I am working on a new piece inspired by the news again. I have a scalloped edged tablecloth with some hand-embroidered olive branches in the corners that started my thought process. First step is to stitch in the geography. Interesting how following the lines of our coasts makes me feel like I am suspended over the pole looking down.
world view, work-in-progress
Face Value, 2014, Paula Kovarik
Thanks to my two talented and precocious grandsons my Face Value quilt was accepted into the LaConner Quilt Festival in LaConner Washington (October 3, 4 and 5). Had it not been for their incredible drawings this piece would not have as much power and charm. Their drawings inspired me to think about the question we often ask children: What do you want to be when you grow up? Working with the drawings taught me to respect the looseness of their lines, the simplicity of their vision and the dynamism in their dreams.
Face Value - detail, 2014, Paula Kovarik
Some of the titles I added to the drawings are editorial in nature. Like: who ever plans to be an innocent bystander? or a man on the street?
If you are in the LaConner area please stop at the Festival show and let me know how the piece looks in person.
Now what? Pundit (2) is done. Maybe. (except for the sleeve and the label) It leaves me with the feeling that I'm still missing something. Might be a brain freeze, I always get this way after finishing a piece...or maybe it's not finished? I've got that itchy feeling that its not right, not sure it accomplished my goals. I love the way this guy has dominated my studio over the past several weeks. You can ever have too much acid green, right? Maybe it really does have to be a series before I get it right.
I need to turn it away from me for awhile in order to come at the decision with a little more objectivity.
Pundit, detail
Pundit, back side.
Pundit - detail, Paula Kovarik, 2014
Getting closer to the end run on this one. After many an hour pulling out my hair (and stitches) because of machine problems and tension issues with my thread, I can happily announce that Pundit is on the road to finality. Here I am adding hand stitches to further emphasize the spewing nature of this loudmouth. I also want to add another line of stitching at the seam between the face and the background (you may be able to see the line that is there already...I just want it darker) After that I'll need to face the edges. Then it goes into the washer for a little surprise shaking up. I am hoping it puckers up and becomes a little distorted. Working with white fabric is challenging, I may need to find a source for a solid white cotton that is denser than Kona brand. Though I like the clarity it gives to the composition, I don't like the transparency at the seams.
