UNDER THE SEA

 UNDER THE SEA

35" X 20 3/4"

Available Here

Creating this quilt was a joy and an escape.  My life was a bit chaotic during the creation process but it took me away into the beautiful life beneath the surface of the ocean and in doing so was joyful to work on.  It depicts tropical fish, tropical ocean plant life, a grumpy crab and bubbles floating to the surface.  I hope you enjoy the detail shots below and the journey of this art quilt.

THE JOURNEY

It was a long journey but it was so worthwhile.  I hope you agree.............Barbara

UNDER THE NEEDLE

I have been both busy with the finishing of our lower level...moving furniture down there...hanging art and clocks (my husband Bob collects antique clocks) and new furniture coming to replace it for the upstairs....along with a very bad cold...it has not left much time in my studio.  However, I recently have felt better and so have been able to quilt new additions to the piece.  Here is my progress "under the needle". 

PROBLEMS

I see a few problems and thought I would post it with them in it anyway.....I will correct them in the next few days.  I did this because this is the one very good thing about photographing your work and then looking at it in the photo....sometimes what you do not see suddenly becomes apparent to you so clearly when looking at it in photo format.  Not worried...will be an easy fix.

HELP IT'S KELP!

Could not resist the title to this post!   Had the day in the studio so thought I should just post this now since with Easter coming up there will not be a lot of time in the next few days for this kind of progress in a full day.   Love the movement the Kelp added.  Lots more coming but it is starting to take shape now and I am happy with it.

BUBBLES, PROJECTS & PEEWEE

 I must apologize for not posting for a while but you will see below that I ahve been busy with my lower level project as well as the newest member of the family. 

I have found time to work in between and am in the process of quilting  the right side of this piece.
Still the furthest back parts of the art quilt.  Then I will work on the left side before adding the foreground items.  This is being done sort of intuitively rather then by a sketch of the total seascape.  I sketch out the individual items and select the fabric and place them.  A little risky but makes me fun too.  Some will get rejected I am sure but that is okay....they can be saved for a later project.

 In the meantime work continues on my "lower level".  Used to call it the basement because that is what is was basically but now it is turning into a great office and tv watching space for my husband and family when they are all over.  We did all the framing and the insulation with help from kids.  Then drywallers came in and electricians to do the rest and to texture and prime the walls.  Then I painted with some help from my daughter Molly.  Now come a new patio door and then carpeting and a return visit from the electrician to put in ceiling lights and finish all the outlets.   It will be a great space.

Then there is PeeWee.   Still small but very very active!   Loves being with me in the studio and is still learning the "Rules".  That means many interruptions when I am trying to work...but he is a sweety and getting along well with his sister and brothers. 

SOMETHING FISHY

Because I like to quilt as I go rather then quilt around a lot of objects, I need to add a fish now even though early on.  So I draw him out on tissue and then take a sheet of fusible and trace all the parts of him labeling them with what they are and what color they are.  This is all done in reverse of the way he will face on the quilt.

 

 Then I cut out all the pieces and peel the fusible off.

 Using a long my teflon sheet, a long needle and my tissue drawing I place the parts onto the fish in order.  It does not have to be exactly precise....it is your fish you know.

Once he is finished.....I place him on the background and will fuse him down and quilt him.

This construction took me one full hour before quilting.