As winter settled in I found myself longing for warmth - even the appearance of warmth was good enough. And so this punchneedle piece came to life. These warm colors layered one after another made me think of desert canyons and of the layers of rock on which this world is built.
Thread change after thread change defined this design. Punchneedle uses its own unique needle which requires two steps for each thread change. Once you add in the process of pulling yards of each color, blending colors and changing colors, the process of punching itself pales next to the constant thread changes. It was a very good learning experience and you might be able to see the more frequent changes and my growing abilities to blend threads as you go from the top of the piece (where I started) to the bottom.
My goal for this year is one doll figure a month, one folk art punchneedle bird a month and one punchneedle picture a month. So far I'm behind by only one picture so I guess I'd better get busy and draw up the next design and start choosing colors.
"And Life is Colour and Warmth and Light and a striving evermore for these..." - Julian Grenfell
Punch needle is such an old and somewhat forgotten craft. I always thought it would be a neat thing to try, but never have. I sure think this piece is cool and perfectly named. I always enjoy seeing your work.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. Thanks for showing us. Do you have plans for your small punch needle pieces? Frame them? Join them? Combine them in some other piece of work?
ReplyDeleteOk, forget my question now that I took another look at your work and can clearly see that it is indeed framed. I guess I'm not quite fully awake yet.
ReplyDeleteI previously had a punchneedle kit and wasn't very enamoured with it but wish I still had it now as you do some great things with it.
ReplyDeleteahhh! You know I love this! Just look at how wonderful that texture is! Beautiful design lives up to its name,
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Penny. I can't believe this is you first. Love the strata and the textures.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of you for your comments. I'm not sure what is going on with me - but this art form has totally taken over my creative side. I'm even dreaming in colorful threads!
ReplyDeleteJust read your own comment, Penny, and it makes me smile. No need to figure out what's going on with you, just enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteNow, this piece just makes me say "wow!". It exudes the warmth you wanted to feel, warmth that had been absorbed by the earth and not given up to the cold air above. I see the blending changes you mentioned, but only after your suggestion to notice them and on very close inspection. They would never have jumped out at me because the earth itself has subtle blending changes like this. Your piece displays reality. Your goals for the year are very admirable. My only caution with all that punch-needling is to be careful of what I would fear, a flare-up of some arm and hand issues my doctor blames on aging and repetitive movement. Here's hoping you are younger! Beautiful work, my friend You have made punch-needle your own!
Perfect name for this piece. I'm looking forward to seeing your creations as you work toward your goals.
ReplyDeleteNow I see what you are doing. Beautiful Penny. It's so detailed, just like you explained to me. Thanks so much for shopping at my new shop last week. So so good to see you again. Since I now about your blog, I will continue to check in. Jane
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