Friday, February 19, 2010

Tribute to Paul

My day job is hospice nursing.  Recently a patient of mine died after a long long journey. Paul (not his real name) was a painter, a Mainer who took pride in his work, in his independence.  He fought for his life fiercely and when his battle ended, he passed with dignity and grace.

 After his death his widow who had discovered I do my own painting (barn and house last summer), gifted me Paul's drop cloths.   She was not aware that I also am a fiber artist and I immediately took apart one of the cloths that had glorious splotches of yellow paint spilled on it.  My first piece using Paul's cloth is a tribute to him with impressionistic lupines.   It measures approximately 18" x 18".   I did the quilting in yellow, because the whole piece is all about that color. I am undecided on a border and would welcome any thoughts.  Would the canvas cloth be too thick to do a bias, would it work?

A close up of above piece. 
This is very different from anything I have done.  I added Lumiere paint to the yellow, some stamping, and then created the lupines.  I am very happy with this and am thinking of gifting it to his wife. 

12 comments:

  1. While I hate doing them myself, I would face this and not have a border. For one thing, I think a bias binding would detract from it.

    For another, think of it this way: Paul had a spirit which cannot and will not be contained. The bright splotches and the directions of the flowers and leaves lead the eye around, but it gives the feeling of boundless exuberance, contained by the splotches. Let it spread and flow, as part of his tribute.

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  2. I agree, no border or bias binding- face it. It is an exuberant piece, ethereal- I am sure she would love it. I know I would.

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  3. I'm for facing, too. It's a great quilt and a lovely tribute to your friend.

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  4. I agree - facing is the way to go!

    Stunning piece! The light is brilliant!

    Hugz

    Sally in Hobart

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  5. So, does anyone know of a good tutorial on facing? (something I have never done).

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  6. Facing.....not binding 'fer sure! And Paul's wife will just be undone with the gift!! You are too good for words, and your work is excellent.

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  7. Actually Marti..and I do agree with facing.. but how about facing it with grosgrain ribbon? It is as unforgiving as the canvas so would be a good match, it is thinner than canvas, and if you just sewed it on the edges, turned it back...trim to 1/8" and pressing well, then sewing it down from the back.. I would use a twin needle 1/4" ... I think it would look good, easier and less bulk.

    My thoughts... this is a lovely tribute!

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  8. Marti, I saw your quilt in the stitchin fingers and now here. I think the story about it is very moving. No framing! I love this quilt composition and material used.

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  9. Thank you, all of you for your commments - I am off to work today, so will try and search for facing info tonight. I do have quite a collection of organza ribbon. Would that work?? Thanks again for all your kind words!!

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  10. That is such a beautiful and touching memory piece. You did a fantastic job and it is a fitting tribute to the artist. Good for you!

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  11. Glad to here you will face it, I used a technique from a recent QuiltArt blog post. I can look for it and email it to you. I think it is a beautiful piece, congratulations on making such a wonderful art piece from something he left behind from his art.

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  12. I think this is an absolutely glorious piece. I agree that it's perfect without a border. If you have trouble with facing, how about finishing it with a pillowcase edge? (I think that's what it's called.) Melody Johnson has a tutorial on her blog. I'll check for the url and check back in with the address.

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