By way of introducing myself, I will share a recent experience.
I have many painter friends, as I am active in the local art world as well as the community of Art Quilters. So when Plein Air West Reading (Pennsylvania) loosened its rules this year, I decided to take up the challenge.
This is the second year of the event. For 2017 only 80% of your piece had to be completed outdoors. The rest ccould be in the studio.
Here’s what I did: limited my palate to blacks, whites and grays, and pre-fused some workable size pieces to take with me. I packed a scissors, tracing paper, parchment paper, drawing paper, muslin and pencil and set up a small table near an outlet so I could plug in my iron.
I started as any Plein Air artist would: made sketches. For me, the final sketch had to be the same size as the finished piece would be (the cartoon). Then I worked as I always do: traced the shapes in the drawing from the cartoon (the buildings, the sky etc) and cut them out in fabric.
Honestly the experience did me more good than I thought it would. As in all plein air work, the values are higher keyed (brighter — more white) than when translated through a photograph. Since values are my most difficult artistic component, it was a useful adjustment to work outside. Also, of course, you can walk around and better see what you are trying to depict than when working from a photo.
The most difficult part was trying to keep the pieces from moving in the slightest breeze. A pin or two helped here. And I don’t know how I could do this without an extension cord and iron fairly handy. I used it by heating it up, unplugging and bringing over to my work — still hot enough to activate the fusing and hold the fabric pieces down. But I couldn’t be too very far from it.
I finished the pieces in my studio: using my sewing machine for the quilting and binding. I also took photos, printed them on cloth, and places them in key spots. Those I printed in color, so the final works are black and white, with bits of color.
Martha Ressler, Art Quilt, On the Avenue, 25 x 18″
Plein Air Art Quilting set up. Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA
As far as I got with “Curious” while on the scene. The rest I finished in my studio.
Martha Ressler, art quilt, “Curious” 18 x 20.5″ This won a purchase award in the event “Plein Air West Reading.”
I’m curious as to whether you are still working en plein air and if you have found any alternative to an electric iron. I’ve just started experimenting with plein air and have been glue-sticking pieces of fabric (with fusible already applied) until I get back to the studio.
Hello, Teri, thank you for the question.
The answer is no, I’ve discontinued the practice of trying to work in Plein air. Although yes, you’re right, I have tried what you say, prefusing the pieces and using a bit of glue stick to temporarily stick them on, or using some pins.
I think my main complaint was that I didn’t have access to my entire palette of colors, that is to say, my stash.
My conclusion is that art quilts are an indoor sport.
I believe that’s why they’re called studio art quilts!
Best,
Martha