I've just finished "Groundhog and Green Bean", one of the works in my new Flora and Fauna series. You're getting a first look at it here, as it's not on my website yet. The cyanotype prints on cotton are from photographs I took of a groundhog skull that was found in the woods locally. The lace along the left and bottom is vintage hand crocheted lace that I painted, from a pillowcase found at the flea market. All of the fabrics in this one, with the exception of the wonderful gray hand-dye at the bottom, are ones I painted or printed. The finished dimensions are 46"high x 50"wide.
Above is the view looking up into the top portion of the skull, with the molars, the eye sockets, and the two large incisors. I think it looks a bit like an alien life form. Below is the side view of the two parts of the skull. It doesn't seem like there's a lot of room for the brain, but groundhogs are very clever in their fashion. I've been telling people about my work, and shown the work in progress to a few, and I am delighted that it seems to spark in everyone a desire to tell me about their groundhog encounters and experiences. I think this is going to be a really fun series to exhibit.
And here is the green bean portion of the piece. I am pleased to report that the adolescent groundhog I spotted in the yard previously seems to have moved on to greener pastures, or at least pastures further from my neighbor's dogs, and my vegetable garden, knock wood, has been spared for the present.
I've actually taken a bit of time to relax and enjoy the summer this year--imagine that!-- but I'm gearing back up again and will be stitching away rather intensely in the coming weeks to ready more work for the debut of the Flora and Fauna series in October.
6 comments:
I love the idea of flora AND fauna together in one piece! I am so into the flora part it never occurred to me. This piece is wonderful. My father, who fought groundhogs from his garden, would have appreciated the fact that it is a skull. Thanks for sharing your amazing work!
I just KNEW I was going to love your new series - and I do! The very concept of using the skull image (with or without other bones) delights me. Collecting feathers, bones, fur, flower bits, etc. is something we have in common. Your vision with this series is nothing short of fantastic in my opinion.
Keep up the great work!
Interesting concept and beautiful colors. Have you written about cyanotype prints? I didn't see it on your tags listing. I'm not sure I've ever heard of anyone using that process on fabric.
Thanks everyone! Terry, I first saw cyanotype prints on fabric done by Wenda von Weise back in the 70's; her work was beautiful and haunting. The gallery at blueprints on fabric has some examples of artists currently working with the process: http://www.blueprintsonfabric.com/gallery.php
Sandra Sider works with it: http://www.sandrasider.com
and there's many others. I've been working with it for years and continue to be very excited about it.
Would love to see this work in person, Sue. I think it will be very impressive.
And, thanks for the info on cyanotype prints. I like the effect.
Sue,
Love the bones in your work, nice addition, very complimentary! Good job!!!
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