Behind the Scenes~Artists Working in a Series

Many times artists will create several works of art, or a series, related to the same subject or theme. This can be the result of their creative process, where an artist experiments with different materials…explores one idea in several ways, or tries out many ways to design one idea…or takes one concept and builds upon it, revising it as they work. So, there are many ways to create in the studio with no one “right” method…

Some artists work on one piece or series at a time, while others may have many projects and series being developed and created at the same time…working on several at various stages of the design process. So, it can look like this! 🙂

I currently work on a few different series, which I’d like to introduce to you one at a time. Today’s series is called, “Child’s Play”…Because for children their play is actually their work…the way they learn, develop, and understand the world around them!

In “Playtime Games” (2012), the games of children are depicted~~Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey, sparkling marbles, decorated flip-flops, the swirls of a turning top! For from the lessons learned in playing these games, they learn the lessons of life.

“Playtime Games”, Rayon, beads, and clothespins on cotton, ©2012 Joni Beach

In “Meow, Mr. Whiskers”, saying hello in cat language is a specialty of children who know their pets well. Not only is he a cat, he is a friend who just happens to love to play with a ball of fabric yarn. And, from this they learn to better communicate and interact with other living beings…including people!

Meow, Mr. Whiskers, rayon on cotton, 7 1/4″ x 10″, © 2013 Joni Beach.

In this series, I have fun exploring ways children learn, grow, and develop through fun and games, colors and crayons, animals and bugs, friends and family, and other wild, wonderful, awe-inspiring things, using brightly colored, quirky prints, vivid colored threads, and fun found objects!

Stay tuned for more…! 🙂

(These designs are Available Now as wonderful, Open Edition Art Prints in the Art Shop.)

January 4, 2013

In the Studio~2012 in Review

It has been a busy time this week in the studio (and office) after the holidays ended. And, the New Year has officially begun!

2013

WordPress sends a Year in Review blog report at the end of December. In it they list the most-viewed posts during the year. I love to see what was of interest to the most people. If you missed them and would like to view them now, they are listed below–with links to the posts.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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If you have a favorite post not* on the Top 5 list, I would love to hear what it is…! 🙂

The Studio is a Buzzzzzz! (paintingbliss.com)
2013 Begins in the Studio (nicolesart.wordpress.com)

April 30, 2012May 1, 2012

In the Studio~Child’s Play

What do you think of when you think about children playing? Running?… jumping?… games?…having fun? and bright colors? This week I began a new series, Child’s Play. For a long time I have been collecting brightly colored fabrics with whimsical prints. While I did not have a design idea for them yet, when my husband asked me about a small art quilt that might relate to children, my mind began focusing on a few different ideas. I thought of a favorite book on my shelf, Quilter’s Playtime: Games With Fabric by Dianne S. Hire. I was inspired to use the games of–spinners, pin-the-tail-on the-donkey, and marbles–in a composition entitled, Playtime Games.

A quick sketch of an idea was drawn…And a pile of playful, brightly colored fabrics was thrown on the table…(Actually my stash on the shelf is very orderly! )

Fabric Pile — Pile of Fun, Colorful Fabrics.

Then, I drew objects of the design on the paper backing of fusible web. (I like Lite Steam-a-Seam2 brand) These were then cut-out and arranged on the background fabric. To construct the tails, two pieces of fabric were sewn together wrong sides together, turned, and basted into place. I took digital photos to view the composition and placement of the pieces. When the desired effect was achieved, the top was fused into place.

Lay Out of Playtime Games, (c) 2012, Joni Beach. — Lay-Out of Playtime Games, (c) 2012, Joni Beach.

Next, the top was layered with low-loft batting and a backing fabric. Thread-painting was done to enhance the details of the objects. And, texture, depth, and line was added to the design using free-motion quilting. I like the way the quilting lines also add movement to this piece. A button and beads were stitched to the tails, the binding was fused to the back, and I signed and dated the front…