Monday, February 1, 2016

Four-In-Art Reveal Q1: Microscopic:Color


 Its a new year for our Four-In-Art group for making art quilts.  We've changed up the group a bit and relaxed the size rules and this year the overall theme is Color.
 When I heard the first quarter's theme was microscopic I started searching on the internet. (what did we do without Google?)
And I came across these amazing images by Fabian Oefner.  You can find an interesting interview on *this website* and his own website is www.fabianoefner.com.  The technique he uses is watercolors and something called a ferrofluid.  I highly recommend you go read about it.  There are more images as well. And yes, I even got permission to use the images as inspiration.

And so I give you my inspiration quilt:

Microscopic Color

 This is essentially a whole cloth quilt: quilted then painted with Inktense Pencils.
 A few close up shots.

 It ended up about 13"x10".  The thread painting/drawing is all Black Aurifil Thread.  Two layers of Pellon Soft and Crafty cotton batting.  The fabric is Kona White. The binding is Kona Black.
 The very boring back - and yes, as I write this no label either.  Tomorrow, I promise.  I will also give a detailed description of how I put this little quilt together.  Until then, check out all the other Four-In-Art members and their quilts!

Betty Ayershttps://www.flickr.com/photos/toot2
Camilla Cathrohttp://faffling.blogspot.co.nz/
Catherine Chisholmhttp://www.knottedcotton.com
Elizabeth Eastmondhttp://www.opquilt.com
Janine Greenhttp://www.rainbowhare.com
Nancy Myershttp://www.patchworkbreeze.blogspot.com
Rachel RileyMe!
Simone Bradfordhttp://quiltalicious.blogspot.com
Susan Snookshttp://patchworknplay.blogspot.com

You can also stop by our group blog http://fourinart.blogspot.com/

9 comments:

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

This is beautiful. The colours are stunning :)

Catherine said...

This must have taken ages to make! It must have been quite a lot of fun too - the result is beautiful.

Betty said...

This piece is truly wonderful, Rachel! I love painting on fabric and cannot wait to hear more about your process. It looks like trapunto, but I'm not sure. You've certainly been busy!

patchworkbreeze said...

What a lot of free motion...i have been there. It is lovely with all the colors. I have used Lumiere paints by Jaquard for painting fabric but hadn't thought watercolor pencils or paints might work. Very nice.

patchworkbreeze said...

What a lot of free motion...i have been there. It is lovely with all the colors. I have used Lumiere paints by Jaquard for painting fabric but hadn't thought watercolor pencils or paints might work. Very nice.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!

OPQuilt said...

I've been dying to get to my computer all day (one of THOSE days) after I glimpsed this brilliant work this morning, quickly before I had to Go and Do. I finally have had a chance to savor what you've created and it is wonderful, Rachel. I love the inspiration photos, the way you interpreted it which made me gasp a little bit--so much quilting!! And Inktense? Sounds like something new I need to investigate. . . the combination of inventiveness, technique, shape and color all combine into a wonderful mini quilt. I love this! Carry on, oh fearless leader! Gorgeous work!
Elizabeth

Camilla said...

I was intrigued by the hints that you posted on the way to this, but could never have anticipated this detailed colour and extensive thread painting. What fascinating forms!

Anonymous said...

Rachel - if we were giving out blue ribbons for this revel (which we're not), I'd plaster your house with them!!! I think you have done a wonderful job doing your research. You found something that inspired you and you tried new techniques and grew as an artist/quilter/designer. I loved how you quilted and painted together. I think your application of the 2 techniques together gives you more tools in the shed for future projects. Thanks for making something that makes my little quilting heart sing!