tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287045457688268082024-02-21T07:33:11.267-08:00COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATIONTerry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-57064747837224741342009-12-18T06:00:00.000-08:002009-12-18T06:14:41.458-08:00Compositional Conversation Observations<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Terry Jarrard-Dimond - Stage 1 & 15<br /><br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">First I want to thank the participants of this project: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:arial;" ><a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/">Rebecca Howdeshell</a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/n2c6qk">Beth Carney</a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnxtrj">Shelley Baird</a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mve8we">Gayle Vickery Pritchard</a> , <a href="http://tinyurl.com/m96e33">Judi Hurwitt</a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l6cacs">Leslie Bixel</a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lyt4p9">Fulvia Luciano</a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnmtow">Marcia DeCamp</a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l2vn93">Marina Kamenskaya</a>, <a href="http://www.saqa.com/media/Image/PressImages/Trans08/Swett-AgainstTheirWill%20copy.jpg"> Paula Swett</a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mfoxj9">Valerie Goodwin</a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/llejnn">Kathy Loomis</a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kpnp5n">Leslie Riley</a>, and <a href="http://tinyurl.com/dzeefj">Terry Jarrard-Dimond</a>.<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> You were all wonderful to work with.<br /><br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">At the end of this article all 15 Stages of the project are pictures.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span> </span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;" >Compositional Conversation was the result of my desire to communicate with friends I don't see very often and to interact with new friends I had met online. It was also developed as a way to raise my profile within the art quilt community along with the profiles of all the artists involved.</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">The idea was simple. I started a composition which was passed along from artist to artist, each in turn working with the piece to move it to a conclusion.</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">The artists who were invited were a mixture of those I know personally and some I have only met briefly or know only online. I felt there was a nice mix of some with very well defined personal styles and a few who are still searching. Everyone had the opportunity to request placement in the lineup and some did ask to be placed early in the schedule while others were put near the end because I knew what good designers they are and I felt they might be better able to work with whatever had developed at that time. My biggest surprise was that almost everyone I ask actually accepted the invitation. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">My thinking about the project and it's significance developed right along with the piece which is now officially entitled: </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Compositional Conversation</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">. In the early stages I thought the project really was about using our skills to design a piece of work. Without realizing it, I mentally imposed my studio method on everyone and thought the piece would progress with each person adding one or two pieces. One of the options was to 'restart the composition' as long as the artist included something from the previous versions. I was surprised how many people choose to start with a new composition. About midway through the project I began to realize it was more of an exploration of how this specific group of artists worked in the privacy of their own studio's (how much this was impacted by the fact that their contribution would be published on the web I can not say). I do know that the comments and descriptions of their process was for me the most interesting part of each weeks' posting. While the visuals were fun, the description of the thinking and decision making was what excited me.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><br /><br />There are some things I might change about my original outline for this project but on the whole it worked well as a <span style="font-style: italic;">conversation</span>. Some of the participants as well as some of the followers of the project have suggested we needed more rules or guidelines but I disagree. I really was not thinking of this as a true collaboration but, as I stated earlier, a conversation and I believe that is what we saw happen. One person made a contribution or change and the next person responded either by working with what they received or by digging in and starting something over. My personal feeling is that more rules push you toward a design exercise rather than artists using their skills as artist. </span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">I did expect more written conversation but I have also come to appreciate the difficulty in doing this in written form in a public forum. There is much room for misinterpretation and personally one of my goals was to sponsor and participate in a project and still have good relationships with all those involved.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span> <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Just a note on the issue of the end result and changes from one artist to another. You may have noticed the link on the sidebar: <a href="http://compositionalconversation.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">http://compositionalconversation.blogspot.com/</span></a>. This is a blog page I established solely for our project. Here you can visit and always see each stage as it was completed by each artist. Each version will continue to exist in the digital world even thought it has been changed in the physical world.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Thank you to all the readers who have shared this experience and who have commented either here, in private emails or on Facebook. Your contribution was much appreciated.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">I now relinquish the floor to some of the other members of this group<br /><br /><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Rebecca Howdeshell - Stage 2</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Since I was the first to contribute to the Compositional Conversation project, it does seem like a lifetime ago that I had it hanging on my design wall, trying out paper patterns. However, I can still remember the excitement at receiving the composition and the myriad of decisions I faced before making my final choice. That time was neither scary nor frightening, it was exhilarating and exciting and I enjoyed every minute. That is what I enjoyed the most about the project, reading about the fear and apprehension as the composition was unfolded from the shipping box, followed by the steps each artist took as she made her decisions and then, TA DA, the final reveal. Each artist works so differently, and I looked forward to each Monday morning.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Did I agree with how each artist approached the project? No. I'll admit to being disappointed sometimes. But it is all about the journey and the interaction and that, for me, was what I'll remember the most. Thank you, Terry, for the invitation to participate. You were gracious and kind and managed the project beautifully.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Shelley Brenner Baird - Stage 4<br /><br /><br /><br /></span> <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">This project was a very thought provoking experience - even more so after my part was done. It definitely was a 3 - act play. Those of us in the earlier stages had to add basic structures, colors/textures and shapes because we had a very spare canvas. Deleting parts was not much of an issue at that point, and adding a lot of small pieces felt too selfish. I think that after each stage I had a mindset that we should have something that could be considered complete, not something that would be finished later (although it would be).</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><br />To me the second part had to do with a proliferation of shapes and experimentation - chopping, adding, subtracting, contracting and expanding.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Finally the last few stages were for expert puzzle makers and the resolution amazed me. </span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">This was great fun and I am up for trying it again or any other project with these folks!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span> </div> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Judi Huwitt</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">- Stage 5<br /><br /><br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">When the invitation to participate in CC first arrived in my mailbox, I was stunned, thrilled, honored and petrified, all in that order. I'll be honest - at the time, I didn't know anything about the work of most of the women who had agreed to participate, but even the most cursory browsing of their many accomplishments in the art and quilt-making worlds left me worrying that I couldn't possibly crate at their level. How could I contribute to such a vastly talented and obviously highly skilled pool of textile artists when I'm so new to the medium, myself? How could I elevate the work and honor the work of those who came before and after? I had a lot of sleepless nights.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">I need not have been so frightened, though=these turned out to be some of the warmest, most sincerely dedicated, friendly, talented and patient artists I've had the pleasure of spending time with. When I dove in from a paper artists' perspective and shook things up a little, they embraced the changes I'd made and the thinking behind it. I felt as if I hadn't let anyone down, and in fact, had achieved my goal...Turns out, I'd had a voice to add to the Conversation, after all. It was a proud moment for me when I placed the still-new work of art back into its box and shipped it off to the next artist.</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> Thank you to everyone who has followed along on this journey with us and added your voices to the Conversation.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-weight: bold;">Leslie Bixel - Stage 6</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">One of my artistic goals since leaving the corporate world has been to establish an artistic community for myself that is safe and supportive of my work, and challenging to me as an artist. I have joined a monthly surface design studio and criti</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">q</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;">ue</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">group. The Compositional Conversation group provided a different sort of artistic community.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Since we were working on a single piece together, I assumed it would also be a more COLLABORATIVE experience than doing your own work in the occasional company of other artists. I was wrong about this last bit, and it has made me think long and hard about my own notions of collaboration, artistic and otherwise.<br /><br /><br />One of my first e-mails to this group was titled "Checking the Rule Book". So I guess I'm staying pretty true to type.<br /><br /><br />If I am to fault anything in the design of the Compositional Conversation project, it was that it was too open, too unstructured. Because there was no theme, no goal, other than to have a design conversation, I felt the opportunity to collaborate together on the piece was lost. Without a shared vision of where we were headed, the urge to respond to the compositional elements seemed in almost every case to be over-ruled by the desire to make one's mark. Nearly every artist succumbed to the siren call of "resolving" the piece, and thus made the work their own, rather than of the group, and often eliminated a good portion, even all, of the previous artists' sensibility and contribution.<br /><br /><br /><br />Now, the human need to make one's mark is a powerful thing. But I do wonder if we would have had a different conversation with each of us assigned a design element (eg. line, shape, color, etc); or been asked to stay within a theme (eg. nature, war, community). Whatever. I'm just throwing out these ideas, because, through this experience I have learned that I am a person who enjoys conversations, but in the end I am much more excited by collaboration.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br />Marcia DeCamp</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> - Stage 8</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><br />I was very flattered to be asked to be a part of the project, and didn't hesitate to agree to join in.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><br />Then I was nervous while waiting my turn, wondering what I would be able to contribute.</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">But when the project arrived at my studio, I had no problem just jumping in and had great fun trying out several ideas for adding to the project. I felt confident in the major changes that I made and was satisfied with the resulting composition that I sent on - sorta surprising myself!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">It seemed that a lot of us chose not to build upon what we received, and chose instead to basically start over or take the project in a different direction. I'm not sure that's a bad thing, but it wasn't what I had imagined that the process would be like.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><br /><br />I think having the project spread out over 4 months gave more people a chance to participate and allowed time for hopefully more people to find your blog and find out more about the project. I wonder, though, if having fewer people work on the project over a shorter period of time would have generated more interaction between the artists. Once the project left my studio (and I wouldn't have any more direct input), it was hard for me to feel a vested interest or stay attached. to the project.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><br />Gayle Pritchard</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> - Stage 9</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">To summarize: It was really fun to receive something to "converse" with, because it already had a starting point. Of course, I find my own starting point in my own work, but it is different to have something in front of you, created by others, yet demanding your response. My challenge in responding was to risk a completely honest, personal response. My trepidation was warranted, because very little of what I did remained in the end. I especially liked the "x" shapes I was inspired to include, but no one who followed seemed to like them. In fact, I was quite surprised to see my contributions described as whimsical or cutesy. I think perhaps, the others did not "get" what I was doing. I really enjoyed my own conversation with the traveling piece, and really liked what I created. It was very hard not to resolve the composition/conversation before sending it along.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">As I have repeatedly said on your blog about the project, it has been most enjoyable reading about the processes of other artists. We all remain isolated in our studios, and yet were able to interact visually, and through the blog. I have been fascinated to learn more about how other artists work, their thought processes on a shared experience, the similarities and differences to my own way. Reading the blog, and seeing the "in Progress" images was inspiring. Thanks for including me!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Paula Swett - Stage 10</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><br />I just loved the experience. I was #10 on the list of artists' to receive CC. As I awaited my turn to receive the baby, I found myself becoming nervous and filled with doubt. You certainly hand picked a group of very talented people and I began to wonder if I even knew how to compose in a way that would fit in with with the other work.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">As soon as I opened the package I immediately jumped in with much excited energy and all self doubt went away. I think what I loved the most was learning more about my own compositional process and reading and seeing how others in this group compose. I find myself in the past few weeks referring back to my process for CC and integrating the voices of the others who so graciously shared this process.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">I would definitely do this again as I learned so much and totally enjoyed the process. I loved the idea of everyone getting together to work on a composition. It has been a very valuable process for me. Thanks ever so much for your excellent coordination.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><br /><br />Kathy Loomis</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">- Stage 12</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><br /><br />Terry asked us to write about our experience participating in this project. I think it was a fascinating experiment in bring together a lot of people who don't know one another ( I know four of the participants well, and one as an acquaintance). To ask such a group to collaborate effectively is a tall order, and I'm not sure how successful we were.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">It appears each of us felt the urge to put a little of ourselves in there. Some of us contributed signature fabrics, others added what I think were "signature shapes," design elements that frequently appear in their own work. At the beginning this worked pretty well, but as the project went to more and more people I wondered if it was becoming like a sampler than collaboration.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">I have read of group efforts like the </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.arsaut.com/hive/"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Hive Project</span></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> and the upcoming </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.saqa.com/hotnews.aspx?id=211"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Sightlines </span></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">exhibit sponsored by SAQA, where participating artists make works of their own design that will eventually be combined in a single installation. Such projects seem to be a gamble - certain artists' pieces probably work better together than others'. I suspect the installation is tricky, as you try to put the ones that don't play together well on the far edges. In these cases, the collaboration seems more hoped-for than planned.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><br /><br />On a positive note, this made me think about what would be necessary to have a true collaboration, intended to produce real artistic merit, in a work that was not of the 'sampler' genre. I think you'd need to start with extensive discussion about the subject, the message, the artistic vision and the techniques.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leslie Riley - Stage 13</span><br /><br /><br />Early on when I was asked by Terry to participate I agreed in order to honor my friendship with Terry and to fulfill a goal that I have had since entering into quilt making, to participate in a "round robin". I remember then thinking about the challenge of working with others to learn about their creative choices and trying to reconcile the voices of the participants to create a successful and cohesive product. As much as this experiment was to learn from each participant about their approach to work, it is also an opportunity to evaluate my humanity. By this I mean it challenged me to assess the comments and actions taken by each artist in a way that I want to foster in myself while I am working without harsh judgment. I asked myself basic questions that I often ask myself during my creative process, like did that action serve the piece, is it what I wanted, do I like it, why and what if? Based on the answers to these and other questions I make more choices until I approach a satisfied state. I assume that is true for other artists as well. The profression of CC is an example of me making a piece as an experiment to provide source material for other pieces. I make forms that work and some that do not. During this process I seldom make evaluations about it being good or bad, more often I ask does it work or not? I guess I am trying to say that I thought of each artist working as me and I never want to put myself down and evaluate myself in a way that did not foster my success as an artist. I look for the value in each contribution.<br /><br /><br />I loved seeing the temperament and the courage of each artist represented in their contribution. The clearer the voice of the contributor, the easier to see the contribution despite the many hands involved. I loved seeing that and the strength of their voice reminds me of formal issues that I would like to explore and be better at achieving in my work.<br /><br /><br /><br />Thank you all for your role in the experiment and for being an wonderful creative example everyone.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I encourage the participants of this project to revise the project, implement some of the changes mentioned and host a second project to start next fall. If someone takes on the challenge I will certainly want to participate. Thank you All again and Happy Holidays! xxoo, Terry</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Stages 1-15</span> <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5fj060MQ76ur-KRxIQzOycjIAjEBLY8jGwA_l64xcD1flenOzw1ZtIqUMYw8PRkjy5fuiZpnFRMQY25Dw5AIDccLyfhZ0w7KYXdCtuVC9Yr2foVSWSdX8Z8lC_FBsyGbDPiR-TkNchCp/s1600-h/1234+NEW.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5fj060MQ76ur-KRxIQzOycjIAjEBLY8jGwA_l64xcD1flenOzw1ZtIqUMYw8PRkjy5fuiZpnFRMQY25Dw5AIDccLyfhZ0w7KYXdCtuVC9Yr2foVSWSdX8Z8lC_FBsyGbDPiR-TkNchCp/s400/1234+NEW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415112595256308898" border="0" /></a> <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qhYoHPICAE2utjEbxM4ZA5lbW4kp35fmexnpA4UZj1yv5vWwf7mFM5Irjr6ZoygnbWhwGjTVvqsfnj_QPcPdr1TqJF8-zgeYTBRUkEwSW_RD3O8KFHP_ZsTDBtxCaTMZYhKHvkCL59pU/s1600-h/5678+NEW.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qhYoHPICAE2utjEbxM4ZA5lbW4kp35fmexnpA4UZj1yv5vWwf7mFM5Irjr6ZoygnbWhwGjTVvqsfnj_QPcPdr1TqJF8-zgeYTBRUkEwSW_RD3O8KFHP_ZsTDBtxCaTMZYhKHvkCL59pU/s400/5678+NEW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415112589138746114" border="0" /></a><a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA58gJXTM5ZWZEJWBVspeGVpXyHd-TWUNh7ycVosfhK2W7wOgJMGE3ams1Cg2kt8gGR3Jjgvv7UPcvYg6WW3eRz7RqtLYfBJPyZUV_eQt13EGQAqZvZXI8ljtNkaG0vzi5UmqKq9pVky04/s1600-h/9101112.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA58gJXTM5ZWZEJWBVspeGVpXyHd-TWUNh7ycVosfhK2W7wOgJMGE3ams1Cg2kt8gGR3Jjgvv7UPcvYg6WW3eRz7RqtLYfBJPyZUV_eQt13EGQAqZvZXI8ljtNkaG0vzi5UmqKq9pVky04/s400/9101112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415125165765881314" border="0" /></a><a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y6YSOTEwX04ydqMIoPXoJLJhlAAuTk4Ehp-_zi9obsdEw3uk09lp0-QaQD_e2DK_CH5H00zL8XFBXcu0sff7lJJzl-KbNWBsyJjI5tGCPHG48_Hl7mAtWf9Ar51DGWGWdP7I_OTw4NU0/s1600-h/131415.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y6YSOTEwX04ydqMIoPXoJLJhlAAuTk4Ehp-_zi9obsdEw3uk09lp0-QaQD_e2DK_CH5H00zL8XFBXcu0sff7lJJzl-KbNWBsyJjI5tGCPHG48_Hl7mAtWf9Ar51DGWGWdP7I_OTw4NU0/s400/131415.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415572350771343330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">So what do you think? We would love to hear your feedback.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-69927796413650742132009-12-14T07:12:00.000-08:002009-12-14T07:13:35.175-08:00Compositional Conversation: Stage 15 - Terry Jarrard-Dimond<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X0U9dn-9MVgzyqkDRjoHCyD26ZWQJmFzPmV7uqknwB3mZuAEldpbD2loR9WO3ftmqv1M6Eyo9QINmiMgV8KPw3nQb0WuGseOpZ6_4k2KXqnzb2OT2hvQUwVbMnQjpqZp-qImuLOI0Ig/s1600-h/PC090039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X0U9dn-9MVgzyqkDRjoHCyD26ZWQJmFzPmV7uqknwB3mZuAEldpbD2loR9WO3ftmqv1M6Eyo9QINmiMgV8KPw3nQb0WuGseOpZ6_4k2KXqnzb2OT2hvQUwVbMnQjpqZp-qImuLOI0Ig/s400/PC090039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413288195520155202" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Stage 15: Terry Jarrard-Dimond</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />This project has been a fun/wild ride with lots of surprises, twists and turns. I retrieved the piece from the PO Tuesday morning of this week and spent part of two days making my changes and additions. Here is my story.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;">Terry's Comments<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">From the very first I thought that when it came time for the project to be returned to me that I would make only a few minor changes or additions. I thought this because I knew so many of the artists working on the project and know the quality of their compositional skills but as you can see, that is not what happened. I felt all along that the most important part of this exercise was what happened with each individual in the studio as they worked on the piece and I still feel that way. While the work certainly is more complex than my own work, I had liked it when viewed on my computer screen, however, when I saw the piece in person, I knew I would have to change a few things.