Journeys

The past four and a half years with Viewpoints 9 has been quite a journey! I can’t believe it’s the end of the third cycle already. This group has helped me to grow and to push my limits in my art, in my thinking and in what I demand from myself. Thank you all!

For this challenge and my theme of water, I used rusted fabric to make an old map I call “The Journeys of Sir Richard” (30.5” H x 40.25” W). 

I wanted to stretch myself to not only use my undesirables, but also use elements of all of the challenges this cycle. Here’s what I did:

• Challenge 1 – Use thread in a new way for you – Well, I finally did some hand stitching! Sir Richard’s island forays are stitched by hand. Note to self: budget more time when doing hand work.
• Challenge 2 – Neon – I used neon blue paint for the water.
• Challenge 3 – Unconventional fabric – I tore and cut a piece of leather and burned lettering into it for the “sign plate”. In addition to the leather, the rusted fabric includes linen and canvas, two unusual fabrics for me.
• Challenge 4 – Tradition – The quilt is made with traditional block piecing.
• Challenge 5 – Dimension – (Hopefully) I created depth in the water with the use of color and contour. 
• Challenge 6 – Natural Dyes – I used rusted fabric pieced together in 2.5” squares.
• Challenge 7 – Monochromatic – Does brown qualify as black? I only used blue paint and the natural rust/black color of the fabric.
• Challenge 8 – Text – Areas of the map are named and the entire map is labeled with text.
• Challenge 9 – Undesirables – My rusted fabric counts for two of the challenges! I may have to rethink the undesirable part.