"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"

If you watched the Sopranos you would recognize that line.  This surreal image has become like an itch that no matter how much I scratch the itch won’t go away. I tried a lot of different variations yesterday and they were just too cluttered. I keep coming back to my original idea of the woman/tree, raven, and moon. 

I kept asking myself what is not right about it that I keep looking elsewhere for an idea? I finally hit on the answer. There’s no connection between the woman/tree and the raven. She is not even looking at the raven. I missed that connection so I tried to make a physical connection between them with the tree branch as well as having her look at the raven instead of past him. 

Here’s the original and the new version. Finally I feel excited about the new version (at least for now). It will be a challenge, but with Jennifer Sampou ombré sky and chalk and charcoal fabrics those color and value variations can be tackled. At least I hope so. The moon, raven, and the face form a nice triangle.

Original 

New version

Here’s Jennifer Sampou storm sky ombré. The face would get the lightest part of the fabric. I would have to see it in person to know if it’s the right one. I have a few of her sky fabrics already. I don’t know if I have that one.

Or if I want less blue and more gray her slate ombré might work. Again I would have to see it.

I’m sure the new version will have plenty of tweaks when I start creating it. That’s just how it goes. I guess I’ll see if I’m up for the challenge. 

At this point I am done with this. This time I mean it. 

Thanks for reading. 

Chris

I’m so done thinking about this surreal image

I’m going to stop thinking about this for now. I’m sure you’re glad to hear that. I’ve thought about completely starting over with a new idea, but since the woman in the tree or the eye in the sky proposals were accepted I might have to stick with one of them.

Before I called it quits for now I decided to see if I had any images I could add to the right hand side. I had this one and added it. Below that image are several versions of it added to the eye in the sky proposal. A lot of the edits had to do with simplifying the trees along the walkway or changing colors in the sky.

Still plenty of editing to do if I make this one. My brain is done for now and I have other things to do.

Thanks for reading.

Chris

Insomnia

We’ve all had that. I woke up at 3 am and couldn’t fall back asleep. Of course I started thinking about my surreal image and what could elevate it. You all know I love making quilts with building and I keep wondering how I can incorporate buildings into this surreal image. 

The original image is all about nature. It certainly is surreal.

How can I add buildings? How about a deserted neon city at night? Create an image of a city and nature. Remove the cat. Keep the crow and make a realistic moon. 

I think I like this better. What do you think? 

There are neon fabrics so I could do that city. I think I would call it insomnia.

Thanks for reading.

Chris

I’m in

My proposals for the surreal show next May and June at the local art museum were accepted. Now I actually have to make one of them. I like both ideas, but feel a bit more strongly about one of them.

Here’s the ideas. I am going to make the one with the large eye in the sky. To me it looks more surreal. None of the ideas in either piece are novel. Tree people, large eyes, or stairs going into the sky are not new ideas. 

This is what I’m thinking for a title and short statement. In the statement I did not want to explain anything. It will be 24 by 30 and utilize Jennifer Sampou fabrics….sky ombre and chalk and charcoal as well as some silks and whatever else I need to pull this off.

Eye of the Night

There are places we enter only in dreams—where memory shifts, time disappears, and the familiar becomes strange. In the darkness, something waits. Something watches. Something knows.

So now I have to rethink my schedule. I usually wait until January to start working on my recycle piece. It’s due by April. But with the surreal piece as well I think I need to get started on my recycle piece now. 

The theme is once upon a time. I will be using this photo of decaying streetcars as my inspiration. I think it will be about 12 by 16.

Here’s my potential title and statement for it.

The Last Journey

Once upon a time, these streetcars were filled with people going places. Over the years, they fell into disrepair and now sit quietly on decaying tracks.

I grew up in Pittsburgh and rode streetcars to school, to art classes, and into the city. They carry many memories for me—of places I went, things I saw, and a time that is now gone.

They are my once upon a time.

Plastic bags, however, do not disappear so easily. I chose to create this piece from discarded plastic bags, bringing together two very different remnants of the past—one remembered with affection, the other left behind with consequences.

My sister received her gift yesterday on her birthday. It’s a table runner with a family photo of us with our hats. I took the photo and played with it to make it look like Halloween. She loves Halloween and loved the table runner. I forgot to take photos before I sent it. She sent me some, but I’m waiting for one with it on her table with some Halloween decorations. 

Here’s one not so great photo. I think she has it sitting on her bed. I hope to get some better one.

Thanks for reading.

Chris