Saying Good-bye

My name is Gwyned Trefethen.
I am the featured art quilter on 52Quilters.com
and @52quilters November 5 - 11, 2018.

Introduction:

Little Lake Butte
des Morts in Fall
by Gwyned Trefethen
Private Collection

It is that bittersweet time when I must relinquish my role as author of the 52 Quilters blog posts. It has been a delight sharing what I have gleaned over my 30 years of quilting, especially those years devoted to art quilting. One lesson I seemed destined to learn repeatedly is the emotional arch of creating art. It is an emotional rollercoaster ride every time I make a new work of my own design. It begins filled with promise. I am blown away by my genius and can't wait to get started on this latest germ of an idea. This usually means doing research and test driving various vague design concepts on paper or using EQ8. The euphoria continues as I select the fabrics/palette I will use. My mind drifts over the various approaches and techniques most appropriate to achieve my vision. Then the frenetic pace slows and I begin work in earnest. Perhaps I have pieced a few blocks, or created a cartoon as a guide to place appliqué pieces. The excitement  diminishes, as the gap between my vision and my work widen. It isn't unusual for self doubt and negative internal dialogue to start up and continue for the next period as my work comes together, but feels less than satisfactory. I have learned to focus, preserver, and trust my original instinct to make the work, very, very rarely giving in to the disillusionment. When the work is done, I see those tiny flaws, imperceptible to others.  I am shocked, months later, when those flaws have miraculously disappeared. 

Facade
by Esterita Austin

Influential Books and/or Quilt Artists

The design element I struggle with most is space. Perhaps this is why I was blown away the first time I saw work by Esterita Austin. In 2001 she was working on a series based on ancient stone buildings, paths, and wells. She is one of the early pioneers of Misty Fuse, a spider web like fusible that led to many fiber artists leaving needle turn appliqué behind in favor of the much faster, simpler method of fusing any shape piece to fabric.

Lets Look At Space:

Space is what gives a 2D artwork a sense of depth. This can be done in several ways, often used together, to create the illusion of depth. How objects are positioned in the work, shading, and use of a one or two point perspective all help give the illusion of depth.

Minot Beach, N. Scituate, Massachusetts
Photo taken by Dana B. Eagles

Tip of the Day:

Don't let insecurity, self doubt, fear, needing to be perfect, or not knowing how to do something, hold you back from making new work. The more work you make, the more confidence you will develop, especially to push through the difficult parts. Making art is a journey, sometimes arduous, but always worth it.

Final Words:
Thank you for joining me in a week immersed in the world of art quilts. It has been a pleasure to host 52 Quilters.

Social Media Addresses and Affiliations:

Website: www.gwynedtrefethen.com
Blog: gwynedtrefethen.blogspot.com
Instagram: gwynedtrefethen

Juried Artist Member (JAM) and Board Member of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA)