 | ||
| Detail from 2001 A Floral Fantasy by Gwyned Trefethen Block pattern design from Jacobean Applique by Patricia Campbell and Mimi Ayers |
Introduction
Before I started quilting I dabbled in other crafts. I had made several needlepoint and crewel pillows, knitted a few items, sewed clothing and Halloween outfits from patterns, and played with crochet. I enjoyed doing handwork, especially as a way to relax. However, nothing grabbed me sufficiently to plan my day around my craft or want to find out everything I could about it. Then I started quilting and found my passion. Addiction might be a better word choice. I couldn't get enough of it. I had left my career to stay home and raise our children. Quilting was my me time, my lifeline, my sanity. When my children were in school or napping, it was likely I was cutting fabric and sewing it back together. It could be a lonely endeavor. I wanted to hang out with like minded people. It was the early 90s. PCs were novel, but quickly becoming a must have item. We got one for our home. I discovered Compuserve. This was an email server and it had discussion boards. One of them was on quilting. I joined. Soon I was connected with people all over the US.
 |
| Lone Yellow By Alexander Calder |
One Compuserve project I participated in was to read The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron and share observations with other Artist Way participants. What an eye opener. One practice I began, due to this experience, is to begin each day with morning pages. Cameron recommends this to all artists. It is simple. Before you do anything else, sit down and write three pages of stream of consciousness. The premise is that everyone is more open during that time between dreaming and fully awake, to make connections and problem solve. I've been doing this religiously for over 25 years. I have found it is a great way to purge inner demons and anxieties. Some how just writing the less savory down gets it out of the system and allows one to have a more harmonious day. Many of the titles for my work have come to me while writing my morning pages, as have solutions to creative problems. I've even been known to sketch an idea or two. I'm not much of a doodler, but when I do sketch or doodle I lean towards shapes, especially hexagons.
 |
| Cutouts by Henri Matisse |
A shape is defined by its contour or outline. Shapes are categorized as being either geometric or organic. Common geometric shapes are circles, squares, rectangles and triangles. Organic shapes may represent objects, such as pears or leaves. They may also be more abstract, or amoeba like. Henri Matisse is an artist who is known for his use of shapes. He used paper cut outs to create both stencils and shapes.
 |
| Nestling Oysters by Gwyned Trefethen 38" H x 39" W |
A fun artist play date is to create positive and negative shapes from a folded piece of paper. A positive shape is the shape filled in. It is a solid. The negative space is the void left behind when a shape is cut out.
Comments and Questions:
I value your comments and questions. You may send them to me publicly by commenting at the end of the blog. If you prefer, you may address me privately via email. I will be hosting the 52 Quilters blog and Instagram accounts from November 5 - November 11, 2018. I will answer some of your questions in the final post on November 11th.
Social Media Addresses:
Website: www.gwynedtrefethen.com
Blog: gwynedtrefethen.blogspot.com
Instagram: gwynedtrefethen
Juried Artist Member (JAM) and Board Member of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA)
No comments:
Post a Comment