After this month's black and white earrings challenge (read more about it here) and how much I usually like to work in vivid color, I've started looking at more black and white in my designs. I guess it's like that black and white photo challenge that was circulating around Facebook last fall. When looking at everyone's entries, I was noticed how light worked in these black and white photos more than in color. Same with the contrast between values, more texture, the shapes and patterns .... I wasn't being distracted by focusing on all the colors. With that in mind, I decided to look at black and white based fiber art and see if the same held true!
Artist Sheena Liam embroiders women using black thread and creating three-dimensional almost life like hair. I've looked at these pieces over and over and am always fascinated with the movement in them - one almosts expects an arm to go up or the hair to swish. I think part of the success of this is that without color, the hair itself becomes the focal point of the piece, we focus totally on it. Go to her Instagram page here to see more amazing works.
In Steps of hope ... steps of loss, Neera Huckvale states she uses black and white to represent the polarization she sees today. Having the figures in black with no competing color definitely brings them to the foreground of importance, with the lighter figures behind the black veil (I didn't even see them for awhile) fading into background. Read about how she created the piece and why she chose a black and white color scheme here in a Study28 interview.
And finally, working in black and white and then adding in color is a wonderful way to call attention or bring importance to something. This works perfectly in Linda Colsh's Red. Linda works in stitched work layered with photographs and one of her favorite subjects is the unnoticed. I love the texture and light play in this piece! See more of her work and read about her process and her artist statement on her website here.
In a side note - if you're a regular reader of Artthreads, you may know that I'm starting a quarterly fiber art challenge. The first one began in January and was supposed to end this week - however, I'm currently being challenged to get the link working that will allow others to post their work directly to the blog page. And I'm time challenged at the moment to sit and fiddle with it! So I'm planning on the reveal being next Friday, April 6th - keep your fingers crossed! This also means that if you didn't know about or forgot about the challenge, you have time to come up with something and join me - read this blog post here explaining all about it.
Happy Creating! Deborah
I recently finished a fun knit for a Flash Knit Along with an on-line knitting group I belong to. Song of the Sea Cowl has two versions - the longer one that loops twice and the snug version that is, well more snug. I knit the snug version - it's not choking snug, but has a nice fit around the neck to keep those chilly spring breezes from going down my coat. The pattern calls for fingering yarn, but after reading the feedback from people who started earlier than I did, I opted for DK weight (some discontinued Tosh Merino DK Opaline I had in my stash), which makes a bit tighter of a fabric.
When you buy the pattern, you get many versions! I knitted from the English version 3a. The original version began at the tiny waves, which many people felt was more difficult than ending with them. I had no problem ending with them, so they might be right! I also used the alternate border (the "mistake" rib) to avoid what some felt was a floppy edge - something I definitely don't like in cowls.
I have to say, this was really fun! Watching the differing sizes of waves come together was fascinating and about the time I was tired of knitting one size, it was on to the next. The pattern was easy to remember, making this a good knit for not having to devote my whole concentration to.
Right now I'm finishing up another knit along and then it's back to my Forest Wrap!
Happy Creating! Deborah
Whoa - it's hard to believe that March is almost over! It's time for the newest reveal from Sarajo Wentling's jewelry design challenge. This month's inspiration was a photo of a window taken by her husband.
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| Eric Wentling |
It's funny how often two or more of the challenges I participate in have similar themes - this time a monochromatic color scheme. Erin's was black and white (read about what I did here), this one browns and rusts. You can read more about the photograph and see her beautiful take on this month's them on Sarajo's blog here.
Loving color as much as I do, I really thought this month's challenges would be too difficult for me to come up with something I really liked. I was wrong! I ended up making two pieces that I'll be wearing over and over! The first is a necklace using one of the new butterfly pendants I've been working on. I actually didn't glaze the butterfly to be a part of this month's jewelry, but when it came out of the kiln I knew I had to use it.
The metal is copper, black beads are glass, and the queen anne's lace ovals are by me.
The second piece is a pair of earrings using black titanium earwires, copper, and star beads I made in January.
The butterflies should be in the shop with the next update, so far planned for this coming Friday. There is one star bead left and two queen anne's lace ovals. Also, all winter beads are 20% off - I will be holding any orders until Friday so if you want to order any of the new beads you'll only have one shipping fee charged. And all winter beads will be gone by Friday!
Happy Creating! Deborah
This month on Earrings Everyday, Erin Prais-Hintz's We're All Ears Challenge was to work in black and white and explore pattern and contrast. You can read more about the challenge here. I created earthenware beads from leaf stamps I made several years back. By cutting them in various areas of the leaf, I ended up with patterns that have that foilage feel, but aren't necessarily identifiable as leaves. I stained them with several layers of black and white, refired and then decided to use a honey/beeswax polish on them instead of a finishing glaze in matte or gloss. For the earrings, I used black nichrome and copper with white glass beads and silver leaves.
I wasn't really sure I was going to like using only black and white - I pretty much live for color! But I love how these turned out and will be wearing them alot. I have four more of the beads up in the shop at stoneypointstudio.com. And you can see Erin's creations and those of others who joined the challenge here.
And while I was looking for other beads and findings to go with this month's challenge, look what I discovered! I bought these crystals and shamrocks years and years ago intending to make St. Patrick's Day earrings but never did. So now this very timely find is earrings all ready to go for tomorrow!
Happy Creating! Deborah
