Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Iris - progress 1

We've been travelling for the last couple of weeks, so there was no time to be in the studio.  


We were in France.  The first couple of days were spent in Normandy, in Bayeux and I finally had the chance to wander through the Museum to view 'La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde', after all these years during which I have frequently studied the pages of David Wilson's magnificent book on the story related in this 1000 year old embroidery.


The last week was spent in Paris, with family,  a reunion of sorts with the focus of a posthumous celebration for my father-in-law, whose courageous work during difficult times during the war was recognized and honoured.


We returned to the forest last Wednesday and I quickly organized myself to start work on the iris.   It's not that easy and I'm not sure yet about the effect of my work, but I am enjoying the experimentation with various types of silk thread, Pearsalls, Pipers and some chinese silk, Eterna.


This project is also a departure from my usual style given that it is so dense in its design.  Usually I work on simple lines and single subjects suspended on the linen.  I am having difficulty seeing the final picture in my mind despite the fact that I have done a watercolour study and thought a lot about the technical interpretation.   I am however enjoying the freedom of letting the colours and the various silks take me where they seem to want to go.  The result will surprise me;  hopefully in a good way.