Mixed Media Mashup

Art Quilts Maine 2017 Challenge, Mixed Media Mashup, is currently on tour in Maine! A dozen quilts developed in response to the challenge statement join another eight small portraits created by AQM artists. The parameters for Mixed Media Mashup were to incorporate two or more visual art media including painting, collage, photography or embellishments in a quilt that measured at least 100" in perimeter.

Several artists participated in the "portrait challenge", working to create a human portrait in a small format. Each portrait had to include a piece of dark red fabric. See if you can find the red fabric in each of the portraits pictured below! (Hint: bottom row center, the red fabric is used for a book cover.)

The exhibit is at Kimball St Studios in Lewiston through mid-November. It moves to the Portland Public Library for December and January. Or catch the show in Farmington this March and April.

Portrait Challenge Art Quilts Maine 2017

Try Something New!

I downloaded a video by Esterita Austin called "Dynamic Fabric Art Portraits." I've linked to a short video preview. The technique was intriguing and I wanted to give it a try . . . sometime. Lucky for me, Art Quilts Maine members Jane and Pam issued a challenge in October to create a 12" x 14" portrait. Finished pieces were to be revealed in February. What a perfect opportunity to experiment with Esterita Austin's technique! Her portraits begin with a piece of hand dyed fabric.

Fabric used for Face

By means of judicious cutting, the entire face is constructed from that single piece of fabric. I was amazed at the way the features came together! Part two of her technique involves using tiny amounts of light and dark paint to add a few highlights and shadows. A thin line defines the eyes, a little white paint highlights the bridge of the nose, but there is minimal manipulation other than choosing how and where to cut the fabric. Speaking of which, my fabric looked rather ratty after I cut it all apart--you must be willing to sacrifice your piece of fabric to the portrait! Having created the face from one piece of fabric, I decided to use only one other piece to finish. I found this great, colorful elephant print in my stash and began cutting it apart into separate elements.

Fabric used for Frame

Jane gave us each a piece of red fabric to incorporate in our portraits, which I did though I defy you to find it! There are 6 or 8 pieces of the dark red fabric tucked in with the elephants and plants surrounding the face. This was really fun to do and I learned several tricks to use in future portraits, my current obsession! Here's my finished piece--still working on a name--any ideas?

Portrait 2017