<br /></div><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li>I wanted to eliminate the large red shape I introduced in stage 1. It took a while for me to figure out how to do that but I did succeed.</li><li>I wanted to try and strengthen the color palette. The colors and values just did not seem cohesive. </li><li>I felt compelled to remove the diagonal element on the left side of the composition. Diagonals are very strong elements and I found it was all I could see.<br /></li></ol><br />It didn't take long to realize that removing elements from the composition was akin to the potato chip ad that says, "Bet you can't eat just one," only now it said "Bet you can't stop with a few changes." It was like any formula, remove one part and the whole is changed. Despite this, I wanted the piece to retain some of the feeling of the previous version either through using actual shapes or through cutting some new shapes in other colors. It was difficult.<br /><br />There is 'the famous' bag of removed elements which has traveled along with the work from person to person. I laid those elements out only to find that most of these were like what was on the wall only smaller. I might like a color but the remaining fabric was too small to work with. I might want to use a specific shape I found in the bag but it was the wrong color or value. As the problems became more obvious I considered reverting back to the work as I had received it but I knew this would be totally disrespectful to all the work and effort my group had put into solving this puzzle.<br /><br /><ol><li>I started by recutting some of the shapes I wanted to keep in colors/values I felt would work better.</li><li>I added a few more colors.</li><li>I selected a mix of the fabric with flat colors and some of the textured fabrics. I loved the textured fabrics that were introduced but it is a hard combination to resolve.</li></ol><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxHaJqkxEqbAZLBHJBwwslPKTms6jfFhqDLHXPGEDgyUXVs-cYiIugkbe07BaVDPNCn895rXNg4GC-13pEDiqCk3z2SHuZulbjrbpj-o8s-aND0CdZMJh6Vd9ngE3Se7rspPc7UxGq4Q/s1600-h/final.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxHaJqkxEqbAZLBHJBwwslPKTms6jfFhqDLHXPGEDgyUXVs-cYiIugkbe07BaVDPNCn895rXNg4GC-13pEDiqCk3z2SHuZulbjrbpj-o8s-aND0CdZMJh6Vd9ngE3Se7rspPc7UxGq4Q/s400/final.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413325698493988226" border="0" /></a>This is the piece as I received it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyllNQKJFCm5ei-jJRbfo9sml_1yaFrSX_4zkT5i4he5vM547EPBMAkQ_9AGq_lSrWxbkRgViQoE1cu7rM_18yoako8T25UyRFV5-VdM_7N6IVrbHdA9X7JXLAW2NOUdhJ_SfY7ra-k8/s1600-h/PC080017a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyllNQKJFCm5ei-jJRbfo9sml_1yaFrSX_4zkT5i4he5vM547EPBMAkQ_9AGq_lSrWxbkRgViQoE1cu7rM_18yoako8T25UyRFV5-VdM_7N6IVrbHdA9X7JXLAW2NOUdhJ_SfY7ra-k8/s400/PC080017a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413326434623622482" border="0" /></a>Here you can see that I have removed some pieces from the top right,<br />the curved elements and the small piece of blue at the top.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKcm4vHKCmwLMJOvNhbsDp_hdcP0mu3KXAGcWCJ9rjV33NEkFR7azx2_detqttZIOkj-LZIOTPQXheRE-dQvgoEDGK-gW7ZUgOEgeQfNQh9A8p33Eabd-v6hjKlxwRhD5i3C6cVaY5ws/s1600-h/PC080020a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKcm4vHKCmwLMJOvNhbsDp_hdcP0mu3KXAGcWCJ9rjV33NEkFR7azx2_detqttZIOkj-LZIOTPQXheRE-dQvgoEDGK-gW7ZUgOEgeQfNQh9A8p33Eabd-v6hjKlxwRhD5i3C6cVaY5ws/s400/PC080020a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413326916370930274" border="0" /></a>Here I have replaced the yellow/green element on the top left with one the<br />same shape but with a strong yellow. I have also added the a deep<br />burgundy element in the center top.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho698VGR58mu26BziwOpWd-vseNpEZmmrNDwGszL3BaaSViMsJlWMDvq_Cq1dXZ0HPSVKZnf7gpGSjt8Cgiq1YFBiVN5VFjwZ76R5Q34yUWfOVzZj5dVo77eCk_Jor97P6HWc0mJpFQdM/s1600-h/PC080021a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho698VGR58mu26BziwOpWd-vseNpEZmmrNDwGszL3BaaSViMsJlWMDvq_Cq1dXZ0HPSVKZnf7gpGSjt8Cgiq1YFBiVN5VFjwZ76R5Q34yUWfOVzZj5dVo77eCk_Jor97P6HWc0mJpFQdM/s400/PC080021a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413327515743580402" border="0" /></a>Here I have removed the vertical 'chain' element and turned a couple of<br />elements 90 degrees.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_my1LY6QrSXr__DCTbknW58tAALhG94Jqdhk1u7SDu7bNUTDFUNQSap48YsUC-nP7RFq7zRA_OsriH1UX_Q-acia1eOBP10eDgkAfMpKJwwXhPrP8auYdgfSFfcbZpx2K-z9CFP1Joc/s1600-h/PC080022a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_my1LY6QrSXr__DCTbknW58tAALhG94Jqdhk1u7SDu7bNUTDFUNQSap48YsUC-nP7RFq7zRA_OsriH1UX_Q-acia1eOBP10eDgkAfMpKJwwXhPrP8auYdgfSFfcbZpx2K-z9CFP1Joc/s400/PC080022a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413327886168261538" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here I began the process of opening up the left side.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqZEpllfMMZUSv51f1eM8UQeT2v14Ubzjr0B9PUsCrv_mJDixZP4Lpf0lJsaeCzIjZ6kWxkumyYq1xcb-kqbzBFkznqgwrLl9VDZkfxeyR6mDfM7x-NCqpw1lf2q2LChN_ThhRJlsXn8/s1600-h/PC090039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqZEpllfMMZUSv51f1eM8UQeT2v14Ubzjr0B9PUsCrv_mJDixZP4Lpf0lJsaeCzIjZ6kWxkumyYq1xcb-kqbzBFkznqgwrLl9VDZkfxeyR6mDfM7x-NCqpw1lf2q2LChN_ThhRJlsXn8/s400/PC090039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413334737323445202" border="0" /></a>My final version.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">My resolution is not perfect but as I said, I learned a lot from this project in many unexpected ways. I am planning to do one more article on this project with statements from the artists involved and we would love to hear from you and get your thoughts on this experiment. We appreciate your following along.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Terry Jarrard-Dimond</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mini Artist Profile</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Art is an interesting talent to have. Everyone seems to admire your ability but this does not translate into fame and fortune for most of us. Despite this reality, I have both an undergraduate degree and an Master of Fine Arts degrees and wouldn't have it any other way. I taught at all levels after completion of my MFA including universities and schools for the gifted but my last 12 years before retiring, I worked in the textile industry designing for home interior products. I now spend my time in the studio and on this computer!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh2T5G43RhqdC_tLwXjSd4X496ojDXHWfrRCKjHuQSla_ObyUxaKeph3d_Cagq1H42ZnWO2Uy_nRaXCjx8zLn9SR_FSkWa1BHytCynraUcCVNadCE4eWaUWcRxj2ym6e93YAprLAmJ2k/s1600-h/terry+at+work+3b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh2T5G43RhqdC_tLwXjSd4X496ojDXHWfrRCKjHuQSla_ObyUxaKeph3d_Cagq1H42ZnWO2Uy_nRaXCjx8zLn9SR_FSkWa1BHytCynraUcCVNadCE4eWaUWcRxj2ym6e93YAprLAmJ2k/s400/terry+at+work+3b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413985411277997506" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Terry in the studio.<br /></div><br />For many years my work was mixed media sculpture utilizing wire, sheet aluminum, asphalt roofing, fabric and all sorts of other materials. During the time I was working as a designer I 'discovered' the traditional craft of quilt making and after making a few utilitarian quilts I knew I wanted to use the techniques to make more personal statements.<br /><br />While I have been working with these process for about 10 years I only began to exhibit my work about 4 years ago. It has been exciting and fun to enter work, have work accepted and see this new body of work hang in excellent spaces. My biggest joy has been meeting and making friends along the way. <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> <span style="font-style: italic;">I have begun doing some teaching and will be teaching a workshop entitled, "Ask: What If?: Building Creative Pathways to Creative Work" at the Crow TimberFrame Barn in the spring of 2011. Check it out. Should be fun and would love to have you join me. </span></span><br /><br />Those of you who have been following my blog know that for the past year I have been doing a good deal of exploration relating to surface design techniques. Most of the work I have been exhibiting is however focused on shape, composition and piecing. Please visit me at : <a href="http://terryjarrarddimond.com/"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">http://terryjarrarddimond.com</span></a> to view more of my work.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvnwwzTFb-0dNrnxX2jsyuh2wfSOi6GeRnKTJvIdN5JcvhiWNn0GxaTRX6pe3cEnHLxkGYVevoGrEOzvC33tad6gXDZbbJMbu27Q1EzRQEEePbns0HQ42igFQgYLQUIwtd151b15zObM/s1600-h/HERE+COMES+TROUBLE.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvnwwzTFb-0dNrnxX2jsyuh2wfSOi6GeRnKTJvIdN5JcvhiWNn0GxaTRX6pe3cEnHLxkGYVevoGrEOzvC33tad6gXDZbbJMbu27Q1EzRQEEePbns0HQ42igFQgYLQUIwtd151b15zObM/s400/HERE+COMES+TROUBLE.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413340407312502530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Here Comes Trouble</span> - 2008 - 14" x 18"-<br />In collection of Bob and Sue Whorton<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTpiPMf8LEtKl9fe5eWLwkr2KuKF7O5EYm-EKiE8akjUtyJL7W_IKlES7n-Uk7HCcueX3JfAXMU9jfC1edFeFxz9K_LAZ4qw2kDGkLF7PFjbn045rCcmww_8q-fjWVKnGRrm1bdSCKBc/s1600-h/06+THE+MYSTERIOUS+STRANGER.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTpiPMf8LEtKl9fe5eWLwkr2KuKF7O5EYm-EKiE8akjUtyJL7W_IKlES7n-Uk7HCcueX3JfAXMU9jfC1edFeFxz9K_LAZ4qw2kDGkLF7PFjbn045rCcmww_8q-fjWVKnGRrm1bdSCKBc/s400/06+THE+MYSTERIOUS+STRANGER.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413340402008289394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Mysterious Stranger</span> - 2002 - 88" x 84"<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApeso8aVY3veMF5QlK3IaF4wstLYGPc-G8o-KUrL0JtWBax46ZdnmZmHIfa9hT8FcGP8fVrWYH2KG-lyMmf8mMCaaUJUsBEc95FMFt_khuzykXFyMeA1t0sVMmLF8iZi9M5vXfFbB6FA/s1600-h/Terry+Jarrard-Dimond+-+JOY+AND+SORROW-full.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApeso8aVY3veMF5QlK3IaF4wstLYGPc-G8o-KUrL0JtWBax46ZdnmZmHIfa9hT8FcGP8fVrWYH2KG-lyMmf8mMCaaUJUsBEc95FMFt_khuzykXFyMeA1t0sVMmLF8iZi9M5vXfFbB6FA/s400/Terry+Jarrard-Dimond+-+JOY+AND+SORROW-full.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413340397850688226" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Joy and Sorrow</span> -2008 - 59" x 38"<br />Selected for Art Quilt Elements 2010 - The Wayne Art Center -<br />Wayne, Pennsylvannia<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">To see more of my work, please visit: <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><a href="http://terryjarrarddimond.com/">http://terryjarrarddimond.com</a></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Monday I will be presenting an Artist Profile of Sylvia Einstein and later in the week will present the final article on Compositional Conversation. As always, thank you for your interest in this blog and your comments are appreciated.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div><br /><br /></div>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-73249106944248554752009-12-13T07:11:00.000-08:002009-12-14T07:14:26.171-08:00Compositional Conversation: Stage 14 - Marina Kamenskaya<div style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to Stage 14 of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Compositional Conversation</span>. Our artist for this stage is <a href="http://www.artofquilts.com/"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Marina Kamenskaya</span></a>. Marina is someone I have had the pleasure of working alongside during classes at the Crow Timberframe Barn. She has a beautifully developed style and an equally strong personal vision so let's see what she did with the Compositional Cconversation and what she has to say.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments by Marina</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kamenskaya</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It was not easy to follow the project. As it kept developing, I was getting more and more nervous. It seemed impossible to be able to continue the work someone else began because it was so different from what I do. I am sure everybody felt something similar. What helped me was to remind myself that my task was not to produce my own work of art, but to evaluate the composition that I would receive and try to make it more harmonious.<br /><br />I loved the strong, powerful shape that Terry had started and I was disappointed when it started getting lost behind all the other elements; or if not getting lost, then becoming "whimsical" and losing its power.<br /><br />Then came stage 12 and Kathy's dramatic cleansing act, which enabled the next no less dramatic change which Leslie introduced.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsqLQjVIVrJF_EbAgo950BbdhldgLfv5InfIp4l-DBUoHrr2G2TSCG_2EFs-Le1n8f_LuxfBQ_COxcVq_umWHsUqpgCh2B9JcmZCpBR8ExSJosacXLHIldEWZa4i627qhrelKzBrgZIk/s1600/Compositional+conversation+01+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsqLQjVIVrJF_EbAgo950BbdhldgLfv5InfIp4l-DBUoHrr2G2TSCG_2EFs-Le1n8f_LuxfBQ_COxcVq_umWHsUqpgCh2B9JcmZCpBR8ExSJosacXLHIldEWZa4i627qhrelKzBrgZIk/s400/Compositional+conversation+01+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410008506625039218" border="0" /></a>Stage 13 by Leslie Riley turned 180 degrees.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">When I received the work from Leslie, I thought it was almost perfect. There was movement, coherence, and rhythm. So I panicked again; at first it looked like I could do nothing without spoiling the composition.<br /><br />Leslie's notes and pictures came after I had already received the actual work. That's when it turned out that I had placed it the wrong end up. And still I left it my way; the placement of the initial red shape and the way the two criss-crossing shapes divided the space looked better to me with this side up.<br /><br />After I realized that inadvertently I had already started making changes, it was easier to look at the composition without being too intimidated.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSe4lqboZvPRaviS2ujal0Qov4IJOEZtm6P7pp4j_vOF1X-NRIz5yWJYPWcM4ZeFC8Hz1crJYlyIurWhoESK-uqe3j8mW9VSpB-9PXWMnjT0IQtzo77jCytgatOMraUpKnrd1rRnS4s0/s1600/Compositional+conversation+01+%283%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSe4lqboZvPRaviS2ujal0Qov4IJOEZtm6P7pp4j_vOF1X-NRIz5yWJYPWcM4ZeFC8Hz1crJYlyIurWhoESK-uqe3j8mW9VSpB-9PXWMnjT0IQtzo77jCytgatOMraUpKnrd1rRnS4s0/s400/Compositional+conversation+01+%283%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410011081992853362" border="0" /></a><br />I felt like introducing more grey at the top edge (above) to open the grey background in the upper left corner so that the black that lies under the lime shape looks more like a shape and less like a background.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SbwsISYPNf3a_yknTx2YEVT2E2i7Ylkujerr0GTZ1d48an6EeXkknQaTwHVOjEajuYzC_1sL7SHVnornfsFa3rKXDp7KRkYRLpt4L3gZ1aEfxIRMDz0t_3OBfAQQY9w8ZopeUIQ7DoY/s1600/Compositional+conversation+01+%284%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SbwsISYPNf3a_yknTx2YEVT2E2i7Ylkujerr0GTZ1d48an6EeXkknQaTwHVOjEajuYzC_1sL7SHVnornfsFa3rKXDp7KRkYRLpt4L3gZ1aEfxIRMDz0t_3OBfAQQY9w8ZopeUIQ7DoY/s400/Compositional+conversation+01+%284%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410011653934323650" border="0" /></a><br />I added a blue shape to continue the horizontal line between the blue shape and the pieced gray strip.(above)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpsWp2q391__buCyPsxB_BdnmU18zs6CdhdAKz69bQZyE0VR55he65Hql-G_fKJk2AQVnxNP9Y5nhS9293WBhTgCVc48cbQTtaCWPWaRycbD6O6MF3P1uZWJnK2PggyzFEd58njbX6fU/s1600/Compositional+conversation+01+%285%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpsWp2q391__buCyPsxB_BdnmU18zs6CdhdAKz69bQZyE0VR55he65Hql-G_fKJk2AQVnxNP9Y5nhS9293WBhTgCVc48cbQTtaCWPWaRycbD6O6MF3P1uZWJnK2PggyzFEd58njbX6fU/s400/Compositional+conversation+01+%285%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410012012678182530" border="0" /></a><br />At this point I noticed that I had just started to make my own work and as a result everything else looked wrong now. So I took all those shapes that I had added off the wall...(above photo)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEcBpAoXeIfGax1lkVGTVil9BUZbVLPLEcbFlKq9Ycn4tBMedcMqqWemQ1HsB36lQizdOGmVYl4dtz_m9wnVOKJFuUSl9MpIdPHIQKuA1RGLoBh8c8NZWX2y0D2mL8REDUIzqHV0JVdk/s1600/Compositional+conversation+01+%286%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEcBpAoXeIfGax1lkVGTVil9BUZbVLPLEcbFlKq9Ycn4tBMedcMqqWemQ1HsB36lQizdOGmVYl4dtz_m9wnVOKJFuUSl9MpIdPHIQKuA1RGLoBh8c8NZWX2y0D2mL8REDUIzqHV0JVdk/s400/Compositional+conversation+01+%286%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410013520029856802" border="0" /></a><br />...but recut the dark brownish-red shape. (above photo) Now it is more in sync with other shapes, and the upper edge of the yellow shape to the right of it continues smoothly.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn6p7o74kBJ5CLU-A-ohGm3ifn8SEw1oWj55WAHgQpMvzSDp2TV0bVIH-7kDKIu6h63xJO24MI3UkNmIPmPP18M-gXDZXSQR16Mll0lAv2Hp5dfR8Yv0rqoTieHswODFUaqVpN0-uza8/s1600/Compositional+conversation+01+%287%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn6p7o74kBJ5CLU-A-ohGm3ifn8SEw1oWj55WAHgQpMvzSDp2TV0bVIH-7kDKIu6h63xJO24MI3UkNmIPmPP18M-gXDZXSQR16Mll0lAv2Hp5dfR8Yv0rqoTieHswODFUaqVpN0-uza8/s400/Compositional+conversation+01+%287%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410014076875403474" border="0" /></a><br />Now my attention went to the upper right corner. (above photo) I added a maroon piece there. I felt that it was necessary that this corner speak to other important elements (rectangles in the criss-crossing stripes).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKnVHsUHitCKWNe-t7lCPYcn_8PVD8JoYfv4oQ1QmDez8XaxOnnrCylFXp7aY1kpWTYLk2IYfG3kXHj-OgkgtXiMGHAxu2hIRW4totR5OLX4R0UVOyTlUQCsYCiVoOWy87lxlFKNLGaM/s1600/Compositional+conversation+01+%288%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKnVHsUHitCKWNe-t7lCPYcn_8PVD8JoYfv4oQ1QmDez8XaxOnnrCylFXp7aY1kpWTYLk2IYfG3kXHj-OgkgtXiMGHAxu2hIRW4totR5OLX4R0UVOyTlUQCsYCiVoOWy87lxlFKNLGaM/s400/Compositional+conversation+01+%288%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410014752494056562" border="0" /></a><br />Now I was bothered by the huge lime shape in the upper left. (above photo) It is the only shape of that size that stands on its own and is not broken, but it is not interesting enough and cannot carry the importance that is assigned to it. I did not feel like changing its shape, so I used a leftover hand-dyed piece and put it over the lime shape to break it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHz16c9z5TH69O3jTit9oAgy9haJkHIahKqDgtmbPpK54liomC-bikDVHDOLJDNE4yJW1YwNMSjLStP5l3wMAt75fp-QTUPs7AOYpHNO6dhUlIBIDKgS-Yi-FV2CIaXUjzg6Asfs_9wU/s1600/Compositional+conversation+01+%289%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHz16c9z5TH69O3jTit9oAgy9haJkHIahKqDgtmbPpK54liomC-bikDVHDOLJDNE4yJW1YwNMSjLStP5l3wMAt75fp-QTUPs7AOYpHNO6dhUlIBIDKgS-Yi-FV2CIaXUjzg6Asfs_9wU/s400/Compositional+conversation+01+%289%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410015471459892402" border="0" /></a><br />To take even more from the lime shape, I cut off a tiny bit of it on the left. (above photo) If a shape goes off the edge, it looks even bigger than it is, because we tend to imagine that it continues away in space outside of the work. This little cut seems to do the job, now the lime shape does not dominate the whole.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTd8JEKG6ITcOCU2Tl1Ye5yMoK70UQ_Rh8Txi_Is0Gxxhz7Oj3B6RjQjExVwkO7VYr0GIkYIdIRK14fvfBeNAioyE_Y8CLcZiWoJ3Vyol2i0mD5MV3ktxxxW8mtd-zT67S1bYTPIBc2Q/s1600/Compositional+conversation+01+%2810%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTd8JEKG6ITcOCU2Tl1Ye5yMoK70UQ_Rh8Txi_Is0Gxxhz7Oj3B6RjQjExVwkO7VYr0GIkYIdIRK14fvfBeNAioyE_Y8CLcZiWoJ3Vyol2i0mD5MV3ktxxxW8mtd-zT67S1bYTPIBc2Q/s400/Compositional+conversation+01+%2810%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410016057896055730" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Final Stage 14</span><br /><br /></div>As the last touch I restore some of the black on top of the lime shape. Now the mental eye sees this little piece of black as a part of the much bigger shape hidden behind the line. (above photo)<br /><br />I still think that the upper right corner is not resolved, but I am out of ideas. I am done.<br /><br /><br />I am thankful to Terry for starting this crazy project, to everybody for their input and for the effort the group made to make my participation possible. Also big heartfelt thanks to everybody for their kind letters that helped me feel stronger and more able to survive my unimaginable loss.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We all want to express our condolences to Marina and her family on hearing of the death of Marina's youngest daughter, Aniuta. Everyone wishes Marina and her family the best as they learn to deal with their loss.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A big Thank You to Marina for participating in Compositional Conversation and for sharing the following information including images of some beautiful work. Please read on.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">MINI ARTIST PROFILE<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMXeM-54RivS88OOJXFIRBDGqxtHgkJcgngR1oqK7YI4pKth1cjuGOuXblBRfEH1q2yXQEl_nm1pw3VjiolYVaIZFozVXtQZnk0x34hpm4xMxhocXjFwLTvBKaENugH3u0Hp_OPBBiaQ/s1600/001email.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMXeM-54RivS88OOJXFIRBDGqxtHgkJcgngR1oqK7YI4pKth1cjuGOuXblBRfEH1q2yXQEl_nm1pw3VjiolYVaIZFozVXtQZnk0x34hpm4xMxhocXjFwLTvBKaENugH3u0Hp_OPBBiaQ/s400/001email.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410020543622752050" border="0" /></a>Marina with her work and a friend.<br /><br /><br />ARTIST STATEMENT<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I explore line, shape, color, balance, movement, tension and texture.<br /><br />I follow my chosen medium and its innate qualities and possibilities.<br /><br />Every next work takes on from where the previous one has stopped.<br /><br />I have my own vision as an artist, but like any artist I cannot make anyone see what I see.<br /><br />I can only speak with my own voice and let it be heard.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3kgkeREc7aMO5pjSrTvgp29AWwiH0-x1mX5wyKOYrltYA8YW_ldTKOxs1nRMUbmP2RhK6wOfX2thnBBq8Wc3sAe9h470_H9yALgcZjKY8NviFbFCXWhxqLD85Oe_xEbjPAWxKVZf9ag/s1600/Opening+%235+from+Kipling.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3kgkeREc7aMO5pjSrTvgp29AWwiH0-x1mX5wyKOYrltYA8YW_ldTKOxs1nRMUbmP2RhK6wOfX2thnBBq8Wc3sAe9h470_H9yALgcZjKY8NviFbFCXWhxqLD85Oe_xEbjPAWxKVZf9ag/s400/Opening+%235+from+Kipling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410276462815241842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Opening #5 , 36.5" x 34"</span><br /><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJvO0mWLkaY6_fqQ_KY5TLYsqFAil8G78HSCc8oqX9528BbVDU8R3JB5AotcpplynlAq0_g-e7S9hyphenhyphenG2cJDroaHwSReWvURmnarmZwUfdAt7Jz5L3yhW7BE1Ud7EFGl4ZHkoeDaoV3-s/s1600/Opening+%236+P.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJvO0mWLkaY6_fqQ_KY5TLYsqFAil8G78HSCc8oqX9528BbVDU8R3JB5AotcpplynlAq0_g-e7S9hyphenhyphenG2cJDroaHwSReWvURmnarmZwUfdAt7Jz5L3yhW7BE1Ud7EFGl4ZHkoeDaoV3-s/s400/Opening+%236+P.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410020546413602434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Opening #6, 41" x 72"</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHTp5QfORg0A5Az7f4DcRyia_6MfMi03tIsed_MM1a7eZMwK_feHRoKwSRisYSh789WvKDOJg_siJsGZ5Y2JZbyFvanaZejodW4CKwAMcrstRJn_spZ1_pIM-zhN-x1lm-9DNVbwZdQU/s1600/Opening12huge+lighter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHTp5QfORg0A5Az7f4DcRyia_6MfMi03tIsed_MM1a7eZMwK_feHRoKwSRisYSh789WvKDOJg_siJsGZ5Y2JZbyFvanaZejodW4CKwAMcrstRJn_spZ1_pIM-zhN-x1lm-9DNVbwZdQU/s400/Opening12huge+lighter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410020554909288130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Opening #12, 68" x 42"</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Biography</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Marina was born in Moscow in a country that no longer exists. Her mother was an architect and father a furniture designer. Art was part of the family life as well as books, museums and concerts. The arts were always in the classical form as the ruling ideology was not supportive of abstract non-representative art.<br /><br />Marina studied Russian classical literature at Moscow State University, later she attended graduate school and taught at Moscow State University,<br /><br />In 1991, when the country began allowing people to leave, Marina and her husband moved to Chicago with their two daughters for a new beginning. She worked at Northwestern University as a Slavic department assistant.<br /><br />In 1996 she discovered quiltmaking as a craft and was inspired by Deirdre Amsden to work in the colourwash technique. She was awarded a second place prize in the <span style="font-style: italic;">First Entry </span>category at Paducah in 2003 for a huge colourwash quilt.<br /><br />Marina says, "I was always interested in crafts, but never dared to make art or think about myself as an artist. The turning point in my life was meeting artist Nancy Crow and taking her classes. It happened in 2003. Nancy influenced my attitude towards myself and art, and she keeps helping me with both criticism and encouragement."<br /><br />Marina now works as an artist in her chosen medium of textiles. While she has not shown her work widely, she has had work accepted in the annual <a href="http://www.carnegiecenter.org/index.php"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Form Not Function</span></a> exhibition at the Carnegie Center for Art and History in New Albany, In and received an honorable mention in 2006 for <span style="font-style: italic;">Opening #5.</span><br /><br />Marina resides in Wauconda, Illinois.