This week I’ve enjoyed seeing things together that have—up till now—been scattered parts.

(Oh – and at the end of this post I have something new to announce too. So don’t go away!)

One scattered part … In August I posted about some fabrics I had been keeping in a stash, along with a thought-provoking photo of a gate and shadows. I was intrigued with the unusual colors and patterns, but knew that wasn’t enough. I wanted a unifying story.

Second scattered part … Last week I showed some samples of new fabric printing experiments, mostly relief prints from carved blocks.

They are beginning to come together in a new work.

And, coming together in several ways. I’ve spent time just moving things around and trying out compositions. And I’ve also used some computer composition to make decisions.

Here’s some moving things around on my worktable:

(This is about 36”H x 60”W.) Most of these fabrics were ones I had on-hand when I first wrote in August. What I’ve added: the screen printed branches pattern in the top left. The reversal of that pattern, also screen printed, in the lower right. And the relief-printed black triangle pattern (created last week) which is underneath the photo.

The screen-printed branches added some energy I like. I also like the connoted complexity. It goes well with the photo. Additionally, it opened up the possibility of using a large stencil I had created for an earlier work.

This hand-cut card stock stencil is about 28” x 30”. It is an enlargement of the pattern in the screen printed branches. I wondered if it could be a good addition to this work – to help tie things together in the right half and to subtly allow that section to speak to the printed branches.

For this, I used some computer composition. Here’s a mockup of where the stencil will go.

I’’ve left it full color here, just so you can see it. I will roll a thin layer of paint in the spaces between the branches, with the colors and patterns beneath showing through as the branches.

This is more the appearance the final will be. The stencil pattern will be printed as a transparent color, barely visible. But I think it will tie together the parts.

And I’ve penciled in some characters. A young girl running along the orange sidewalk-like section. Above, a few birds on a wire look on. A complex environment with innocent characters.

These mockups are still quite rough, but they are enough of a shorthand to tell me what to do next.

Here’s where I ended up at the end of the work day: fabrics trimmed to size and the left half of the work collaged lightly in place. In another day I can begin stitching.

I’m both excited and interested in how this one progresses. I’ll keep you posted.

AND NOW AN ANNOUNCEMENT

I’ve been invited to participate in an online exhibit of 25 artists in October. It’s produced by Artburst Studios and is called Poetry in Motion. Next week I’ll write a behind-the scenes look at this event. For now, I just wanted to share the date and event with you. (You can visit the website shown for more information if you like.)

For all the artmakers: Happy creating
For all the art lovers: Happy appreciating 

Thank you for reading. I always enjoy questions and comments.
--Bobbi

bobbi@bobbibaughstudio.com

How I keep in touch:

BLOG POSTS  - once a week:  Mostly about what I am creating in the studio. If you would enjoy receiving blog posts by e-mail, please subscribe here:  I post and send by e-mail each Sunday evening. BLOGS-BY-EMAIL

NEWSLETTER – about once a month: Mostly news of exhibits and my way of introducing new work. You’ll get FIRST LOOKS at new artwork and members-only discounts. You’ll hear from me about once a month.  NEWSLETTER