I read these words by artist Helen Wells, and agree wholeheartedly: “Perfectionism doesn’t raise our standards. It lowers our output. And strips away the joy.”
In an effort to use up some scrap fabrics, to be spontaneous, and to avoid overworking, I tackled this improvisational portrait. Dot is a scrappy, but stylish, thoughtful and resolute girl. She is worried about the massive changes in her country and world, and how they are hurting so many people. Doing what she can for others and pushing back against the aggressors helps her to keep her spirits up. Always frugal and conscientious, Dot is entirely created of scrap fabrics, mostly up-cycled from old clothing. Her edges are organic, without concern for unnecessary adherence to careful measurement and square corners. Like Dot herself, the quilting that holds her together is a bit wild and embraces imperfection. Finally, hand stitching calms her and keeps her colorful surroundings under control.
The process:
Starting with a base of upholstery fabric with teddy bears woven in, I randomly laid on some sections of dark value scraps, then light ones, and a small area of medium value scraps. No pins or glue, minimal ironing, and loops and circles were machine stitched over the entire background.
Then I began with red shoulders at the bottom, followed by a chest and neck. I realized that I would need a rather long neck and head in order to fill the space, so my figure received an exaggeratedly long neck.
I have often wished I had the nerve to wear my hair in dreadlocks, so I gave them to her. Polka dots tickle my sense of fun, so she got dotty dreads. I created a sense of form by roughly shading and highlighting the skin and shirt.
Because there was extra machine stitching in the area of the figure, and not so much in the negative spaces, the quilt did not hang flat. This was corrected by adding rows of hand stitching in the background areas. Other than the hand stitching, this technique was quick, and delightfully fun to work through. Dot has a rather carefree and unruffled attitude, embracing any imperfections in herself and her world.
Dot
42 “ by 29”
Up cycled cotton and rayon fabrics from clothing, upholstery fabric, embroidery thread
Raw edge machine applique, hand embroidery
私はアーティストのヘレン・ウェルズの次の言葉を読んで、心から同意します。「完璧主義は私たちの基準を高めません。私たちの成果を下げます。そして喜びを奪います。」
端切れを使い切り、衝動的な表現をし、過度な作業を避けるため、この即興ポートレートに取り組みました。ドットは、気取らないながらもスタイリッシュで、思慮深く、毅然とした女の子です。彼女は、祖国と世界の大きな変化と、それが多くの人々にどれほどの苦しみを与えているかを心配しています。他者のためにできることをし、加害者に反撃することで、彼女は精神を保っています。常に倹約家で良心的なドットは、主に古着をアップサイクルした端切れで作られています。端は有機的で、寸法の正確さや直角さにこだわる必要は特にありません。ドット自身のように、彼女をまとめるキルティングは、少しワイルドで、不完全さを受け入れています。そして、手縫いは彼女を落ち着かせ、色鮮やかな周囲の世界を落ち着かせてくれます。工程： テディベアが織り込まれた布張り用の生地をベースに、濃い色の布切れをランダムに重ね、次に薄い色の布切れを、そして中程度の色の布切れを小さな範囲に重ねました。ピンや糊は使わず、アイロンも最小限に抑え、ループと円を背景全体にミシンで縫い付けました。 次に、下部に赤い肩を縫い付け、続いて胸と首を縫い付けました。空間を埋めるためには首と頭がかなり長くなることに気づいたので、人形の首は誇張した長さにしました。 ドレッドヘアにしたいと何度も思ったので、彼女にやってあげました。水玉模様は遊び心をくすぐるので、彼女は水玉模様のドレッドヘアにしました。肌とシャツに大まかな陰影とハイライトを入れて、立体感を出しました。 人形の部分にはミシンで縫い目を増やしましたが、ネガティブスペースにはそれほど多く縫い付けなかったため、キルトは平らに垂れ下がりませんでした。これは、背景に手縫いの列を追加することで修正されました。手縫いを除けば、この技法は素早く、楽しく作業を進めることができました。ドットは気楽で落ち着いた性格で、自分自身や自分の世界におけるどんな不完全さも受け入れています。 ドット 42インチ×29インチ 衣類、室内装飾用生地、刺繍糸からリサイクルしたコットンとレーヨン生地 切りっぱなしのミシンアップリケ、手刺繍
Karol, your Dot is perfectly imperfect; or is she imperfectly perfect?? Either way, I adore her Modigliani style long neck.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. You beautifully conveyed the idea of imperfection through your creative process in making Lady Dot. Thank you!
Thank you, Mijoo. And I send the same sentiments right back to you!
I can see the worry in Dot’s eyes. I’m trying to let go of my perfectionism…it can be paralyzing sometimes.
Karen, exactly. I think all of our members have enjoyed letting loose with this prompt!
I’m so glad she has a long neck. This REALLY works. What a great interpretation of the theme, and beautiful art!
Thank you, She was a fun one to make. As always, it is such a treat to see what each artist is inspired to do with our given themes!
Karol, the increased wonkiness in your work is so much fun. It’s as if art is bubbling out of you. Whatever you’re feeding this side of you, keep going.
This one definitely bubbled out. I’ll use this method again and again. Thanks dear Kat.
What a great image and practice! Dot reminds me of one of my heroines, the writer Anne Lamott.
Thank you, and thanks from Dot, who loves being compared to Anne.
Love her hair! The expression on her face is very moving to me. Thanks for the reminder to play- especially in thee times!
I have done plenty of serious, activist work. It is important to make something fun and carefree occasionally. Thanks for your feedback. It is appreciated!
Youthful beauty, and yet there is a touch of pondering about what the world is bringing our way. I love the dreds!
I so wish I had the courage to try wearing them. I admire others who do. Miss you, and hope all is well.
So subtle yet surprising all at once! Dot is irresistible!
Thanks so much, Janie! Sweet words.
Her melancholy expression tells us a lot.
It is hard not to be sad in these challenging times. Fortunately, ART gives us respite.
Perfect! You make me want to dive straight into my scraps and play again.
When they accumulate, something MUST be done!
She’s wonderful, Karol! I adore the dots and your continued use of repurposed fabric. The lack of “careful measurement” absolutely adds to her tangible charm!
Thanks Christie. This theme certainly allowed for some freedoms we don’t always enjoy! Yay!