I call it "If Napoleon Was A Tree"
When Elizabeth announced Tree as our theme. My mind went in a million directions. Christmas, Pines, Lone tree in the sunset, Snow covered tree, Large trunk/root system, Or even piled split logs. When I thought back to a large cut round in the Milwaukee Public Museum, I knew that's what I wanted to do!
Now, I'm sure you're wondering, why Napoleon? When I originally came up with the idea, I thought that perhaps I'd tag major events in my own life. However, the more I thought about it, the more creepy it was, as if my 'tree had been cut down.' Anyway. I had about 48 rings marked out, so my thoughts turned to my mother, but it was just too personal. So, Google to the rescue. I simply started searching on dead famous people and came across Napoleon Bonaparte who had died at age 51. I knew I could squeeze in a few more rings, and thus: "If Napoleon Was A Tree" was born. I narrowed major events in his life down to 16.
August 15, 1769: ·Napoleon Bonaparte born in Ajaccio, Corsica.
March 2, 1786: ·Napoleon is given command of the French army in Italy
March 9, 1796: ·Napoleon marries Josephine
August 1, 1798: ·Under the command of Admiral Nelson, the British fleet
destroys the French navy in the Battle of Aboukir
November 9-10, 1799: ·Following a coup d'etat, Napoleon becomes First
Consul of the new French government
March 25, 1802: ·Treaty of Amiens signed with Britain
May 3, 1803: ·France sells Louisiana territory to U.S.
May 18, 1804: ·Senate proclaims Napoleon Emperor
March 17, 1805: ·Napoleon is crowned king of Italy in Milan
October 21, 1805: ·The Battle of Trafalgar marks yet another naval defeat to
the British under the command of Admiral Nelson
July 22, 1807: ·Napoleon creates the Grand Duchy of Warsaw (Poland), to be
overseen by France
1810: ·Marries Marie-Louise, Archduchess of Austria
1814: ·Napoleon abdicates his rule and Louis XVIII, a Bourbon, is
restored to the French throne ; Napoleon is exiled to Elba
June 18, 1815: ·Defeated in the Battle of Waterloo
June 22, 1815: ·Abdicates for the second time
October 16, 1815: ·Napoleon is exiled to Saint Helena
March 5, 1821: ·Napoleon dies
If Napoleon was a tree...I think he'd either be a Buckthorn which is an invasive species around here that is hard to kill, or a Locust Tree. Fast growing and hard to kill, but ultimately short lived as far as trees go.w
I'll do another post on the details of putting it together.
I am going to schedule this to post at midnight, because internet has been sketchy here. I will update with links from Elizabeth, Betty, and Leanne as I get the chance.
9 comments:
Rachel, somewhere in there you and I are clearly kindred spirits! Wait until you see mind - how crazy. Great job on this!
I love this, all your quilting is so stunning and the idea is wonderful.
Wow! I have to say I laughed out loud when I saw the sagittal slice of the tree and loved the tie-in to Napoleon (I've been thinking all month about what you were going to do). I have a love for these tree cross-sections, as they are a part of my childhood and life as well. I seem to be entranced with the age of trees and the things that went on while it was silently growing in the forest, bypassing the tumult, the craziness, the history, slowly steadily reaching for the sky. And you've done such a great job in portraying this in a quilt. Love it!
I thought your idea to use Napoleon was a great one (I think of all those costumes you made for the Festival and your love of history) and think it a perfect fit. So cool, so terrific. Bravo!
Elizabeth,
your Four-in-Art Buddy
This. Is. Awesome. When I saw the first picture, I thought it was an actual slice of an actual tree. Genius idea, and gorgeous work.
Wow! Love the spiral quilting you did!
Fabulous project! Invasive and short lived = brilliant commentary :)
Very cool idea! Love how it turned out!
Now that's what I call inspired! Wonderful work!
This is such a great idea, it really does look like tree rings! The batik you choose looks nice and woody.
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