Hello,

I mentioned at the last post that I had selected my word for this year and it was line.  I have been thinking about that on my walks this week and I have compiled a list of over ninety ideas that are connected with that word.    Then I sub divided the line types into categories and I will write about the different types for a few weeks.   I will start with line in relationship to  art.

When I was teaching I would have my sixth graders do a line exercise where they would first draw one line from the left side to the right that changed direction somewhat but did not cross itself.  Then they were asked to change the color they were using and add a second line parallel to the first that was of a different type.  It could be  a wavy line , or a loopy line  or a thick line,  or a thin line,  or a dotted line, or a broken line, or a sharp line, or a zig-zag line, or a blurred line, or one that expanded and contracted.   I am sure I gave them lots of choices and they would keep building until the page was full.  The results  were always successful and beautiful.      It was a good way to introduce the concept to them.    But there are more ways that line is apart of art then just types.    There are all the lines that are a special part of perspective  for example.    Like sight lines, ruled lines, horizon lines, vanishing lines, diverging lines,  and vertical lines.  There are also lines that are just part of the objects in the pictures like roof lines, and tree lines and power lines.      Lines are so powerful in art.  They are everywhere.   Lines can be found  in the art  and are created  with  the materials that we use : like drawn lines,  sketched lines,  paint lines, drip lines, scratched lines, texture lines , shading lines, connecting lines, out lines, shadow lines, crease lines  and edge lines.    This topic will require more study.

This week QuEG’s meant and everyone had stuff to show.  Sally has been busy  with embroidery machine and she made these lovely place matts using a patriotic theme.  She also did a bit of Valentine work for her grand daughters.

This card has a thread constructed heart that can be removed and worn as a necklace.  I think it is wonderful and so delicate.  I have learned to really appreciate  her great work – it is always so very lovely.

Barb is working away on her cut away project.  She is also doing free motion machine work for the quilting portion of this one.

Liz had two Valentine related projects for us to look at. The first is this wonderful “cookie” pin.  I may just have to keep this idea in mind for next year.  

Her second work is a combination of red work embroidery and  piecing.   The embroidery was done by Jean Tracy and Liz did the boarders.  A great bit of team work.   It just makes me smile!

Progress Report:   Dry Falls Lichens     This quilt is based on a portion of a photo I took on a trip with Marty to see the Dry Falls National Monument in Washington State.         I just  loved the high contrast between the lichens and the rock.

   Some of the lichens were dead and they had returned to a gray color,  but retained there textures.   There were bright orange lichens on this same rock- but they were too much for this piece.    There were some dark blue gray lichens too .  It was fascinating to me.

No title for this work yet.  I thought I was creating a background for a stump that I created last week with Cris- but I do not think this works to support that idea any more.  It will just need to be studied  for a bit.

Nail Casings   I picked up the white plastic cast off holders from a nail gun while I was out on a walk earlier this fall.   They have been pinned to the bulletin board for a while and finally I started to embroider them down.     ( the very light areas on this image are from the sun shine coming into the studio  this morning)

Circuits  I have been adding chain stitches and  beads to this work for a while.   It is developing in a nice fashion.  I am enjoying the way  it is growing without having a real strong plan in mind.

New Work  I am really playing with this piece.  I  started pulling fabric that I though worked together and just started laying in down and stitching it together.   It is fun and I may just cut it up when it is done, because I need some small works for the 6″x 6″ challenge.   Time will tell.

Keep Creating

Carol