Mikolaj: Polish Santa

Mikolaj: Polish Santa. 20X30 Bohemian Tapestry Designed for The Polish Pottery Shoppe. The polish word Mikolaj actually interprets as Nicholas. He is traditionally a polish saint who delivered good things to children during the Christmas Holy Days. I have placed him in a rural setting among the forest creatures and making his way to all those out of the way homes where Polish children await him. The cardinals are his companions, as well as a red fox who has befriended him on his journey. The bag of toys tells the story. You can purchase this at The Polish Pottery Shop  You can see this on Off The Wall Fridays SOLD.

Shadows and Light

Shadows And Light: Raw Edge Tapestry 28 X 30. This is another in my series of Still Life Tapestries. The process is one that replicates the look of an Impressionistic Painting in a fabric art quilt. The idea is to free form cut pieces or snippets of fabric that are used just like a painter uses paints. My muslin foundation takes the place of a canvas. These tapestries must be viewed from a distance. The brain will take the shapes and colors and interpret them as an image of old roses that are in their last stages. When the petals are about to fall, but still holding on. Light dances around the surface of the vase and off of the flowers and leaves. Shadows fall on the stems,the leaves and on the table . It is difficult to explain my process, so I have put together a tutorial on how I made this here Or just click on the Tapestry Tutorial tab. This can be purchased at The Polish Pottery Shoppe SOLD.

January Thaw

January Thaw: Landscape Series. This 24 X 28, Raw Edge Tapestry is the last addition to my explorations of the tapestry technique. After 6 months of applying myself to this process, I now feel that I know it's properties. I have finally conquered the challenges of how to manage the composition and applications to it's best advantage. My conclusion is that the secret to success is through abstract design. In other words, "Keep It Simplified." Forget the details, as they get lost in the texture. And maybe that is the real answer to all future questions on the subject of fiber art. Elements that work well on the smooth surface of a canvas, do not altogether work with fabric. There is a bigger picture here. This is, of course, what the moderns discovered so long ago. Breaking your elements down to the basics of art and design. My next explorations involve the study of color. More of it, and how it works. Should be interesting, don't you think?