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">****<br /><br />The project is now headed back to South Carolina. I'm not sure what if any additions or changes I may make but I will be posting that update very soon.<br /></div><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-36480593693736177282009-12-01T07:24:00.000-08:002009-12-01T07:28:01.500-08:00COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION: Stage 13 - Leslie Joan Riley<div style="text-align: justify;">The COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION project is headed into the 'home stretch' with only one more artist before it heads back to South Carolina. This week our artist is <a href="http://www.lesliejriley.com/"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Leslie Riley</span></a> of Skokie Il. and Leslie has worked her 'compositional magic' on our ever evolving project.<br /><br />I can't wait to share Stage 13 so " drum roll" please...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGGVhRvKqLHWNuThVCB81BHkHpXqKF0Up9OYVPDEVAWs3ZQEglT5ND0rpOclaEcQknDc5xi6r4nhHbq0LIBRrKJ0X_hf5nV0eN6vOcOjUMcLegJSuDLMkiKrgWiGaMZrR4AhFG8N7-0M/s1600-h/cc+final+006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGGVhRvKqLHWNuThVCB81BHkHpXqKF0Up9OYVPDEVAWs3ZQEglT5ND0rpOclaEcQknDc5xi6r4nhHbq0LIBRrKJ0X_hf5nV0eN6vOcOjUMcLegJSuDLMkiKrgWiGaMZrR4AhFG8N7-0M/s400/cc+final+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404055343583874290" border="0" /></a><br />Stage 13 by Leslie Riley<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">When I was invited to participate with this project, Compositional Conversation, I tried to stay open and receptive to the process. I was interested in each person's contribution and did my best not to judge the outcome. I wanted to evaluate the project produced on criteria that I used to evaluate my work.<br /><ul><li>Did the piece work, on the whole or in parts?</li><li>Are the color relationships interesting?</li></ul>I did not have to address these concerns directly until I received the piece. It was then that I looked at it closely and evaluated it to see what I could add to the dialogue. I made a commitment to honor as much of the previous work that I could and remain true to my artistic temperament. First, I would not work with the palette as it existed. It did not excite me. Part of it worked for me and others dulled it and made it uninteresting for me. Second, I examined the elements that remained and decided early that I did not know how to manage the crosses as a motif. I find that they are visually loaded with meaning because they are a commonly used icon. I do not understand how to use the crosses and take advantage of them in a meaningful way visually, so I choose not to use them. I felt similarly about the small dots. They reminded me of olives made out of the hand printed fabric. I kept many of the elements and used them as I found them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">When I received the piece in the mail, I opened it up and spent the first evening looking at it to evaluate what elements worked for me and what did not. I wanted to figure out what would<br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_ph6_wlL_SNvReCEvDr5fj73Ywgm6KpYUBtQsoynNzOcjl_OafraN0jit6h0-nz4AyYNGaXbxTkUvuysKo3tH0060bFjVUO6tucCjiyhiRyQuZQUBvss3TaHo0tM-Ekzd-bFBLdJZfA/s1600-h/cc+11-12-09+012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_ph6_wlL_SNvReCEvDr5fj73Ywgm6KpYUBtQsoynNzOcjl_OafraN0jit6h0-nz4AyYNGaXbxTkUvuysKo3tH0060bFjVUO6tucCjiyhiRyQuZQUBvss3TaHo0tM-Ekzd-bFBLdJZfA/s400/cc+11-12-09+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404066877093379554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Stage 12 turned 90 degrees to the right.<br /><br /></div><br />stimulate me to get started. When I start any project I organize my work space. This project was no different, so the next day I decided to open up the bags of pieces and put them in similar piles to see what elements had been created and what was available to be used. I decided to use as many of the elements created by the artists before me that attracted me. It connected me to the creative energies of each of the other artists.<br /><br /><br />I took the piece apart and ironed it and put it back on my design wall. I carefully trimmed the elements if the edge was not clean. I find that after I decide the basic structure of the piece I must choose the colors that I think will support it in order to invest the time and energy to compose and later to construct the piece. In this case I started with the color first, much of the form and their relationships were already in place. Parts of the palette that was used did not appeal to me. I eliminated some colors in the palette<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Eliminated fabrics<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoziWUyYRvjEdOdrAT03P8Z6PzTr9Jp_ERFaRfGYH5R5J3mPjWuG9Pkkg7MRVXG4EubutIO9SqIwX5-1s_J5WqmSGkx9SDDdieitRLI-haz0wh_I5yC8-JXNONtLPLwF5NmQ9UVi509o/s1600-h/cc+11-12-09+013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoziWUyYRvjEdOdrAT03P8Z6PzTr9Jp_ERFaRfGYH5R5J3mPjWuG9Pkkg7MRVXG4EubutIO9SqIwX5-1s_J5WqmSGkx9SDDdieitRLI-haz0wh_I5yC8-JXNONtLPLwF5NmQ9UVi509o/s400/cc+11-12-09+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404060513038446514" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />and added some to replace the ones I removed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_c44AvvnuiXLj6CtaKEUYgE2DnS57dduK92AVADftvw6DlS_SyLAFkaZglBlSsvNjtw-XRyTyTxioHLdSUKK_H706QvL1gzksFjYI-hIWnWBhKCh7ZDcfJ6ynW2MhMoCNqg81wEHvryA/s1600-h/cc+11-12-09+014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_c44AvvnuiXLj6CtaKEUYgE2DnS57dduK92AVADftvw6DlS_SyLAFkaZglBlSsvNjtw-XRyTyTxioHLdSUKK_H706QvL1gzksFjYI-hIWnWBhKCh7ZDcfJ6ynW2MhMoCNqg81wEHvryA/s400/cc+11-12-09+014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404060127041004610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">New fabrics added.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYjlJOqKirxnOoAE3CiCjr62sG8EYDdKwGjp-DtgPBXnhEtlpag8Z-fYJ8TRIC0yUf1-iB7dgAnUzhv4lra4XeasIyVOJs4eqabZQqfDazjTNe2Lr0R7kH-k-uoAQCNWqbgO7fgKbRPM/s1600-h/cc+11-12-09+015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYjlJOqKirxnOoAE3CiCjr62sG8EYDdKwGjp-DtgPBXnhEtlpag8Z-fYJ8TRIC0yUf1-iB7dgAnUzhv4lra4XeasIyVOJs4eqabZQqfDazjTNe2Lr0R7kH-k-uoAQCNWqbgO7fgKbRPM/s400/cc+11-12-09+015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404067630465170210" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Starting composition.<br /></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is where I started to compose. I kept the basic elements and the relationships that were formed.<br /><br /><br />The form of the piece was defined by the elements or motifs created by the other artists. I used the motifs established by others and created more. The elements I created are modified forms of the motifs established by others. I used the elements created by others but cut that element in a color from the palette that I choose to work with. After applying some elements I posted some fabric with the intention of auditioning the fabrics to support the forms already applied to the composition. I repeated some of the elements to create a rhythm that both moved across the piece as well as down the piece.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7Qqsyka4sndyAAoDz7K0eDnEiyTe713NKilzIXBaT7ycqiGSieyBD1dMrNN70J3y7XJh5MjocaBbFr9js4JxlaSbxxIUWoNnD8fYQ0K-T1G7VkI4HU9lj7GvOlQi8tluCqrm_uygNtc/s1600-h/cc+11-12-09+016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7Qqsyka4sndyAAoDz7K0eDnEiyTe713NKilzIXBaT7ycqiGSieyBD1dMrNN70J3y7XJh5MjocaBbFr9js4JxlaSbxxIUWoNnD8fYQ0K-T1G7VkI4HU9lj7GvOlQi8tluCqrm_uygNtc/s400/cc+11-12-09+016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404062620763189458" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Basic structure with new colors.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The basic structure of the piece is in place and now I consider how the plane of space is used with the application of the elements or motifs and how the color is distributed.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZyIHf0fmAEYwU-cKqURJ-MrpccWRrBVPdzSalQbiORv0Z3TIBz_-6rz8Fk5GjDDW8S81axKUbJlMNJNkZDH4Pf8K55ca6AGYUDyX5_V4ayGA36YARLxo72k07nxNSMeYuMvTOJ6h5NA/s1600-h/11-12-09+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZyIHf0fmAEYwU-cKqURJ-MrpccWRrBVPdzSalQbiORv0Z3TIBz_-6rz8Fk5GjDDW8S81axKUbJlMNJNkZDH4Pf8K55ca6AGYUDyX5_V4ayGA36YARLxo72k07nxNSMeYuMvTOJ6h5NA/s400/11-12-09+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404063281602487730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Motifs are introduced.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The process of refining the composition begins at this point. The changes that follow are not major but are significant in the impact of the whole. I consider how to resolve the upper right corner.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYdzLfzt25q2Mezgx7yXCI-Z7pSWQSCUJ8jx-89uvA0VARo2UnJXkvFykJzEnfUS7D1MhxxaeQUlORyQqcaOyNEYmBE1j1U3Y3J1JgxPAwJDrzj57SHXVwa3T02aqX8bXHEuK-HRMLRw/s1600-h/cc+final+001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYdzLfzt25q2Mezgx7yXCI-Z7pSWQSCUJ8jx-89uvA0VARo2UnJXkvFykJzEnfUS7D1MhxxaeQUlORyQqcaOyNEYmBE1j1U3Y3J1JgxPAwJDrzj57SHXVwa3T02aqX8bXHEuK-HRMLRw/s400/cc+final+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404063768796829202" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Upper right corner still needs resolution.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I consider that there needs to be a neutral in the bottom left corner and I add the grey pieced fabric on the diagonal.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZYZH4I7cdL56c5p-doQulb7ByhJfdY1ochWLlfO5_8DlGkRoZKLsLah3ugd9bCWowTBirQNlQX8QBZDdtpVDC7IljUAOOixuYXdY3A-mf4zknMEGpboZYxaW67mLYCdHApZAztlCZ1w/s1600-h/Riley+cc+final+006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZYZH4I7cdL56c5p-doQulb7ByhJfdY1ochWLlfO5_8DlGkRoZKLsLah3ugd9bCWowTBirQNlQX8QBZDdtpVDC7IljUAOOixuYXdY3A-mf4zknMEGpboZYxaW67mLYCdHApZAztlCZ1w/s400/Riley+cc+final+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404064218661305362" border="0" /></a>Final Version<br /></div><br />I approached this piece in a more relaxed manner and with more freedom than I approach many of my own projects. I attribute some of the freedom to that fact that I did not have to construct it so I did not think once how to engineer the construction of the visual space I composed. I appreciated the motifs that evolved over the weeks that this project has been in play. It has mined a rich vein of wonderful forms to play with that is outside of my usual vocabulary. It was fun to elaborate on them in a minor way. I felt that I had a chance to improvise freely with no agenda in mind. Ah, bliss.<br /><br />This project contributes to my sense of confidence that I can create with a sense of freedom and explore places without a roadmap or a definite plan set in place. This could be rich ground for exploration and more ideas to work from.<br /><br />I am pleased to be included and introduced to a broad spectrum of artists.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">MINI ARTIST PROFILE<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a0xSg7JERDj570dreh_m2T4ABPujvE7QJtScbVj-DH-3HsFPQ_f7mFSiDKmU6yViWiZfgYAkD-ethtSBsasyCtQo7QJjQJjx3wsKY2LLUKcAhlmSJloAo5Zct1qbosyiEZh5gqg8boY/s1600-h/lr+small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a0xSg7JERDj570dreh_m2T4ABPujvE7QJtScbVj-DH-3HsFPQ_f7mFSiDKmU6yViWiZfgYAkD-ethtSBsasyCtQo7QJjQJjx3wsKY2LLUKcAhlmSJloAo5Zct1qbosyiEZh5gqg8boY/s400/lr+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404444987860272322" border="0" /></a>Leslie in her studio. Photo by: Wyatt Gollub<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Leslie Joan Riley is a graduate of De Paul University and studied painting at the Art Institute of Chicago. She is a professional yoga instructor and is highly regarded in her field.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BH17GO8d-IjBc0f1-wucjio-dA4osyl6kAmMjVQMOTBkBqV9bqi1G08Ut3cj4Dyf-26mR2EImYVM6_z1HLUobfok6EbWd6uKrSoAm-3QLGEtnVkHQyE4ZPNkd1Q5vrlFgQ3UdaCM59A/s1600/all2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 367px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BH17GO8d-IjBc0f1-wucjio-dA4osyl6kAmMjVQMOTBkBqV9bqi1G08Ut3cj4Dyf-26mR2EImYVM6_z1HLUobfok6EbWd6uKrSoAm-3QLGEtnVkHQyE4ZPNkd1Q5vrlFgQ3UdaCM59A/s400/all2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404666914141546194" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Cascading Boxes - 2005<br /></div><br />Her work focuses on color, color relationships and complex-intense piecing. She has exhibited her work widely in competitive exhibitions including Quilt National, Quilt Visons, The Artist as Quiltmaker, Art Quilt Elements and Form Not Function. She was recently awarded the First Place award at Quilts=Art=Quilts at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in Auburn, NY.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTJqCI0dX6szAI23DMhpZKpFEFdGqlZQcyG-1D6pPMCh-c1esHeytz6lf9d0znTXj4JKRYxj0ZSqmAQzpEv12Wb6sykILH4xqETjqaIeTo9u7JjR8eFQAJ01HKNU2TJBuxUZE3W8BMuM/s1600-h/22COMP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTJqCI0dX6szAI23DMhpZKpFEFdGqlZQcyG-1D6pPMCh-c1esHeytz6lf9d0znTXj4JKRYxj0ZSqmAQzpEv12Wb6sykILH4xqETjqaIeTo9u7JjR8eFQAJ01HKNU2TJBuxUZE3W8BMuM/s400/22COMP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404444995187957954" border="0" /></a><br />22Comp - 2009 - This study is almost the size of a king size quilt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WGHUXPWEXNAWKJbo66tiqgIqYoQwftxQP-iUP7KEYtVu2_fe8UUsJgXLXAffedESd5VLszvVyDwhbFBBf48VqGai9Q1_ElntKGJctojh4m26fNZYDrz478xn5Yx5xA2GlyvDDth4fLY/s1600-h/0007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WGHUXPWEXNAWKJbo66tiqgIqYoQwftxQP-iUP7KEYtVu2_fe8UUsJgXLXAffedESd5VLszvVyDwhbFBBf48VqGai9Q1_ElntKGJctojh4m26fNZYDrz478xn5Yx5xA2GlyvDDth4fLY/s400/0007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404444992991396834" border="0" /></a>Brown Plaid - 2009<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you Leslie. Next week we will be viewing the work of Marina Kamenskaya, the last of our talented artist.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Artists participating in the Project are: <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:red;">Rebecca Howdeshell</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/n2c6qk"><span style="color:red;">Beth Carney</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnxtrj"><span style="color:red;">Shelley Baird</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mve8we"><span style="color:red;">Gayle Vickery Pritchard</span></a> , <a href="http://tinyurl.com/m96e33"><span style="color:red;">Judi Hurwitt</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l6cacs"><span style="color:red;">Leslie Bixel</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lyt4p9"><span style="color:red;">Fulvia Luciano</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnmtow"><span style="color:red;">Marcia DeCamp</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l2vn93"><span style="color:red;">Marina Kamenskaya</span></a>, <a href="http://www.saqa.com/media/Image/PressImages/Trans08/Swett-AgainstTheirWill%20copy.jpg"><span style="color:red;"> </span><span style="color:red;">Paula Swett</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mfoxj9"><span style="color:red;">Valerie Goodwin</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/llejnn"><span style="color:red;">Kathy Loomis</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kpnp5n"><span style="color:red;">Leslie Riley</span></a>, and <a href="http://tinyurl.com/dzeefj"><span style="color:red;">Terry Jarrard-Dimond</span></a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> </div></div><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-91353832579715846522009-11-15T13:59:00.000-08:002009-11-15T14:00:45.483-08:00COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION: STAGE 12 - Kathy Loomis<div style="text-align: justify;">Just when you start to get comfortable with what appears to be the 'final' direction of this project we find that it has taken another interesting turn and is headed for new territory....and guess what? There are still three more artists waiting to have a say.<br /></div><br />This weeks' artist is <a href="http://tinyurl.com/llejnn"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Kathy Loomis</span></a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments by Kathy</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />As several of the previous participants have noted, the quilt I take out of the box could very well be "finished." I had some artists friends over for lunch while the quilt (straight out of the box) was up on the wall and they said "ooh, that's nice!" It has a character of its own, and the separate elements of the composition seem to be consistent with that character.<br /><br />Unfortunately that character doesn't seem to want to hang out with me. I find myself looking for its bones - the "real life" it tells me it wants to resume. The first couple of steps in its development were quite austere - big, bold shapes in edgy relation to one another. I thought that was interesting and strong. While the color scheme of the quilt has retained that strong, interesting, edgy character through its travels, the composition has successively become more and more detailed and fussy, which I find uncomfortable.<br /><br />My first step is to take all the fussy bits off the quilt and see what's underneath.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jcRG-fTmQ5Yk4_AP6YBFaEFEVwsgjUJ1cb6wH27hs0xb_D_uCW9l0avPadLcnkIMrdkIKFjtsm9r3kzrSlIlWBDTQ0GRwDvrKbepEZewM1TWl9eCBTDrcMQbW-U9Ej-D6H8Pzjwz9JU/s1600-h/006b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jcRG-fTmQ5Yk4_AP6YBFaEFEVwsgjUJ1cb6wH27hs0xb_D_uCW9l0avPadLcnkIMrdkIKFjtsm9r3kzrSlIlWBDTQ0GRwDvrKbepEZewM1TWl9eCBTDrcMQbW-U9Ej-D6H8Pzjwz9JU/s400/006b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401410234310495554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">First Step</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I see strong color and three strong shapes: two curvilinear reds and a lime green stripe or panel. But there doesn't seem to be any tension in their relationship - maybe they're too far apart? Before I can deal with that issue, I find myself distracted by the hole in the green panel. There's enough of the lime green in the bag to recut the panel without a hole, but even better, another piece of the screenprinted green. big enough to go on as a rectangle. In the bag I also find some stripes of gray/black hand dye that had been there in a previous incarnation but were taken off several weeks ago. I put them back up to give a little more weight to the green panel.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74qZItRNEGWY6HjUjQCoJA40q6m1DxSpS6YdlW_BCxzY4Bvi1MepbYggEnB7uJTf3HkiYmU9o6WA2-bnAp96p0bng5lF8WOtxvebFCYeifTZIM2oEvyFciUbGI5xToKb2O6KovRBlIDg/s1600-h/008b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74qZItRNEGWY6HjUjQCoJA40q6m1DxSpS6YdlW_BCxzY4Bvi1MepbYggEnB7uJTf3HkiYmU9o6WA2-bnAp96p0bng5lF8WOtxvebFCYeifTZIM2oEvyFciUbGI5xToKb2O6KovRBlIDg/s400/008b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401412000108559186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step Two</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Now I wonder whether the proportions of the entire quilt are right. The two red shapes seem to be too small to command their space. Without all those little Xs and bits of printed fabric, there's a lot of empty space on the quilt. I experiment with cropping off the bottom, then cropping off some of the left side. Sure enough, the shapes are forced to talk to one another.<br /><br /><br />The popsicle-shaped red one has been in that same position since Day 1 of this project (are we afraid to change Terry's shape because it's her project??) and I do nothing to change that. My first approach is to juggle the other one to see if it can find a better place, to get some dialog with the first one. I try several different positions.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Vx670KXPr37ZWBgiGpt6RnvOd0byNtDG8479fyr78_tzZzkg0qePW3djHA37CatfpqVAUDOQvFtkt67aWPZ68snUDvIwdxNd28Y6a9zQdpfKsmsl9F_sZgzed3NBu-vLk9tRqnb8T50/s1600-h/croppedb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Vx670KXPr37ZWBgiGpt6RnvOd0byNtDG8479fyr78_tzZzkg0qePW3djHA37CatfpqVAUDOQvFtkt67aWPZ68snUDvIwdxNd28Y6a9zQdpfKsmsl9F_sZgzed3NBu-vLk9tRqnb8T50/s400/croppedb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401413219762908706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step Three - Cropped</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">But wait. When all else fails, read the directions. In moving the piles of stuff around, I come upon the envelope of paperwork and decide to reread the ground rules that I had slid over two months ago. Guess what - we're supposed to keep the size of the quilt at 42" x 60". So much for my cropping. I'll have to achieve the same effect by changing the proportions on the large ground. First is to move the green panel down - it was too close to the center of the compositions, which I think detracts from the real action: the red shapes and how they get along. With the panel closer to the bottom, it acts as a stage for the action.<br /><br />But on the other hand, this gives me an even larger area for the red shapes to float around in. If I thought they were too loosely packed before, it's even worse now. I decide to re-cut the red shapes. They had been added by different people and the reds aren't exactly the same, yet not different enough to look deliberate.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3DniQbDDRHEiHRYa521_kuH69bb-HFwJ1wm5yLeMkRtpCyG_D71eWeCOrrQDNrqAj7oX16f0cj751ZmbKrzNw3W6hU7dVlh9BhoHbZ5drlNMhFEu_VVKRLoWltXNBTOCBOi909HpBUk/s1600-h/010b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3DniQbDDRHEiHRYa521_kuH69bb-HFwJ1wm5yLeMkRtpCyG_D71eWeCOrrQDNrqAj7oX16f0cj751ZmbKrzNw3W6hU7dVlh9BhoHbZ5drlNMhFEu_VVKRLoWltXNBTOCBOi909HpBUk/s400/010b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401414559888410578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step Four</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">While I'm at it, I add a third red shape. Now the shapes are crowded enough to have some tension. Finally, I find an acid green shape in the pile of discards and put it back on the quilt. I had liked that shape , and it seems to go well with both the pared-down color scheme and the remaining shapes. I experiment with some slight variations on the shapes and decide that rather than cut them to fit, I'll turn under the edges and leave some extra fabric in case Leslie and Marina want to make some tweaks.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cDsaibE1kNAuOI2aAAXiold5D4vt1nnp3R9PP2ijl0IX4e2TBHeIVI9F1FDZyUYOLeqPc5l6X_v2ZegckowSLBMdqgoX3f37EIzLzmETUeRuFCdrO9ylLYnAN2p9yUDtvWw8JBubIX0/s1600-h/loomis+final+b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cDsaibE1kNAuOI2aAAXiold5D4vt1nnp3R9PP2ijl0IX4e2TBHeIVI9F1FDZyUYOLeqPc5l6X_v2ZegckowSLBMdqgoX3f37EIzLzmETUeRuFCdrO9ylLYnAN2p9yUDtvWw8JBubIX0/s400/loomis+final+b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401415461320536242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Final Version Stage 12</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mini Artists Profile</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYX5m_8-rOkd8OF2oAK9ZbD6seDu9DCMndDuEGmGsnRl6tmu12ebS1Cyjz61S-CmXYZ9KdSEjxeIp0STBGzCi5WrXblotePA_m95rncGPRFFQfC2LjNrm-afrHJ5VUdWaMRyE2NIkO6Y/s1600-h/new+head+shot+kathy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYX5m_8-rOkd8OF2oAK9ZbD6seDu9DCMndDuEGmGsnRl6tmu12ebS1Cyjz61S-CmXYZ9KdSEjxeIp0STBGzCi5WrXblotePA_m95rncGPRFFQfC2LjNrm-afrHJ5VUdWaMRyE2NIkO6Y/s400/new+head+shot+kathy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401421523223263778" border="0" /></a>Kathy Loomis<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Kathy lives and works in Louisville where she is very active with the Louisville Area Fiber and Textile Arts group and the River City Fiber Artists. The RCFA are the originators of the<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://tinyurl.com/kw7qbk"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Form Not Function</span></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </span>exhibition which is becoming a well known and respected competitive show held each year at the <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://tinyurl.com/kjvgbj"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Carnegie Center for Art and History</span></a> in New Albany, In.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5TmONYAEEW_z8TR6LwMl5ntD3Ki1t_5uLbx-TYZNKzYp9qdj3wQReLuxU-sSPznvCwi2X__A0HfYALAE1rTvZlc2uNwlZ7gDNgSczWyyo0HHnbSuoZO5npqRz72qVzTJiyphkdpmvoo/s1600-h/flood+stage+b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5TmONYAEEW_z8TR6LwMl5ntD3Ki1t_5uLbx-TYZNKzYp9qdj3wQReLuxU-sSPznvCwi2X__A0HfYALAE1rTvZlc2uNwlZ7gDNgSczWyyo0HHnbSuoZO5npqRz72qVzTJiyphkdpmvoo/s400/flood+stage+b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401422938876337362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flood Stage</span><br /></div><br /><br />In May of this year, Kathy was awarded the coveted Quilts Japan Prize for her work <span style="font-style: italic;">Postage 3: Memorial Day</span>, during the opening ceremonies of Quilt National 2009. QN is one of the most prestigious competitive quilt exhibitions in the world and the Quilts Japan Prize is the jewel of awards.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsH8hDc6PU7jTbhjkWSlnwduCqYcKqlE2XkDn2VG4_Hr5NQ-DD80pLK6USR4N-FUcQlFQVWQcSOtXt3Q5x_h1NR68uwQ8dJMrtc4CMaSCLNkjAYxdU2socRciea9VTx2echJiG4zuBhkg/s1600-h/loomis+-+memorial+full-resized+b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsH8hDc6PU7jTbhjkWSlnwduCqYcKqlE2XkDn2VG4_Hr5NQ-DD80pLK6USR4N-FUcQlFQVWQcSOtXt3Q5x_h1NR68uwQ8dJMrtc4CMaSCLNkjAYxdU2socRciea9VTx2echJiG4zuBhkg/s400/loomis+-+memorial+full-resized+b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401422933511149010" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Memorial Day</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Thank you Kathy for your contribution and commentary. Next the project heads up to Chicago to Leslie Riley. Looking forward to seeing what thoughts Leslie has on the piece.