: water color paint, colored pencils, and metalic ink.

 ~ Detail

Illuminated Poppy ~ Detail

Illuminated Poppy

This last piece was digitally altered and printed on to canvas.  Ink was used along with thread to enhance the hues and tones.  The entire work was free motion stitched on canvas and batting using a home sewing machine.  This indeed was a labor of love.