August 5, 2007

Artist's Muse Challenge

The chapter 4 challenge from the Artist's Muse Yahoo group is finished!
The challenge was to cut 12 fabrics into irregular shapes and place them randomly onto a base with fusible web and iron. Then stencil and/or paint on the surface as desired. I followed the guidelines up to the shapes being ironed, then I took a turn.
The piece looked nice, but it was too flat for me. I decided to add some pieces of painted dryer sheets, baby wipes, recycled thread bunches and yarn. I put a layer of Solvy on top and stitched it all down. After dissolving, I decided to stitch more layers on top.

I really LOVE it, it reminds me of the ocean. But, I still wondered if it needed something else. I cut out a palm tree and placed on top. It looked good, but I decided it was beautiful by itself and could stand on its own as a piece of art. I am going to paint a canvas blue and stitch the piece on top.

Do you think I should add beads?

10 comments :

Michelle said...

Judy, this is really wonderful! I would love to see it in person, I can tell it is the type of piece that I would spend a lot of time with ... gazing at the layers beyond the layers. Really nice! As for beads, I don't think it needs them, but I'm always game for some sparkle and could imagine a few poking out here and there adding to the intrigue. Lovely!

Val said...

I'm inclined to agree with Michelle Judy - it's a lovely piece and the textures are wonderful. Is that ric-rac? I was trying to judge what size it was, and looking for some scale. Beads might well be a good idea, but maybe chunky hand made ones with some wire wrapped around to sparkle, poking out from under somewhere? Soooooper!

Terri Stegmiller said...

Fabulous Judy! I wanted to click on the picture to get a nice close up but it wouldn't let me...boo hoo. Anyway, maybe a few beads sprinkled here and there would be nice, but not too many.

Anonymous said...

Judy this is fantastic! I wouldn't do a thing to it. It stands on it's own quite nicely. Mounted on a larger colored canvas it is going to look gorgeous.

Dianne said...

wow, this is gorgeous!! It really doesnt need anything else....

Karoda said...

This piece is gorgeous as it is but if you wanted to add some reflective surface/texture, consider couching wire down in bronze, copper, etc.

Carol said...

I would go for Val's option too if anything of making some beads with wire for sparkle. It is a really gem all on it's own.

Joanna said...

What can I say Judy...just beautiful! The texture looks great. And, I agree with everyone else, it looks great as it stands.

Anonymous said...

Looks great on its own, but beads could look nice...it's up to you. Nice job!

Nikki said...

I would love to see this piece in person -- so much depth.

You could always lay out some beads and live with it for a few days to see if you like it.

Either way it is wonderful.