Beautiful Islands
Posted: Monday, 03 September 2007 |
I love the islands and in this quilt tried to capture some island elements, I find when most artists depict the islands they go for the scenery alone, I wanted to depict both the scenery and life, so with the scenery I have included music, fishing and a ferry, (on the outer islands I find that for many people Music is the only Art), I have tried a new (for me) way of working using less stitching, I wanted to express the layers of separation of land/water/land/water but also to include the enclosing walls of safety that the home/blackhouse gave, this is the first large quilt on this theme (not counting the Shiaba quilt), it is a theme I wish to explore further,
I would love to know what people think, not just if you like the quilt but positive criticism, don鈥檛 worry about art talk just how you feel about the quilt, I would also be interested in what elements you associate with the islands, thanks in advance to all who comment,
Comments
I recognise some of the elements you've used, notably the drystone wall painting I was so fond of! Your island quilt is a nice idea. Could you include more of the animal and bird life in some way? I see you have eggs already. And maybe some night sky elements - there is less light pollution there and should give better skies? Just a thought, FWIW.
Jill from EK
I thnk the second detail would make a quilt on its own and I, like Jill, am really taken with the use of the drystane walling, which is very effective. Barbed wire and licheny fenceposts...but you've probably done that already. Rusting bits of machinery and old buses full of pelargoniums...Lighthouses...
Flying Cat from junkheap challenge
A beautiful piece of work. I have no criticism - the colours are truly wondrous. Do you take commissions, sell your work? I would love some of your work in my home, it's beautiful
Squidgy the Otter from Coll
Are any of the Island quilts for sale?
Helen Blake from Lemreway
IT, how about using the pattern of fish scales? (not the weighing ones, the ones on the skin of the fish!). They are lovely in their iridescence. Or feathers? Or shells?
Jill from EK
In case IT does not feel like mentioning it herself, Helen Blake, check the link above right Frances Art Pages.
mjc from NM,USA
Jill and FC thanks, I am not looking for ideas what I am interested in is what things other people associate with the islands, the drystone wall relief print is a design of two sections of the stone wall painting, FC the second detail is the medium size collograph Slice of Landscape, I posted one of the large size as a small art quilt earlier this year, I think March, this quilt has all three sizes, I wanted to use some of the prints as components of a larger work, the small one is in the top left hand of this quilt, I know someone who based her final project at Art school on the rusting items in the peat bogs, she made some fantastic pieces,
island threads from lewis
Mjc thanks for your directions, I am not allowed to as IB doesn't allow advertising and marketing, Squidgy thanks for your nice comment, Squidgy and Helen thanks for your interest you can e mail me through my website which has not got the new work on yet,
island threads from lewis
You've got several of the elements IT, but the sights I associate with the islands include (in no particular order): machair flowers, heather, stones (standing or otherwise), sand, old blackhouses (still), peatstacks (ditto), harbours (like Port of Ness and Skigersta), headlands, rocky coastlines, sheep, seagulls, fanks (of course), sheepdogs, tractors and trailers, lochans, peaty brown rivers, seaweed, rockpools, traditional croft houses, village post offices, churches, cattle grids, rust, the church bus, ...... Sadly looms and tweeds by the road waiting to be collected are now few and far between.
Annie B from the usual
This is a very interesting composition, in that my eye follows the lines back and fourth, as if navigating a maze. There is a lot of small detail that escaped me at first glance, such as the net and rope in the lower left. You should be proud.
Donna from finally home in Shetland
Thanks for your thoughts Annie B and Donna I find it interesting the different things people think of, I was not going to include any sheep due to my family being removed so there could be sheep but a couple of small ones crept in they probably don鈥檛 show in the photo, I have several drawings of the fishing boats and would like to include them in the future but for this one it was just the creels and ropes, I quiet like 'suggesting' things to draw people closer in and making them think,
island threads from lewis
I particularly love the marine colors you chose and your use of repetitive lines. It is a beautuful quilt that draws the viewer in to study the details.
Conni from NJ
thanks Conni,
island threads from lewis
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