Compositional Conversation

I have had the distinct pleasure of being invited to participate

in a project called "Compositional Conversation."

In the words of its creator, artist Terry Jarrard-Dimond,

this is a "project designed to create dialogue between artists

and a textile construction, artists to artists and hopefully,

artist to audience...  The concept is simple: A composition

made of fabric is begun and then passed from artist to artist..."

Terry goes on to explain the process in detail in a blog

that she has set up specifically for this social, textile experiment.

I hope you will visit it and follow the process along with the participants

and, last but not least, add your thoughts to the conversation by going here.

Admit One

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Juan

click to enlarge

Juan

Ill and poor his whole life,

he lived quietly in other people's shadows;

he held my tiny hand with great tenderness,

I could sense his ache,

the pain of being invisible.

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Opium

click to enlarge

Venezuelan Symphony

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Venezuelan Symphony

37"h by 39"w

This is my memory of the beautiful llanos (plains) of Venezuela when

crossed on horseback -- land as far as the eyes can see,

flowering trees, rivers, birds -- nature's symphony.

Every note, from dark to light, interpreted in cloth.

Orinoco (Series of 4)

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Orinoco

It has been difficult to photograph this work because the dark

tones are very, very rich and intense, while the lighter ones

are almost diaphanous. Be sure to click on each photo to enlarge

it and that might help get a better feeling for the piece.

The inspiration is, again, the wild landscape of Venezuela

along the shores of the mighty Orinoco River.

Google Earth: Orinoco Delta

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Google Earth: Orinoco Delta

39"h by 49"w

The idea for this piece is my own recollection of trips to the

jungle in Venezuela and canoe rides along the Orinoco River;

its waters are clear but the iron ore deposits of the area color

the bottom sand and the surrounding shores.

I made a large piece of felt from scratch using some lovely

Merino wool that I hand-dyed;  other sections were also

hand-dyed using rust shavings.