Poinsettia Tree Collages

My word for this year is HARMONY -

An orderly or pleasing combination of elements in a whole
---Color harmony
---The order and harmony of the universe
---Sound of things that go well together


A group of us are doing a sketch a day for 100 days - hmmm - let's see how that goes - I will only post the ones which will eventually make it into fiber art - at least that is the plan for now-

SKETCH 001 of 100

Inspired by a Poinsettia Tree Display

First, I sketched three sizes of potential trees, on the right in my small spiral sketch book - Most of my sketches are usually done in a rough miniature, just so I can capture the immediate idea - Then, on tracing paper, to the left, I carefully drew the trees to size, made the shapes exact, and color coded it. Tracing paper is easy to continually erase and re-draw on; Also, it can be placed on top of the collage to view design placement and composition.

Since this idea incorporates the use of three harmonious colors, it is imperative to create three sets of multi-layered stencils (stencil overlays) which can be used to segregate colors or paint one color on top of another, adding texture or ease in blending. In addition, layered stencils facilitate ease in replicating the design while inking multiple collages, yet provide uniqueness through spacing and differing color schemes.

Once the stencils are drawn onto mylar and cut out, they can be used as a set or piecemeal to create a series of small  collages. While each collage will have a similar theme, each piece will be a unique piece of art -

The next step will be to work on the background collage - - -

Decided to attempt this Black and White challenge for our BCQG spring challenge - there are a few guidelines, such as size, must use 3 batik black and white fabrics (provided), some LIME green, black, white beads,  min and max size, and you must add at least ONE extra color - other than that, anything else goes. 

Got a few ideas, and started sketching them out - but, knowing me, it will turn into some type of landscape - no matter what it starts out as - sigh - perhaps, that is a good thing!

 

New Year Exchanges

Upon joining the Marines (32 years ago), I stopped sending Christmas cards, and instead, sent New Years letters - with the news of the past year, goals of the new year, and well wishes for the New Year - with the changes in social media - I stopped sending out ny New Years letters a few years back - but, realization struck, that I really miss sending out my personal letters and hearing from my friends -

with that in mind - - - Participating in 2 small exchanges this  year -

EXCHANGE ONE - Exchanging Hand written notes to each person who agrees to send a minimum of  1 note to 5 different friends -  Plan to make art cards and then send a handwritten note expressing how that person has impacted my life in the last few years.


EXCHANGE TWO- Exchanging small hand crafted gift to each person who agrees to send a minimum of 1 gift to 5 different friends - - depending upon the person, will make a small fiber (mixed-media) item for them based on my knowledge of the person -

This should help me meet my small goals this year - to write my friends, and to make some small art pieces -

I actually LOVE making small gifts for people so - this is one way to start kick and inspire my creativity this year -

Pictures to follow?