Monday, September 27, 2010

Fiber Art Progress~~or~~She Actually Has ART On The Blog!!!

At last, I am able to post some progress of this on here. I had put the photos on FB first, but I can explain details here better. Work has been slow due to a number of things and I am frustrated from that aspect. On the other hand, the tree is developing in a rather amazing fashion, and for that I am very very happy! All of these are larger images, which should be able to be clicked on to see more detail.......should be......still don't like the new Blogger photo uploader AT ALL  ....grrrrrrr.....pfffffft......rant......


Due to where the piece is hanging in the studio, and the amount of *stuff* (and yes it is all vital! SNARF!) around it, my photo is sort of off kilter. The edge of the piece is actually quite square, but the tree is not distorted. That large piece of leafy section on the left is what has been giving me fits.
I start with the plain sections, which you can see on the brown paper. That is traced onto waxed paper, then from there I break it down into smaller subsections. This is tedious because every piece is a *puzzle piece* that must over or underlap the previous piece in the right direction. I also have to consider contrast, pattern, fall of the *leaves*......blah blah blah.
A LOT.


Just getting this front piece of the trunk/root section pinned in place, sewn to the trunk proper and  shaped took over an hour. The felt, after being decayed with a heat tool, is very difficult to stitch through (think melted plastic) and does not have the flexibility it had in it's original state.
However, the texture is simply to die for! I mean, it begs to be touched! That is good---worth the effort.


This side view also gives an indication of why this was such a pip to attach; there was padding behind it to bring the piece forward a bit. So while I was freemotion stitching, I was also pushing that puppy UP and trying to keep the digits free of the sewing machine needle. Oy. The two roots that are with this part had a heavy iron on under them, but the thickness of the fried felt made it extremely difficult to get it to fuse. It was a matter of heating the BG and then slapping the root down quickly, then holding the iron hard against the pin board. My upper body is in a state of revolt.
The worst part? I have to hand stitch the rest of the trunk down due to what overlaps where...pliers, big needle, heavy thread. Do four stitches and take a break. I am almost at the point of testing E-6000 on some of the felt scraps. I have this vision of it melting the pieces right on the wall! LOL!!!


And now to the section of leaves that has been occupying sooooo much of my time. As you can tell, there are numerous fabrics used in this. Every piece has a seperate waxed paper pattern made, it is moved around over the chosen fabric until the right elements are in place, to give visual texture and depth. And part of it was not too hard (other than the decisions of which should be lightest, medium, dark, etc) until I came to one leaf section that had to be subdivided again. The offender is below.


This was exactly what I wanted in terms of pattern, color, balance of light and dark.......
BUT!
All those leaves were going straight up and down on the fabric. Thus, another paper pattern was made, cut apart, the waxed paper was laid over each section, the plain paper piece slipped in, pinned, seam allowance added, then the whole was hand stitched together with paper pattern still in place, fitted under the large waxed paper pattern and finally, fused to the other pieces.
Kiddies, that was a full days work.
Still, I refer to the top photo and like it so much, a section of tree catching the light differently, leaves more distrinct........I think it was well worth the time!
Hopefully, you all can understand why I have been falling back on photos for the blog and have not visited as I should; this thing needs to be done, cannot be hurried, and my brain, well, it has been less than cooperative.
But, it is ART!  .........finally.........  LOL!
As this is further progressed, I'll do another post.
It will be a bit, so don't hold your collective breath.
I like blue, but not on my reader's faces!!!!

Pax....

38 comments:

yoborobo said...

Holy toledo. I am gobsmacked. It's just glorious! I love trees anyway, and this one is just beyond awesome. I love all the texture! Swoony texture. You are going to have trouble with people putting their hands on it! You'll have to post a 'no petting the tree!' sign under it. :) Beautiful work, my friend! xox Pam

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

LOL PAM!

No, I won't have that problem because it is going to be hanging very high, and they can't get to it!
Hopefully, everything will be bold enough to show properly when viewing from below, looking up....
Fingers crossed!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Linda and Michelle said...

Wow - and I'm guessing the pics still don't do it complete justice. This is truly amazing, Anne. I would SO love a print when it is all finished to frame and admire...tree trunks - my big vice......

