New Step by Step Creation of an Abstract Art Quilt

The Northern California and Southern Nevada Regional SAQA(Studio Art Quilt Associates) group put out a call for entry for a new show, Prism Play. The organizers send the partipants a color card similar to a paint chip card. It had a limited color range on it.The artists must only use the colors on the card. No black or whiteallowed. The size of the finished quilt must be 45″ x 15″ 114 cm x 38cm. Those are the only restrictions. Imagination and creativity released. Follow how the Colors of the Prism Piece developed.

Paint chip cards of orange, pink and magenta color lines I chose from the 6 I was sent.
Paint chip cards of orange, pink and magenta color lines

Colors of the Prism Piece

Participants requested a particular color wave or they could choose to to get a surprise. Three color waves were actually sent so that the artist could make a final choice of colors to use. Artists could make up to three pieces. I choose the purple card on the right for the colors of the prism piece.

Designing Details for Colors of the Prism Piece

Tucks on purple fabric
Tucks on purple fabric

I start by designing fabric details that I want to include. Here is a purple piece of fabric with tucks to add movement and texture.

Yarn and piping add texture.
Yarn and piping add texture.

This light purple fabric has three lines of yarn couched(zigzagged) on it.

Colors of the Prism Piece,
I like to create 3D details with the short pieces of redirected yarn.
I like to create 3D details with the short pieces of redirected yarn.

A dark piece of fabric has various lighter colors of yarn couched on it.

Colors of the Prism Piece, The short pieces of redirected yarn came like this.
The short pieces of redirected yarn came like this.

These small pieces for the colors of the prism piece are examples of the redirected yarns and materials I used from Fabmo. https://www.fabmo.org/

two layers of purple fabric
two layers of purple
Colors of the Prism Piece

More examples of fabrics used. I create strips of details  then I cut them into smaller pieces.

Creating the Colors of the Prism Piece

Abstract art quilts begin on my flannel design wall. I marked the approximate edges with pins to help me keep track of the 15″ width (38cm) restriction. I always begin with larger fabric pieces than I want the final piece to be. One never knows how much fabric will taken up in the creative process of sewing the pieces together.

Trying out several pieces on my design wall
Trying out several pieces on my design wall

I place the colors of the prism pieces on the design wall always balancing colors, hues, eye grabbing details and spots for eyes to rest.

Colors of the Prism Piece,
I continue to move pieces around on the design wall.
I continue to move pieces around on the design wall.
Colors of the Prism Piece
Not quite finished but getting there.
Colors of the Prism Piece
The top is finished and squared up.

In Conclusion

In completing this Colors of the Prism piece, I created texture and movement with the artist made details.  This piece includes the use of redirected materials in  the style of my abstract art quilts. However, I found the restricted size of the final piece, 45″ x 15″ 114cm x 38cm to be a challenge. It added an extra bit of pressure I had to be constantly aware of.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/02/the-making-of-an-abstract-quilt/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/02/decorative-threads-add-texture/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/07/creating-movement-in-art/

http://saqa.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts/

By Ann

Ann Baldwin May was born and raised in Palo Alto, California. She received her education from University of California, Irvine (History, BA Elementary Teaching Credential, Masters in Teaching Spanish) Her first quilting class was in 1975. She retired in 2012 after working 30 years as a bilingual teacher and Bilingual Resource Teacher in Watsonville. After making over 300 bed quilts, she turned her attention to art quilts. Ann is passionate about using repurposed materials often from the San Francisco Design Center. She has won several awards for her work. Kaiser Permanente has purchased five pieces for their Santa Cruz County facilities. Her work has been juried into shows all over the country including San Francisco and Chicago. She participates in the juried Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour. She is married and has two daughters. Ann Baldwin May Santa Cruz Art Center, 1001 Center St.#4 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 baldwinmay49@yahoo.com 831.345.1466 annbaldwinmayartquilts.com Facebook- AnnBaldwinMayArtQuilts@annbaldwinmay Instagram-annbaldwinmay

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