<br /><br /><br />Thank you for viewing this ongoing project. Terry<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Du-2OWWKcIpnU_yiH4zm8O1qfGZVPREWqdAubpl0BK69y2iu2sSCkCzVVzRiG2LeL1jk3ZpzcuYSyP06VGuCbetKw2QQkptjOkkY3ySb_PYO5P_zGibnkFsmbrM8Der9J6nOjwBCP6k/s1600-h/bairddone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The participating artists are:</span> </span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/"> </a><a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/"> <span style="color:red;">Rebecca Howdeshell</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/n2c6qk"><span style="color:red;">Beth Carney</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnxtrj"><span style="color:red;">Shelley Baird</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mve8we"><span style="color:red;">Gayle Vickery Pritchard</span></a> , <a href="http://tinyurl.com/m96e33"><span style="color:red;">Judi Hurwitt</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l6cacs"><span style="color:red;">Leslie Bixel</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lyt4p9"><span style="color:red;">Fulvia Luciano</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnmtow"><span style="color:red;">Marcia DeCamp</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l2vn93"><span style="color:red;">Marina Kamenskaya</span></a>, <a href="http://www.saqa.com/media/Image/PressImages/Trans08/Swett-AgainstTheirWill%20copy.jpg"><span style="color:red;"> </span><span style="color:red;">Paula Swett</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mfoxj9"><span style="color:red;">Valerie Goodwin</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/llejnn"><span style="color:red;">Kathy Loomis</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kpnp5n"><span style="color:red;">Leslie Riley</span></a>, and <a href="http://tinyurl.com/dzeefj"><span style="color:red;">Terry Jarrard-Dimond</span></a>.</span> </div><br /></div>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-30591043350991977012009-11-15T13:57:00.000-08:002009-11-15T13:59:08.444-08:00COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION: Stage 11 - Valerie Goodwin<div style="text-align: justify;">Compositional Conversation is now in Stage 11! We should figure up how many miles this work has logged. I'll have to work on that.<br /><br />This week our artist is Valerie S. Goodwin. Known for her unique and beautiful work inspired by landscapes and cities, Valerie shares with us her equally unique process and approach to this project. Here are her comments.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday (10.27.09)</span><br /><br />The package arrives from Paula ! After work, I opened the box and rolled it out on the dining room table and fell in love with what I saw. My initial thought? This piece is complete, there's nothing more to be done! Darn it....I got the composition at the tail end:)!<br /><br />That night I had a strange dream. I was at my studio and all the other artists were with me. We were all discussing the quilt. Suddenly I look around and my studio space has miraculously gotten larger...it's south wall opened up and on the other side was a group of contractors -- all wanting to put in their 2 cents worth! They clearly just didn't "get it"......they wanted to know whose bed would it fit on! We started laughing and then I woke up for my nightly run to the bathroom;)<br /><br />I know the dream makes no sense...but I thought I'd share it anyway!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday (10.29.09)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgU4TRCaMwCfuCPRU4jl-B6dJhUmEpGzKrc3oO5vvGaZWtemH2iwObj6KBe0uQoz4C8w0QPMDz7230214ypl-kU2bZfiZqPiKwlOQVCq4PinA1xtqN9oiVYJaAh0dF6mKdkf8JPbYOG0Q/s1600-h/Untitled-1+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgU4TRCaMwCfuCPRU4jl-B6dJhUmEpGzKrc3oO5vvGaZWtemH2iwObj6KBe0uQoz4C8w0QPMDz7230214ypl-kU2bZfiZqPiKwlOQVCq4PinA1xtqN9oiVYJaAh0dF6mKdkf8JPbYOG0Q/s400/Untitled-1+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398814796703802082" border="0" /></a><br />I finally get some free time and retreat to my studio with our little project in hand. As I stare at it on the wall.....I'm still thinking "This composition is telling me to leave it alone". Good thing I had printed out a copy of it onto a sheet of 81/2" x 11" paper. My next step was to evaluate it at a smaller scale....for me this always helps.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIBZaqZFy_-6zjverXgNBSiUl4Pf9iRXK_Bhzhjayv6orOH17bnULeJd5uYJT8ckmhggsG_Bw9DX4HwRL30Nuy_JVzBynRAWZhEpwqG-WOXQYPIuD0K7dB4cSLu5v8EbtTZrGRmE6G6E/s1600-h/Untitled-2+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIBZaqZFy_-6zjverXgNBSiUl4Pf9iRXK_Bhzhjayv6orOH17bnULeJd5uYJT8ckmhggsG_Bw9DX4HwRL30Nuy_JVzBynRAWZhEpwqG-WOXQYPIuD0K7dB4cSLu5v8EbtTZrGRmE6G6E/s400/Untitled-2+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398818394811540738" border="0" /></a><br />Then I laid down a piece of trace paper and made a few sketches.<br /><br />As I sketched a few goals surfaced:<br /><br /></div><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li>Give the composition more movement so it wasn't so static.</li><li>Explore how the elements can interact with each other.</li><li>Add a subtle sense of depth to the piece.</li><li>Reconsider the green "line" that sub-divides the composition into 2 zones.<br /></li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;">I moved the fabric pieces around for part of the afternoon.<br /><br />At the end I hope I was able to deal with my four (4) goals by:<br /></div><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Movement:</span> I added a green shape on the left side so the eye could move back and forth more from one green circular element to another. In addition I shifted the axis of the key vertical elements so that they move back and forth with respect to one another.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Interaction:</span> I tried to give the illusion that the shape on the far left wrapped around and ended behind the red one.</li><li>The green line in the center of our composition was given a hole. This gives the impression that the black element <span style="font-weight: bold;">interacts with</span> and penetrates the big green line.</li><li>By breaking up the green line I tried to break that impression that the composition was not composed of 2 isolated areas. I think I could have done more of this.</li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVodhuTQE3x_56Vccuc1ifRAEvtICYWgunu_k_r_GOZ9e_sYA27spK8ZGW7afO8tEjyHDEMMzDYw50y0lD53rc4z7LgmNsU7-AXQQ42FSvk8rsbj8_akZvRDMb-SGxDo9bSD6pqVcSxE/s1600-h/Untitled-3+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 425px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVodhuTQE3x_56Vccuc1ifRAEvtICYWgunu_k_r_GOZ9e_sYA27spK8ZGW7afO8tEjyHDEMMzDYw50y0lD53rc4z7LgmNsU7-AXQQ42FSvk8rsbj8_akZvRDMb-SGxDo9bSD6pqVcSxE/s400/Untitled-3+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398820931981473794" border="0" /></a><br />So -- are we now having a conversation that is winding down? I guess that was my approach. I treated it like I was adding my take where the punctuation marks should be. I am not in any way saying that our subsequent artists need to take the same approach...this is just what I was hearing from our piece.<br /><br /><br />It was hard to let go of "Mary" (she told me her name;) Even now she's whispering to me. She is saying "I need tweaking here and I demand tweaking there!" I'll be curious to know what Mary tells Kathy next week.<br /><br />My best to all, especially Terry........:)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL31qVwr8UYuKcxMIYVwwg3qXSUUIblywWvik8s1ZGJBIKJd9xOHxSILWiKxXgT8rslosSmWgPQ9AxcBClMCbQqcFE4F-5zfe7aOgSYXyrkUmIWi3KjUYd1pLN0GAk43rHomD5dHUARw/s1600-h/Untitled-4+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL31qVwr8UYuKcxMIYVwwg3qXSUUIblywWvik8s1ZGJBIKJd9xOHxSILWiKxXgT8rslosSmWgPQ9AxcBClMCbQqcFE4F-5zfe7aOgSYXyrkUmIWi3KjUYd1pLN0GAk43rHomD5dHUARw/s400/Untitled-4+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398820934221405698" border="0" /></a><br />A big 'thank you' to Valerie for a most interesting commentary. It appears that every stage of this project has it's special challenges. And now the work has a name. Will Mary speak to Kathy, Leslie, Marina or me....stay tuned as to "Compositional Conversations".<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MORE ABOUT VALERIE S. GOODWIN</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdnCjSPajzkArJaOuP6NJ1KG6eWwgmPxFGbfjLNvyuOxuGV388-fN5WoPLWYlskAGxbcOXugKDFJRH6ncDgg5lbvUQjKaT53eBaqzPCgJ-bOg2ahIdBAbP1SYnfR3G6FXAjzSipZCVFA/s1600-h/vgoodwin+in+studio.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdnCjSPajzkArJaOuP6NJ1KG6eWwgmPxFGbfjLNvyuOxuGV388-fN5WoPLWYlskAGxbcOXugKDFJRH6ncDgg5lbvUQjKaT53eBaqzPCgJ-bOg2ahIdBAbP1SYnfR3G6FXAjzSipZCVFA/s400/vgoodwin+in+studio.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398823358409002258" border="0" /></a>Valerie in the studio.<br /><br /><br />Valerie S. Goodwin is a mixed media fiber artist whose background as an architect plays a fundamental role. She began designing and making quilts in 1998. Her interest began as part of her involvement in teaching architectural design classes at Florida A&M University's School of Architecture. Her students investigated parallels between architecture and quilting as an introduction to ideas about composition, ordering systems, color and pattern.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzCWpQc59XYV4Vmv36ILFKN501pOomHf40r8fSaG9A1KUQSk4BEk6u6C1IqyxYe_wuHN_pM9jcWgELyf24uHzgEC_VngUz58oSwfT2B-i0q37p-tbyd0GQsdvKTKZQPj7ZYnC9XRBFHk/s1600-h/city+gridII+scan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzCWpQc59XYV4Vmv36ILFKN501pOomHf40r8fSaG9A1KUQSk4BEk6u6C1IqyxYe_wuHN_pM9jcWgELyf24uHzgEC_VngUz58oSwfT2B-i0q37p-tbyd0GQsdvKTKZQPj7ZYnC9XRBFHk/s400/city+gridII+scan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398824156579792050" border="0" /></a>City Grid II<br /><br /><br />Overall her art has moved through various stages from traditional quilting to an interest in abstract expressionism and, more recently, work inspired by real and imaginary landscapes and cities. In some cases her work shows an architectural sense of space with an archeological perspective. In others, the network of the city and its built form is more prominent. Her compositions work on a number of levels, from close up and far away as if you were looking at it from above.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MWc0jDRlfyv8AxB7zMawjvSowzoYLcB74cC6-SD4swNKZT-kS2YcRl8L-2mSDKhdehoFo9WsdWLpL2OG0RMK60mo67w-683M-u24mMTSZ4ASX9mxCQQg4TQj0efKGlCNI_f1NrpHjcc/s1600-h/CityGridIVfull.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MWc0jDRlfyv8AxB7zMawjvSowzoYLcB74cC6-SD4swNKZT-kS2YcRl8L-2mSDKhdehoFo9WsdWLpL2OG0RMK60mo67w-683M-u24mMTSZ4ASX9mxCQQg4TQj0efKGlCNI_f1NrpHjcc/s400/CityGridIVfull.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398824873341713698" border="0" /></a>City Grid IV<br /><br />Goodwin's work is noted for its use of color, emphasis on line and density. Her quilts are part of a continuing investigation of ideas that focus on geometrical relationships, patterns and ordering principles found in architecture. Her work conveys these ideas abstractly, through the use of collage, layering, transparency, density and improvisation.<br /><br />She earned a Masters degree in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis after receiving her undergraduate degree from Yale University. Her work has been widely published and exhibited. She has also lectured and given workshops across the country.<br /><br />To see more of Valerie's work: <a name="SAWARN1d6ced5" id="SAWARN1d6ced5" original_name="" original_id="" real_href="http://quiltsbyvalerie.com/" target="_blank" href="http://quiltsbyvalerie.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1257012848_3">http://quiltsbyvalerie.com</span></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Du-2OWWKcIpnU_yiH4zm8O1qfGZVPREWqdAubpl0BK69y2iu2sSCkCzVVzRiG2LeL1jk3ZpzcuYSyP06VGuCbetKw2QQkptjOkkY3ySb_PYO5P_zGibnkFsmbrM8Der9J6nOjwBCP6k/s1600-h/bairddone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The participating artists are:</span> </span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/"> </a><a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/"> <span style="color:red;">Rebecca Howdeshell</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/n2c6qk"><span style="color:red;">Beth Carney</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnxtrj"><span style="color:red;">Shelley Baird</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mve8we"><span style="color:red;">Gayle Vickery Pritchard</span></a> , <a href="http://tinyurl.com/m96e33"><span style="color:red;">Judi Hurwitt</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l6cacs"><span style="color:red;">Leslie Bixel</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lyt4p9"><span style="color:red;">Fulvia Luciano</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnmtow"><span style="color:red;">Marcia DeCamp</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l2vn93"><span style="color:red;">Marina Kamenskaya</span></a>, <a href="http://www.saqa.com/media/Image/PressImages/Trans08/Swett-AgainstTheirWill%20copy.jpg"><span style="color:red;"> </span><span style="color:red;">Paula Swett</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mfoxj9"><span style="color:red;">Valerie Goodwin</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/llejnn"><span style="color:red;">Kathy Loomis</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kpnp5n"><span style="color:red;">Leslie Riley</span></a>, and <a href="http://tinyurl.com/dzeefj"><span style="color:red;">Terry Jarrard-Dimond</span></a>.</span> </div>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-30003733658340142062009-11-07T13:00:00.000-08:002009-11-07T10:10:16.519-08:00COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION: Stage 10 - Paula SwettWelcome to week Ten of COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION. I have been out of town and found myself unable to log on to my email so it was really fun this morning to download the image files from <a href="http://www.saqa.com/media/Image/PressImages/Trans08/Swett-AgainstTheirWill%20copy.jpg"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">Paula Swett</span></a> and see how she has handled our project piece. Following one of my favorite mottos, "Why wait?". Here is Paula's final version of our piece.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGd4pcFAm-d7ut78qkay5q24w4XalLprgqLibRbI6kXJaC5igzbuWKJJABV7jNHKjt9FjQnu_lIDpx5BZ6xMRfFvXoXzYV-raV9pwlK_6fGWjHc8KVgvCAefjs8xNmb-PtlL9yKHESA4/s1600-h/P1070530.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGd4pcFAm-d7ut78qkay5q24w4XalLprgqLibRbI6kXJaC5igzbuWKJJABV7jNHKjt9FjQnu_lIDpx5BZ6xMRfFvXoXzYV-raV9pwlK_6fGWjHc8KVgvCAefjs8xNmb-PtlL9yKHESA4/s400/P1070530.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396570557293911970" border="0" /></a>Stage Ten: by Paula Swett<br /><br /><br />Paula's Comments<br /><br />I received an email stating Gayle had shipped the project. While I was waiting from Sat. to Mon. for the package to arrive I reviewed everyone's composition and conversation with the project (I now call the project "CC"). I also reread Terry's initial remarks and rules for the project.<br /><br />I decided to write some rules for myself that would help me to respond to the project.<br /><br />1. I will not look at the postings again until after I finish working with the piece. It will distract me and influence my dialogue.<br /><br />2. I will remember not to take everything off and start all over (original rule).<br /><br />3. I will keep digital camera and computer at my side to document my dialogue.<br /><br />4. I will create some working rules when I open the piece.<br /><br />5. Do not break any of the above rules ( Ha Ha)<br /><br /><br />The project arrived on Mond. evening. I invited a friend over to witness the opening of the long awaited package. (feels like an exciting Xmas gift). I opened the box and first glanced through the bag of extra parts and looked them all over. Many pieces were familiar as they had appeared in earlier compositions. My professional life was in social work. In fact groups were my specialty thus I hate for anyone to feel left out and now my mind is already scheming "Maybe I can work these pieces into my conversation".<br /><br />I opened the project and hung in a horizontal format on my design wall. I photographed the piece, rotating several times and finally decided which layout spoke to me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXjgmWJ_t_XQB7Uh6RpmYTziEwsbgRcTUAs6vDA8xWRYgMvSJwJ9Hmlte9KMEEVDhubxZdjp8nNhoP17r46EhCy0VS_8KtZXo6CL1KVCSa016k7LSBaypDrlVIT3TE8MEP0onz1M6wv4/s1600-h/P1070508.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXjgmWJ_t_XQB7Uh6RpmYTziEwsbgRcTUAs6vDA8xWRYgMvSJwJ9Hmlte9KMEEVDhubxZdjp8nNhoP17r46EhCy0VS_8KtZXo6CL1KVCSa016k7LSBaypDrlVIT3TE8MEP0onz1M6wv4/s400/P1070508.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396589630702127106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">New orientation of project as done by Gayle Vickery Prichard.</span><br /><br />WOW!!!!! I see much has happened since Marcia's changes. There is so much going on that I stand way back from the piece and just keep saying "oh my" and "oh my goodness". Translating my expressions means "where do I begin" and "what can I say" and "I can't wait to start". Intuitively I jump right in and attack the middle section. I audition some of the beautiful pieced work from Beth. I need to warm this area up and help integrate this middle into the rest of the piece. I then put a section of Rebecca's green shape along side the red shape in the left unit.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0-CSDgm8jLWJ8TNhoqXL-dgwDBUaXV1ngF5vMwzjfalvfwnwf3fdwFTb0C9z2l4am0mubGQsBiw1LPhCvbgHEqne5_9VTdc0Jv6iFAaGeEaQV-aZfEXjE3uerIyUCPAal1_-kpaCviw/s1600-h/P1070509.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0-CSDgm8jLWJ8TNhoqXL-dgwDBUaXV1ngF5vMwzjfalvfwnwf3fdwFTb0C9z2l4am0mubGQsBiw1LPhCvbgHEqne5_9VTdc0Jv6iFAaGeEaQV-aZfEXjE3uerIyUCPAal1_-kpaCviw/s400/P1070509.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396590617969521106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Second stage of Paula's exploration.</span><br /><br /><br />I now removed my two added pieces. After looking at these quick additions/auditions I soon realized that I must have a framework for this conversation. I will be quiet and still observe, document and LISTEN to what I see in the piece presented to me. After listening I can dialogue with this piece. This is important for my compositional process as I could jump all over the place. Tomorrow I will devise a sort of road map to maintain focus.<br /><br />I spent much of my night arranging/rearranging planning during sleep time. This is good in that I know I am engaged with the piece and excited.<br /><br />I wake up and want to hutr anyone who gets in my way of running upstairs to the studio. Seeing the piece first thing in the morning is invigorating.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Observations - Day 2</span><br /><br />1. THE WHISPER GAME and HARD TO BELIEVE I AM ARTISTS #10!!!!!!!!!!<br />As a young child I used to play the whisper game also called the telephone game. The leader would whisper a sentence to the person beside her and this whisper would continue around the circle. By the time the sentence returned to the leader the original sentence was immensely changed.<br /><br />I am artist #10 and a lot has changed since Terry whispered this project to all of us. I know some of the early artists' work has disappeared. I have watched how once the work is shipped to the next person that voices have disappeared. There are 4 more artists after me who will also possibly change my work. I speak of this issue of loss and change not in judgment of good or bad, but to acknowledge. Many of the large shapes have rounded edges. There is a large black shape in high horizon on the right side. There are 3 sections with the right and left sections containing several colors (bright and mostly primary, except for the cold grey/pinstripe section). Smaller shapes --- x's, ovals, small rectangles and markings drawn all over with crayons or ????<br /><br />ROAD MAP FOR COMPOSING<br /><br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Keep the large shapes and remove all small pieces that do not add to the piece.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Figure out a way to transition left side to right side of composition.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Resolve the grey/pinstripe area and make the entire composition converse</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Keep in mind color (color distribution throughout the piece, value and really talk to the X's maybe more and in different sizes and colors probably best in groupings</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Remember the negative spaces</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Really like the challenge of the high horizon</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">And on and on in the composition game my mind goes but will put the brakes on now.<br /><br />I begin by putting the green remnant shape of Rebecca's work snug with the large red shape on the left side. (needs more happening over here) this addition looks like the "shape to nowhere" so I move it to the top of the red shape. A strong vertical shape that goes edge to edge will give strength to this side. I also removed some small rectangle pieces and the face and pants.<br /><br />Stepping back from those moves I am reminded of how just one move and the piece is out of balance.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROCLkDUQxRcdr73Kb-3IzmIm6afh_FgXRu8VnIwqVsqlbDjsVoMOLp83-cJUCJ_xq3lzb4MNJaa0dN2Ub-yPK_MDCHdFMvWzCTPPro4_dYx1xZyXbI8T2HzIbb0eVzxR-Zm5FL_aoJbM/s1600-h/P1070512.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROCLkDUQxRcdr73Kb-3IzmIm6afh_FgXRu8VnIwqVsqlbDjsVoMOLp83-cJUCJ_xq3lzb4MNJaa0dN2Ub-yPK_MDCHdFMvWzCTPPro4_dYx1xZyXbI8T2HzIbb0eVzxR-Zm5FL_aoJbM/s400/P1070512.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396595259877640690" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Third stage of Paula's exploration.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLE9LmtY3lQ03SiWDx2k5qhCj2qZCNEJubuf-Oz9VlXpl91-99JQRuCLgNAuCgUprsLAhbnHmVjycddHJ5V-BSDM83hndytHYbnHxeRzenyMvwKwz_LinedZwKT-ToNteLoqQJ_gI0pbo/s1600-h/P1070513.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLE9LmtY3lQ03SiWDx2k5qhCj2qZCNEJubuf-Oz9VlXpl91-99JQRuCLgNAuCgUprsLAhbnHmVjycddHJ5V-BSDM83hndytHYbnHxeRzenyMvwKwz_LinedZwKT-ToNteLoqQJ_gI0pbo/s400/P1070513.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396598186053342978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Fourth</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> stage of Paula's exploration.</span><br /><br /><br />I know this is the beginning of the struggles. I am glad I am documenting this work. In my studio I intuitively compose and do not speak out loud to myself about my compositional considerations.<br /><br />I now audition a shape from the traveling bag of pieces and place part of the surface designed fabric coming out of the large shape of red on the right. I am again concerned about how to connect the left side to the right and to work in a continuous high horizon. Well, that shape didn't work at all, very distracting and not at all pleasing to my eye.<br /><br />I know that I must resolve this high horizon now because I want that idea to work and that it will be an important part to resolve. I cut a red shape with arc that created the line to the other side and horizon. I added varying sizes of x's for color, value, movement and repetition of shape.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VW7kQFlM4cROQHKHmjYY5cHlSxoASgGLeYo1-KnvHdPnzQY79Nd11XhmsUnhQ1g_Go_AVxqLeKBWaF_PUlbBCY5N7EDTHN0_Jd4DiQfPyF9BBpUV3wO-YhWqgwkd0Zg1tkaf0QWVcko/s1600-h/P1070519.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VW7kQFlM4cROQHKHmjYY5cHlSxoASgGLeYo1-KnvHdPnzQY79Nd11XhmsUnhQ1g_Go_AVxqLeKBWaF_PUlbBCY5N7EDTHN0_Jd4DiQfPyF9BBpUV3wO-YhWqgwkd0Zg1tkaf0QWVcko/s400/P1070519.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396600569816155474" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Fifth</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> stage of Paula's exploration.</span><br /><br /><br />At this point I sit quietly with what I have done so far. I realize once more each move makes a lot of noise. I turn my attention to the bl/grey/pinstripe area. This is the first time I notice the upper right corner of this section has a chunk cut out of the blue background and the black does not reach the edge. I resolve that issue by using the yellow/green color (felt that I needed to add that color to the piece anyhow) to replace the blue grey and a new crisper white and black stripe. (Much time spent deciding on width of stripe and pressing exterior edge into slight curvilinear edge.)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNj1Stx444PJaK56k5pWEyPCg5yYXcSRHA0rhHPR50nQjF7ucfwCioQf8Bsx_VzW41tpMfMuwrnMOMeb32vf4PSgPoDu8Wawy3USxEV7HFUSYCAyRcu1frcan7yF5qkltjkbxXCOy7mNs/s1600-h/P1070522.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNj1Stx444PJaK56k5pWEyPCg5yYXcSRHA0rhHPR50nQjF7ucfwCioQf8Bsx_VzW41tpMfMuwrnMOMeb32vf4PSgPoDu8Wawy3USxEV7HFUSYCAyRcu1frcan7yF5qkltjkbxXCOy7mNs/s400/P1070522.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396601801735730770" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sixth</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> stage of Paula's exploration.</span><br /><br /><br />I now go back to the left side realizing the green shape that is not extended to the edge and it needs to go off the edge. I pieced an addition to that. I now am disturbed by the x/s and spend some time refining color, size and placement. The pale yellow rectangle that float on the red piece (left side) are replaced with a rectangle shape revealing the underlying violet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGd4pcFAm-d7ut78qkay5q24w4XalLprgqLibRbI6kXJaC5igzbuWKJJABV7jNHKjt9FjQnu_lIDpx5BZ6xMRfFvXoXzYV-raV9pwlK_6fGWjHc8KVgvCAefjs8xNmb-PtlL9yKHESA4/s1600-h/P1070530.