Ellen Lindner: Art & Creativity

After designing a plan for my Queen Palm (twigs) quilt, it was time to create the background.  After some consideration, I decided to slightly mimic the colors in the inspiration photo:  blue-green in the background and yellow-green for the foreground.  Since the colors are similar, I knew I’d have to create contrast with value.  I’d keep the background pretty dark and make the palm twigs lighter.

Click any image for a larger view

Plus, I wanted the background to have long sweeping curves, to contrast with the nubby twigs of the foreground.  So, as you can see above, the first pieces were cut accordingly.

Then, I started adding long curving leaves.  I wanted them to show, but not so much as to compete for attention with the upcoming foreground.  I auditioned each fabric choice to get it just right.

I decided to go ahead and quilt the background, before adding the main elements.  That was especially helpful, since I wanted to play up the long curving lines with the quilting.

In the photo below, you can see the quilted background, along with the early fabric auditions for the palm twigs.  (Click for a better view.)

The contrast seems to be about right.  And I love the bright polka-dotted fabric!

Ellen Lindner