Compositon Studies - Art Quilts

In the book "Color and Composition" it talks about the basic principals of design layouts. I thought it would be fun to make a small journal quilt to hand in my studio for each of the principals. Each of the finished design mini have been/will be made using left over scraps from the other exercises in the book (waste not want not).

These are the three I have made so far. Some day when the series is complete they will be quilted and bound- not sure it they will be individual or all one piece? Since this series is not about color but about design- I plan to use the complimentary color for the bulk of the scraps to make the design stand out.

If I have not said before in previous posts- I highly recommend this book for any fiber artist beginning or experienced that wants to really refine their skills. Not only are the photos inspiring but the exercises and ideas are practical and creative. You are not making someone else's quilt designs with their colors- instead you are using your photos and imagination to design patterns and then select colors.

Vertical Compositon

Diagonal Composition

Radiating Composition

Benjamin Smells Like Flowers

An art quilt inspired by Madeline

A few weeks ago at dinner, Maddie picked up Benjamin (our chihuahua) buried her nose in his fur and too a huge whiff.

Her face turned bright and with a huge smile she said, "Benjamin smells so good! Did you give him a bath today?"

I replied no....

"Oh... well then he must have been laying in flowers" How cute is that!

The top is about 18" X 18" I free motion quilted it the other day to add details to Benjamin's fur and face. It just needs the binding and buttons on the eyes.

What color am I today- Red

Red fiber book page I made after the "green" page. It represents being in the
hot sun from gardening. These are part of the collaborative effort at postcard pizzazz.

What color am I today- Green

Fiber book page for August- "What color am I today" GREEN- loved this fabric and the double meaning of the word- Green.

April Journal Quilt- Fat Bird?

" FaT BiRd"

I used wood textured fabric for the background then added purple tree batik, orange batik and purple and orange leaves fabrics. The upper right hand corner is a tree made from a branch from the offending tree and falling buttons for leaves.

The quilt is small so you probably can't read what it says.

"If a Tree Falls on a car and no one hears is does it make a noise?...Not sure but is sure does make a dent."

"Was it the tree or a 500 pound bird that sat on the car?"

The little quilt hangs from a bundle of branches from the fallen tree.

March Journal Quilt - Drew's Sunflower

March Journal Quilt

"Drew's Sunflower"

My March journal quilt was made from batik fabric scraps from a larger quilt that I have been working on and from wool, yarn, silk fibers and beads.

I wanted to make a hot Texas sun to look at since I am taking some medication for the next 6 months and have to completely stay out of the sun. I thought the blue, yellow and orange batiks made the quilt have a summer sky effect. After the sun was felted together, I hand beaded "rays" to extend from the center to the outer edges of the wool rays.

I had this quilt all finished and ready to label. I asked Drew (my son) what he thought of the name "forbidden sun". He told me it was a nice name but why would I call my sunflower a sun. So, some butterflies where added and now the March journal quilt is known as "Drew's Sunflower". I have it hanging in our hallway that we painted orange marmalade.