Adding Color
Adding color to your pieces is easier than you may think. I make a simple value study of each piece and then decide which value to interject some wonderful unique color. Take a look at the eye. The light and medium values are done in more realistic colors and the dark value is a beautiful deep turquoise blue. I could have chosen any color or any of the three values to put the color. I’ll be revising my classes soon to be able to teach this method of adding color in a one day workshop. So, stay tuned!
Blues in the dark value
Warm and Cool
OK, I know that we know this but do we let colors do what they are so good at doing? Take a look at the two images below. Does one small square seem to sit on top while the other small square appears to be a whole that you could put your hand through? This is the character of warm (aggressive) and cool (receding) colors. The large blue square seems to help push the already aggressive red square forward. In art quilts we can help push things forward by adding blue behind them in the shadows. The blue helps to create even more depth. Next time you have a shadow in your art quilt consider adding blue and see what magic happens!
Working on a “new” Color Class
It starts with “Value”
Here are two examples of value, one has a much higher contrast than the other. One is not better than the other. Both can be use for specific purposes in different parts of the art quilt. Notice how the shapes stand out much more in the higher contrast image. In traditional quilting high contrast becomes very important in making the pattern/design stand out. High contrast is important in the art quilt as well but not over the entire surface. The art quilter needs to understand value and use it to direct the eye. In an art quilt there may be areas of less contrast that give way to ares of high contrast. Obviously, what you want the viewer to see (what is important in the story) will be in the high contrast area.
Low value contrast
High value contrast
I promise to blog more so stop by to see what is new. I’ll post more about the new color class as it develops.
See me on The Quilt Show free
From January 22-29 you can see me (Episode #1002) with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims on “The Quilt Show” free! Tell your friends!
The Quilt Show
You can now see me on “The Quilt Show” with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. I saw it yesterday for the first time! I am so grateful for this opportunity. It was a wonderful and exciting experience! All the people who worked the day of the taping were so warm and professional. Alex and Ricky are such down to earth people who really love what they do and really care about their guests and promoting them in their careers. I am forever Grateful!
This week you can join “The Quilt Show” with a 20% off discount coupon, see my show and continue to see other shows weekly plus get lots of other fun things they have to offer. Go to: http://www.thequiltshow.com/ The coupon code is 199891305045.
Next week I’ll post a link to see just my show for free and of course you still have the option of signing up with the 20% discount.
I’m Writing a Book!
The book “Light the Way with Color” is all about how to use and choose value and color in art quilts. The writing is done and now it’s all about photographing the process, which means making some new quilts and taking photos of each step. I’m looking forward to the finished product. If you sign up for my monthly news letter I’ll let you know when it is available. The news letter sign up is on the home page.
Make your May 2011 Destination…
Art Quilt Santa Fe
Join Linda Schmidt and me, May 1-6, 2011 for the ultimate Santa Fe Art Quilt experience. Spend 5 nights at the beautiful Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino. There will be an opening day party with four days of classes, a banquet, entertainment and many giveaways.
The Southwest, a melting pot of cultures and color is the perfect environment to inspire creativity and discover talent and abilities you may not have realized were there. Free hourly shuttles will transport you to and from the Historic Santa Fe Plaza where the Santa Fe architecture, colorful galleries and specialty shops will delight your appetite for the unique beauty of the southwest.
So, come sip margaritas, make new friends, and create something beautiful at Art Quilt Santa Fe!
New Artist’s Statement
Please read my “new” artist’s statement on my bio page. At some point we grow and understand ourselves and what we really do a whole lot better. I think this reflects that growth.
Niche Award
Old Pecos Cabin
It is truly an honor to be named a 2010 Niche Award winner in the Fiber Art Quilt category. As a fiber art quilt artist, I like most, have one foot sunk deep into the quilting realm and the other foot wading in the shallow water of the “art” community. This award takes me into deeper waters of the art community presenting more opportunities. If you have a chance, take a look at the incredible talent in all the Niche categories. www.nicheawards.com
Bucky is traveling!
Bucky is off to The International Quilt Festival/Chicago to be a part of the IQA Judged Show, Celebrate Spring! The kids at church are amazed that Bucky will be traveling without me. Bucky is definitely their favorite quilt right now. Hopefully he will be a great ambassador and loved by many who have the opportunity to see him. Of course even though he travels alone, a little piece of me goes with him. I’m sure every artist feels this way.
We pour our selves into each piece hoping to share some rare and wonderful insight that reaches deep inside each viewer and stirs wonder and amazement. I hope people see things they may have missed and feel things they have never felt before. When you see great art, do you have such feelings? Something to think about at least! Art is much more than a pretty picture! It should move people! Hope you enjoy my new blog. Bucky will soon be staring in the time laps video on my home page!
Michelle