About 3 years ago I did a batch of hand dyes with pleating and dropped colours, and got several pieces I really liked but have never used. This green challenge gave me the chance to use one of them. It is whole cloth apart from the appliqued fence and birds.
Several things contributed to my inspiration. Firstly, I had photographed some canola fields near a river some years ago, and played with photoshop to give a crosshatch effect, which I intended to stitch one day. Secondly when I created the gate and the fence I immediately thought of Monet's magpie, even though his painting is of winter. Thirdly, going with the impressionist ideas, I chose the red poppies, which often spill at field edges - again a reference to Monet's poppies at Argenteuil.
I played with some more realistic sketches, before settling, as I usually do, on a simple graphic design. Size is 24 by 19.
What a lovely use of your background dyed whole cloth fabric and the way you have succeeded to interpret the background trees and the glimpses of sky. Making the magpies and poppies rather suppressed you have managed to make this piece conveying a feeling of stillness and repose. I think Monet should have agreed!
ReplyDeleteJulia, you have captured the feel of a Monet perfectly and the stitch work in the field reminds me of Van Gogh too. It's a beautiful minimalist design that is brought to life by those poppies and the birds. By the way what are they?
ReplyDeleteA beautiful answer to your inspiration. With all it's simplicity, you have managed to capture the essence of Monet.
ReplyDeleteWonderful piece, Julia! It has a lovely sense of peace and calm.
ReplyDeleteI love the little magpies in your picture. The image of the fence is so strong against the softness of your background. It really works. I like the way you have outlined the foresty backdrop. My mother instantly spotted the shape of an oak leaf and I think I've found Peter Rabbit!
ReplyDeleteJulia, we had the pleasure of looking at the Monet's in the National Gallery last Friday, you captured that indistinct background beautifully. Oh and I spotted Peter Rabbit too. Those tree shapes call out for image recognition
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