Good Day in the Studio

As you can see, all that is missing is the pesky middle of the quilt. There are still some smaller shapes to go on the surface but they have to go in last. Nothing else to report around here....good yoga class tonight. I can't believe how tight my hamstrings still are. Oh yeah, I rowed my first hour time in ages..only did 10, 947 meters which is pretty slow. Tried not to push myself just wanted to make the longer time...somehow from March until now I managed to gain 5 lbs....and they are sticking like glue.
This is not a good thing since the new clothes won't allow it....and there is no way a bigger size is in my future....so back to hard work. The big news in rowing is I am close to the million meter mark...only a little less than 70,000 meters and ya hoo! If one was dedicated that could be done in a week but we all know it won't happen.
Tomorrow is zoo day with Gareth, Charles and Christy. The Fort Worth Zoo is one of the best in the country so it should be fun....other than the fact it will be hotter than blazes....but we are going early to avoid frying. With camera in hand, be prepared for zoo pictures.
Lots of quiet days working has really recharged my batteries. There is nothing better than a day of creating with no interuptions. Hope you have a few days for yourself...

Almost done, camera did a little better with the color 

More Progress

As promised, here a pictures of the next steps in the process. I try to work similar to the way I painted......putting in background first and then selecting color to define shapes. The process is always built from background to foreground with much tweaking even to the bitter end. The next step is to put the cut shapes back onto the light box, position them over the proper place on the drawing, pin each to the other and baste inside the sewing line. After that it is just needleturn each shape until the piece is finished. Photos of above steps to follow....frankly, after spending the whole day in the studio, I ran out of steam....had to eat....and finish sewing on the original piece.
This colorwork is way different for me...so we will see. At the moment, it seems god awful but there really isn't enough done. Story on the colorwork: This fall at Houston I filled in for Gerald Roy's Interaction of Color class.....hadn't read the book in 20 years....had to dig in the garage to even find it. However, I remembered how fascinating Albers approach was. With this re-discovered knowledge, the new series is based on the Albers concepts instead of color theory. Gotta tell you it isn't as easy as it sounds but so far very enjoyable and fascinating. Stay tuned for more tomorrow.

A little dark, darn camera but a days work done 

See the final choice 

not giving up yet 

here goes 3 

number 2 

First choice 

First choice with sewing lines drawn on 

Perimeter fabric in place 

desired shape showing through fabric on light box ready to draw sewing line 

first fabric selection placed in position on light box 

selecting possible pallette 

The Process from Sketch to Quilt

Thought you might be interested in how these quilts get made so here are some pictures of the steps. This is before fabric selection is even considered....just taking the drawings and making them the size that works for the image.
Never one to work on a single quilt at a time, this week produced four new designs. Now to decide which design to work on next.....then the fun of fabric selection begins. As that process starts, I will post some more pictures....showing how the light box makes my life easy....how fast hand applique can be when you work directly from design to fabric.
My goal for this series as you might remember is to do more painterly work...more abstract....more focus on color instead of realistc imagery. Stay tuned....now back to sewing.

This weeks production; four quilts waiting to be made 

Drawing goes to light box for construction 

Finished enlargement 

Paper on design wall; tracing started 

View of drawing from projector