Ellen Lindner: Art & Creativity

Creating art with fabric and thread is a slow endeavor.  I admit to sometimes being jealous of artists working in other media, since I “know” they can complete their pieces more quickly.

I’m using a lot of hand stitching on my current quilt, which is slowing me down even more than usual.  Click on the image for a much better view.

However, I have to reluctantly admit the benefit of working slowly.  That is, it gives me time to ponder options.  And to consider a quilt’s strengths, weaknesses, and possible variations.

This sort of thinking made me notice some issues with my current quilt.  And convinced me to add more contrast to the desired focal area, top left.  I had been noticing, on Pinterest, how many art pieces benefitted from a few dark spots, so I auditioned the idea with some pieces of black fabric.

Hmm.  From the first audition, above, I learned:
– Yes, black adds contrast,
– But, it’s pretty strong,
– And the placement and size of the pieces will be critical.

I calmed things down a little by switching out most of the black for dark purple and gray.  And did a lot of fiddling.  Plus, I reworked the largest blue shape.

Eventually, I arrived at this which is (I think) my final composition.

So, the title of this post is sort of a pun.  The “value” of working slowly is that I noticed the need for value (light/dark) contrast.

Now, for some more hand stitching.  While I continue to consider this piece.  Not sure, but it might be getting close to completion.

I’m interested as to how others work on abstract pieces like this.  Do you do a lot of this back and forth slow auditioning and reworking ?  Or, do you go in with a strong vision and efficiently implement it?

However, you do it, I hope you’re enjoying the process.  I am!

Ellen Lindner
AdventureQuilter.com
P.S. If you like this sort of abstract composition, you might enjoy my Notes for a Friend series.