Sunday, October 14, 2012

Quilt National Entry

Doors to the Past

This was my entry into Quilt National this year.  This was the first year I felt that I had a piece that might be considered for this prestigious show.

Quilt National is held every other year at the Dairy Barn in Athens, OH.   Many say that this is the mother of all fiber art shows.

You really have to plan and commit yourself and the piece of art that you are making to enter in QN.  One of the foremost rules in their entry form is that the art can not be posted on your blog/internet etc.  Nor can it have been entered into any other show or seen within a 100 mile radius of your home before entering into QN.  This takes quite a commitment.  Most artist who chose to enter this exhibit feels that this is worthwhile. 

I took the plunge this year and decided that I might have a small chance.  I didn't!  There were over 800 entries and only 86 were juried into the show.  Of course, I'm disappointed but not surprised.  I'm glad I entered and I will most likely enter again.  After all nothing ventured nothing gained.


 Now that I have that out of the way I want to tell you how I came up with the above design and how Doors to the Past evolved.

The photo show here was taken in New Mexico.  I can't really remember where but the thing that caught my attention was how the doors/arches opened one after the other.  I also loved the light that came through after the second doorway.

I've been doing a lot of merging photos in PSE and decided to play with this photo as my background.






 I also take lots of shadow photos of myself and my husband when we are out hiking or site seeing.  This photo was taken in a creek in the Smoky Mountains.  The stones are moss covered and the sky is reflected in the water.












 This was the final image.  As you can see my shadow disappeared with the exception of the light at the upper part of the archway.  Things started feeling a little eerie here.

As I looked at the image I began seeing images.  The design that emerged at the lower left looked to me as if it might be half of the Comedy Mask.  Because of this I decided to mirror image the design./









 This was the image that emerged after the mirror imaging.  This has turned into a much longer post than I had planned so I am stopping at this point and will elaborate on this more later this week.


10 comments:

  1. Fascinating! It does take a LOT to plan and wait for this show. I find your work intriging. Really great job.

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    1. Ann thanks so much for your comments. I like that you find it intriguing.

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  2. I really like this piece: the colors and the images.
    It makes you want to create a story about it.
    I look forward to reading more about its creation.

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    1. Thanks Katherine I just posted my story about the piece. However, I think everyone can image their own.

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  3. This is a beautifully mysterious piece, and I think it's worthy of Quilt National. Thanks for sharing it.

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    1. Sherrie thanks so much for your comments. I'm glad the mystery came through.

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  4. Wonderful piece ... love the first part of its history and I am looking forward to learning "the rest of the story". Thanks for sharing!
    Susan

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    1. Thanks Susan and congratulations on having your pieced chosen. Just posted "the rest of the story".

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  5. the more I see everyone's pieces that didn't get in - the more I'm totally convinced that we need to start getting another venue that garners as much prestige as QN. This piece is just amazing and one of your best so far! For you not to get in is just another testimony on how much another venue is needed.

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    1. Wow Nina Marie thank you so much for your comments. I hope I will find another venue for the piece.

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