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGd4pcFAm-d7ut78qkay5q24w4XalLprgqLibRbI6kXJaC5igzbuWKJJABV7jNHKjt9FjQnu_lIDpx5BZ6xMRfFvXoXzYV-raV9pwlK_6fGWjHc8KVgvCAefjs8xNmb-PtlL9yKHESA4/s400/P1070530.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396570557293911970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Final version (same as first image).</span><br /><br /><br />I must say this has been a great exercise for me to really listen to myself as I work.<br /><br />Thanks again for the opportunity to engage with a wonderful group of talented artists.<br /><br /><br />Thank you Paula. You make an interesting observation regarding the use of design elements and principles when the artists has internalized those guidelines. How do we listen to our own creative self in the privacy of our studios?<br /><br />More about Paula.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mini Artist Profile - Paula Swett</span><br /><br />Artist Statement<br /><br />I credit my mother and two grandmothers for giving me the passion for and gift of handwork. I learned from them to knit and sew, to create clothes and quilts. However, what was created went beyond the material process. I was woven into an intergenerational community of creative women who's contagious passion to express continue to be a common thread in my life.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILZaGhdBXalPtxTtNGyocLBT3GIAFwwp71064LCgIwUo3XzR7lGQ-7k3FQGEW88bxHVaHBwdvkncWjoOZtvSMTzZeEroHstd3sLz-ArQlng8RFPEqgLRKDhnVM-oxOunk3Mc5Dlc7xx4/s1600-h/channel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILZaGhdBXalPtxTtNGyocLBT3GIAFwwp71064LCgIwUo3XzR7lGQ-7k3FQGEW88bxHVaHBwdvkncWjoOZtvSMTzZeEroHstd3sLz-ArQlng8RFPEqgLRKDhnVM-oxOunk3Mc5Dlc7xx4/s400/channel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396604801321297330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My work is a personal narrative, weaving imprinted images retrieved from childhood, with my life's journey and current events. My work expresses a glimpse of life, a momentary look or a non objective impression. I work intuitively reacting to the creative inspiration and to the mediums I use. An intimate dialogue is created between the experience and the designed surfaces that result.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HW7d1_B-rvDfDsVc88mjWm-F8nA1hLUfHU6U7FX7TbX08kFeEbf6cgvSz1p7X_csC_cErI24WcoHMYtxOX2b4loYQG-8xf583MvYAyVzAxB1IIZMhEMaOGgKHg72nSLxl5LiJqb0irE/s1600-h/glimpse+11.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HW7d1_B-rvDfDsVc88mjWm-F8nA1hLUfHU6U7FX7TbX08kFeEbf6cgvSz1p7X_csC_cErI24WcoHMYtxOX2b4loYQG-8xf583MvYAyVzAxB1IIZMhEMaOGgKHg72nSLxl5LiJqb0irE/s400/glimpse+11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396604801606071586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My voice is boundless. When I create my work, I use photographs, journal pages, sketches, and the thoughts from life's passages and everyda musings.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRnvXVH4ICeTnDR3FD8GtkWSUe085sepuC5CWUAz-dx7Yj6gEk1KByLX3X8DaVYFF7jFekxTvV3nMoH_kixRB8w6KfNpCZ3XXNo37VA3aLIGXxAUwmkr_99vJaaJcL6CKo_x40au5BtY/s1600-h/glimpse10full.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRnvXVH4ICeTnDR3FD8GtkWSUe085sepuC5CWUAz-dx7Yj6gEk1KByLX3X8DaVYFF7jFekxTvV3nMoH_kixRB8w6KfNpCZ3XXNo37VA3aLIGXxAUwmkr_99vJaaJcL6CKo_x40au5BtY/s400/glimpse10full.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396604803934591282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I use many methods in my work including improvisational cutting, piecing, layering, stitching and dying to name a few.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVwe1V0A4w3MA0OPfuuVs6kSySrVoob0Sd2hQIg_bO4TtWBE5gZ7sWxru4vvaX1DrHFXXs_VuVAyI_x4h8wTzgclSGGWfHc5z4SGFpHJuRSVkB-TytABeAhoZ-nIrGdBUeOM8laQAD9g/s1600-h/glimpse5full.jpg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVwe1V0A4w3MA0OPfuuVs6kSySrVoob0Sd2hQIg_bO4TtWBE5gZ7sWxru4vvaX1DrHFXXs_VuVAyI_x4h8wTzgclSGGWfHc5z4SGFpHJuRSVkB-TytABeAhoZ-nIrGdBUeOM8laQAD9g/s400/glimpse5full.jpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396604808411817906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Paula Swett is a studio artist. She lives in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. She has been working with <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkoZbl5f-51pH7bWsS4PXzFClxESFR9GLZE2V_Zupbxa9UWJ4Rf0VsA23net0gLqdlt8oVvDr7pHjabg33zCbr-x4G01DOnosuc5tzavj8LNOeYvfEalUWotuZiuLoyBo7b6AkexU15s/s1600-h/paula+swett.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 66px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkoZbl5f-51pH7bWsS4PXzFClxESFR9GLZE2V_Zupbxa9UWJ4Rf0VsA23net0gLqdlt8oVvDr7pHjabg33zCbr-x4G01DOnosuc5tzavj8LNOeYvfEalUWotuZiuLoyBo7b6AkexU15s/s400/paula+swett.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396941892435582082" border="0" /></a>her own hand dyed textiles creating art quilts since the early 90's. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally.<br /><br />Paula earned a B.S.W. from the University of Vermont. She has studied with many of the leading fiber artists for the past 10 years. Paula has taught art, art quilting, owned an art gallery for many years and continues to support the arts in her area.<br /><br />You can reach Paula at:<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">paula@magpienet.biz</span></span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Du-2OWWKcIpnU_yiH4zm8O1qfGZVPREWqdAubpl0BK69y2iu2sSCkCzVVzRiG2LeL1jk3ZpzcuYSyP06VGuCbetKw2QQkptjOkkY3ySb_PYO5P_zGibnkFsmbrM8Der9J6nOjwBCP6k/s1600-h/bairddone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The participating artists are:</span> </span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/"> </a><a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/"> <span style="color:red;">Rebecca Howdeshell</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/n2c6qk"><span style="color:red;">Beth Carney</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnxtrj"><span style="color:red;">Shelley Baird</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mve8we"><span style="color:red;">Gayle Vickery Pritchard</span></a> , <a href="http://tinyurl.com/m96e33"><span style="color:red;">Judi Hurwitt</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l6cacs"><span style="color:red;">Leslie Bixel</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lyt4p9"><span style="color:red;">Fulvia Luciano</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnmtow"><span style="color:red;">Marcia DeCamp</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l2vn93"><span style="color:red;">Marina Kamenskaya</span></a>, <a href="http://www.saqa.com/media/Image/PressImages/Trans08/Swett-AgainstTheirWill%20copy.jpg"><span style="color:red;"> </span><span style="color:red;">Paula Swett</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mfoxj9"><span style="color:red;">Valerie Goodwin</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/llejnn"><span style="color:red;">Kathy Loomis</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kpnp5n"><span style="color:red;">Leslie Riley</span></a>, and <a href="http://tinyurl.com/dzeefj"><span style="color:red;">Terry Jarrard-Dimond</span></a>.</span> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-71979690072763358372009-11-07T10:07:00.000-08:002009-11-07T10:08:42.268-08:00CCOMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION: Stage 9 - Gayle Vickery Prichard<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtesVIiy0I78Xp8nDl9jNB_mJzzusgSCE61K7R_mmojeJMW3NScX9x8QFiLfmvQsWUlYccaSkKSbAiA82iWpyAm1AAqO-pnpNFvs7GOL9GJx5dLEnR4SFuv-KABqkNbappRtz-Hb-O-MY/s1600-h/Gayle's+composition+final.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 298px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392559243547464866" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtesVIiy0I78Xp8nDl9jNB_mJzzusgSCE61K7R_mmojeJMW3NScX9x8QFiLfmvQsWUlYccaSkKSbAiA82iWpyAm1AAqO-pnpNFvs7GOL9GJx5dLEnR4SFuv-KABqkNbappRtz-Hb-O-MY/s400/Gayle's+composition+final.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION is back from a 'week off' and what a fun return! Gayle Vickery Pritchard is our artist this week and she, like several of our previous artists, has really put herself into this project. Now how in the world did she do it? Read on and find out.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUbAFIL_0onYS7dEC2lz49ScsQ_IyGBdLLY7N_4QO_YfJa6tSm_VEgh7RxFHKZKwovrPDOfWk2F2L8x_hcO8cuXK37NzzrptVTdtV9SPP2RkKJqRDPG__74MdB-ipGrUjw7uEdSK6xks/s1600-h/journal+entry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 339px; display: block; height: 400px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392559249757909202" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUbAFIL_0onYS7dEC2lz49ScsQ_IyGBdLLY7N_4QO_YfJa6tSm_VEgh7RxFHKZKwovrPDOfWk2F2L8x_hcO8cuXK37NzzrptVTdtV9SPP2RkKJqRDPG__74MdB-ipGrUjw7uEdSK6xks/s400/journal+entry.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Journal Entry<br /><br /><br />10-13-09 Compositional Conversation Comments by Gayle<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Although I received the package a week ago, knowing I wasn't going to work on it until this week, I refrained from opening the quilt to look at it. I didn't want to start thinking about it until I was ready to work on it. I did clear space on one wall of my small studio to create a mental workplace. I also printed out the eight stages to date on Sunday to look at the choices people had made, study the orientation, and think about what I liked and didn't like about each stage.<br /><br />After looking at the pictures of the various stages, my trusty inner voice came into play. Last night I dreamed about the work, and woke up to make notes in my journal. (See photo). As a life long journal keeper, I think when I am problem-solving, it continues into my sleep state, as I often wake up with fresh ideas and solutions. That is what happened to me last night, so I went with it, as I have learned to trust this part of myself over the years.<br /><br />I still had one errand to do this morning before I could begin working, so once again, I refrained from hanging the quilt on my work wall. All the way to the post office, my mind began the conversation started in my sleep. Like many of the artists in this process, I thought I might begin by dismantling or playing around with the composition, trying this and that, gradually putting it back together. When I got home, I hung the piece up, having already decided that I needed to begin working on it as I would any of my own pieces. As I wrote in my journal, I was going to "meet the piece where it is now and talk." This is what I proceeded to do.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I liked the horizontal orientation, and hung it that way on my wall. As I do in my own work, I grabbed a marking tool, and began making marks. I had thought about doing some discharge, but the tests I did on the background fabrics gave questionable results.<br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuSMw6VN4pdtDpkRjEjmdY6wJ3bmt3Ihvdo95kwXRhI01f6q8dtI2b98WRO_8KU3sOeDzMaMvDXvRx5JSA76qEA9YJ-WomBqstXFssqp_1uxF4Mq24uWaeG4v5hsIoc4nAfs3U5NCVCE/s1600-h/discharge+experiment.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392558891899319842" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuSMw6VN4pdtDpkRjEjmdY6wJ3bmt3Ihvdo95kwXRhI01f6q8dtI2b98WRO_8KU3sOeDzMaMvDXvRx5JSA76qEA9YJ-WomBqstXFssqp_1uxF4Mq24uWaeG4v5hsIoc4nAfs3U5NCVCE/s400/discharge+experiment.jpg" border="0" /></a>Discharge Results<br /><br />Marking on my work allows me to vent my pent-up feelings of anticipation as I begin work, and to "enter" the piece to work. I generally begin my own work this way, even though the marks and the narrative text often end up hidden in the final composition.<br /><br />Although I liked the color, especially the new blue, I felt the vertical yellow area with the black strip beside it in the previous incarnation of the piece broke the piece into two distinct pieces. I also felt the yellow area was too wide, so in the end, I just removed it, and everything that was attached to it. This left the previous grayed-out blue background fabric that had been covered with the brighter blue. I decided just to work with it, and focus on integrating the right side with the left side. I drew over some of my previous marks with a black fabric pen, but did not heat set it, so those marks, too, would be removable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z9KgzeYzkTpqP3HzZfyIwS7UsEcIxEALkUMGjZrKeQNToJxS8VNiSQMjHKyxPB5j41XOaRaVc7QJ6zhsofuTsYnv-YvprnbCTfYyCDk2CYRlEdK3isIYkPh5_ctFkaFPxZtTBNxGpP0/s1600-h/cc+detail+a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392558874967278546" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z9KgzeYzkTpqP3HzZfyIwS7UsEcIxEALkUMGjZrKeQNToJxS8VNiSQMjHKyxPB5j41XOaRaVc7QJ6zhsofuTsYnv-YvprnbCTfYyCDk2CYRlEdK3isIYkPh5_ctFkaFPxZtTBNxGpP0/s400/cc+detail+a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This detail shows some of the marks made by Gayle.</span><br /><br />After moving the printed fabric shapes around, and cutting some of the scraps into more oval shapes, I cut out the shapes I had dreamed about, quasi-"X" shapes with soft corners that reminded me of some of the shapes of the reverse appliqued African kuba cloths I have around my house. I allowed extra seam allowances on the edges, so they are cut a bit larger than they would be finished. I added these because I really wanted some more already-placed geometric shapes, and cut through some of the fabrics to create more "X" shapes for reverse applique.<br /><br />Finally, I added some black and white commercial fabrics to direct the eye and create more of a focal point in the piece. Had I had more of the hand manipulated fabric that had previously been cut into the boomerang shape, I would have cut more of the oval shapes, but there wasn't any more, so I didn't. I added some more black fabric pen markings around those, as well, which I also did not heat set.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ3Y98_okQNAMt2UkS40sNR-fUJOT3WsyacRchdjJ9R5Zb-d-6BVxCDJLYjatVJFDD_UCHSmIk2dFMjQRPiwX4MkQLFi5r9zzWlLn4P6fjQzFy9TXT9Ht5vYD8WdIMe8eNlmRcTtX58g/s1600-h/cc+detail+b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392558883740123458" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ3Y98_okQNAMt2UkS40sNR-fUJOT3WsyacRchdjJ9R5Zb-d-6BVxCDJLYjatVJFDD_UCHSmIk2dFMjQRPiwX4MkQLFi5r9zzWlLn4P6fjQzFy9TXT9Ht5vYD8WdIMe8eNlmRcTtX58g/s400/cc+detail+b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Detail showing additional marks and commercial printed fabric.</span><br /><br />When starting a piece, my process is often to mark the piece, enter the space, and interact with the surface. Compositional Conversations was no different. My only thought was whether to make my marks removable or permanent. Since my own work is collage, I never worry about what is underneath anything else. If I don't like it somehow, I can cover it up later, but it will still be a part of the piece. I don't agonize over my own work, I just do it, place something, respond, keep working in the moment.<br /><br />The biggest challenge for me was working with all solid fabrics cut into geometric shapes. Beautiful as they are, my own work is always <span style="font-style: italic;">about</span> something, usually my expression of very tangible events in my life. It was fun responding to the beauty of the colors as they talked with each other on my wall. Although I admit to some trepidation about how others might respond to my removed pieces, marks on the surface and cut holes, I decided in the end that working in my own voice was the only honest way to approach this piece.<br /><br /><br />Thank you Gayle for an interesting commentary and insight into a way of working I am not familiar with.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MINI ARTIST PROFILE - Gayle Vickery Pritchard</span><br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5RiipWshJ0awBHFHsivJ5JBVMgF9aFTyQFaRQDDXu0B_d7sUO5w1MGao20aAcB-R_jxZe9Su5dyyMLxff39WhmnDbDJHrmum322mDN1TimWixa8bczGrjuFZnwZ0EpnSltmfMyIzKRM/s1600-h/Gayle+with+I+Hear+Voices+in+My+Head.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 391px; display: block; height: 400px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392559236661516514" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5RiipWshJ0awBHFHsivJ5JBVMgF9aFTyQFaRQDDXu0B_d7sUO5w1MGao20aAcB-R_jxZe9Su5dyyMLxff39WhmnDbDJHrmum322mDN1TimWixa8bczGrjuFZnwZ0EpnSltmfMyIzKRM/s400/Gayle+with+I+Hear+Voices+in+My+Head.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Gayle standing next to <span style="font-style: italic;">I Hear Voices In My Head</span><br /><br /><br />Gayle Vickery Pritchard is a well-known fiber artist whose career has spanned some 25 years. In addition, she is an independent curator, lecturer, teacher and publisher writer. Gayle studied art at the College of Wooster, Paul Valery University in France, the Surface Desighn Symposium in Columbus, Ohio, and the Cleveland Institute of Art. Her work has been widely exhibited in galleries and museums across the United States and in Denmark, Japan, and Australia. Highlight exhibitions include the Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio Designer Craftsmen and Visions, an international fiber exhibition in San Diego. Commissions include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Quilt, the Smithsonian Craft Archives, and the opening of the Peter Lewis Building, desined by Frank Gehry, in Cleveland, Ohio. She is featured in the 1997 Encyclopedia of Living Artists, and was named Teacher of the Year finalist by Professional Quilter Magazine. Her work has been widely published, including these books: <span style="font-style: italic;">Quilts of the Ohio Western Reserve</span> (Ricky Clark, Ohio University Press), <span style="font-style: italic;">Crafting Personal Shrines</span> (Carol Owne, Lark Books) and <span style="font-style: italic;">The Art Quilt</span> (Robert Shaw, Hugh Lauter Levin). In addition to numerous magazine articles, Pritchard is the author of the newly released book, <span style="font-style: italic;">Uncommon Threads: Ohio's Art Quilt Revolution</span> (Ohio University Press, December 2006). She is currently completing a second book, a biography of artist Susan Shie of Wooster, Ohio.<br /><br />She can be contacted at<a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" href="http://www.gaylepritchardart.com/"> http://www.gaylepritchardart.com</a> or <a style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);" href="http://www.gaylepritchard.etsy.com/">http://www.gaylepritchard.etsy.com/</a> She keeps a blog at <a style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);" href="http://www.gaylepritchard.blogspot.com/">http://www.gaylepritchard.blogspot.com/</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MSFoCpnDBaI6Vg3DH1J3P2dht_BPHUmANSB0YjP30Fa00hn7MH17Q97oOQvv4ITrNPOuCJlEOvgaazSdqm0n_l3GEifum3FmVg_UB_73J146AQmfRrVNis58narymEOfP38I0NegbgY/s1600-h/Gayle+with+For+Sadie+Jane.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 302px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392558893314692146" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MSFoCpnDBaI6Vg3DH1J3P2dht_BPHUmANSB0YjP30Fa00hn7MH17Q97oOQvv4ITrNPOuCJlEOvgaazSdqm0n_l3GEifum3FmVg_UB_73J146AQmfRrVNis58narymEOfP38I0NegbgY/s400/Gayle+with+For+Sadie+Jane.jpg" border="0" /></a>Gayle with <span style="font-style: italic;">For Sadie Jane</span><br /><br /><br />We invite you to leave comments for Gayle and the other artists who has contributed to this project.Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-58227784125032318672009-10-25T12:14:00.000-07:002009-10-25T12:15:11.318-07:00VIDEO COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION 1-9<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwX_OXKbGT9AM27tavY9bPYbybxufbx3VV8mUah6ZMBXAGBmEj2oSPWbF08e5yKQsyp3G2Ese5T1l6I2bXfUA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br />You are invited to enjoy the newest version of our Compositional Conversation video as created by Fulvia Luciano.<br /><br />Tomorrow we will be updating the project with Stage #10 by Paula Swett.Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-84946975329539431622009-10-14T14:36:00.000-07:002009-10-14T14:38:15.029-07:00COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION: Stage Eight - Marcia DeCamp<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2NTHEqhBOrJu8xgmToXPKJA4jEJL9_5lqSmDXEl2pmGcHd2OUS8FNojVPsnfWpW-wofO0aC1w8QEDB7Xs2v6_8gmT33E4awJE2SM50Hj_E7dY26mcfzuJmUp_8_QZ3jkJDS2y2XPWP0/s1600-h/MarciaDeCamp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2NTHEqhBOrJu8xgmToXPKJA4jEJL9_5lqSmDXEl2pmGcHd2OUS8FNojVPsnfWpW-wofO0aC1w8QEDB7Xs2v6_8gmT33E4awJE2SM50Hj_E7dY26mcfzuJmUp_8_QZ3jkJDS2y2XPWP0/s400/MarciaDeCamp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387249642966931554" border="0" /></a><br />Stage Eight<br /><br />I decided to follow my motto of 'WHY WAIT' and present Stage Eight of COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION by <a href="http://www.decampstudio.com/"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Marcia DeCamp </span></a>first thing. Like previous participants of our project, Marcia dove right into the project and has put her stamp on the work.<br /><br />MARCIA'S COMMENTS:<br /><br />It's been great fun watching the composition change as each artist worked with it, and it was exciting to receive the package in the mail and unfold the project. I've noticed other studio kitties in previous posts, and our resident kitty "Inspector Suki" was immediately at the ready to guard the unused fabric pieces that came in the baggie -- or at least to settle in on them for a nap.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArUrunmR0AI9hkqAy_CZuUsDcHWfCS4BU93vgo5mb3IJ12FZIvztuteRMKP1A-tvI0TuOUsDdsoWMJkhTGA6gswukDkrfGSixWyFydJWOrPvMfjdifcBJ-SkoLTdlP_7LY0PsKve3SeA/s1600-h/myd1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArUrunmR0AI9hkqAy_CZuUsDcHWfCS4BU93vgo5mb3IJ12FZIvztuteRMKP1A-tvI0TuOUsDdsoWMJkhTGA6gswukDkrfGSixWyFydJWOrPvMfjdifcBJ-SkoLTdlP_7LY0PsKve3SeA/s400/myd1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387252273974762418" border="0" /></a><br />Inspector Suki<br /><br />Not seeing how Fulvia completed her turn with the composition before I started, I wondered if I would pick the same orientation as she intended - and it turns out I did. As I studied it, I felt that it looked like there was a centered composition sitting on the larger background and that the background fabric wasn't engaged in any way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6uXF4uXfDCPYHuaY0-j1nJ33MOM13mlH9F3plNQa3-ElHOabFF5l85UDOgHeO8ES0jPWCSgpbUDyg7HK5ShQWcZ9VHRNhcPpEliiOi0UCfZWgAvNEJGG2-bxxnUsDUaOfAt_VCt8UCA/s1600-h/myd2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6uXF4uXfDCPYHuaY0-j1nJ33MOM13mlH9F3plNQa3-ElHOabFF5l85UDOgHeO8ES0jPWCSgpbUDyg7HK5ShQWcZ9VHRNhcPpEliiOi0UCfZWgAvNEJGG2-bxxnUsDUaOfAt_VCt8UCA/s400/myd2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387253091937109698" border="0" /></a><br />Stage Six: Fulvia Luciano<br /><br />Prior to getting the package, I had imagined that I would spend my time with the project by trying out shapes of fabrics in pleasing colors that I could add to the composition, hopefully providing some new excitement or a jumping-off point for the next stage. I didn't imagine heading off in new directions -- honest! - but that's what happened.<br /><br />Since the lovely blue/gray background piece didn't seem to be engaging the other fabrics, I decided to try to pump up the background and to provide a stronger color structure. So here comes some royal blue, some purple, and more red to go with the piece of black - enough of it to totally cover the base background fabric. And let's try a horizontal orientation while we're at it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQT7XAT3A3wahGSGPIe1qAhC5kBDPo8AmCCz8zQuM0ty4H9A__zMj_xFAo64gzT8x1DrzGhMvFFp-HaQA6-s3qbXwDUd0SBjTyMvbYqh-QaAcVezHaAcRVqsfZW3tPBay5NeTV7EjnBpg/s1600-h/myd3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQT7XAT3A3wahGSGPIe1qAhC5kBDPo8AmCCz8zQuM0ty4H9A__zMj_xFAo64gzT8x1DrzGhMvFFp-HaQA6-s3qbXwDUd0SBjTyMvbYqh-QaAcVezHaAcRVqsfZW3tPBay5NeTV7EjnBpg/s400/myd3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387254645088133778" border="0" /></a><br />New Background<br /><br />Then I added a strip of light limey yellow and started trying out some of the elements from the current composition and some of the pieces from the scrap baggie. My thought at this point was to provide some large foreground and background shapes that would provide some more spaces for interaction in the next stages.<br /><br />I decided to coordinate more red shapes to balance Terry's red shape. I wanted to incorporate some of Shelly's painted pieces for their color and texture, and wished the colors of Beth's pieced strips would have worked with the backgrounds I picked.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3i_-PdjTL-0xRCAhZFLh7876rxyI-wzZVyaZ4j8LbKBFCmBfEISoPFEC5brJIzzBvXHOKqzDUdy4tYQzo_NrPhOkWGqpfDljXVOkJZmJZsnmDGulJG0Gmgu8Cx7SilcRZ3qHbpEPHZI/s1600-h/myd4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3i_-PdjTL-0xRCAhZFLh7876rxyI-wzZVyaZ4j8LbKBFCmBfEISoPFEC5brJIzzBvXHOKqzDUdy4tYQzo_NrPhOkWGqpfDljXVOkJZmJZsnmDGulJG0Gmgu8Cx7SilcRZ3qHbpEPHZI/s400/myd4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387255748609916674" border="0" /></a><br />Developing Composition<br /><br /><br />Less of the small elements made it feel less disjointed.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2sXr4kq83jVq6RuPFntMeP9SDWXghc410TLprYO9FO7_SNiLQjB0ztPdM2PLDQoy3YNAXP3YEdtHGg6kqEcCQcmcmyWERy_fCApMPHb9ai96ghojgkCgiKzzWah1TdgOs36Xr6z14_8/s1600-h/myd5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2sXr4kq83jVq6RuPFntMeP9SDWXghc410TLprYO9FO7_SNiLQjB0ztPdM2PLDQoy3YNAXP3YEdtHGg6kqEcCQcmcmyWERy_fCApMPHb9ai96ghojgkCgiKzzWah1TdgOs36Xr6z14_8/s400/myd5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387256278831992978" border="0" /></a><br />More Refined Composition<br /><br />Now -- A strip of textured black from the scrap baggie is added so the black fabric along the bottom almost appears to weave. The light strip needs to be more limey than yellow. And -- how much red is too much red?