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Linda, you should try the felt technique sometime. It is soooo easy and no, really, the photos only capture a certain amount of the depth on the piece.
Remind me when I get done about the print; my brain is on hold, vacation, or something. I can't remember anything right now! LOL!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Unknown said...

Whoa, like all the others I am so impressed. You do what ever you need to do to finish that masterpiece. I am busy doing all my little art pieces for Christmas so don't get around to visit a lot myself, but this is grand. Hang in there gal, you are mar-vel-ous.
QMM

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

OMGosh Peggy,

The thought of Christmas puts me into a panic attack! I'm not even ready for Halloween (and DH's birthday,which is BEFORE Halloween!)
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!
I'd better try and kick it up a notch! LOL!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

audrey said...

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME, Anne !!! Well worth the time you put into it! You will be SO proud when it is complete and it will be LOVED by all.
♥ audrey

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

And I want it done YESTERDAY Audrey! LOL!!!
I'm enjoying the leaves--hard because I am not a *green-shades* person, so I look for leaflike features in the fabrics.
Odd how you can play mind games to get something done!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Elena said...

HOLY CRAP! IT-IS-GORGEOUS!! I just love trees and you're capturing the tree spirit perfectly. Wow...

Janet Ghio said...

Hi Anne-so glad you provided the close ups--recognize some of those leaf fabrics and your tree trunk is fabulous--how many needles did you break with all that stitching through that thick tree. What a job!! It's looking good!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

That's it Elean,

I was that tree spirit in it...I want it to be alive.
And then I think too much and get discombobulated!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Deborah said...

Holy Moly!!! I have never seen anything like that! AMAZING! Beautious! How do you come up with these ideas??? Oh. That's why you are the artist. Really, Anne, so amazing. I love the tree trunk. You are brilliant. **kisskiss** Deb

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Janet,

Surprisingly, I did not break any needles---I used a heavy leather needle and that did the trick. It was just really hard to move and hold in place and *poof-up* all at once.
I would NOT sew one again...I would rethink that part, as in, GLUE!
You can tell I've not bought fabric in a long time... ;)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Deb, I come up with these ideas because I am crazy.
Certifiable.
Nuts.
And yes, I love the trunk too! It took two rounds of the felt to get what I wanted--had a whole trunk done, fried it, hated the color, but liked the color on the back, sooooo, started over!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Jan said...

And here I thought you have just been lazing around, watching your soaps and eating bon bons;-) I can certainly appreciate all the hours of labor that have gone into this piece so far, and all the hours yet to come before it is finished. But I can see that it is all going to be well worth it. It is already gorgeous! That tree trunk alone is so fabulous! And all the leaves and textures! Stellar work, Anne.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Shhhhh Jan!

Don't ruin my rep. I like my bon bon's and lazing about, then saying "Oh woe is me--I've worked sooooo hard!"
Hee hee hee!
Well, it's coming along. I have a few things to figure out right now, but it will all be good! ;)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Dear Fireflies said...

Aaarrgghhh!!!! You have magical hands!!! And you tell me you run screaming on the sight of Photoshop??! That is NOTHING compared to this!

Mind you, I would probably prick my fingers with the pins a million times and end up bleeding to death!!! HAHAHAHAA..!!

Well, can't wait to see you finish it. Meanwhile, I'll be doing that long bow now... (^_^) ♥♥

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ah Amalia!

I had a needle sticking out of my thumb, right by the nail bed....and it was a big honker! LOL!!! (the good part of having nominal feeling in the fingers!)
I have done these pieces for so long, it is just puzzle work---slow but with the right choices, satisfying.
I've sewn through my fingers on the machine before....anything that does not remove part of a digit is minor..... ;)
And I can't wait to get it DONE!

XXOO~~♥
Anne not even TRYING to curtsey in response....hahaha!

Silke Powers said...

Dear Anne, I am speechless as is Daniel - stunning work!! I cannot believe how much detail is in this gorgeous tree. I wish I could see it in person and run my fingers over that trunk - the texture must be amazing!! It's going to be amazing when it's all done!! Love, Silke

Robbie said...

AWESOME!!! Just AWESOME!!! From the trunk to the leaves...did I mention AWESOME!!!

