Friday, April 30, 2010

April Interpret This

Here's the photo:



And then we have the good, the bad, and the ugly. Which is which?

This is version three, the official one.  You can read more at the Interpret This! blog.

Down to the Root
14 x 12, machine applique and quilting

Version one:
Untitled
8 x 11

This lay unfinished, in pieces on my worktable, until last weekend because I was so unhappy with it, but then since I wasn't happy with the others either, I thought I'd finish it. So here it is.  It looks much better finished, and I actually like the way I pieced in the diagonals.  Also, it was good quilting practice.  I wish I'd thought of the free-motion zig-zag for version two.

Version two:


Untitled 2 (Working title: The Big Root)
12 x 11 (in reality)

 I'm cheating here.  It's actually almost square, but it occurred to me that it would have been less boring if I had elongated the root.  Through the wonders of Photoshop, I have done that.  Except that the rocks are now oddly shaped, it looks better this way.  I hope I can remember this technique in the future, not to use after the fact, but in the planning process.

So there you have all my dirty little secrets.  April is truly the cruelest month.  And to continue the T.S. Eliot theme, we're ending April not with a bang but a whimper. 

9 comments:

Libby Fife said...

cretiAll three together like that is pretty brilliant. You got a "studY" or series without meaning to. I know it wasn't pleasant but doing that three times yielded some good results. I hate to say it was a necessary excercise but its seems just like that.

Debra Dixon said...

I have to agree--I would probably hang them all together. As a series, they speak well to the subject.

Liz in Kansas said...

I think each of the three pieces is a good "commentary" of the photo - each from a different viewpoint. Libby and Debra have hit on the great part of this exercise, tho. As a group, these pieces really seem to complement each other and say much more about roots and rocks than any one of them alone. I am in awe of your talents!

Unknown said...

I think your being much too critical of these. Together they work very well as a series study. Indivdually they are each a good interpretation of the photo. Your version 2 seems polished and is a pleasing composition. I say good job! Sometimes a bit of time and distance makes a big difference in how you feel about a work.

Barbara C said...

This is a nice little series. I agree with you that the first is the strongest. The diagonal orientation was a good choice, and I like that the rocks look like coins.

jenclair said...

I agree with the others about the series idea and hanging them together. Love the title "Down to the Root" -- really to the cellular level!

*karendianne. said...

I like the idea of hanging them all together as a series. I'm really never any good when it comes to critiquing your work because I enjoy what you do - in all the ways you present. I think a lot of that is because I learn so much from you.

I will admit this time was difficult for me though. I'm having a hard time with my own creativity (something is awry) and since I can't "see" within myself I can't really grasp the external either. Sorry friend. I'm a bummer Interpret This friend this month.

The Calico Cat said...

I like all of them...

Granny Fran said...

I was going to say what Cat said. They seem to me to make a fantastic series.