I have always been attracted to Nike--the greek goddess, not the shoes. My name is derived from her's and who wouldn't like the idea of victory. I have always held that promise of victory in my heart and known through all the struggles that victory is at the end.
This quilt came together surprisingly quickly. I'm especially grateful of that fact given all the end of school and early summer activities happening these last few months. I found an image of Nike with her wings folded back and down on an ancient vase. From there I made a sketch and zoomed in on the wing. I cut the various pieces out of fabric paper I already had made and sewed them down to a quilted, painted background that I've had in my stash for years. I then added a wash of gold paint around the wing because a goddess has to glow. I'm now ready to fly with her wings and claim victory.
Wow. I just love this Nikki. I especially love the subtle band of leaf design across the vase. I also love the interesting variety of textures you get with your fabric paper and quilting and painting techniques.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt! Love the idea of working with fabric paper!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt also speaks to me because my name is also derived from Nike’s!
What a lovely response to the theme, and I love how personal it is to you because of the link to your name. The colors just glow and that aura of gold helps, too.
ReplyDeleteIt is my fault not yours I am sure that I am having troubleseeing the wing in this design. Think its like that two faces/ candlestick picture that you see one thing and not the other until suddenly you see both. It is probably because weare now on a countdown that beforeI read your explanation II saw ( see) the olympic torch! But that is equally approriate for a nike theme I suppose!
ReplyDeleteWhen you enlarge the photo it is a "whoa" moment. It does glow. I love all of your textured fabrics. I was thinking about you this week - you have been so quiet - and I wondered what you would come up with.
ReplyDeleteOoh, pretty colors and textures! I like that this is almost abstract and it's more about the glow and the movement of the colors than an obvious wing. But the wing is there too, and such an apt detail to use.
ReplyDeleteAgree with what everyone has said. Not seeing the wing immediately, but so what?! The color, the flow and especially the golden glow are mesmerizing. It has a very magical quality.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see the wing at first either, but the colours and movement are great. The background fabric is lovely too.
ReplyDeleteHelen, it is one big wing with the top and the bottom tip of the feathers cropped. It attaches to her back with the little bit leading off the right edge. The picture I used as inspiration is on this page: http://www.timelessmyths.com/classical/lessergods.html She's down near the end of the page.
ReplyDeleteGerrie, I know I've been quiet. I thought being a mom was challenging and time consuming when they were little and I was homeschool. I'm now realizing that was nothing compared to their needs as they get older, especially with an official teenager in the house and her next sister right on her heels. i'm taking the pressure off myself with my art and letting it get back to being a joy. Thank you for thinking of me--it truly means the world to me.
Nikki, i agree with the others that the colors in this are amazing. It just glows!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing to grab life's victories, whether big or small. I can see Nike's wing (but, Helen I can see the torch too!).
ReplyDeleteThe gold adds a touch of magic dust. We should all have our own pair of Nike wings.
This is a gorgeous piece Nikki, and it's so wonderful that it's a myth you relate to. Your life sounds very busy with your family and even with all that going on you managed to definitely claim victory.
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