Detail 4

Detail

Detail from Quilt 3. The mosque has been appliqued and then thread painted.

Detail 3

Detail

Some detail from Quilt 3

A Big Wave Came...3

A Big Wave Came...3

This quilt depicts the aftermath of the tsunami, particularly in Aceh. I have also incorporated symbolic images from France and Sweden that represent the many holidayers who took their final holiday in Asia at Christmas. Newspaper has also been used in this quilt.

Detail 2

Detail

Detail of the second quilt - the earthquake, the angry sea, and the frothy waves.

A Big Wave Came...2

A Big Wave Came...2

The second quilt shows the earthquake deep below the sea that is about to create chaos on the calm, relaxed world above. The water grows angrier and changes colour and produces brown, dirty froth before bringing the huge waves that will leave the world a changed place.

Detail 1

Detail

Here is some detail of the first quilt.

A Big Wave Came...1

A Big Wave Came...1

At last I am posting the project that has taken up all of this year. After the tsunami hit Asia on Boxing Day last I was horrified as were most people. I have found that one way of dealing with my feelings about the event was to journal and write my feelings, sketch and diarise the images that were memorable for me. There were so many and the reactions of many countries and their people found their way into my journal. From those images came these three quilts. They are meant to hang as a triptych but I cannot get the photos to load as they should so I hope that you can imagine them hanging. The quilts are numbered.

Above is the first quilt - a tropical paradise where people go to relax and get away to a world without worry.

It has lino cut printing, thread painting layering, lace made over soluble stabiliser and is machine embroidered.

Detail

Detail 2

Detail of the activity under the water that caused the tsunami wave. I have tried to depict the movement and chaos that the earth caused deep below the sea before it was obvious on the surface.

A Big Wave Came...2

Detail 1
Some detail of the angry water when the wave came.

A Big Wave Came...1

A Big Wave Came 1

Here is the first of the tryptich about the Asian Tsunami that took place on Boxing Day 2004. These three quilts needed to be made to help me to deal with the horror of the tsunami and its effect not only on Asia but on the whole world. I have explored my own reaction to the event and also some of the responses in some countries. This the first of the three - showing a tropical paradise where people go to 'get away from it all', relax and soak up the sun, surf and sand. The ocean is peaceful and the sound of the waves lulls holidayers into a relaxed mood to enjoy the gentle waves and breezes.

I have used a variety of techniques including lino cuts, layering, applique of freeform cut fabrics and images and very heavy and detailed machine quilting and machine embroidery. I'll be very interested to read any comments.

Detail 2 

Detail shots

Detail 1

Not the greatest photos - too much light at the bottom but an improvement on previous ones. Again click on the picture if you want to see a larger copy and more detail.

From blues to Brilliant!

A better photo

Here is another photo - I was disappointed with the previous photos of this quilt so I took it outside and took some more. I have been able to show better details of the stitching. If you can't see it you can click on the photo and see a larger version of the shot.

I promise this will be the last time I will bore you with this quilt!

Detail 2

Detail 2

A second photo of detail of the first of the series about the tsunami. The mat at the bottom has been printed with lino cuts and above that is a bamboo forest. It is part of setting a scene of an idyllic paradise where holidayers can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery and 'get away from it all'.

Detail of new work

Detail

This is a tiny piece of my next work. I've actually been working on this for all of this year, but for various reasons including procrastination, fear, loss of confidence periodically and being busy as a student, full time employee, wife, mother and other things, it hasn't yet been finished.

As I said yesterday, I am determined to have these quilts finished by July 22 to show in an exhibition that will be held at Mitchell approximately 1 hour west of here. This annual exhibition has a section for mixed media and that includes textile art and silk painting etc, so I thought... why not? And it has given me reason to commit to finishing.

Techniques used in these quilts include freehand cutting and layering, free motion machine embroidery and stamping with lino cuts using acrylic paints. It has been a great learning experience for me and one that I have enjoyed when I've overcome my silly fears.

From blues to Brilliant

From blues to Brilliant

It is finally finished - even all the hand stitching! It's been a great piece to make.

Now I am able to finish my three quilts other quilts - a triptych that I've been working on sporadically for the whole year. I'll post some progress shots in the next few days. They have to be completed by 22 July - it's good to have a deadline to work toward. I will look forward to any comments.

Detail 

Detail 

Some further detail

Detail 2

A final photo for today. I have a lot of threads to tie off but will spend an hour so so this afternoon watching the art shows on ABC TV while I do it. This photo shows some of the texture in the quilt.

Detail

Detail 1

Here is a closer view of some of the detail stitched into this quilt. It is all machine quilted and in some parts I have stitched with two threads and with the tension altered pulled the bobbin threat to the top where it gives the effect I was looking for.

Progress on the quilt

I haven't been able to blog for quite some time. I've now finished my uni semester and the exam has been written and results come out in about two weeks. I'm looking forward to seeing if all my hard work was worth the effort. But now... it's back to my art life. Hooray!

Today I've been working on this quilt. I have the opportunity to exhibit this quilt in couple of weeks so I am keen to finish it and another work to send to the group who is holding the show. And when these works are finished I can start working on something new and that is exciting.


The quilt