Inspiration for an Abstract Art Quilt
Most artists will say that inspiration is everywhere. I certainly do agree with that statement. For example,my friend, The Lady Who Loves Birds, https://www.ladywholovesbirds.com/ sent me this photograph of the Splendid Fairy Wren of Australia. Isn’t this an incredible bird? The colors are inspirational. I immediately knew that I had to use the colors in a subsequent abstract art quilt.
First,I gathered by fabrics, medium blue, black and white.
Then, I put the sample fabrics on my design wall.
Next, I sewed some pieces together. I begin to try out locations.
Then, I continue to sew pieces together and find the right spot for them. I look to balance color, shape and details.
Finally,after the top is sewn together, I choose the backing fabric. I place it on a table. Then I cover it with the batting and the finished top. I pin the three layers together. This is called a quilt sandwich. Then I quilted the sandwich together using my scribble quilting technique.
Naming the Piece
I usually don’t do political art work. Yet, as I spoke about the quilt and called it by its colors, “my black and blue piece,” something hit home. During the summer of 2019 when I was working on it, I felt like the American democracy was bruised black and blue. American Democracy, 2019 seemed like a logical title.
A Funny thing Happened on the way to my Next Quilt
After I began gathering medium blue, white and black fabrics for American Democracy, 2019, I neglected to refer back to the fairy wren photo. Only after I had finished the piece and did I take another look at it. Much to my surprise, I realized that the bird actually had a lot of purple on it. I immediately set about creating a second piece incorporating more purple. Here is the result, Splendid Fairy Wren, abstract art quilt.
30″ h x 25″ w
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/08/adding-color-to-your-art-quilts/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/04/scribble-quilting/ https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/04/scribble-quilting-part-2-the-process/
Helpful Hints
When trying out fabrics, I always start with larger pieces. Then after cutting or fitting in place, they may be much smaller. The sewing takes up some of the fabric. It is always better to have too much than too little.This is the completed art quilt.