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgw4mMSBSDYdtuKOGp2gEcvhK_XcxRGJqdMe8UN56gf5b046kQkqta6fXbU-PoOz1-L7xgpxTsRn8L5SUj8j1oHx0dRuh2WlN5783ev1Z7JOtWoFM8bQBQMlD1NzbefR1Bka0kQHWFyY/s1600-h/myd6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgw4mMSBSDYdtuKOGp2gEcvhK_XcxRGJqdMe8UN56gf5b046kQkqta6fXbU-PoOz1-L7xgpxTsRn8L5SUj8j1oHx0dRuh2WlN5783ev1Z7JOtWoFM8bQBQMlD1NzbefR1Bka0kQHWFyY/s400/myd6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387257188316273938" border="0" /></a><br />Composition With More Red<br /><br /><br />And, as Fulvia said, at this point in the process it would be fun to just continue trying out different iterations. And although it's hard to quit without refining the red shapes and before reaching a final resolution, I will stop here.<br /><br /><br />In conclusion, I was surprised how easy it was to just jump in and make major changes to the project. Obviously, we all bring our own experiences and sense of style to our work on the piece, and I think my preference for bold shapes and saturated colors has come out. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in each of the next stages!<br /><br />FINAL VERSION IS PICTURED AT TOP<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Artist Profile: Marcia DeCamp</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LXUCcmvxUBrgw84Qb_SUJ_3GNEUSHyvETaJGIyH1jAQiFRtQ74Nes6vTlLYpDhmDzucUNxCw1eW7gMhQMGeu7Gj3oFlQjOTWI_Zuri58I0lyR-DVrDmaX7XZTkEftNQKO3EPdDqEmEE/s1600-h/marciadecamprvc1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LXUCcmvxUBrgw84Qb_SUJ_3GNEUSHyvETaJGIyH1jAQiFRtQ74Nes6vTlLYpDhmDzucUNxCw1eW7gMhQMGeu7Gj3oFlQjOTWI_Zuri58I0lyR-DVrDmaX7XZTkEftNQKO3EPdDqEmEE/s400/marciadecamprvc1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387260019455422162" border="0" /></a><br />Marcia DeCamp with<span style="font-style: italic;"> JET TRAILS #6</span> at 2008<br />Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center's Quilts=Art=Quilts<br /><br /><br />I was formerly a Professor of Business Technology at a two-year community college and then established and managed a successful computer consulting company. But I wanted to explore a different type of creative challenge in 2000 when I purchased a sewing machine and took my first quilting classes. While I initially took traditional quilting classes, I soon began studying with Nancy Crow. That choice has immersed me in improvisational quilt making ever since.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSIUoB-rbVMPWlEgZZhyphenhyphen0QjYrhmztlhXnCm-C3HPOAHgbaMElEIcuDVOuAtRZu_wBEdVEdzlEPIkmND3wMLzoeBmxKbAJvamt_n-eQy-Dx0pIv4i3SqDeTbe25s55n-h8YFXfv1ElhGY/s1600-h/JetTrails8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSIUoB-rbVMPWlEgZZhyphenhyphen0QjYrhmztlhXnCm-C3HPOAHgbaMElEIcuDVOuAtRZu_wBEdVEdzlEPIkmND3wMLzoeBmxKbAJvamt_n-eQy-Dx0pIv4i3SqDeTbe25s55n-h8YFXfv1ElhGY/s320/JetTrails8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387305606596577266" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Jet Trails #8</span><br /><br /><br />I love working with abstract designs and strong geometric patterns and predominately use machine piecing and machine quilting. My feelings for the Southwest are often reflected in the color palettes of my quilts. I use cotton fabrics, some commercial, along with my hand-dyed and discharged pieces.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetu8LSoIrU12ccM5EG7qOcv3EA4xaag36etdSvWZ0wFw4ws9jKBygrs3e0m0bk5_odGEx2zKIf4tt1RjQqWtPxSCug3y9RTfTG5y-fobAHtMUN_F0pCv80_sEUeeHqE2n0BcAyQRu6MY/s1600-h/BrokenSquares.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetu8LSoIrU12ccM5EG7qOcv3EA4xaag36etdSvWZ0wFw4ws9jKBygrs3e0m0bk5_odGEx2zKIf4tt1RjQqWtPxSCug3y9RTfTG5y-fobAHtMUN_F0pCv80_sEUeeHqE2n0BcAyQRu6MY/s400/BrokenSquares.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387262188122541298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Broken Squares 2009</span>- Exhibited in SAQA's Musings exhibition<br /><br /><br /><br />My husband, Bill, and I live on a 50-acre country property near Rochester, New York. We have designed, created and maintained extensive ornamental and vegetable gardens. In 2007, we completed a 25 x 35 foot timber frame addition to create a wonderful state-of-the-art studio.<br /><br />Thank you Marcia. The project is next in the studio of Gayle Vickery Prichard.<br /><br />**<span style="font-style: italic;">I will be away during the coming week and will not be able to answer your emails but I encourage you to comment on the progress of the project and support these adventuresome artists.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-75525340947916549092009-09-29T06:10:00.000-07:002009-09-29T06:11:43.456-07:00COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION: Stage Seven - Fulvia LucianoThe<span style="font-style: italic;"> Compositional Conversation</span> piece continues to develop and travel from artist to artist and each version continues to be a surprise and in some way, a reflection of the artist of that stage. One of the aspects I have found most interesting is the variety of approaches I hear described. This is not surprising to me but it is especially interesting as "the studio experience" is the main driving force in my own work and I know that over time we all develop ways of working that are very specific to our own personalities and techniques.<br /><br />This week's artist is <a href="http://fulviastudio.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Fulvia Luciano</span></a> whose work focuses on surface design. Fulvia is the creator of our video and has shared with us a few of the compositions she auditioned.<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJXUWMllSS2Pp8VH-YO-Neo7jIGKEfeibVw8cgjjGp96l-VeOmtRfMGMsjo6F94PSmEu2-RV34oYbkX7RB2A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fulvia Luciano's Comments</span><br /><br />I have enjoyed the challenge of being part of a group process that has been completely new and foreign to me. Funny how what I thought would be difficult or of concern, never was. By that I mean that I had imagined all along that "touching" someone else's parts (stay tuned for more on that choice of words) would be unthinkable and probably not something I could execute. Fear not - I touched, I cut, I moved!<br /><br />As it turns out, I unpacked and pinned up on my design wall the project as Leslie sent it to me. I let it hang there for a few hours and kept observing it to try and understand it in the flesh, as opposed to what I had been seeing on the blog, like all of you. This confirmed my very first reaction: that I liked the vertical orientation of the piece, its colour, shape and size, and that my favorite shape was the one with which Terry launched this, but also that there was just too much going on, not all of which I could understand or follow visually. On any day, I subscribe to the 'less is more' style so I had to edit, edit, edit the work. In looking at the piece as it had come to me, I kept thinking of Ray Bradbury's writings or some other fantastic plot whereby the component parts were on a joyous trip at the shore...I liked very much the olive-puce colour of that long shape next to the red piece but my brain kept calling it 'a stomach' or a 'world wrestling federation belt' and that thought continued to get in my way and I could work with it successfully as it was presented. There was only one thing to do: photograph the piece and then remove everything and start over, and that's what I did.<br /><br />I knew I wanted to keep the background colour, the red shape, the black and blue fabrics, but after that, it was all up for grabs for me. Something else I did not expect was that I did not have the urge to add an element of my own creation: in fact, I kept editing and working with what had already been offered to see if I could meet the challenge. The video shows you some of the many iterations, incarnations I considered. I realized that what kept me trying more and more things was not just that perhaps they were all bad - which is entirely possible <grin><grin>--but, rather, the fact that since I was not to finalize the piece, well, then this was an open-ended/endless stage. I absolutely could have continued to go on and on and...you get the drift. In the end, that was the second surprise: that I could only go on and on trying different arrangements for so long before the excitement/interest left me and it became a seemingly endless exercise. I guess that is not that odd considering I am one of many along the way.<br /><br />Now Marcia gets to try her hand at this and I am just o.k. with the shape it is in at this point. I realize, as I write this, that it is reminiscent of Munari's fantastical machines. "Le Macchine di Munari" was a book that I read as a child but I had not thought about it until just now. From the publisher:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Artist, writer, product designer, architect, graphic designer, illustrator, educator, and philosopher Bruno Munari created an enormously successful and utterly charming book in 1942 called Le Macchine di Munari. It contains instructions for building the most fantastical of mechanical structures, including a machine for taming alarm clocks, a lizard-driven engine for tired tortoises, a mechanism for sniffing artificial flowers, a humiliator for mosquitoes, a machine for playing the pipe even when you are not home, a machine for seeing the dawn before anyone else, and a tail wager for dogs.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Look it up on any of the large online book sellers.<br /><br />Thank you for letting me play!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Personal bit:<br /></span><br />Some years ago I started playing with fabric and paint. At the time, I did not know how to sew at all so I started teaching myself and practicing, practicing, practicing. My work has evolved over the years and it always incorporates a few, favorite elements: paint, dye, drawing, photographs, text, and stitch. I live in my head and in my heart, where I carry my homeland, Venezuela, and I show that love by letting it flow through my fingers as they do the work. I like simple, direct, succinct conversations - textile and otherwise - so I am going to have to leave you now <grin>...Thank you for this opportunity.<br /><br /><br /></grin></span></span></grin><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI03uq5gBH-NXJtYCC2NjFLnSoKQiuPDOSNU2fiaSIyjr_4jrs1vH14SGbPzRRAMjTJh4qpQopjrutSWN9F5l9UpzCQkUV2mkyJ3xClZQufOWbUp0-6g7sem1nqaaZ1PpjNcC_AmHjYIA/s1600-h/heartland.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI03uq5gBH-NXJtYCC2NjFLnSoKQiuPDOSNU2fiaSIyjr_4jrs1vH14SGbPzRRAMjTJh4qpQopjrutSWN9F5l9UpzCQkUV2mkyJ3xClZQufOWbUp0-6g7sem1nqaaZ1PpjNcC_AmHjYIA/s400/heartland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385439844512860802" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Heartland </span><span style="font-style: italic;">- Fulvia Luciano</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEE0_jyF_agivuGBJU-73tXL9fyDW_9jWFVBC9TlrnrrlirM4OAG5YxPBxedfQkloEhCuRReTq_unIitMS9Wz6oEc_WKK0uEdcb3OY_Gvvpf_vgQYNC0gc45gDfor27HqxVZJK9cHvUU/s1600-h/markingsEXCELLDETAILHANDsma.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEE0_jyF_agivuGBJU-73tXL9fyDW_9jWFVBC9TlrnrrlirM4OAG5YxPBxedfQkloEhCuRReTq_unIitMS9Wz6oEc_WKK0uEdcb3OY_Gvvpf_vgQYNC0gc45gDfor27HqxVZJK9cHvUU/s400/markingsEXCELLDETAILHANDsma.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385439852028014754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Detail - Heartland - Fulvia Luciano<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrS78Drlzg4j0uH7SzXmYA4xl4YA0Ma3a-r2b_7ifZh4PqmfTKG7_jD_AaxXb3uOfyEyH96Exz7Sq2HKaKEAs7bFebe3x6L6dZ-RwoTB7ACS8zWzKeR2Zint_iPzQzReCcncWE_rvZavU/s1600-h/markingsEXCELDETAILsmall-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrS78Drlzg4j0uH7SzXmYA4xl4YA0Ma3a-r2b_7ifZh4PqmfTKG7_jD_AaxXb3uOfyEyH96Exz7Sq2HKaKEAs7bFebe3x6L6dZ-RwoTB7ACS8zWzKeR2Zint_iPzQzReCcncWE_rvZavU/s400/markingsEXCELDETAILsmall-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385439859131852866" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Detail - Heartland - Fulvia Luciano</span><br /><br />Check your June/July 2008 issue of Quilting Arts Magazine for an article on Fulvia or click <a href="http://fulviastudio.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/spot33r3bdta.pdf"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">HERE</span></a> for a PDF version of the article.<br /><br /><br /></grin>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-39132180754030767722009-09-22T05:56:00.000-07:002009-09-26T06:25:50.962-07:00COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION: Stage Six- Leslie Bixel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_Er6kvjDr5x0D9tlYulPo4q6PRbb6Yo0Y0C881xo0kQXpUjMCBV0x0o1BCtvhmwZJLKUXqnU31nkO4rZQJa_Xy6zjjgWryIR6xd9ZWFZ8BKQGNDkdZkd5_AuB8wfTF8ZFjX3pQFHUrQ/s1600-h/cat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_Er6kvjDr5x0D9tlYulPo4q6PRbb6Yo0Y0C881xo0kQXpUjMCBV0x0o1BCtvhmwZJLKUXqnU31nkO4rZQJa_Xy6zjjgWryIR6xd9ZWFZ8BKQGNDkdZkd5_AuB8wfTF8ZFjX3pQFHUrQ/s200/cat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383595595116277954" border="0" /></a><br />Wow! Stage Six. We are moving right along and elements of the work are beginning to shift around.<a href="http://www.lbixel.com/blog/"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 255);"> </span></span></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 255);"><a href="http://www.lbixel.com/">Leslie Bixel</a></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 255);"> </span>has given us a through report on her thinking process and how she has contributed to the work. If you didn't see the new Video or the CC Grid from this past weekend, please visit the previous post. I will be updating both of those as the weeks pass. Leslie has a lot to say so let's get going.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leslie's Observations on the Project</span><br /><br />So we are now officially in the messy middle of our conversation. And it does seem very different than what I had expected. I can't just drop a colorful bon mot and expect to move the conversation along. I need to acknowledge the other voices in the room and respond with something appropriate. I feel pressure to resolve the piece even though we just started getting into the meat of the conversation.<br /><br />Because aesthetic choice is so personal, I realize that someone else's compositional choices may not be the same as mine. I therefore want to be very careful to evaluate the composition I receive on formal elements, and look for areas of potential adjustment or enhancement. I also understand that as artist number 5 of 14, I'm not likely to resolve everything, maybe not anything. So instead, I want to take the opportunity to move the piece along and keep the conversation flowing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Design Process Notes</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">First Impressions:</span><br /><br />I opened up the package on Wednesday morning. Wow, a total re-design!!! A bit disorienting. I need to get re-acquainted with the piece. Which way is up? Interesting addition of some sienna colored bits to move the eye around. What happened to the first figure? Oh there it is. Now it's a spark plug. Fun. I like the sense of spontaneity and whimsy. But I'm not sure what to tackle first. The piece feels "finished", so in order to contribute, I will likely need to deconstruct something. What will it be?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGGBAKRd1ClpkBzWw1fzc6RO0Kuwx7pMe2-HIs1eSKYV7OML-bPlQ6ypKBhFXro2O6H7UaNuIJuaR3eM2Wv314w7uU8Op2NUkRDa788qmdklCtWGw5Yz-HvMi_3_F_aJb5PFtLXKHm6o/s1600-h/unknown+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGGBAKRd1ClpkBzWw1fzc6RO0Kuwx7pMe2-HIs1eSKYV7OML-bPlQ6ypKBhFXro2O6H7UaNuIJuaR3eM2Wv314w7uU8Op2NUkRDa788qmdklCtWGw5Yz-HvMi_3_F_aJb5PFtLXKHm6o/s400/unknown+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382168751511154274" border="0" /></a><br />Still undecided about the orientation, I hung it on my design wall horizontally, in order to have a clear view for considering compositional elements from the other side of the room.<br /><br />The large yellow rectangle of complex cloth, while beautiful, is very bossy. I feel the need to cut it up, and use its power in a more subtle and controlled way.<br /><br />I sent a message to the group asking if it would be OK to cut stuff up. They said yes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">First approach a false start with color:</span><br /><br />Itching to make my mark on the piece, I dove directly into my stash, and started auditioning colors for new figures. I always start with color. To me color is central to any work of art I make, and since color is often the focus of my work, I had assumed this is where I could safely contribute to the piece.<br /><br />If I couldn't cut down the complex cloth, maybe I could balance it with some acid greens.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRg-eXQ_DBHc38w7LG7Kz72Lpk69ugVkA2xs6xz25BgXdbM2wc5vnSKivVqUgFDsMHHeT7RlUb6at4sF0yn8B31iuVfFF4fb5uCedB5u5DkcvvXHv8qAAundC0jxyGKNnMTSlh45jx8Q0/s1600-h/fabric.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRg-eXQ_DBHc38w7LG7Kz72Lpk69ugVkA2xs6xz25BgXdbM2wc5vnSKivVqUgFDsMHHeT7RlUb6at4sF0yn8B31iuVfFF4fb5uCedB5u5DkcvvXHv8qAAundC0jxyGKNnMTSlh45jx8Q0/s320/fabric.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383579088392405874" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Maybe a figure in a plumy purple, or an ocean blue?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtDk5t1-DGRehsPl0lGz_tIHEgNIaFnl7qf_XXDOCc28uO_KvXXtueab4kSXRKVY7PnYxCKEKrJML4u8Mdd7cy5pk6hL8EFk8kTSsXpqFMbRciEoNdY1KIt4WjjGtYLOHDEFCwxGarGQ/s1600-h/design+wall+with+fabric.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtDk5t1-DGRehsPl0lGz_tIHEgNIaFnl7qf_XXDOCc28uO_KvXXtueab4kSXRKVY7PnYxCKEKrJML4u8Mdd7cy5pk6hL8EFk8kTSsXpqFMbRciEoNdY1KIt4WjjGtYLOHDEFCwxGarGQ/s400/design+wall+with+fabric.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382170214059096066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I left it on the design wall for 3 days until I could make time to work again in the studio. Which means I had a lot of time to think about the piece before diving in.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The art class in my head</span><br /><br />As I went about meeting other commitments over those three days, I thought about this piece frequently. I even dreamed about it. As time passed, more and more details of the piece revealed themselves to me. It was frustrating not being able to get to the studio, but I was getting something out of reflecting on the work pinned to my design wall. Sitting at my office desk one afternoon, I wrote up a very analytical mini-critique to the compositional elements of the piece.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Color Palette:</span><br />From a strictly formal viewpoint, the palette of this piece has yet to be defined, and currently lacks an internal logic, with warm and cool, and multiple values in competition within the space. The red is an extremely strong element, as is the acid yellow, and both want to come forward as figures above everything else.<br /><br />The line work is a mix of both linear and curved. Still roughing in, the current state of line work lacks a unified sensibility or dominant gesture. The large rectangular fabrics do not have distinctly defined shapes, and do not seem to have been cut with intention.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Figure/Ground:</span><br />This new composition has a couple of islands. Not clear that the grey pieced element can stand on its own as a figure. Things are floating, not connected, and there is no repeated shape other than rectangles. The ground is still a single color and does not contribute to defining the space, nor is the current composition create a strong sense of layers or depth.<br /><br />The current composition reads as two figures. The central figure dominates the composition from the middle, the secondary figure wants to pull you to the edge of the piece, but is not strong enough to do so. The strong yellow element at the very edge unexpectedly disappears, and has the effect of making the mouse grey background more square.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Balance:</span><br />The current composition is balanced so that it reads from most orientations fairly equally, possibly leaning towards a portrait (vertical) orientation.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Rhythm:</span><br />The only repeated elements, the small sienna rectangles move the eye around the piece. The two yellow fabrics play off each other.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Proportion:</span><br />The yellow fabrics create very large figures, and end up dominating the composition.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Plan Emerges</span><br /><br />After thinking about all the design elements of the piece for several days, I decided my objective would be to create a stable ground that allows figures to float above and interact with each other in a jazzy sort of Stuart Davis way.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Studio Day 1:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Structuring the ground</span><br />I took off the big yellow fabric to get a good look at the other elements.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVNO_SfSRYM64IcujboJ1OW2sKtO4LzzT8uNNX22uPHkl-XnPAFLP6t_S_-14hRt_iZweuJShuF4vTWWDqMdQqw-q6utu4WiwJfYPadHmeFDOYGNrU3zy_gQCB4SgtbMtC8gZdwaV1UY/s1600-h/unknown4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVNO_SfSRYM64IcujboJ1OW2sKtO4LzzT8uNNX22uPHkl-XnPAFLP6t_S_-14hRt_iZweuJShuF4vTWWDqMdQqw-q6utu4WiwJfYPadHmeFDOYGNrU3zy_gQCB4SgtbMtC8gZdwaV1UY/s320/unknown4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383578707585227138" border="0" /></a><br />I liked the idea of using the strong linear elements to organize the space into distinct areas across the piece. I took everything off the background, but kept some elements pinned together to preserve their current relationship. I roughed in linear elements to proportion the space in a pleasing way.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV9gHjWP-YhpAtGZgo3dQt3oCJ8F_b0BjAAPko4QShxGRum5X_QKRlqhU0RJsNev80R7g2tFhqTM2MImO4Vb1czrNrhmN_7lHK5uCMhnikLtFHdmpACpOhvpF_o0k5wYSRxS9fchnIS0/s1600-h/verticals.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV9gHjWP-YhpAtGZgo3dQt3oCJ8F_b0BjAAPko4QShxGRum5X_QKRlqhU0RJsNev80R7g2tFhqTM2MImO4Vb1czrNrhmN_7lHK5uCMhnikLtFHdmpACpOhvpF_o0k5wYSRxS9fchnIS0/s400/verticals.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383579999730247666" border="0" /></a><br />I restored a design passage I really loved in a previous composition by using the big red element in relation ship to the ocher amoeba-like element to add yet another vertical component.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time to play with color</span><br />So now I had some structure. Time to work on color. In order to push the background even further to the cool side, I decided i wanted to add blue elements to the space. I had another reason for choosing blue. I wanted to include something that both speaks to the environment where I live looking out at the Pacific ocean, and that could contribute a spiritual element of calm comfort in the design.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4wmw0LT2ypAb-Xh0pQyv0YEvcqYUgvSI3plz10vAg0DzS2BkX5MP7Up8duM-G2ln0P0Yjunr8ubCPrGGd0YYhfdzK8iB_8lh09RAT-jtIw_4f1ATSmZy0RQEjIN_L1YGx0V5L95g5l0/s1600-h/colorblocked.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4wmw0LT2ypAb-Xh0pQyv0YEvcqYUgvSI3plz10vAg0DzS2BkX5MP7Up8duM-G2ln0P0Yjunr8ubCPrGGd0YYhfdzK8iB_8lh09RAT-jtIw_4f1ATSmZy0RQEjIN_L1YGx0V5L95g5l0/s400/colorblocked.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383581259934343186" border="0" /></a><br />I used two shades of solid blue fabric and the existing black element to color block the space. After I roughed it in, I carefully cut the shapes to the blocks (blue and black) with focus on the line work at the edges of the shapes. I got the right hand side of the piece looking OK to my eye, but the line work on the blue element to the left felt too hard and straight.<br /><br />I decided to sleep on it and see if I could do better in the morning.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Studio Day 2:</span><br /><br />At first glance, I realize I have been letting the urge to resolve things influence me. My goal was to provide structure and support to the artists ahead of me in the project. So, rather than perfecting the blue shape on the left, I decide to remove the element entirely.<br /><br />Now the piece feels wide open and unfinished again, and I feel pleased about making room for others. I see about 10 things I want to change, but again push aside the pressure to resolve, and resist and changes that require a sharp blade or scissors.<br /><br />I feel like I have moved the piece forward and achieved my objective of stabilizing the background by unifying the color palette with cool tones, creating rhythm and structure across the space with the use of vertically placed linear elements, and defining distinct spaces through the use of color blocking on the right side of the piece.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1xmJ6MzZp4NqmuXLCQmuUqM9pS5QVQu1jRtnn0hWTJjo4ibdbXl1lwxk7YiIode9GKPpmarcHAokKeuMGaFHYGD6RdkImoVvra6vE3xmyQDtRzLeeGydIyeqD0lsL0gmNqCOs5mhP_k/s1600-h/Backgroundfin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1xmJ6MzZp4NqmuXLCQmuUqM9pS5QVQu1jRtnn0hWTJjo4ibdbXl1lwxk7YiIode9GKPpmarcHAokKeuMGaFHYGD6RdkImoVvra6vE3xmyQDtRzLeeGydIyeqD0lsL0gmNqCOs5mhP_k/s400/Backgroundfin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383583117070785074" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Time to play with figure placement</span><br /><br />The Red & Ochre figures now appear quite static marching along with the vertical elements of the background.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeJjro7IUa_jrHE8gMLJHoUQ6haPo6V3qK0E9kGFFNqiqq52k5YGDI5n_hViztlUwTPcdJ6-pHGdOe26WojXmtuRFG3OuEpURydRuRJ5TLnpJvDRxcCn7IcH3td-KZ1skMoM4PG_LfU4/s1600-h/unblocked.