Column at Crystal Palace (Madrid), 2014

Column at Crystal Palace (Madrid), 8 1/2″ x 10″, Rayon on cotton, © 2014 Joni Beach.

(Purchase in Shop~$95)

The Story~The Crystal Palace in Retiro Park (Madrid) is a wonderful, dreamy place made of glass and white stone, once only for the Royal family to enjoy.  Huge decorative white columns are found near the entrance, with the reflection of bright sunlight shining through high windows of glass.

From the memories and impressions of an amazing place….strolling along the lake where black swans swim and entering a Palace of crystal….Huge white columns grace the entrance! This is a wholecloth quilt~a design is stitched by machine in free-motion, like sketching with a pencil on paper, onto a solid colored, single piece of cloth (which is layered with batting and a backing fabric).

Artist’s Process~ This is a “thread-sketching” on a cotton background–the quilting line becomes the actual design on a solid colored background fabric. Free-motion stitching is done by machine, in a manner similar to drawing with a pencil on paper. To hang this small piece, it can be mounted on matboard and framed, or attached to a canvas with thread. 

A hanging sleeve is added to the back for displaying. As a Free Bonus gift, a small slat with two holes is included (Can be hung with 2 pins or small nails~not included). Other options for displaying textiles pieces include shadow box frames or mounting on canvas. Professional framers, experienced with preserving and displaying textiles, can be helpful with these and other ideas. (Canvas is not included, for display only.)

Do you dream of faraway places…where a columned Crystal Palace sits by a lake with black swans?