Riverbank
Riverbank
Hand dyed cottons, fused, hand and machine quilted. ~12"square
Over the years I have selected out of my dyeing production certain unusual fabrics. I often refer to them as colors that have no name, which is a shortcut around having to actually come up with names. Most of these pieces are in the earthier tones, with some texture, and... well, mud.
There was even a whole collection of intentional mud colors that I called Rivers of Illinois, after our less than pristine local waterways.
Now that I have pretty much figured out what I can do with full out color, I thought it was time to open the box of murk and see what could be created.
Where to start? First, they must be fused. So yesterday I fused up about twelve pieces in varying colors, in half yard lengths. Still, it is difficult to cut into these, so I got up my courage and cut off an 18" square from each length. This gave me a stack of pieces that were less intimidating, and left me with more, should I ever need them.
I am planning to keep to just these fabrics for this next round of small works. I never have limited myself in the past, but the limiting turns out to be freeing in a way.
And I have to leave on Wednesday for the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton Roads VA, so time is limited too.
Oh that is so cool! I wanna play with the mud!
ReplyDeleteWonderful MUD..is this the softer, gentler side of Mel? Love the warmth of the colors...style is great in either "real" colors or MUD...it all seems to work and you are having a blast doing it...right?
ReplyDeleteI'm loving these small pieces you're doing, and all the color exploration. Very instructive... It's fun watching you move beyond the palette of brights you had been using.
ReplyDeleteEach day brings another gem. These small explorations are just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteEarthy colors are just oh so me....I love these pieces. Gorgeous and so much depth!!!LOL.....leaving the rest unsaid...lol.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to your site (or anywhere else) in months, and I LOVED knowing that I would come here and find you hard at work on more gorgeous things.
ReplyDeleteYou look for dependablity in your relationships? Well, you get my vote!
Thanks for being you!
Mel, I love all of your work, but I especially like these. So peaceful, so in touch with nature, so respectful, no need to shout. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteOh my...I love this one...its very calming...though I admire the brights too!
ReplyDeleteIts so fun to visit and see what you come up with! It makes me itch to try some more fusing (have to get done with bunch of baby stuff first though...my first DGD will be here ANY DAY!)
I love this piece. I've been looking forward to seeing your creations each day. Love the street series too. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteooohh! This is absoultly fantastic! I love your bold contrasting colors that you usually favor, but this, now this is my cup o tea! The small series when grouped together is really quite stunning.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI especially like the neon orange reflecting in the muddy water.
oh Mel! I love the MUD! Your bright colors are beautiful, but the mud is sublime and unexpected...
ReplyDeletethe mud is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteMud, mud, GLORIOUS mud... They are beautiful - slightly subdued - but still jewels.
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