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeJjro7IUa_jrHE8gMLJHoUQ6haPo6V3qK0E9kGFFNqiqq52k5YGDI5n_hViztlUwTPcdJ6-pHGdOe26WojXmtuRFG3OuEpURydRuRJ5TLnpJvDRxcCn7IcH3td-KZ1skMoM4PG_LfU4/s400/unblocked.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383583909964578610" border="0" /></a><br />I decide to place them oriented horizontally by rotating them 90 degrees. Ahhhhh. Much better.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOfSeezMYjdsLsxIXptoqowHHjP7tAe84vc0VcaCAbd47L2CG7wetCQPoAfQoHkDrsx7YVhQyofjNtYvZ3yNYpTvkCGkghqh8R-GyK2er26wKMcaA-3lm_YxTV3Xy7Rz6B0C5zX-voPU/s1600-h/not+sure.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOfSeezMYjdsLsxIXptoqowHHjP7tAe84vc0VcaCAbd47L2CG7wetCQPoAfQoHkDrsx7YVhQyofjNtYvZ3yNYpTvkCGkghqh8R-GyK2er26wKMcaA-3lm_YxTV3Xy7Rz6B0C5zX-voPU/s400/not+sure.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383591155593791650" border="0" /></a><br />Meanwhile, I have thought about the shapes I would like to see added as figures. I knew I would cut into the complex cloth I had put aside if I was going to get it to work without overpowering the composition. I wanted curved, organic shapes with a gesture capturing the human arm's motion. I used a chalk marker to draw a sweeping curve, and a boomerang.<br /><br />I played with positioning the curved shape , first on the left, then on the right.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6giGFeqHRQoljMtjn8qFI3hyphenhyphenzR1iEqAVLKbTzRZdhvXaZHeF57YtQ9zHm3CKZJvIry4q-QpVrD4ixBV9Rg6hVnJEYZgpUIwDKnAzx7cGRfkBwo0dF-6XcLSAryf2giVDoRIinp-YWw6I/s1600-h/unknown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6giGFeqHRQoljMtjn8qFI3hyphenhyphenzR1iEqAVLKbTzRZdhvXaZHeF57YtQ9zHm3CKZJvIry4q-QpVrD4ixBV9Rg6hVnJEYZgpUIwDKnAzx7cGRfkBwo0dF-6XcLSAryf2giVDoRIinp-YWw6I/s400/unknown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383592337426717202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMfrBaRfzTVf6DIj3er_VQKnDkeWc5qcFcJTtIlb6tNu3aax6LSInpCoLck7IoM82Ed6E2l1z6AWYqwdP_56HSY9Ur58jsrVuFbrb8u8GC_Aa1iSVq61wy-QxzsO_hXpZ0xfsGlMhLuU/s1600-h/unknown+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMfrBaRfzTVf6DIj3er_VQKnDkeWc5qcFcJTtIlb6tNu3aax6LSInpCoLck7IoM82Ed6E2l1z6AWYqwdP_56HSY9Ur58jsrVuFbrb8u8GC_Aa1iSVq61wy-QxzsO_hXpZ0xfsGlMhLuU/s400/unknown+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383592334927795938" border="0" /></a><br />I responded to the way the curve interacted with the line created by the color fields.<br /><br />Finally, I added my boomerang in relation to the two strong figures on the right of the composition. I placed it to echo the curve on the left, to build a bridge across the vertical element.<br /><br />Happy at this added bit of whimsy, I pinned everything in place.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Intentionally Imperfect and Unresolved</span><br /><br />Here is my "final" composition. Intentionally unresolved and open to more input, but also speaking to my own compositional sense of rhythm, proportion, balance & gesture.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSW3GVnQ1LQnDG3Vop_he-I-5XL-d-ruJLi43_KiO96oYW45mZZtUCzFLFUzC5ylB2gr6-8jm6MHdoRY5c5z9ZOY1GGa3QmgYJmY1_HA49A4vTV-fIxlOyRlXUI_hrvhqSWmEDGC_sAQ/s1600-h/Final+Comp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSW3GVnQ1LQnDG3Vop_he-I-5XL-d-ruJLi43_KiO96oYW45mZZtUCzFLFUzC5ylB2gr6-8jm6MHdoRY5c5z9ZOY1GGa3QmgYJmY1_HA49A4vTV-fIxlOyRlXUI_hrvhqSWmEDGC_sAQ/s400/Final+Comp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383596340873987026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leslie Bixel - Stage Six</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leslie Bixel Mini-Artist Profile:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw3u6iYlbADRSsRtntnys2r85-55Ori2pa1F8_onblHhI_XK4DcfBZ8cUfIZIvxPGk43AcjlHkFIRxpyEm4TD5YKXnl3qwJxq8n3ai8cnyuus05ZOiGhEEZU2LGEZTYeYb8-wXAILbps/s1600-h/LBportrait.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 389px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw3u6iYlbADRSsRtntnys2r85-55Ori2pa1F8_onblHhI_XK4DcfBZ8cUfIZIvxPGk43AcjlHkFIRxpyEm4TD5YKXnl3qwJxq8n3ai8cnyuus05ZOiGhEEZU2LGEZTYeYb8-wXAILbps/s400/LBportrait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383599443140200546" border="0" /></a><br />Leslie Bix working with "Desert Life" on wall. This quilt is 73" x 72" and was made in 2008.<br /><br /><br />About 10 years ago I made a switch from oil painting to quilting. Since then I have been exploring various fiber techniques, mastering the craft of sewing, building a body of work, and searching for my own voice. Color is my emotional touchstone and is a consistent theme across all my artwork, regardless of media. In recent years I have created several color experiments using commercial printed fabrics, ordered by the gridded structure of traditional quilts. My sense of composition has been greatly enhanced by studying under Nancy Crow, and she has inspired me to move forward with more abstract and contemoporary work. In 2007 I began dying all my own fabrics. Currently I am involved in a series of pieces that reflect the organic forms and subtle colors of the pristine redwood forest surrounding my Northern California home.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevWKvDpL0qZnh_rKgioMAjAWfvb6NFZFGBi8Dny55uDuAPUzKRVJrdFIJD8vkVk_FISTjEtPqOxObeGLa6zAOXIMSJiEcMjIAcqBQGUP2JvYdkox8NO2Qna_p1wmHCqrzR9gb-hhOsXE/s1600-h/Detail_Desert_Life_2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevWKvDpL0qZnh_rKgioMAjAWfvb6NFZFGBi8Dny55uDuAPUzKRVJrdFIJD8vkVk_FISTjEtPqOxObeGLa6zAOXIMSJiEcMjIAcqBQGUP2JvYdkox8NO2Qna_p1wmHCqrzR9gb-hhOsXE/s400/Detail_Desert_Life_2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383599688347266018" border="0" /></a><br />Detail: Desert Life<br /><br />To read more about Leslie's life and work as an artist please visit her blog: <a href="http://www.lbixel.com/blog/"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">O-I-Quilt</span></a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Du-2OWWKcIpnU_yiH4zm8O1qfGZVPREWqdAubpl0BK69y2iu2sSCkCzVVzRiG2LeL1jk3ZpzcuYSyP06VGuCbetKw2QQkptjOkkY3ySb_PYO5P_zGibnkFsmbrM8Der9J6nOjwBCP6k/s1600-h/bairddone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The participating artists are:</span> </span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/"> </a><a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/"> <span style="color:red;">Rebecca Howdeshell</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/n2c6qk"><span style="color:red;">Beth Carney</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnxtrj"><span style="color:red;">Shelley Baird</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mve8we"><span style="color:red;">Gayle Vickery Pritchard</span></a> , <a href="http://tinyurl.com/m96e33"><span style="color:red;">Judi Hurwitt</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l6cacs"><span style="color:red;">Leslie Bixel</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lyt4p9"><span style="color:red;">Fulvia Luciano</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnmtow"><span style="color:red;">Marcia DeCamp</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l2vn93"><span style="color:red;">Marina Kamenskaya</span></a>, <a href="http://www.saqa.com/media/Image/PressImages/Trans08/Swett-AgainstTheirWill%20copy.jpg"><span style="color:red;"> </span><span style="color:red;">Paula Swett</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mfoxj9"><span style="color:red;">Valerie Goodwin</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/llejnn"><span style="color:red;">Kathy Loomis</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kpnp5n"><span style="color:red;">Leslie Riley</span></a>, and <a href="http://tinyurl.com/dzeefj"><span style="color:red;">Terry Jarrard-Dimond</span></a>.</span> </div>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-65345022873448888302009-09-20T10:36:00.000-07:002009-09-22T05:58:31.821-07:00COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION: STAGE FIVE; Judi HurwittThe first four versions of our project have all been interesting. Each artist has worked with the composition in a thoughtful way, interjecting their personal vision into the piece. The composition has become more complex and challenging as it has passed through the hands of the first four artists. I had been thinking that soon, someone would be forced to rearrange something because space was becoming limited.<br /><br />Several of the artists wrote me inquiring about possible changes they might do to the piece: could an already existing element be reshaped, or could you do a surface design process on someone else's contribution etc. As these issues were resolved I received the following email from Shelley Brenner Baird that I thought was interesting. Shelley wrote, "I find these questions really interesting because for me the project really does have distinct phases and what seems to be the middle phase is a lot harder than the initial phase where we were mapping out space, and using up a lot of it. That leaves editing and altering as the next logical step. I would be happy to see my stuff cut up, drawn on, sewed on, or added to!! For my way of working the first phase was really hard for me. "<br /><br />I agree with Shelley, it's becoming more difficult. This weeks artist, <a href="http://approachable-art.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Judi Hurwitt</span></a>, has really broken things open by doing an overall reorganization of the piece.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Judi Hurwitt's Comments</span><br /><br />I'll just say this right up front - I knew even before the Conversation piece arrived in my hands that I wanted to dismantle it. I'm like a little kid that way. I learn, in part, by deconstructing something and then reconstructing. I knew that putting it back together so that it looked exactly as it had before would never satisfy me - I was going to rearrange every element I could, leave off what I couldn't use, and hope no one hated me for doing it.<br /><br />The boldness of this plan, of taking apart someone else's work and reinterpreting it, made me shake in my shoes. Me, a complete unknown. Who do I think I am?<br /><br />But I wanted to remain open to all possibilities. I even contacted Terry - an probably scared the tar out of her - and asked if the background fabric could be altered, painted, overdyed or replaced. And secretly, of course, I wondered what I believe we're all wondering: will I be the first one to take the scissors to someone else's work?<br /><br />These questions gave me some sleepless nights.<br /><br />When the quilt top did arrive, I donned my leather work gloves to guard against the many pins Shelley had kindly warned of, pulled it out of its box and spread it out on my work table.<br /><br />The first thing that occurred to me was that the piece wanted to be ironed and de-fuzzed. There were some minor wrinkles, and some of the elements were, as could be expected, fraying a little.<br /><br />I took each element off, carefully pressed and de-linted it, set it aside and went on to the next. I pressed each piece. I love the aroma of a hot iron touching clean cotton. What charmed me most about ironing the Conversation was how much I learned about Terry, Rebecca, Beth and Shelley in the process.<br /><br />I learned that Terry was bravely willing to dive into the deep end of the pool with the color choices she made to launch our project. Her red shape against her background of gunmetal blue felt like a bold declaration of joyousness achieved through contrast. Rebecca had to have worked like a demon to create the shape she contributed to the conversation...each edge was so very carefully turned under and then supported with a matching paper lining. Beth also used a lining to support her stripes, which - I got a huge kick out of learning - she stitched with powder blue sparkly thread in what looked like the bobbin. Her hand-dyed fabrics and the meticulous pressing open of her seams spoke to me of talent and a strong studio discipline. And the fabrics that Shelley added - well I just fell in love with both pieces, but particularly her focal piece, the large rectangle of yellow/green painted fabric she dyed and painted. This fabric sang to me and helped inform the way the quilt top was finally reassembled.<br /><br />The first piece I repositioned on the background was a large black shape that Beth had added. It had been folded and when I opened it up to iron it, I noticed that one long edge has subtle curving arcs cut into it that meet in the middle like a widow's peak. I wasn't sure if that had been intentional, but it fascinated me and I wanted to celebrate that edge, if I could.<br /><br />The second piece to go back was Shelley's focal fabric, right on top of the black. I wanted that fabric to pop against its background and didn't want to cover too much of it, but I also wanted to make it relate to the other pieces around it. To accomplish that, I laid Rebecca's mustardy-green shape within the boundaries of Shelly's fabric, asking each piece to converse with one another.<br /><br />I positioned Rebecca's shape so that on it's left side it mimics and blends with the painted circles and curves of Shelley's piece, and on the right side, it emphasizes the gentle curve of the black element. The interaction of the three is gorgeous and looks for all the world like a Matiesse-esque female form.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu6xqwUAc1ws_ISu4Ui3u_prXDjzVtLnHe7WWddzwT2-e2TR9RG3ZN0Vs2LgfuV-tOwb06aaM4YaYJzR1w7WJEoXN7h5XGYPXG7jAuZgm-Ice10MpPNxs4W1miK8sHLS4AspmdLBKFik/s1600-h/chitchat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu6xqwUAc1ws_ISu4Ui3u_prXDjzVtLnHe7WWddzwT2-e2TR9RG3ZN0Vs2LgfuV-tOwb06aaM4YaYJzR1w7WJEoXN7h5XGYPXG7jAuZgm-Ice10MpPNxs4W1miK8sHLS4AspmdLBKFik/s400/chitchat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380948976087473602" border="0" /></a><br />At this point everything was still clumped together in the center and there was no tension to break the happy homogeneity. In response, I brought back some of Beth's stripes of hand-dyed fabrics and, to help draw the eye and give interest to the whole piece, I angled them inward, as Beth herself had originally done.<br /><br />Terry's bold red element was next positioned to reinforce and balance the reds in Shelley's piece. And to help balance the entire quilt top while adding a much-needed horizontal element, I stretched Shelley's second piece, a long, angled shape with a lovely frayed edge, across the top. I got a kick out of the way, the angle of the stripe and the angle of the print on the fabric were almost exactly the same when I slipped it under Beth's stripe. Everything just seemed to fall into place naturally.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNuCnM4kDdsxJt6qU6lahTyKAgbPZrtZFqVBQNZJJpisvqhyK_67a-YkZo8MNrFC0yR3gJJZj64xXWvQEenN_yNMgymt_tNsiKvq47YWgCWyiIB5N5ilnOEEMY6H8-qO3r90rUFg-eJc/s1600-h/stripe_detail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNuCnM4kDdsxJt6qU6lahTyKAgbPZrtZFqVBQNZJJpisvqhyK_67a-YkZo8MNrFC0yR3gJJZj64xXWvQEenN_yNMgymt_tNsiKvq47YWgCWyiIB5N5ilnOEEMY6H8-qO3r90rUFg-eJc/s400/stripe_detail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380950511799925874" border="0" /></a><br />Stripe Detail.<br /><br />At this point I stopped and photographed the piece.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQijC3dVT4gOgZoggrmJZofgkN8FjQ5XBh8FS6ZDCWdN28aV55ib10IbROWkWjshjtkd4wcEG43F-EhDyjxEzYkMDqh7RUNHf_VsP1QfQnCAZWTSB4Ryk3cBdOfGhQ5zVSNHajlgzXc8Y/s1600-h/cc2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQijC3dVT4gOgZoggrmJZofgkN8FjQ5XBh8FS6ZDCWdN28aV55ib10IbROWkWjshjtkd4wcEG43F-EhDyjxEzYkMDqh7RUNHf_VsP1QfQnCAZWTSB4Ryk3cBdOfGhQ5zVSNHajlgzXc8Y/s400/cc2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380950972552933634" border="0" /></a><br />I really loved the wonky angles and the fact that, in spite of those angles, all of the pieces still seemed to be harmonizing with one another.<br /><br />At this point, I was looking at my biggest challenge: how would I add elements of my own to the piece which would support and elevate it without adding too much visual chaos?<br /><br />I decided that the best way I could contribute to the Conversation from this point was to think smaller. I had already changed the direction of the conversation; it didn't now need me to overwhelm it with a large element of my own making. It was asking for a more delicate touch from me (and if you've seen my work, you know that "delicate" is a relative term for me - I <span style="font-style: italic;">crave</span> chaotic color and texture).<br /><br />The stripes seemed to need more of a connection to the other elements, so I popped them off the background using three small vertical red elements from my stash (white muslin strips, painted with thinned liquid acrylics and scrunched into a Dixie cup to dry) whcih also helped to draw more of the red component into that quadrant of the quilt. I used a little repetitive design theory and added two more of the small dyed/painted pieces, placed horizontally onto Terry's red element. At that point, I felt it was time to stop before I went too far. This is the piece I sent on to Leslie...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C3-H_Fvky38Sjofw7y1yxFY2dOWsyLjbaME6CeotZCb7PjdB5R6OcLPiCTQKCz14U7FhdPw7eb_JHlGkkDl8-fRbVEOJoNYRc1JdZPeqQ3aVID9rmimbvSvY1mZ883iQqQzcysvewnQ/s1600-h/after.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C3-H_Fvky38Sjofw7y1yxFY2dOWsyLjbaME6CeotZCb7PjdB5R6OcLPiCTQKCz14U7FhdPw7eb_JHlGkkDl8-fRbVEOJoNYRc1JdZPeqQ3aVID9rmimbvSvY1mZ883iQqQzcysvewnQ/s400/after.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380604464278625170" border="0" /></a><br />Stage Five Completed<br /><br />Despite the many straight pins, there was only one injury and when it happened, I was more worried about bleeding on the work than I was about the fact that I really <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> bleeding. I may have even cried for Mama for a minute or ten but didn't hear that from me, understand?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYpZITsMLTbnDGvQGM_HzlOndF1lQ5ZpLwMkntCogXY9N1TdkgwvCLtG0Tw0aN2FBR23_UCXoRaBGm07ZBKE2zzEwFCfvcatWpkX7gyy9c-nDJkwabG2lx8hQX_GhOKROvSr_UzGkpUI/s1600-h/war_wound.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYpZITsMLTbnDGvQGM_HzlOndF1lQ5ZpLwMkntCogXY9N1TdkgwvCLtG0Tw0aN2FBR23_UCXoRaBGm07ZBKE2zzEwFCfvcatWpkX7gyy9c-nDJkwabG2lx8hQX_GhOKROvSr_UzGkpUI/s400/war_wound.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380953880334574242" border="0" /></a><br />War Wound<br /><br /><br />This has been an exhilarating experience for me. It's the first time in my career that I was asked to participate in something like this. I feel incredibly honored to have been asked to work along side so much talent and experience. I started this project with the faint but persistent worry that I might freeze solid when the piece arrived and not be able to see my way forward. However, because I was first able to closely examine all of the components of the quilt, I found myself inspired and energized by their beauty and craftsmanship and fully prepared to make my proud contribution.<br /><br />Thank you for this opportunity, Terry.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mini Artist Profile<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYf4k4PHBeOtFt-YZXcQtf66ZVGgMIP1U7EpiP2buqdHTE0UYqOo0zP-WF7mAUCnn5VzYBTgdgvvDmVuVovLE8a_1yuLoBC89ux2TeI-gLlwCZ8kgJhMq_XFDTBE0kOPd4qjWT_PLMms/s1600-h/judi_photo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYf4k4PHBeOtFt-YZXcQtf66ZVGgMIP1U7EpiP2buqdHTE0UYqOo0zP-WF7mAUCnn5VzYBTgdgvvDmVuVovLE8a_1yuLoBC89ux2TeI-gLlwCZ8kgJhMq_XFDTBE0kOPd4qjWT_PLMms/s400/judi_photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380955317384017250" border="0" /></a><br />Judi Hurwitt<br /><br />I am a 45 year-old paper and textile artist based in Houston, Texas.<br /><br />My work is a reflection not only of the contemporary world I see around me, but also of my upbringing in the late sixties and seventies. I strive to represent my voice and views through careful manipulation of textures, colors and materials in a balanced design. My mediums of choice are varied and can include anything from fragile, hand-painted threads to metal and stone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHni4iFW23rSecVdWDK2xH_hGUU0ZMbZ3XyGBoB_mdOiZYQZoL9K3Tv4j3-jv-f-s0GR27eQWQKP7HoAUYJhuI9Oe8qzP9L6dxIHNpa0KRm6-khzEzrjYwX1HIkX8CF93lMXSMi52Mx3M/s1600-h/Hurwitt_Fabric+Assemblage_EntryTwo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 392px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHni4iFW23rSecVdWDK2xH_hGUU0ZMbZ3XyGBoB_mdOiZYQZoL9K3Tv4j3-jv-f-s0GR27eQWQKP7HoAUYJhuI9Oe8qzP9L6dxIHNpa0KRm6-khzEzrjYwX1HIkX8CF93lMXSMi52Mx3M/s400/Hurwitt_Fabric+Assemblage_EntryTwo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380956669336830450" border="0" /></a><br />Fabric Collage<br /><br /><br />My personal aesthetic has always tended towards the linear-straight, clean lines, simple geometric shapes, bold blocks of color. My spirit, however, is somewhat chaotic and irrepressible. Through my art, I strive to express these two traits in a cohesive fashion by combining linear, geometric elements with unexpected materials, bold color palettes and energetic thread work.<br /><br />My primary focus is on paper but a recent obsession has sent me on what has been, so far, a joyful and exhilarating journey into textiles.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Terry's Comments</span><br /><br />Well I think we can all see that Judi had a blast and really dug into this project. Thank you for your energetic description of your process. Good job! Now the piece heads out west to Leslie Bixel, a wonderful person of many talents and accomplishments. See you next week with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Compositional Conversation: Stage Six</span>.Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-86074412128185332242009-09-20T10:32:00.000-07:002009-09-20T10:39:27.988-07:00COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION: STAGE FOUR-Shelley Brenner Baird<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span class="post-labels"> </span> <div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-3"> <span class="post-location"> </span> </div> <h2 class="date-header">Monday, August 31, 2009</h2> <div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template"> <a name="4751435224441226308"></a> <h3 style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="post-title entry-title"> COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION STAGE FOUR: Artist Profile - Shelley Brenner-Baird </h3> <div class="post-body entry-content"> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was with great excitement I learned that two of the artists participating in <b>Compositional Conversation</b> were selected to participate in the Studio Art Quilt Association's exhibition: <b>A Sense of Direction: Sightlines</b>. Congratulations to Shelley Brenner Baird and Fulvia Luciano .</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4BYbocwhzSzpd7PWmJNX3-i5q1sjWcXSIJiWIHf1TqVFHTl-X0-AKc6Uyp_913yPPIE7fOeJwjB_XXPowutuP0tE0kP2993AFwbqy_XoO7-5c929vQXWS_ey5PpHIEINnACb3X9X7gQ/s1600-h/plan+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As it happens, the work being featured this week is by Shelley. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">COMMENTS BY SHELLEY BRENNER BAIRD</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I want to thank Terry for planning this project and for the invitation to participate. At first I was concerned about my part in it since I was familiar with Terry's work -- pure, clean and elegant and all about the shape. My work is all about the line(s), marks, gesture and is never clean, pure and elegant. This project involves pulling pieces together, but for the past few years I have been working in painted and screened whole cloth with no rearranging possible. But proposal mentioned "conversation" and I like to talk, and the directions stressed that we were not to "finish" the piece and not finishing pieces is one of my best skills!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When the piece arrived from Beth I pinned it to a piece of board and kept it near me all day and night and started thinking. I scanned the fabric I wanted to use and made small prints to mock-up. The first thing I noticed was that the entire left side had been untouched which felt like a good place to begin.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Gq0h-8EtZf856llvQE8VKJtWd4CVvNcMCmTUqLRKpD6Dw8pgYokjtiuZ552ivLWtIsnabaqzCuHtlFviPlzcrPkq1WNZjf9wveYa23Zhtt7EOEY8rkvR8JVxzSFbGuB_JSY_5xdMfX4/s1600-h/circles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I tried three different approaches. At first I handled it like surface design placing 4-5 of the large circular shapes on top of the existing shapes.</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Gq0h-8EtZf856llvQE8VKJtWd4CVvNcMCmTUqLRKpD6Dw8pgYokjtiuZ552ivLWtIsnabaqzCuHtlFviPlzcrPkq1WNZjf9wveYa23Zhtt7EOEY8rkvR8JVxzSFbGuB_JSY_5xdMfX4/s1600-h/circles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Gq0h-8EtZf856llvQE8VKJtWd4CVvNcMCmTUqLRKpD6Dw8pgYokjtiuZ552ivLWtIsnabaqzCuHtlFviPlzcrPkq1WNZjf9wveYa23Zhtt7EOEY8rkvR8JVxzSFbGuB_JSY_5xdMfX4/s320/circles.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> After I let that sit for a while I realized that I was merely being decorative. I also realized that different phases of the project involved different approaches and that at this early phase the bones of the thing were the most important part.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So then came plan B. I decided to use the existing colors</span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> because my fabrics were so different from what was there I needed to tie things together</span> <span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(converse in a different dialect but at least the same language). I departed slightly from that plan by including a bit of pink on the right side. I used a large piece in a vertical that almost went from top to bottom. But as I lived with it for a while I saw that I was not leaving enough room for anyone to do much but remove piece or cover it instead of interacting with it.