Hoffman Challenge 2016
This is my 2016 Entries into the Hoffman Challenge.
Concepts and Creation:
Each fish, critter, rock and coral was initial sketched out to size. I find that If I draw my designs to the approximate size that then will be when they are on the corresponding quilt, then I can create templates much more efficiently.
Construction:
I used raw edge applique along with traditional piecing(background). The butterfly wings of both the opal and onyx versions of the challenge fabric were individually cut and sewing in to represent shadows and light for mermaid’s scales and for some hidden sea creatures and small details like the mermaid’s eyes and shimmer on the ocean surface. I used Aurifil thread create the bold lines commonly present in manga style drawings. Hoffman digital Bali watercolors were predominantly used to give the quilt a painted look.
My favorite subtle feature of this quilt is the bead work. I spent three weeks sewing on seed beads and various natural stones to give the appearance of sediment in the water and shine to the aquatic creatures.
Concepts of the Lionfish
This is the Sketch of the Baby Bamboo Shark. I love how it looks like the shark is shinny and curious.
Here is my Cuttlefish and Blue Lobster.
One of my favorite types of corals. They grow slowly and form cup like shelves.
determining how to show light penetrating into the depths of the ocean.
My initial sketch of the mermaid tail, with Baby Bamboo for size reference.
Here is the Hoffman Challenge Fabric making its debut on my drafting table.
The Mermaids face went through so many alterations that I started to create removable/re-positional templates over the body.
The mermaid is starting to take shape as the individual butterfly wings are turned into fish scales.