I’ve made a bit more progress the commissioned art quilt, I’m affectionately calling The Kraken. Everything is fused down and I’ve started the thread painting. It’s a change from my normal subject matter, but I”m having a blast. My client loves octopuses and I think she’s gonna really like this, I decided to add a second octopus just to surprise her. here’s some progress photos
About Myself & My Approach
Art has always played a role in my life, in one form or another. by my teens I had narrowed my focus to painting. I decided I was going to become a serious painter. I joined the Las Vegas Artist's Guild at 15, the youngest member at that time. I was completely out of place, I tried to go unnoticed, a mute fly on the wall, with a big smile pasted on my face.
I've continued to paint most of my life.
After a move to Oregon years later, I was introduced to quilting and fell in love.
I was introduced to quilting & fell in love.
In time I missed the creative freedom painting made possible.
Then I discovered mixed media fiber art, I was home.
MY APPROACH TO ART
It's the creative process that holds the greatest attraction for me. Starting with a tiny seed of an idea; vague and blurred around the edges, I follow where that leads. There are often many changes and adjustments along the way. The result can often be surprizing.
My approach is an instinctual one. Generally, I do little pre-planning. I make creative decisions, choices, directions as they present themselves.
This approach can lead to quite a few changes in the direction.
I love that element of surprize!
Sometimes I have one that I especially like, I can't wait to show someone.
At that moment l feel like a six year old, running home from school, a drawing in hand, excited to show Mom. At those times. I'm smiling like the Cheshire cat.
I’ve had some of my work published in several magazines. which is exciting. But the most gratifying thing is having clients be really happy with their purchased art quilt.
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6 thoughts on “Follow Up on The Kraken art quilt”
I love your quilt and subject matter. The detailing and colors are wonderful. I’m sure your client will be pleased.
Thanks Paula, that’s the part about commissions that I really enjoy, it pushes you in new directions you might not have tried otherwise, And yes, she really liked it.
I am soooo impressed! Can I ask you to share what kind of batting you like best for silk wall hangings? I have dyed a pc of silk that I want to thread paint on but am unsure if I want to use a heavy pellon (stiff) of a soft batting…
Teresa, I used a poly/cotton blend on this quilt. I often use 100% cotton as well. It doesn’t matter all that much.
To be honest, with art quilts, a bit of stiffness is good. The edges can get some wavy ness and not lay flat against the wall. This is true especially if you have a lot of raw edged applique on it [as I do in most of my quilts.] On the Kraken all the elements, the octopuses, the ships, the sails and even the rocks were first painted on separate silk, which had been fused with Wonder Under, even before painting them. After that fuse them on and finish the edges with zigzag or whatever you prefer. I highly recommend that you fuse Wonder Under to the silk background fabric before appliqueing anything onto it. You’ll have a mess if you don’t do that.
In my Tutorial section I have several posts about fusing and appliqueing silk. Silk stretches a lot and can be difficult to work with. The Wonder Under really helps.
Hope this helps, if you run into problems I’ll try to help if you drop me a line.
Barb
Barbara Harms Fiber Art 
I love your quilt and subject matter. The detailing and colors are wonderful. I’m sure your client will be pleased.
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Thanks Paula, that’s the part about commissions that I really enjoy, it pushes you in new directions you might not have tried otherwise, And yes, she really liked it.
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Gorgeous piece. The fabric looks dyed…is it? I am sure your customer will just love this.
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No it isn’t dyed, it is a wet on wet technique
Barb
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I am soooo impressed! Can I ask you to share what kind of batting you like best for silk wall hangings? I have dyed a pc of silk that I want to thread paint on but am unsure if I want to use a heavy pellon (stiff) of a soft batting…
LikeLike
Teresa, I used a poly/cotton blend on this quilt. I often use 100% cotton as well. It doesn’t matter all that much.
To be honest, with art quilts, a bit of stiffness is good. The edges can get some wavy ness and not lay flat against the wall. This is true especially if you have a lot of raw edged applique on it [as I do in most of my quilts.] On the Kraken all the elements, the octopuses, the ships, the sails and even the rocks were first painted on separate silk, which had been fused with Wonder Under, even before painting them. After that fuse them on and finish the edges with zigzag or whatever you prefer. I highly recommend that you fuse Wonder Under to the silk background fabric before appliqueing anything onto it. You’ll have a mess if you don’t do that.
In my Tutorial section I have several posts about fusing and appliqueing silk. Silk stretches a lot and can be difficult to work with. The Wonder Under really helps.
Hope this helps, if you run into problems I’ll try to help if you drop me a line.
Barb
LikeLike