</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4BYbocwhzSzpd7PWmJNX3-i5q1sjWcXSIJiWIHf1TqVFHTl-X0-AKc6Uyp_913yPPIE7fOeJwjB_XXPowutuP0tE0kP2993AFwbqy_XoO7-5c929vQXWS_ey5PpHIEINnACb3X9X7gQ/s1600-h/plan+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4BYbocwhzSzpd7PWmJNX3-i5q1sjWcXSIJiWIHf1TqVFHTl-X0-AKc6Uyp_913yPPIE7fOeJwjB_XXPowutuP0tE0kP2993AFwbqy_XoO7-5c929vQXWS_ey5PpHIEINnACb3X9X7gQ/s400/plan+B.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PLAN B</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Du-2OWWKcIpnU_yiH4zm8O1qfGZVPREWqdAubpl0BK69y2iu2sSCkCzVVzRiG2LeL1jk3ZpzcuYSyP06VGuCbetKw2QQkptjOkkY3ySb_PYO5P_zGibnkFsmbrM8Der9J6nOjwBCP6k/s1600-h/bairddone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlSDmSJ5JUtH5s5AThVpCQn1ZTFhnyRzCLtu2TGgufVah9qRuO6fxB9DsymiSXxjZ4mfyLiOP4CUZRTIdgqxRMa00HWLJwLohrUOwx98OndsOPTrmcBARaPSM8wxGtDdXAY-6FKeSBzE/s1600-h/PLAN+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlSDmSJ5JUtH5s5AThVpCQn1ZTFhnyRzCLtu2TGgufVah9qRuO6fxB9DsymiSXxjZ4mfyLiOP4CUZRTIdgqxRMa00HWLJwLohrUOwx98OndsOPTrmcBARaPSM8wxGtDdXAY-6FKeSBzE/s320/PLAN+C.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PLAN C - Final Version<br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally I cut a smaller square that I positioned to change the extreme verticality of the piece and introduced a horizontal option. When I did this the remaining solid blue next to Beth's first vertical became an integral part of those vertical shapes. I did the same on the right to emphasize the lone blue vertical and to make a new shape out of the black. So that added some pieces to the puzzle without overwhelming it. I am curious to watch this piece transform. <i>Have fun Judi</i>.<br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ARTIST PROFILE</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shelley says: For years I studied printmaking, painting, drawing and photography in college and graduate school. I taught photography, history of photography and creative bookbinding at universities, prep schools and continuing education programs and worked for a while as a graphic designer/illustrator. I continued to study and create art in various media seeking out excellent teachers and mentors, concentrating on developing a body of work that reflects by background in this wide range of media. Once I discovered surface design on fabric all of the separate pieces of my puzzle fell into place.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-eX6m_fKQ6HWQtP3uQYqf7cXtfdkCqDIAPoIxbDH_lkDU_QqN8MHA-q3er2X-IXf8Cvd6ftTcKafWyaNKX61O1NXQBLpYA2hIrIQC9WbW_ZaeyXlWY2h8hLJ_5L_z7WuOujOwk22TMA/s1600-h/forest+for+the+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Fabric is resilient. It can be dyed, bleached, painted, printed, burned, cut , frayed, glued, stitched, torn and mended. The word itself comes from "fabrica" (Latin) describing something skillfully produced. And the word fabricate means to dream up, assemble and create. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ur8eSjMTcoPWUCNqQEt3rDDnEThs4Xc72gI3XcmyV9QDuFmkitrtsYVxxqYWoMJBOLJkatUu1T_algS5ht74kFm1LZ65HxkdGOyG55tRc6LpqhEseaoV_PORuRQbsTFj6e0Eqv9Tbrc/s1600-h/urban+x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I make non-literal narratives. Marks I use may be balanced or reckless, austere or angry, surgical or ragged, literal or obscure. Images are superimposed on cloth by screen printing, painting and drawing with dyes, paint and bleaching agents, processes both directed and serendipitous, as the reaction with the fabric is instantaneous and slightly out of my control. The exact result is revealed only when the dye residue is washed from the fabric, much like watching a photograph develop in the darkroom.</div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ur8eSjMTcoPWUCNqQEt3rDDnEThs4Xc72gI3XcmyV9QDuFmkitrtsYVxxqYWoMJBOLJkatUu1T_algS5ht74kFm1LZ65HxkdGOyG55tRc6LpqhEseaoV_PORuRQbsTFj6e0Eqv9Tbrc/s1600-h/urban+x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ur8eSjMTcoPWUCNqQEt3rDDnEThs4Xc72gI3XcmyV9QDuFmkitrtsYVxxqYWoMJBOLJkatUu1T_algS5ht74kFm1LZ65HxkdGOyG55tRc6LpqhEseaoV_PORuRQbsTFj6e0Eqv9Tbrc/s320/urban+x.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>URBAN X<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-eX6m_fKQ6HWQtP3uQYqf7cXtfdkCqDIAPoIxbDH_lkDU_QqN8MHA-q3er2X-IXf8Cvd6ftTcKafWyaNKX61O1NXQBLpYA2hIrIQC9WbW_ZaeyXlWY2h8hLJ_5L_z7WuOujOwk22TMA/s1600-h/forest+for+the+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-eX6m_fKQ6HWQtP3uQYqf7cXtfdkCqDIAPoIxbDH_lkDU_QqN8MHA-q3er2X-IXf8Cvd6ftTcKafWyaNKX61O1NXQBLpYA2hIrIQC9WbW_ZaeyXlWY2h8hLJ_5L_z7WuOujOwk22TMA/s320/forest+for+the+trees.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />FOREST FOR THE TREES</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> My many thanks to you Shelley for the great process description and photographs. It is interesting to see how we are interacting but staying true to ourselves. We will be taking a break next week and then return with the contribution of Judi Hurwitt.<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Du-2OWWKcIpnU_yiH4zm8O1qfGZVPREWqdAubpl0BK69y2iu2sSCkCzVVzRiG2LeL1jk3ZpzcuYSyP06VGuCbetKw2QQkptjOkkY3ySb_PYO5P_zGibnkFsmbrM8Der9J6nOjwBCP6k/s1600-h/bairddone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div></div></div>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-26689270855560110662009-09-20T10:30:00.000-07:002009-09-20T10:39:59.233-07:00COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION : STAGE THREE-Beth Carney<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><b>STAGE THREE; Beth Carney </b><br /><br /><br /></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Compositional Conversation it is a project involving 13 artists all working to develop one artwork. Each artists has an opportunity to place their mark on the work and then passes it to the next person. The work has now passed through the hands of three artists and this week we are seeing the hand of Beth Carney. To read the first two articles on this project click<a href="http://compositionalconversation.blogspot.com/"> </a><a href="http://compositionalconversation.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:red;">HERE</span></a>.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv9pp9JvDX2pTdJMF-eBzvD3e0ha6GJbWlddYSDD_f4sCcBjrVTw1i7AC0u705PvmO2t3667BtzqViQw6_M3EizFcMVhw-xTx2B-HQ3u1KYS_osNpLY3Yf6HEBtkYsneejvhNVAd1DLk/s1600-h/stage+three+cc.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373160141750228530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv9pp9JvDX2pTdJMF-eBzvD3e0ha6GJbWlddYSDD_f4sCcBjrVTw1i7AC0u705PvmO2t3667BtzqViQw6_M3EizFcMVhw-xTx2B-HQ3u1KYS_osNpLY3Yf6HEBtkYsneejvhNVAd1DLk/s400/stage+three+cc.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; text-align: center; width: 290px;" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Compositional Conversation: Stage Three</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Comments by Beth Carney</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;">I was very excited about being asked to participate in this project, loving the idea of having this conversation between the piece and the artists involved. All too often I struggle with creating a section of work that I love and then get stuck because I love it too much. Once I get rid of the concept of how precious it is, freedom sets in and then the work really begins to take shape. I felt this conversation would be a perfect step on that journey that forces the artist to keep the conversation alive and dancing.<br /><br /><br />I received the work on Saturday and on Sunday was busy for hours playing and creating. The first laugh was when I looked at the blog of Terry and Rebecca's comments and realized that when I placed the piece on my design wall, it was upside down to what they presented! Who knew??? (<span style="font-style: italic;">Beth received and began working on the project before the first images were posted</span>.)<br /><br /><br />The shapes presented were large and flowing, but I wanted to connect them trying to create more depth as well as play with the positive and negative space possibilities they created. I did not want to remove anything because they did seem to be taking with each other, they seemed to want to be closer and so the red shape began to move all around the canvas till I found its home, which turned out to be exactly where it started. I rarely work in solids anymore, with the belief that more is more...so out came the hand dyes and I created intersecting lines. Since I usually piece, I used Rebecca's freezer paper idea and attached the long lines with freezer paper so that could be moved around without falling apart.<br /><br /><br />I stepped back and thought I was done until I woke up this morning and found that I just had to break up the space more by adding the large black shape on the left. Each element seems to connect yet show individual voices.<br /><br /><br />Can't wait to see what happens next.<br /><br />---------------<br /><br />I love Beth's revelation concerning the positioning of the "top" of the work. Those of us who work with abstract compositions know that a tried and true way of "testing" a piece to see if it is balanced is to turn it and observe the results. I guess Rebecca and I did alright. I also appreciate the introduction of types of materials Beth loves and works with in her own pieces. They add a new twist and a new layer of complexity. Many thanks to you Beth for your participation and involvement in this project. Read on for more about Beth and her work.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIWAc3xdttHM_MY1tZtqyGB6f2LvtFAg2fdHwz5Q0_ERT4yLY-qCtONiZJKcAsnoDUkpJ8W6eX3hJ3ch7fi3rXrFY6GsYT88tzLpV7o_jixK9kmusWE4T9ELs8nuxO0U0aXq_ZgkMiuk/s1600-h/Beth+Carney+in+studio.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373164971468885010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIWAc3xdttHM_MY1tZtqyGB6f2LvtFAg2fdHwz5Q0_ERT4yLY-qCtONiZJKcAsnoDUkpJ8W6eX3hJ3ch7fi3rXrFY6GsYT88tzLpV7o_jixK9kmusWE4T9ELs8nuxO0U0aXq_ZgkMiuk/s400/Beth+Carney+in+studio.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />BETH CARNEY<br /><br /><br />For the past 8 years I have been exploring the fusion of my 2 worlds: visual and performing art, in a series of works called Structured Chaos. My love of color, movement, architecture all combine into these projects as I explore line and shape. They are inspired by the world around me, sometimes based on nature, architecture, places and personal experiences.<br /><br />For more information please visit Beth's <a href="http://www.bethcarneystudio.com/"><span style="color:red;">website</span></a>.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-R9wfqomC5GWiubNvzmyiK3amZH-1rpup6xC2IryqV8S6IcGYtTUZhsYuhsEPyLUNKDnkyyQEAjDpXgdS6eZAkm6WG-eNqPk3M8j0_STxRppyXF3488zMay23oQMXCo7BOCqUNz5GRQ/s1600-h/11_C.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373165688320078946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-R9wfqomC5GWiubNvzmyiK3amZH-1rpup6xC2IryqV8S6IcGYtTUZhsYuhsEPyLUNKDnkyyQEAjDpXgdS6eZAkm6WG-eNqPk3M8j0_STxRppyXF3488zMay23oQMXCo7BOCqUNz5GRQ/s400/11_C.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; text-align: center; width: 308px;" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Structured Chaos</span> 26....44"h x 33"w...2008</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Hand dyed cotton by artist with commercial cotton and silk</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;">We welcome your comments and hope you will take time and let us hear your thoughts.<br /><br />Next week we will see the contribution of Ohio artist, Shelley Baird.<br /><br /></span></span>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-39185536520976360022009-09-20T10:28:00.000-07:002009-09-20T10:40:35.211-07:00COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION: STAGE TWO-Rebecca Howdeshell<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">STAGE TWO: COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION with Rebecca Howdeshell<br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;">For those who are new to Compositional Conversation, it is a project involving 13 artists all working to develop one artwork. Each artists has an opportunity to place their mark on the work and then passes it to the next person. To read the first article on this project click <a href="http://tinyurl.com/qcbzxw"><span style="color:red;">HERE</span></a>.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFid2EoM2wRa3HVP9wsrvj29BUcDXeYZOwoDBQQZN2jdVicuVzFA65hWtPbwBaYVxY-szfMXTQ-L2DOgHfyM2UW5bB6lKql8pnrc63red41abnpPb9H9AHLkI-n-lTJ7KL76K0gQeeJ8/s1600-h/comp_conv_shape_color2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370549253890765586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFid2EoM2wRa3HVP9wsrvj29BUcDXeYZOwoDBQQZN2jdVicuVzFA65hWtPbwBaYVxY-szfMXTQ-L2DOgHfyM2UW5bB6lKql8pnrc63red41abnpPb9H9AHLkI-n-lTJ7KL76K0gQeeJ8/s400/comp_conv_shape_color2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; text-align: center; width: 290px;" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION: Stage Two CONVERSATION from Rebecca Howdeshell</span><br /><br />I was thrilled when I returned from an evening out and found the box on my porch. I had been anticipating working on this composition ever since Terry posted the first image. My first thought when I opened the box was how large the composition is - about 60" h x 40" w. I immediately fell in love with the warm red shape against the cool blue/gray. Right away, my thoughts were that whatever I added, I did not want to remove or change the position of the red shape; instead my addition would want to be beside it, get close to it, interact with it. What I didn't anticipate, was that my shape would want to inch up from the bottom and slide over the whole composition before oozing around the red shape.<br /><br /><br />I thought about all of these ideas over a two day period while I finished a class obligation. My shape <span style="font-style: italic;">always, always</span> in my mind wanted to envelop and almost caress the red shape. "Fine" the red shape said, "you can celebrate me and caress me, but you can't take away my thunder."<br /><br /><br />I was anxious to see how this little power struggle would play out, so I took a photo of the original work, printed out several copies and cut out paper shapes to see what I liked. I have to admit to trying to rein in my shape, make it smaller and less demanding but no dice. I drew 2 full size freezer paper patterns, took photos along the way and from there decided on the winner.<br /><br /><br />The next decision was color and again, I knew that I wanted the color to be complementary to the "boss" shape but not overtly so. I wanted it lighter in value. In this part of my conversation, the size of the shape was a factor in that it is over 50" long. When I found this acid olive green in rayon, no matter how much I tried to force another choice, it wasn't going to happen. I stabilized the rayon with freezer paper and was actually grateful to this decision as it wrapped around those curves very nicely.<br /><br /><br />I do love line, line and shape created by negative space and warm against cool. I see all of those elements in the composition. I adore the movement of the flowing organic line and see the influences of my style. But I also see a "working relationship" of the two shapes and a promise of a lot of interesting conversations to come.<br /><br /><br />Thanks, Terry, for a great experience.<br /><br /><br />Thank you Rebecca, for a beautiful addition to our piece and a wonderful description of your thought process and work process. Now here is bit more about Rebecca.<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawTJZw178CB1Yg6lpkMZT5HmBJB3jgepODgHKty3_ZCewa4b1lsfBtqyIN7aYyoom51vkR2bejmThvqaEaCk2zEiBCXg_2_DuXwrk_-hIzz5NzKSFjTsH0mZAe7YJtBNWg7uCRJoZnkQ/s1600-h/rebecca_at_machine.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370554207796603554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawTJZw178CB1Yg6lpkMZT5HmBJB3jgepODgHKty3_ZCewa4b1lsfBtqyIN7aYyoom51vkR2bejmThvqaEaCk2zEiBCXg_2_DuXwrk_-hIzz5NzKSFjTsH0mZAe7YJtBNWg7uCRJoZnkQ/s400/rebecca_at_machine.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 296px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Rebecca Howdeshell</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >For the past three years, I've been exploring the idea of strength exemplified through my artwork of the human spine. I equate</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;">the spine to the trunk of the tree or the river that carves its way through the earth. I think strength can be deceiving, we perceive a person with a degenerative spinal condition or an old, splitting tree or even a small stream as weak but the reality isn't always clear. How can we imagine what each of these living organisms went through to get where they are? Perception is perplexing.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFbAD9szu5MzO_bi_FGCY3bMflyWNGzFykVNBmKsRYTzHer8RW8pdF4mwEggSAWF73TpO_3OjUTMNPDyXBzxFMZXt5jinUNRAQLisiATUa8bL29OcYodF5qp6vDehWfd3Tp-X_xF_Cgo/s1600-h/howdeshell_geomorphology_web(2).jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370555888522860882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFbAD9szu5MzO_bi_FGCY3bMflyWNGzFykVNBmKsRYTzHer8RW8pdF4mwEggSAWF73TpO_3OjUTMNPDyXBzxFMZXt5jinUNRAQLisiATUa8bL29OcYodF5qp6vDehWfd3Tp-X_xF_Cgo/s400/howdeshell_geomorphology_web(2).jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; text-align: center; width: 396px;" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Geomorphology</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />I love the act of mark making, particularly stitching on a soft, organic material by drawing with thread. I do many, many sketches that contribute to the overall series but aren't necessarily specific of the artwork. It is all grist for the mill. I embrace this creative life as a whole, there aren't parts or multi-tasking in my mind.<br /><br /><br />The idea of having conversations in this project was utterly alluring to me. How wonderful to consider not just our conversations through email as artists, but of course, the conversation we have with the artwork as it progresses. I sincerely hope that we gain a following, too, from other artists. Thank you, Terry, for the opportunity to play!<br /><br />Rebecca<br /><br />Please follow these links to see more work by <a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:red;">Rebecca</span></a> and Rebecca's<a href="http://rebeccahowdeshell.blogspot.com./"><span style="color:red;"> </span></a><a href="http://rebeccahowdeshell.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:red;">website</span></a><a href="http://rebeccahowdeshell.blogspot.com/">.</a></span></span>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728704545768826808.post-89140997745211200222009-08-06T04:51:00.000-07:002009-09-20T10:41:45.489-07:00Project COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION :Stage One - Terry Jarrard-Dimond<div id="preview"><div id="previewbody" style="display: block;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OBCKI_RAZJ-Cq0vPNEFijpMpNAnYBMv_pTTWw8Q4M-F3nQoy9hcZK11bAMPPeZb9zSAZeKalD34urwiqbs1YRhDakyOcNe426fRpjoToxKtzc7_hINH39f4_gBQ2hC94TJHbdnkzaMk/s1600-h/State+one+Terry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362057580109220162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OBCKI_RAZJ-Cq0vPNEFijpMpNAnYBMv_pTTWw8Q4M-F3nQoy9hcZK11bAMPPeZb9zSAZeKalD34urwiqbs1YRhDakyOcNe426fRpjoToxKtzc7_hINH39f4_gBQ2hC94TJHbdnkzaMk/s400/State+one+Terry.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; text-align: center; width: 307px;" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION - Stage One<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Today marks the beginning of COMPOSITIONAL CONVERSATION, a project designed to create dialogue between artists and a textile construction, artists to artists and hopefully, artist to audience.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Most artists work in the solitary environment of their studio. While they engage in a type of running dialogue with their work as it is being created, often the first feedback they have is when the work is presented in an exhibition. Even then, the environment isn't always ideal for more than the casual comment. We are hoping for more and invite you to follow along as this project develops.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /><br /><br />The concept is simple: A composition made of fabric is begun and then passed form artist to artist. Each artist in turn has the opportunity to add elements to the composition, remove elements from the composition and/or totally rearrange the elements of the composition. The components of the piece will not be attached to the original substrate until the work is completed after passing through the hands of each person. The one thing they may not do is to remove everything and start over with all new elements. If they remove an element, that element will continue to travel with the work so that it can be added back into the work if someone chooses to do so.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The participating artists are:</span> <a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/"> </a><a href="http://rebeccasnest.blogspot.com/"> <span style="color:red;">Rebecca Howdeshell</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/n2c6qk"><span style="color:red;">Beth Carney</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnxtrj"><span style="color:red;">Shelley Baird</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mve8we"><span style="color:red;">Gayle Vickery Pritchard</span></a> , <a href="http://tinyurl.com/m96e33"><span style="color:red;">Judi Hurwitt</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l6cacs"><span style="color:red;">Leslie Bixel</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lyt4p9"><span style="color:red;">Fulvia Luciano</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nnmtow"><span style="color:red;">Marcia DeCamp</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l2vn93"><span style="color:red;">Marina Kamenskaya</span></a>, <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Paula Swett</span>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mfoxj9"><span style="color:red;">Valerie Goodwin</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/llejnn"><span style="color:red;">Kathy Loomis</span></a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kpnp5n"><span style="color:red;">Leslie Riley</span></a>, and <a href="http://tinyurl.com/dzeefj"><span style="color:red;">Terry Jarrard-Dimond</span></a>. <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Each week an image of the most current version of our piece will be pictured along with notes and comments from the most current artist. in addition, there will be a mini artist profile of the artist which will feature a photograph of them in their studio, an image of the type work they do and an artist statement. This will help you get to know them as we move along.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Terry Jarrard-Dimond - Mini Profile</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">As the originator of Compositional Conversations, I had the pleasure of initiating the work and adding the first compositional element. The substrate is a blue/gray (more blue than it appears in the photo) and the element is a rich warm red. I generally work with large shapes and often focus on figure ground relationships. I love working with color and hand dye all of my fabrics.<br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ux8EFtlhZffzDh1AGmdltT9Cb95SKo6L5oQ_h_YpspJKUEPtbA56Sx41QFrXV85cndRnYhcMhdhSLeKunoPvs945ydAxSMMorUBPrVKP501ZS40vhHkSOQp_kNvql4GWv5NiWHrLqtM/s1600-h/terry+for+mini.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362501049625773266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ux8EFtlhZffzDh1AGmdltT9Cb95SKo6L5oQ_h_YpspJKUEPtbA56Sx41QFrXV85cndRnYhcMhdhSLeKunoPvs945ydAxSMMorUBPrVKP501ZS40vhHkSOQp_kNvql4GWv5NiWHrLqtM/s400/terry+for+mini.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; text-align: center; width: 398px;" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Terry Jarrard-Dimond </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6itd7n5FRQS3xhlaEuYfAjzmvijf9Qi_dUP665irnF8ljE8bT0YtY-UwuCGrgfaW3OMh1ngztCNeQuArtWHbe8O0hYeqqQKihwJivzbqxkFefJfcxoms2CRpdjUWq6nnFxMOymzwF9es/s1600-h/JOY+AND+SORROW_full.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362060112378008514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6itd7n5FRQS3xhlaEuYfAjzmvijf9Qi_dUP665irnF8ljE8bT0YtY-UwuCGrgfaW3OMh1ngztCNeQuArtWHbe8O0hYeqqQKihwJivzbqxkFefJfcxoms2CRpdjUWq6nnFxMOymzwF9es/s400/JOY+AND+SORROW_full.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; text-align: center; width: 256px;" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Joy and Sorrow</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> - </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >59"H x 38"W</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >I think of my work as interior landscapes filled with figures, structures and spaces that have a story to tell but which are very open to interpretation.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> <span style="font-family:arial;">I love working in the studio where you can explore and discover to your hearts content.<br /><br /></span> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >I live in South Carolina and share a studio with my husband Tom Dimond. I will be teaching a workshop at the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/norwjn">Crow Timberframe Barn</a> in Baltimore, Ohio in April of 2011 entitled <span style="font-style: italic;color:black;" >Ask "What If?"</span>. This workshop will be geared for the beginner to intermediate artist/quiltmaker and will focus on ways to generate ideas and tap into your personnal creativity.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Next week's mini profile will be on Rebecca Howdeshell and we will see what she has added to our Compositional Conversation.<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.com