It was interesting working on this theme, overwhelming at
times. Initially I had a great idea, it’s why I picked the theme but somehow,
the idea disappeared and a new one had to be found.
I remember a poem
written by a San man, one of the wandering people from the deserts of Southern
Africa, he wrote about The People leaving their footprints in the sand and the
wind blowing them away. We are only remembered for as long as the marks we make
last.
"And our footprints, which the wind intends to blow away, would otherwise still lie plainly visible." Dia!kwain, San People
The San people only “own” what they can carry from place to place. There are so many things in my boxes that I can make marks with, most items made by other people. I wanted some way to create marks that came completely from my hands and mind. Marks that were personal to me. To that end I used cheap erasers, lino carving tools, a piece of sponge, thickened procion dyes and a piece of white cloth. Strangely embellishment did not work on the quilt, so it is simple, only the images defined by the lines of stitching.
These are my marks, they are imperfect, the grid is imperfect,
but they exist.
Although this challenge came back to bite you, it did challenge you, and you have made interesting choices as a result. I like the slight imperfection, yet bubbling creativity that jumps off the screen.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful thought and design. Loads to look at and absorb.
ReplyDeleteFantastic quilt! I love the primitive nature of the marks the color of the inks, and the green peaking out. Great work.
ReplyDeleteThis really works Margy! Simple and effective. I like how you sprinkled the chartreuse colour here and there.
ReplyDeleteI like the graphic nature of your piece, with lots of intriguing marks to view and think about.
ReplyDeleteLove your final choice--that must have been a lot of carving-the imperfections reflect human marks. Ingenious idea and your addition of the yellow green makes it cohesive and vivid.
ReplyDeleteLove the double meaning of the title, having the footprints erased by the wind, and making marks with erasers... And the green squares to put a bit of extra colour.
ReplyDeleteI like the grid format of this piece!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful inspiration. Can't imagine all the work involved with making all those personal stamps. I think all your choices were spot on.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is a lot of work to make all these stamps. I like the interpretation of the poem.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of the work that went into the making of this quilt. I too struggled most with the theme that I chose for the group myself. Isn't that funny?
ReplyDeleteAt any rate you definitely worked it out!
... a beautiful piece.