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A Frayed Edges Challenge
In August 2007, our mini-group The Frayed Edges will be having a show at the Camden (Maine) Public Library. It has a gorgeous building and setting overlooking Camden Harbor, and we are thrilled. We have settled on three things:
–we will have a theme that will cover part of the exhibit: Home
–we’ll do a challenge (more on that in a sec)
–and the rest will be in keeping with our no-stress motto, using whatever we have that we’d like to exhibit for the rest of the show
For the challenge, we decided we’d each do a small piece based on a photo each of us provided. That means there will be 25 small pieces, which we’ll hang in a grid. Going across each row you’ll see one artist’s work, with each column being the same image, interpreted five ways. Because of the chair rail and needing to keep the top row low enough to see, we ended up with some pretty small sizes: 7 inches tall! The two vertical pieces will be 7 inches tall by 5 inches wide, and the horizontals will be 7 inches tall by 10 inches wide.
Kathy, of Studio in the Woods blog, took this photo—what glorious color!
I had NO idea what to do, so decided to challenge myself to do something abstract. Hmmm. Here’s how I started… the photo is on the left, and my “start” is a fused applique of the umbrella against the glorious sky (please tip head sideways)
Then I cut it up.
Then I fused it. Then I quilted it.
Hmmm…… maybe I should stick to representational?
I really like the representational (but simplified) version of what I did with the photo from Deborah. Her husband Jeff took this photo at a hotel when on a trip, to Guatemala I think. I LOVE the contrast of the vibrant (vibrating?) orange-red w/ith the greens and stone and pool blue. 
Obviously, it isn’t quilted yet, and that will add detail (like the legs on the loungers by the pool!), but so far I love this one…as much as the original photo.
Of course, I tried representational with this glorious photo Hannah shared, with permission form a friend (and if this looks familiar, it’s because I blogged about it a while back). Here’s the photo:
And here’s my not-so-great rendition.
I think I’m going to start over…just don’t like this one much as is. Instead of going even more macro, maybe I’ll pull back and add some background and environment?
There are two more photos that I haven’t begun translating into cloth…Kate’s of St. Michael’s cathedral in Kiev 
and mine of some amphorae (ancient Mediterranean jugs) at the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, which are at the top of this blogpost.
I promise I’ll return with what I do with those two, and in August, I’ll post pics of the challenge AND of the show!
February 5th, 2007 at 6:59 am
Wow! THat project is a huge challenge. You have done wonders so far. Since I started doing more creative quilting I can appreciate the work involved a lot more. Well done.
February 5th, 2007 at 7:56 am
I agree with Joyce, that’s a big challenge! But you are meeting it well – thanks for sharing your process as well as the results.
February 5th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I love the way you are working with the abstract on some photos and representational on others.
February 6th, 2007 at 6:54 am
I think the idea is very interesting. Seeing how different artists interpret the same picture will be educational, I think. I do love the one you did from the Guatemala picture. Very vibrant.
February 6th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Spectacular. I am in awe. Just beautiful beautiful beautiful. The umbrella and the pool pieces are amazing. (It was El Salvador.) Your quilting will make the pool picture even richer — if possible. I must say, I agree that the flower does not quite hit the mark. Hmmm… I guess I should get to work on my pieces. You’ve inspired me.
February 6th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
I’m just noticing those cute little stitched triangles on the umbrella piece. So clever.
February 7th, 2007 at 11:16 am
You are doing some really interesting work and I especially love the umbrella (both before and after you altered it). You have definitely inspired me.