PORTRAIT OF A ROOSTER

PORTRAIT OF A ROOSTER

Original design

Rawedged fused applique

Machine quilted

Measures 22" X 18"

Is available for sale in my Etsy shoppe.

I must apologize for not showing you a step by step posting of this piece as I made it. 

I guess things just got away from me this time.  However, if you go below you will see the journey and be able to take it with me now.

THE JOURNEY

BACKGROUND

For those of you who are new to my blog, I like to quilt my entire background before beginning the details of the piece.  I relate it to the canvas of a painter and prepare it first before I begin.  Even though much of it will be covered it still saves a lot of time in the end because there is no stopping and starting, or any quilting around the details of the piece which can be difficult and very time consuming.  I choose to do it this way, you do not have to.  We all must find what works for us.  I believe in that in all aspects of my art.

IT ALL STARTS WITH A SKETCH

"GOOD MORNING"

"GOOD MORNING"

36" X 28"

Original Copyrighted design

Raw edged fused applique

Machine Quilted

Framed on stretcher bars.

THE JOURNEY

Thank you all once again for taking this journey with me.   It was a fun one and full of fall colors.  I enjoyed the process and am happy with the results.    Now...what will be next?

UNDER THE NEEDLE

Mr. Rooster is still "under the needle" and will be for a while yet.  Feathers take a bit of time.
Will be having family coming this October and staying for several days.  I am setting that as a reason to finish this beforehand.  So we will see if I meet that deadline.  Sometimes deadlines are good to set for yourself.  

RED FEATHERS YELLOW FEATHERS

What can I say?   It is all about the feathers right now.  Thought I would finish the fusing but came up just a wee bit short.

DAYS WORK

Here is how far I got in one day.  Nothing is quilted at this time.  I like the progress so far and the color combinations and fabrics.  Getting excited to keep working now.

FEATHERS AND MORE FEATHERS

Building from the bottom up using rich colors for the feathers.  Continuing on.......

ROOSTER HEAD

Did not expect to post twice in the same day but thought since time is allowing me this gift then I should take advantage of it.  

Here you will see the tissue paper drawing over the pieces of fabric I chose to construct this Rooster's head.  Once I am happy with them I fuse them down on my black teflon sheet.

I finished his head and now will start with the feathers....I will not fuse this onto my background until completely finished but like to pin it on to keep it safe overnight and to see how it will contrast with it.  Remember that once quilted all these shadows will blend in a bit better then raw like this.  I am happy with it so far.

FUSIBLE

Sometimes life just does not want to cooperate with your artistic endeavors and this week has been that way for me.  Many distractions, some good some not so good, but all keeping me out of the studio.   It happens, there is nothing you can do about it but wait until "the dust settles" and move on.   Today I finally have time to begin again.

I selected all the fabrics I will use for this rooster and then decided to work on the head first even though it is one of the last things to go on.   I think it will motivate me, knowing it is finished, as it is what gives this guy life. 

Then I traced all the parts to the head from my drawing to my fusible...of course they are are the reverse side of the drawing so that once fused onto the fabric they will face the right direction.

As you can see, there are many parts...most of them are shadows or light.  Now to put them all together and find out what he looks like and what personality he has.

THE ROOSTER

I apologize for the difficulty in seeing my sketches but it is of a rooster crowing.  I am doing another rooster because I like doing chickens and roosters.  This one if larger....36 " X 28".
I am planning on adding a border this time ...unless after he is finished I change my mind. 
It excites me to do another bird....have not done one for a while.  I have always enjoyed doing them so much. 

My background is totally quilted as usual.  Liked this fabric  and the design looked like eggs so I thought it appropriate.  This rooster is very colorful so I think it will stand out nicely on this piece.

Hope you can join me on another journey.

"Chanticler"

 "Chanticler"

18inches X 24 inches

Interpretation of photo by Natalie Rowe

Rawedged fused applique

Machine Quilted

This rooster was a joy to make.  Just totally fun and joyful.  His name is McGuinty and he is a Chanticler Rooster which are rare.  He has the most Beautiful Tail.  Here is the original photograph.

Definitely a Bad Boy!

Rooster Under The Needle

 Finished up quilting the feathers on my big white rooster.  I need to finish his face details and then all that is left is the binding. 

It was warm enough late in the afternoon to open the window for the first time.  Both Watson and Zoey were riveted to the birds on the bare branches of the red maple that is right outside of the window.  Hopefully it will leaf out soon as this side yard view is not too pleasant.

Rooster

 Finally had a block of time to work on my rooster so he is no longer bare naked on my page. 

I keep adding feathers until he is completely covered.  I like to use the photo I am using in this case not only is it a photo but it is a photo from my friend Natalie Rowe.  She has wonderful birds on her farm and is generous enough to allow me to use her photos.  In this case it is her rooster, a beautiful and rare "Chanticler" named McGuinty.  

He is definitely a beauty. 

Ghost Image

I replaced those two light border pieces with medium toned pieces which I think work much better.

 Then I quilted the back ground so it is ready for my foreground pieces.

 I made a barn as the furthest from the front.

Then I added the background to my rooster.  He is going to be mainly white.  He is not fused on yet as I will add feathers on my teflon sheet first and complete him there.  Then when done I will fuse him on the quilt.   This one is just a fun simple piece to do to refresh myself before
making something more complicated.  I like to do that from time to time just to feel good and refreshed to tackle something more intense in it's construction.

Last but certainly not least...it was a horrible nightmare day yesterday in Boston.  My heart goes out to all the families that lost loved ones or had ones they loved loose their limbs or were injured  and terrified.  I only hope that authorities find whoever is responsible and brings them to justice fast before they do somthing else.