Quilted Summer Days
august 2022
This morning, we woke up to the sound of rain and thunder. The windows in the bedroom were wide open and the cold breeze woke me up fresh and early. We have been waiting for this rain for a very long time.
It has been so hot over the last few weeks that it has been difficult for me to get a lot of work done. I always feel a bit guilty about that, and I am not quite sure why. Maybe it is an artists thing, there are always so many new ideas and projects on my mind that it is difficult for me to unwind. So one early morning I went to the river because I know it helps me to relax. The water was cold, the chill awakend me and my mind felt fresh again.
In the studio I started on a new quilt design. I loved making the smaller quilts, and now I am challenging myself by making a large quilt. The first design ideas for this new quilt were drawn in my sketchbook, ready to be painted onto linen. The only direction I gave myself was dyeing with indigo, and the rest I leave intentionally open. In my minds eye I try to see the indigo dyed quilt, but not for too long. Otherwise it will keep me from being free and fearless.
The next step in the process is to take different parts of the small sketches and turn them into one true to size illustration. I always leave this paper version of the quilt either on the floor or hang it on the wall, just to look at it while I do other things in the studio. It helps me to really see what is in front of me, if there is something missing or that I should change elements of the design. This process can sometimes take weeks.
I am so excited to start with the painting and indigo dyeing of this quilt! I love the rich possibilites of the soft medium of linen, painted, dipped in indigo and stitched into something new. I am so drawn to the colour and texture, the flowing process of natural dyeing. I hope to show you more about the process in the coming weeks!
Well, that’s a little glimpse at the past few weeks of my life. I hope you are all well in every way, and that you enjoyed the summer so far. More soon and all love from the South of France!
x Claire