joansowada@gmail.com
I build my artwork. There are many ways to construct an art quilt.
Category: Quilt Art
neutral walls for artwork
There are neutral walls at my house. It’s a bright airy facelift!
Narrative
I make art in both figurative and abstract styles. Narrative is important in both.
Two Gems
This blog is just a quick show and tell, to share with you two commissions completed recently. I am showing you the reference photo given to me, next to the artwork I created for a friend. Notice all the things that are removed (background and shirt logo) and the things added (bottom of shoe and… Read more »
How is it done?
I create artwork in two styles. When I am making abstract artwork, there is no pattern. I begin with an idea and a group of fabrics that would play well together. When I make a figurative piece the process is more structured, and in this blog I will talk about those steps. There’s a part… Read more »
Seasons of Life
“To every time there is a season, a time to live, a time to die” —or something similar to this. And also the bit about under heaven. This sentiment makes it’s way into wedding vows and sympathy cards. A time to get hip replacement (modern miracle) A time to breast feed your newborn baby non-stop… Read more »
Make Over
Get out the rotary cutter. Sometimes the best thing to do with a piece that isn’t so good, is to visualize cutting it up, and then have fun doing it! Since you didn’t like it anyway, nothing is lost. Making artwork is always a risk, so I say, go for it. I cut ‘Abstract Figure’… Read more »
Everyone is happy
When a commission turns out well, everyone is happy. The woman who asked me to make a piece based on a photo of herself and her children, was already familiar with my artwork. She knew about my medium, style, subject matter, and my love of light and shadow. She could safely feel that I was… Read more »
New Order and Taking Stock
After reading “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo, I have given myself permission to devote several months to the task of going through everything in my house that is mine. It is simple enough to ask the clarifying question of “Does this thing bring me joy?”, but after that it is… Read more »
Inspiration from Photos
I am often inspired to create art quilts based on my own candid photos. Here are some examples of pieces that started out this way. I am drawn to photos that have good composition and strong contrast of light and dark. I sometimes combine multiple images of a subject to add impact. (Magic Wall also has… Read more »