I've put together another top in Watt & Shand series. It features images from February of this year, when the construction was starting to wind to a close. A worker was on the roof of the original building, installing the replacement balustrades when I took these pictures.
My focus for the design of #8 was on repetition and scale, and I kept the color scheme somewhat muted, at least by my standards, so as to key in on these elements. One thing I am enjoying about working so intently on this series is the familiarity I am gaining with the details of the building. I've spent years taking the photos, a lot of time choosing, editing and tweaking the ones for each quilt, and then more time putting the prints onto fabric in various ways. This is all followed by a lot of intensive stitching, tracing the outlines of the windows, the stonework, the Beaux Art ornamentation, and construction structures like scaffolding and cranes. It's all been time well spent, for at this point I feel like I know my subject matter, in terms of line and form, very intimately. It's opened me up to new lines of thought and expression because I am so confident of the fundamentals.
If you are new here, you can follow this project back to its inception by clicking on "Watt & Shand" under Labels in the right sidebar. And if you have been following along for some time, thank you very much, I so appreciate everyone who checks in and comments.
4 comments:
Awesome, Sue!
Lovely works... Glad I run across your blog!
I enjoyed browsing your progress photos and completed works.
This work is taking on a diorama effect...what an interesting direction for you. Have you seen Wes Anderson's movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox"? I think you would enjoy it and maybe relate to his vision. I can see a character, even a scene enacted out on each of the blocks in your new Watt & Shand piece.
Keep up the excellent work!
Mary
Mary,
I have been thinking about this a great deal the last few days. As usual, you are very perceptive. I did not set out to illustrate a narrative, but that is the direction it is taking. I think, and hope, when all the pieces are together in the gallery it will get interesting in a way I couldn't have predicted....
Haven't seen the movie, but I keep hearing good things about it, I'll try and get there.
Connie and Lody, thanks for stopping by and commenting, I appreciate it!
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