New Work - 52 Ways to Look at the River

52 Ways to Look at the River

 Hurrah, 52 Ways to Look at the River is finished! It was an huge project, challenging at times but also fun and rewarding. I'm so glad I made the commitment and followed through on it. I'm also very thankful for all the support and encouragement I had as I progressed, with so many readers following along. I was very close to being done in the fall when I got waylaid by my involvement in the James Webb Space Telescope project, and the making of Luminosity. Now that that's completed, I had the time to wrap up 52 Ways.

52 Ways to Look at the River, detail 1

52 Ways to Look at the River will be making its exhibition debut at my solo show, Sue Reno: Life Along the River, Narrative art quilts depicting the Susquehanna River and its environs, March 3 - 31, Marketview Arts Gallery, York PA. I hope that some of my local friends will be able to join me for the opening reception Friday night, 5:30 - 9:00.  I will also be giving an artist talk on Saturday, March 25th at 11:00 a.m.

52 Ways to Look at the River, detail 2

 A brief synopsis of the project if you are new to it: I’ve lived near the Susquehanna River for most of my life. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time visiting its shores and hiking the adjacent trails. It occurred to me that there was something new to notice every time. With that guiding principle I undertook an ambitious project to document my observations.

Beginning on the 2015 summer solstice and continuing uninterrupted for a year, each week I visited the Susquehanna River somewhere along its course and took pictures. Back in the studio, I chose an image and interpreted it in a 6” x 12” fiber art panel. 

52 Ways to Look at the River, detail 3

The panels are on a wool/rayon felt base and are primarily needlefelted with wool and silk fiber, with some added applique, and were machine and hand stitched. I wrote about the process and illustrated it extensively here on my blog, and you can track it back at: http://suereno.blogspot.com/search/label/52%20Ways%20to%20Look%20at%20the%20River
or just click the 52 Ways tab in the top header.

52 Ways to Look at the River, detail 4

At the end of the 52 weeks, I began assembly of the panels.  I hand painted fabric and quilted it to form a background. Each panel was appliqued onto black felt and then stitched on the quilt. I added hand beadwork with glass beads and semi-precious stones.  The finished size is 72”h x 82”w.

52 Ways to Look at the River, detail 5

I hope you've enjoyed this journey as much as I have!  As always, thank you for reading and commenting.