Calder inspired wall hanging

October 24, 2013

Calder inspired wall hanging

There's this list of great works of art from famous artists that keeps rattling around in my head... certain paintings, tapestries, tiles, mosaics, whatever... things I've seen in person that have just stuck with me over the years.

The list clogs my brain with ideas... and one day... I will reinterpret the list into art quilts.

Today, I can check one of those images off my list!

I've just finished an Alexander Calder inspired art quilt and I'm so happy with the way it turned out.

The husband and I photographed it today in front of the Calder sculpture near the entrance to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. Calder's sculpture is called 'The Crab' and its a Houston icon for sure... and to me, the spindly, sprawling red legs of his sculpture fit so well with the swirls in this wall hanging.

(that's me crouching down behind the quilt)

I find Calder's art so inspiring. The bright colors and simple imagery are both instantly recognizable and memorable. There's just something happy about them all. Calder made a whole series of textiles in the 1960-70's... and as I shared in my last post, quilt historian Barbara Brackman posted information about his textiles on her blog a year ago. Barbara blogs regularly about quilts and the history of textiles... pretty interesting stuff.
http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/2012/01/alexander-calder.html

When I step back and look at this, I can truly appreciate all the talent that Calder brought to this design. A great artist can take what seems so simple, some might say ordinary, and make it extraordinary--- and they do this with the perfect mix of balance, color, motion and emotion!

Years ago, I watched an accomplished artist paint a floral still life in water color, and after about 30 minutes she had an amazing work of art. When I told her I couldn't believe she could do that in just 30 minutes, she said: "yes, 30 years and 30 minutes." Well said, for sure, and those words have stuck with me for years.

I don't know how long it took Calder to make his great textiles, but nonetheless... it's fun to take really good design like this - especially one that has stood the test of time - and bring it to life in my own way.

The background is black Kona cotton, and the designs swirls are appliqued on with fabrics from my collection. I was so thrilled to find Aurifil thread to machine quilt this that matched the fabrics exactly! That way I can see the intricate quilting stitches, but they blend in perfectly! I used Aurifil black (lots of it!), plus 4644, 2260, 2132 and 2311.

I intend to put this wall hanging on my Etsy site as well... even though it will be hard to part with.

But I gotta make room for the next one... both in my house and in my head.

One checked off the list. Lots more to add. The possibilities are endless ... I'm thinking of doing a Matisse next!

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I am linking up with the blogger's quilt festival by Amy's Creative Side. Check out all the many blogs from her site. Look for my entry in the Quilt Photography and Wall Hanging categories!
http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/