FEATURED PROJECTS
Tranquil Waters... inspiration and process
26th May 2021
McLarens Falls, Tauranga, is one of my favourite local places to wander around for inspiration especially in Autumn.
Autumn colours abound in beautiful deciduous trees and reflections in the waterways. The walkways meander around the edge of the lake, in and out of small bays and inlets, offering many photo opportunities of Autumn colours and reflections.
However down at the very far end of McLarens Falls is my favourite spot; tall trees, shimmering reflections and tranquillity as we wander along the meandering path.
Tall trees reflected in still waters...
More reflections...
In a special Reflections folder on my computer, are many photos of reflections waiting for the day when they will be realised into an artwork, so when Aotearoa Quilters announced their 2021 Members Challenge theme “Reflections” I was excited and thought this was the motivation to jumpstart the process…..and I knew where to start – McLarens Falls.
Gentle reflections...
In searching through my ‘fabric stash’ I was excited to find the ‘perfect’ match for both the tree reflections and the yellow in fabric purchased years ago but never used. Samples were begun and reflections was underway…. or so I thought!
Samples meant work underway…..
Reflected
© 2021
24cm (w) x 58cm (h)
Raw edge applique, hand painted, straight stitch quilted, free machine stitching, hand stitching
For sale: Available at Timeless Textiles Gallery, Newcastle.
Contact www.timelesstextiles.com.au
Reflected is a small to medium art quilt continuing my exploration of water reflections. Sometimes the water reflection is similar but different to the image being reflected, depending on weather factors.
I loved the samples and felt ready to begin the required 75cm2 size…however two-thirds of the way through I hit a stalemate in design because I felt the design didn’t fit a square and I felt despair.
Many, many hours had gone into this artwork and I gave up. Sometimes an artwork cannot be rushed and I knew in my heart that this one was not going to be ready to enter into the Aotearoa Quilters Challenge.
But I couldn’t let go of this opportunity to create a reflections piece and I was gifted a whole day to myself where the family was away. I found another piece of fabric, a more recent purchase, that fitted the ‘feel’ of the bush in the following photos, I wasn’t interested in creating a realistic interpretation but rather one that spoke about the tranquility of the place which was created by the vertical tree shapes and the reflections.
One partial sample this time and I was underway…and the rest is history. After the struggles and despair of the previous attempt, Tranquil Waters came together easily and said perfectly what I wanted it to – tranquillity and reflection. It obviously took more than the one day to create but the one day gave me a block of time to settle into creating the design and beginning.
The courage to create is often talked about but sometimes it also requires the courage to never give up in the face of despair.
Tranquil Waters
© 2021
75cm x 75cm
Raw edge applique, hand painted using Acrylic paints, matchstick quilting, free motion stitching/quilting
2021 - Merit Award
Aotearoa Quilter’s Members Challenge “Reflections“
AQ travelling exhibition 2022
Not a breath of wind disturbs the tranquillity of the reflections as I meander along the waters edge, absorbing the soulful stillness and serenity of the lake.
For Sale: $915
Reflected Light
© 2021
59cm (w) x 37cm (h)
Raw edge applique, hand painted, straight stitch quilting
An abstracted art quilt exploring the light in reflections. Sometimes reflections are so perfect that it almost is difficult to know which is the reflection and which is the reflected image. Reflections rely on light and in this art quilt the light has created a perfect reflection.
For Sale: $350
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Gentle Blows the Wind
© 2022
75cm x 75cm
Raw edge applique, hand painting, free motion stitching, matchstick quilting, hand stitching
Gentle Blows the Wind is my interpretation of the wind blowing gently across the surface of the sky and water. It is an abstract interpretation that tries to capture and explore the patterns that occur in the soft distortions of the reflections, and the patterns created in the catching of the wind on different sections of the sky and water surfaces. In New Zealand trees are used as wind barriers for protection and the trees grown are often uniform in size and shape. The inspiration came from a place of calm created by the trees that act as a windbreak, allowing for a gentle wind to caress the water surface.
For Sale: $915