For the theme Illumination, I chose to go with an eastern religious idea of illumination signifying enlightenment. As refered to on my previous post on this subject (6/14/08), enlightenment includes the ideas of clarity, reflection, and serenity. This image of a buddha includes all of that to me.
I happen to have a large collection of eastern indian fabrics, including saris that I have been purchasing over the years, and this seemed like the perfect oppurtunity to use some of them. This piece made itself with little help from me. I started with a hand dyed that I used under the Buddha image. I then added some beaded and sequined indian fabric I owned. The paisley dark blue and lavender piece on the left was a particular problem as I ironed it with a very hot iron and melted all the plastic pearls on it. I didn't have any more of this fabric so I ran to my local bead store, bought some more, and stitched them all on. As per my previos post, I also managed to melt my Buddha at one point. Since I had this idea very near the beginning of the challange, I had lots of time to correct mistakes. I'm working on that iron heat setting thing
I happen to have a large collection of eastern indian fabrics, including saris that I have been purchasing over the years, and this seemed like the perfect oppurtunity to use some of them. This piece made itself with little help from me. I started with a hand dyed that I used under the Buddha image. I then added some beaded and sequined indian fabric I owned. The paisley dark blue and lavender piece on the left was a particular problem as I ironed it with a very hot iron and melted all the plastic pearls on it. I didn't have any more of this fabric so I ran to my local bead store, bought some more, and stitched them all on. As per my previos post, I also managed to melt my Buddha at one point. Since I had this idea very near the beginning of the challange, I had lots of time to correct mistakes. I'm working on that iron heat setting thing
13 comments:
I love that you chose a theme that is not about light, but about another definition of the word. I love those fabrics. I have a friend who has collected fabric from many different countries and I love how she incorporates them in her quilts. And, you know, with all the sparklies, this has a definite lighted quality, too.
Quite stunning, Karen. I love how the face of the Buddah is so clear and yet emerging from the fabric. And your composition is really stunning. Those paislies are placed perfectly, to my eye. Isn't it great when you can use fabric you've been saving for ages? It looks like a lot of your ideas and imagery and techniques merged beautifully in this piece. (And I feel your pain on the hot iron thing... I once did a gorgeous picket fence with tulle for the shadows and then promptly made a big melty mess of the whole thing.)
Your fabric collection really makes this piece. It has the wonderful, silky richness associated withthe east. Great save on the budha -- as we all knew, you'd be able to make it look like you intended it to be this way from the very beginning. :-)
Lovely. Where did you find the image of the buddha? Did you print him on organza? This piece has so much texture and depth. Fantastic!
Simply beautiful. I love so many things about this piece, not least of all that wonderful face. Ommmmmm-
Love it! The Buddha face is beautiful, and I really like all these rich fabrics. I must visit India one day!
Like Deborah, I would like to know on what fabric the face is printed.
Karen this turned out so lovely...very ornate. Kudos for overcoming your obstacles.
WOW!
This is stunny and so many places to look at.
GREAT JOB!
This is such a beautiful piece. The imagery is so peaceful & the fabrics are just gorgeous.
This is a masterpiece with so many fine details. It is very peaceful, and image is very well detailed. Lovely!
As the person who set the theme, it is a delight to see how it was interpreted in so many different ways. This is at once rich and simple; peaceful and stimulating. (And did you realise that this shade of green appears in your last three challenge quilts?!)
Lovely, Karen! It surprises me, as I look at this quilt, how something so ornate and sparkly can also be so calming and still - clearly it's that beautiful face that is influencing me! Nice save after the ironing disasters :) I must have a chat with you some time about teflon mats ...
Beautiful! I love the ornate sparkle with the calming effect of the Buddha in the middle of it all. Definetly a lesson for me.
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