Endeavourers Reveal Day 7 – A Walk in the Park
Today is the quarterly reveal day for members of the online art quilt group The Endeavourers.
This quarter our theme was “A Walk in the Park,” and I had a lot of ideas. I ended up creating a miniature version of Dale Chihuly’s Fiori Boat, which I saw in Arkansas two years ago.
Dale Chihuly’s Fiori Boat, at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas
Fiori Fun
When I make these pieces, I look at my reference photo, but I don’t continually compare my piece to the original photo, as is evident above — my boat is much shorter and squattier than the original!
My challenge was to interpret these flowing free-standing forms with fabric and embellishments.
I stitched the bottom layer shapes first and then painted them. I added others with raw-edge applique, beads, and ribbons.
My favorite part of this piece is that I remembered to try to unify the different elements. To do this, I added big stitches in embroidery floss and ribbon, to bring more interest to the background trees and the grassy hill. And to me, these stitches also express the emotion of celebration that I feel in Chihuly’s works.
Big stitches and paint daubs to capture the highlights of the leaves.
I had a lot of fun creating this piece, and I would love to do a series about all the other places I have seen Chihuly’s work.
I wrote a little more about it here, and I would encourage you to go look at the other variations on this theme too!
I especially like the buttons you snuck in there. It might be fun to try the shapes in silk or some other shiny fabrics. And the different weights of embroidery thread really adds to your piece.
Silk would be great! I did two little stitch versions of his vases on regular polyester twill tape — didn’t have to worry about the edges fraying.
I always think of these pieces as maquettes, but if I ever did a real one, I would use great materials and better craftsmanship. 🙂
That is F U N! A friend just went to an exhibit of his……..will send this on to her. Thanks.
I am always appreciative of the way he allows photography in his galleries. And once a worker in the big Las Vegas gallery shared with me that a lady had come in with a quilt she made based on a Chihuly jigsaw puzzle, and they loved it. I would love to see it too!
Love your imagination and innovative interpretation..
My daughter and I saw a Chihuly installation at the Phoenix Botanical Garden a few years ago. Magical! I Love that you based your quilt on the boat.
How have I missed the Phoenix Botanical Garden on my trips?! Sounds like I need another visit!
What a fun piece. I love Chihuly glass sculptures and have done since I first saw his work on Pinterest a few years ago. I now have quite a ‘collection (if only!)’ of images of his work. Your interpretation is lovely, it made me think of Bird of Paradise flowers.
Thank you, I can see the Bird of Paradise flowers in it too, now that you mention it!
He is so inspiring, I hope to do more pieces based on his work.
This is a fun piece!
What an interesting installation and I love your interpretation of it. I’ve not heard of Chihuly but will have ot find out more – thank you
Now that you have heard of him, he will probably pop up everywhere for you! 🙂
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
Thanks, I love Chihuly’s work and it was fun to show it in textiles!
You are just so talented!!! I love your interpretation!
Oh, thank you! It was fun to work on!
It’s always so interesting to see how your group members interpret the theme, so differently!
I know! I always love Janine’s, they look like illustrations for a children’s book. And this time I loved Fiona’s beautiful counting book as well! So inspiring!
Congratulations! Your blog has been included in INTERESTING BLOGS in FRIDAY FOSSICKING at
https://thatmomentintime-crissouli.blogspot.com/2019/08/friday-fossicking-9th-august-2019.html
Thank you, Chris
A great concept, beautifully interpreted.
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