Last month I sent submissions to Lowell Gallery in Massachusetts to be juried for an exhibition. The theme was "The Sea". I was keeping them under wraps but they were not accepted so I will post them. This is the first piece - a whimsical look at getting away from it all. Connie Kaldor wrote a song several years ago called 'Wanderlust' about how, every once in a while, a woman's gotta pack her bags and get away. So I created the ultimate getaway. I hand-painted the background and appliqued onto it. Everything is appliqued and quilted by hand. For depth I appliqued on some waves at the bottom and stuffed them. The mermaid was painted on a piece of white cotton then I fused a piece of filmy gold organza onto her to make her skin glow. I then fused and stitched her to the background. I added a tail, sequins and more gold organza and here she is being pampered by a rockhopper penguin and octopus. On the rocks I placed her sunglasses and book. The fisherman in his boat on the horizon could have several meanings.......you decide.
Click on the picture for a close up view.
Wow, this is so amazing. I love the way the skin glows and the octopus is a great touch. Lots of detail....and your painted fabric is perfect. It's the show's loss for not accepting it....so glad you posted it.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, thanks for your supportive words. I liked the way her skin turned out too. I was experimenting with the sheer fabric. Fantasy themes are a bit of a departure for me this year and I am having fun with it. As far as the exhibition, I'm sure there were lots of great entries to choose from. It must be difficult to be a juror.
ReplyDelete