May 29, 2013

New Work - In Dreams I Flew Over the River

I’m excited to reveal my latest work, In Dreams I Flew Over the River.
SueReno_InDreamsIFlewOverTheRiver
In Dreams I Flew Over the River
It’s the culmination of a lifetime spent living near the Susquehanna River.  It kept appearing in my dreams, so I transported it into my waking hours with textiles.
SueReno_InDreamsIFlewOverTheRiverDetail1
In Dreams I Flew Over the River, Detail 1
It’s all there--the visible surface currents, the treacherous undercurrents, the many rocks and small islands, the wide variations in depth and breadth, the beauty on a calm day, and the tremendous destructive power when it floods.
SueReno_InDreamsIFlewOverTheRiverDetail2
In Dreams I Flew Over the River, Detail 2
Some of the shores are lined with productive farmland.  When I was a kid in central PA, I had an uncle who owned an island.  One summer when the river was very low, he drove an old International tractor across the shallows, and kept it in a shed on the island.   He grew corn and other garden crops there, and fished from the banks. 
SueReno_InDreamsIFlewOverTheRiverDetail3
In Dreams I Flew Over the River, Detail 3
Here in southern Lancaster County, the banks rise into my beloved River Hills, which enfold my favorite hiking spots and the landscapes that provide much of the inspiration for my botanical work.

I began this work by needlefelting the river, layering wool roving and silk snippets and fibers to build up the depth, textures, and transparencies of the river.  The banks are also needlefelted with silks and wool, and couched lace.   The borders are silks that I free-form pleated and manipulated.  I then layered it with batting and a backing fabric, and heavily quilted and stitched it to add even more texture, depth and movement.

The size is 54”h x 43”w. 

Thanks to all my readers and friends for your ongoing support and encouragement.

5 comments:

allie aller said...

It seems like innovation truly springs from great love. Your deep and fulfilling connection to this place had the power to launch you off in this new and wonderful direction.
It must have been an ecstatic experience, making this Sue! And it is wonderful....congratulations!

Silvia "orkaloca" Dell'Aere said...

Hi Sue, wow I really like your quilt. The most coloured center is enhanced by the pale brown sides. Moreover it seems to me that the simplicity of the border makes a good contrast with the most intricate and visually textured central part.
Congratulations!

Anni Matsick said...

This conveys to me a strong sense of flow so, I guess, mission accomplished! Evocative title, gets you thinking of such transport.
Really beautiful, Sue!

Susan Lenz said...

Congratulations and thank you for sharing this piece! The work is indeed wonderful in concept and construction and it reminds me of my youth in the other end of Pennsylvania and summer camp along the Allegheny!
Susan

KAM said...

Sue, Thank you for sharing this new direction in exploring and creating in fiber. It is quite delicious in color, form and texture. Always your work has spoken excitedly to my spirit and this piece does not disappoint that very central part of me. The river connects with my many years of memory living on the Trinity River in northern California and as well, brings the local Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers to my mind. I enjoy your heart connection to the vistas that stimulate your muse to create. Kristin