Thursday, September 1, 2011

Enjoy Delicious Twelve Brand Oranges

I'm a Southern California girl. Fourth generation born in Los Angeles. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, which, like much of Los Angeles and Orange counties was predominantly orange groves at first part of the twenty first century. To me, "orange" means oranges, and of course, the graphic labels of the crates they used to come in.



I started by drawing my version of a crate label. Then I experimented with a variety of painting, printing, and silkscreening techniques using that basic imagery. I collaged all my favorite bits together to create my homage to the orange.



The process I took was not my usual and I procrastinated a lot, trying to wrap my head around what I wanted to do, in what order it needed to be done, and what it might look like in the end. But, it was worthwhile as I am very happy with the final product, and may even incorporate some of what I learned into future projects.

17 comments:

Karen said...

Oh my gosh, there's so much detail to look at in this, it' fabulous Kristin

Gerrie said...

I love it. I am sorry I am not supposed to say that! The texture is fabulous. I am glad I did not do an orange still life. I could not compete. The colors you have used are working so wonderfully together.

donna!ee said...

yummy orange...beautiful! :)

dutchcomfort said...

It’s a true homage to the orange! So much to see and discover!!

Terri Stegmiller said...

Oh what a wonderful quilt! It has a nostalgic feeling for me. I really like the color variances and textures you achieved and the unexpected fabric pieces sprinkled here and there are very fun.

Unknown said...

Jucy! When I was in new Zealand I saw a seres of patterns based on old Italian food adverts I think,mean for kitchen walls. I kidn f liked them but found them a little stiff and dull. This reminds me of the good bits of that with all that I thought was lacking. It is so vibrant and interesting to look at with all its details. I am interested in the bits of fabric wrapped around the edges. This will certainly be one to see in person.

Brenda said...

I love the retro feel of this piece and am immeiately nostalgic for my exchange student days in Washington State when I admired to apple crate labels. I'm glad your perseverance with unfamiliar techniques and materials was so rewarded. It doesn't always happen that way.

Nikki said...

Your quilt is so soft and calming compared to Helen's Drought. You captured perfectly the refreshing nature of oranges. I feel the sun, beach style, warming my face as I relax and enjoy a juicy piece of fruit.

Terry Grant said...

So beautiful and juicy and delicious! The sense of transparency makes it all the more refreshing. It would be a great image for advertising oranges. Makes me long for that tart/sweet taste in my mouth. The quirky little patch at the bottom gives it your signature touch and keeps it from being TOO perfect!

Kit Lang said...

This is truly stunning!

Diane Perin said...

Ooh, Kristin! This definitely evokes a colorful fruit crate, and you've styled the elements of this perfectly. I love seeing how you've used the textures in your fabric to create the blends of colors. And of course the font is perfect. What a lovely, lovely orange. I'm glad you persisted when you were feeling frustrated -- the result was worth it!

(I went to college in Southern California and one of my nicest memories is of an evening driving with my boyfriend through orange groves when the trees were blossoming. That smell was divine, and when it was carried on the evening breeze was magical. You've reminded me of that very nice memory with this!)

QuiltingFitzy said...

I'm humbled by your art. This is soft and graphic - which to me, is really the description of the art you create.

This piece evokes lots of memories. Our childhood bedside tables were orange crates, and I loved them!

Love your piece girlfriend.

Françoise said...

Oh, so lovely!
Our oranges come from Spain and from Israel, and we get them in the supermarkets, packed in fruit netting (is it what it's called?). So your quilt looks particularly exotic to me!
The details are beautiful and very rich, the lettering, and then the leaves... our oranges don't have leaves! Okay, our tangerines have leaves and they sometimes come in tiny crates. ;-)

Julie Goucher said...

Absolutely fabulous!

Deborah Boschert said...

I love all the layers and textural details. The bit of lace is so interesting and I can sense the layers of paint that you've created over various screens and commercial fabrics. Maybe even some vintage dish clothes? The plaid bit on the orange is fantastic. The layers of handwriting behind the word... so subtle and fantastic! I want to know more about that patch on the lower left.

Melly Testa said...

Love what you did there. You captured it.

Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales said...

This is fantastic! Totally reminds me of the guys selling oranges off the side of the road when I was a kid. I didn't realize that you're a valley girl too. I was born in Van Nuys but have lived in lots of different parts of the valley ... last being Burbank near the studios. :-)