The subtle fabric for the bird below was chosen because I knew I could add that iridescent sheen of real feathers to it too. Previously, I would've considered this fabric choice a bit too subtle ... and boring to work with.
The paint is added after the birds are constructed, but before the beaks are glued on. I work on separate areas at a time, usually starting with the head, then down to its back, then the wings, and finally the under body. I've found it works best to brush just water onto an area before applying the paint. Mostly I'm after the iridescent colored sheen of these paints. I like that the fabric patterns and colors are not obscured. Although, a heavier application of paint will change the fabric color if that is desired ... as I did the yellow in the fabric of my giveaway gift bird for One World - One Heart.
Now, to tell you about this special bird. It is one of two that I made from the same imported cotton batiste fabric.
On the right in the picture below is the giveaway bird in process. The other one is finished and is destined to be sold in a gallery.
One reason they look different from each other is because I've discovered these little pots of paint. The paint is solid. Wiping a wet brush across the surface picks up the paint. It spreads easily and soaks into the fabric leaving an iridescent sheen or areas of color.
Notice how the solid line of black in the fabric print on the birds head shades into the body with the application of the purple paint. The yellow in the fabric has become a shimmering copper color. There's a subtle iridescence over its whole body because of a thin wash with the pink azalea paint. I'm loving this new discovery and have added sheen to birds I've previously posted ... the peacock bird is now exceptionally beautiful.
I'm just one of over 900 participants in this giveaway. Click on the world button at the top of this post to find links to them all (I'm #706) in the sidebar of Lisa Swifka, the creator and host of One World-ONE Heart. If you'd like a chance to own this pretty bird leave your comment on this post before clicking on that button to check out what else you have the opportunity to win just by leaving comments.
My post got a bit long and I suspect that I went beyond what the originator, Helen Suzanne, had in mind ... an image and brief/minimum description ... to let the picture tell the story. The other contributions more closely followed those guidelines. Click on the blog's link at the top of this post to read all of them.
Spectrum of Love - 60"x 60"
If you'd like see which celebrities resemble you, click on the link at the bottom of the above "poster". I suggest you wait until you're ready to have it posted, because the My Heritage site publishes it instantaneously on your blog. It is possible to for you to then put it in draft mode and add your thoughts. An exception is that once it's on Google Reader, there is no getting it off. Consequently, those of you who subscribe to that service may see this twice.
I'm loving real feathers on their heads. There are pheasant ones on the "peacock" bird and cockateel feathers from my neighbor's bird on the other.
The red feathers are a new headdress for a bird you've seen before. If any bird sticks around long enough it may get stuff added. A fuzzy yarn mane seemed more appropriate for the red bird.
And a back view.
The blue Millafiore bird didn't get a headdress ... nor did his wings get quilted. I was engrossed in the process and forgot to quilt them. But with that fabric on this bird, it's okay. The stripes on the blue-green bird are from fish patterns in the fabric. See? Playing!
They all have pretty bottoms and breasts. I like choosing contrasting or coordinating fabrics for the backs of their wings, too.
Two galleries that carry my art pieces have seen the birds previously posted here on my blog and have expressed interest in selling them. It never occurred to me to offer my birds to them. I was just playing. These birds are destined for those galleries. So far after creating about 30 big birds and 9 small ones I'm still having fun. The question is, how many more before it becomes a chore? When that happens, I'll be DONE!
These have been so cold their legs have bent "backwards". For all of you making birds with bent wire legs, that joint bends like our elbows.
The whole day it seemed as though we were living in a snow globe.
A nice thing about living in Tennessee is that we get to experience all four seasons. Thank heavens winter is the shortest. That snowfall will be gone by the end of tomorrow and we're expecting temperatures near 60 degrees on Friday. Now back to making more birds in my warm, cozy studio.
To quote the article written in a Columbia, South Carolina publication, "Cyber Fyber is not your average gallery exhibition. It is the culmination of a monumental, yearlong project developed by Columbia-area fiber artist Susan Lenz. The project was inspired by the sense of community she developed with other fiber artists around the world through her blogging experiences."
I have been online multiple times to study all these postcards and ATC's, but their photos do not portray the intricate details, colors, and textures that could be seen with my own eyes. I've voted (commented) on many of them and am glad to see that one of the ATC's I voted for won. To see a video of the people's choice awards go here.
Arlee Barr is the cyber fyber artist with whom I've had the closest contact and interaction. It was wonderful to get to see and touch her Exquisite Corpse piece, "Shifting Gears". Although, I couldn't help but feel wistful that the original piece, "Rust Never Sleeps", designated for this show had gotten lost in the mail. I had contributed my work to that one. To read about the other exquisite corpses that have been created thanks to Arlee's organization and overseeing as the originator and "Grand Corpse Vizieress" go here. A third round that again includes fiber artists from around the world has just begun.
"Shifting Gears" by Arlee Barr
This piece, "Cache", is rich in color and texture that can be seen in this photo. However, seeing those qualities in person is an AWESOME experience.
"Cache" by Arlee Barr
In the center of her small space is the installation of her doors piece. Three walls exhibit finished pieces. There is hardly room for a stool to be brought up to her very crowded work table. Below is a photo of Susan's studio that I lifted from her blog.
As you can see, the fourth wall is shelves for containers filled with supplies.
Westport Island Series: Birch Bark
Susan is truly an amazing artist and person. Thanks to her more of the world has become aware of how the internet has positively connected, as well as affected, many of us artists separated by a lot of geography. The process of getting this exhibition together,as well as the exhibit itself, has extended and helped cement a world wide community of creative textile artists. Thank you, Susan.
Originally, he had a fuzzy yarn neck ruff. This added to his gruff quality. He was not a pretty bird.
I used an awl to enlarge the space between stitches in the seams to make room for the quills to be inserted. A drop of glue secures them. The fibers in the wing fabric were separated to insert that feather with its drop of glue. It tickles me how the pattern in the fabric echos the shape of the real feather.
Now, he's a mighty fine feathered bird proudly strutting his "stuff" off to South Carolina wrapped up as house gift with a few nesting materials included in the bow.
This is the weekend for seeing Susan Lenz's Cyber Fyber exhibition in Columbia, South Carolina. Woo Hoo!
Actually, somebody needs to say "Giddy-up, Nellie". My studio is a mess, out-of-town guests are coming, and I should be working on three quilts. Instead, I'm struck down by a nasty cold and the only thing I feel like doing is being on the computer ... surfing and catching up on 134 blogs I subscribe to through Google Reader ... and sleeping.
Linda said, "Since this bird was born on your birthday, it seemed only proper that it share the name with its designer. The bird was great fun and went together so quickly with your instructions. Took both to my Milwaukee Art Quilters meeting and they wanted the website of course." Now, I'm looking forward to seeing what that creative bunch comes up with.
The center one with the black floral fabric is a new one ...
... as is this little beauty ...
... as are these two.
An appropriate headdress for the one couldn't be found so he got a piece of yarn to hold in his beak.
