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Clothed in Color

WOW… I actually made an art quilt, and I can share it!   I had thought that the quilt must be kept secret until those juried in were announced, but apparently I was seriously wrong.  So I can SHARE!   Once again this year Jamie Fingal and Leslie Tucker Jenison are jurying and curating a show that will debut at the IQA show in Long  Beach, then hopefully head on to Houston and beyond.  The theme this year is “The Space Between.”

This is a detail of my face:

I knew what I wanted to do in a quilt, but wasn’t sure how it could fit the theme.  In chatting with Leslie by e-mail, she recognized that *I* was in the space between, the sandwiched generation handling the needs of both children and aging parent, not to mention spouse, work, family and all that.  I am indeed the one caught.

Presto!  I would finally get to make a quilt that has been in my head for four years:  a (discreet) nearly-nude self-portrait using no skin tones–I am clothes quite literally with color.  Like artists in the days of old, I find that I am my own least expensive and readily available model, so I ended up as the subject because I wanted to do another portrait, following the ones I had done of our pug:

and our older son:

I’ve been learning and experimenting with value (light-medium-dark), and used the pug (a 12×12 inch quiltlet) as a practice for the quilt of Joshua.  However, I wasn’t sure Joshua would like having pink, pale yellow, peach, mint green, baby blue or lilac skin.  SO….I opted for realisting skin tones and played with value in the color of his clothing, guitar and room furnishings.

When it came to me, I could do whatever I wanted, so I did.  Skin is pink, orange, plum, green, blue.  Hair is plum, peach, rust, dark green……in another post I’ll share the in progress photos.

Keep your fingers crossed…I hope it gets juried in to the exhibit again this year.

23 Responses to “Clothed in Color”

  1. Jean from 7700 yahoo group Says:

    I love the fact that you didn’t use skin tone. I love how all the colors play off each other and build volume. Surely this will make it into the exhibit. I can’t imagine it not.

  2. mathea daunheimer Says:

    Very Cool! I hope to see it in person!

  3. Rachel Parris Says:

    Way cool, Sarah! Can’t wait to see it in person!

  4. Cheryl Moncrief Says:

    Sarah, I love your self portrait! It really does look like you! I enjoyed visiting with you at the Houston Festival last Fall, from my “putt putt” at the entrance, waiting for them to open on the early viewing day for IQA. So I know your quilt really does look like you!

  5. Vicki W Says:

    Well done! You can really see the progression of your art in these.

  6. Carole Says:

    Sarah Ann… I remember the first 2, but I have to say this one of yourself is outstanding. Somehow, it has a feel the others do don’t… I mean a special feel.. and my guess is because it is you and you can really put yourself and emotion into it. I am so glad you were encouraged to see yourself in the ‘space’… Kudos and I hope it is juried in… I am sure it will be. Also thank you for sharing.

  7. Marjolijn Says:

    This is really beautiful. You have done a great job. I am afraid I can’t see it in real, but I suppose it even looks better in real.

  8. Annie Littlewolf Says:

    Hi Sarah!
    BEEAITIIFUU::::: se;f-portrait~ ir haa inapired me to try one of my own. As soon as I get the two quilts done that are ahead of it in line, then i can begin work on mine. I’M REALLY excited about doing this self-portrair. You did a really good job on yours, and I’m going to bookmark it on my FAVORITES list, so I can find it again real quickly when I am ready to start mine. Very nice, very nice.
    Annie Littlewolf

  9. Marilyn Wall Says:

    Sarah welcome back, I love the self portrait. I have been working with portraits a lot lately but am just using monochromatic values. I’ve been yearning to make one with colored fabric. This really inspired me.

  10. Wen Redmond Says:

    WOW GREAT PIECE! I love the use of non-trad skin tones.

  11. Sally Ickes Says:

    Very cool!

  12. Kathy Schmidt Says:

    Hey! I know the lady in that picture!!!! Wonderfully artistic treatment and it’s nice to hear the sentiments behind it, too. I’m sure it will be juried in–it’s fantastic!

  13. Gisela Towner Says:

    That’s a really lovely piece, Sarah! With those wonderful color choices, you absolutely glow!!

  14. sherry Peterson Says:

    cool and fun.

  15. Maggie Szafranski Says:

    Sarah, LOVE IT! It is so beautiful, and so haunting! And it perfectly fits the theme!

  16. Lisa A Says:

    You are amazing!

  17. Pat/TX Says:

    Sarah, it is beautiful, but then every piece of yours, I’ve seen is. Great job.

  18. Maia B Says:

    Sarah, this is just exquisite work. Beautiful, stunning…I don’t have the words to adequately praise it. Just so inspiring.

  19. Gail Says:

    Terrific Sarah!

  20. Me!!! Says:

    Just wonderful, Sarah!!!!

  21. Rita Says:

    Truly awesome!

  22. Art and Quilting in Camden » Blog Archive » Clothed in Color: how I did it…. Says:

    […] Clothed in Color […]

  23. Kristin McNamara Freeman Says:

    Sarah
    Thanks for sharing this wonderful expression of you! I have enjoyed the journey with your creative self and here she is! in full color. I will always look for more from you as we travel along the parallel roads. “She” is a real beauty!