Karen S said...

OK -- I'm going to try again -- blogger won't let me leave comments tonight -- so I'm quitting after this one.

I love this -- it's gorgeous and it's so nice to see you artwork.

I tried the new blogger photo thingy today for the first time and we're NOT impressed.

Karen S said...

Arrrrgggghhhhhhh! And of COURSE it lets me load the one with a typo! ARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

This tree image is totally rocking...you have such texture with the stitching design elements...what a wonderful process. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Cathy Bueti said...

Anne this piece is great! Wonderful texture! Excited to see it when you are done!

PS..love the title of this post! lol

Marie S said...

Anne, this is just the most incredible thing I have seen. You have outdone yourself and everything will be so dynamic in the end, that everyone will wonder how you did it so fast.
Things that are this beautiful take time and this is just how long it has taken.
You are a master of fabric and tools and angels have directed your path!!
Well done you!!

studio lolo said...

ssssshhhhhh.

Did you hear that?

I didn't think so because I am speechless at this amazing piece of art!

I have been blog and email absent myself but am now just checking in. WOW Anne, really amazing!

This is so nice to see after hearing about it. I can truly see the heart and soul you're putting into this. I can't (but WILL) wait to see the finished project.


Applause, applause. Standing ovation!!

~♥lolo♥~

marianne said...

amazing anne, and well worth the time and effort it's taking. it's something to see this take place- thanks for sharing your process.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Well---Blogger just ATE MY RESPONSE!!!
CUSS CUSS!!!!
Thank you all for your kind words....beyond what I can express. You help me to keep plugging along with this, and I truly appreciate it.
I can't wait for it to be done simply because I want to SEE it done! LOL! (y'all know what I mean...)
Okay, I am copying this time.....in case it eats this again.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Caio Fern said...

I do ... i do love everysingle detail of this work .
it worths all the troubles you have had .
it is fantastic .

what a great idea .
what a beautiful piece .
i am fascinated .

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Caio!

It will be stellar when done---I am still figuring things out as I go!
Maybe that is what keeps artists going; the puzzle, the next little thing that makes me think.
I have to post some of my older fiber art---it was even more complex than this.
Different, but nice!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

~Babs said...

WHOA,,,truly applauding this labor intensive and gorgeous work!
Just the trunk alone would have put me under,,,had I been brave enough to give it a try.
Which I wouldn't. Needles? fabric?
Naw,,,I don't think so,,,

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

And don't forget heatgun! LOL!!!
Yeah, it's coming together well. I am padding out leaf sections now; another something to add to the mix!
The trunk truly was fun...I'm going to have to play more with that after this is done.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Bella Sinclair said...

OH
MY
FREAKIN'
GOODNESS!

I...I...I..... Holy COW! This is magnificent! Oh, Anne, I had NO idea the magnitude of the art you were creating! I want so badly to reach out and touch it! That burned felt! Oh my goodness! And all those woodgrains and knots stitched in. WOW, that is a LOTTA LOTTA LOTTA work, and it is incredibly gorgeous! The variation in the leaves is genius! Keeps the eyes wandering and wide open, taking it all in. I must bow down to you. This is spectacular!

Wow

Wow

Wowwwwwwww!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Bella,

Now, you can bow down to me--that's okay--just don't blow out those spangled tights! LOL!!!
Yepper---this is one of the big ones. Of course, the regular banners are usually 4'x 12'.....so I guess when I think about this one, it is smaller, but just *feels* bigger due to the detail.
The trunk is so easy---I draw with the machine and then just use the heat gun. Anyone could do it.
And I would just *die* to draw like you do----so much joy in the work... ;)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Quilt Rat said...

Oh my.....I am drooling over here. Well okay......more than usual.

Absolutely GORGEOUS work!!!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

LOL! Thank you! (do you need a drool bib???)
I have spent the morning running errands and hope to get a little more done on this today, *hope* being the operative word!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Elizabeth Golden said...

Absolutely beautiful! Love the texture of the heated felt I wish I could touch it. Very cool.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Elizabeth, you should give it a try---it is so easy, though I recommend a test piece first, as all felts reduce differently.
I am thinking it could have many applications in fiber art....

XXOO~~♥
Anne

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