Work on Fabric Paper, so far, so good!!!!

I'm totally enthralled with this piece! Still haven't decided what her hands will "hold"/what she is looking at, but i have several ideas sketched, from dangling fruit to a lightforce of some sort to a mysterious object.

 

Detail shots, which give a better idea of colour and texture:

Bakst inspired figure

Bakst inspired figure 2

roots detail

The roots were done per Kim Thittichai's Hot Textiles book--stitching on manmade organza, then burning away. Not sure if the trunk and branches will be done the same way, or with fme  on dissolvable or a combination!

You'll notice she has a lot more hair than the original drawing by Leon Bakst. The initial figure is androgynous; i wanted it more feminine, hence the streelish windblown locks!

She's on a background of olive silk dupioni now and the size therefore has grown to 14x17". That piece of copper was a bitch to manouevere without bending, as i edged it with stitching! I also poked a few holes in myself in some areas where i had cut--miniscule pointy edge bits were then burnished down, down, down!!!! I tried to leave areas open where the fake gold "mica" flakes i used in the fabric paper were more visible.

Time for a walk now in our beautiful Autumn West Coast weather!!!!! 

Comments

[Mary Anne]

What did you use for her hair? It looks like yarn? Does she have a name yet? I can envision her holding some sort of pulsing orb.

[Midge]

I have run out of superlatives to express my reactions to your work, Arlee. I am promised the charger for my camera battery tonight so shd have some stuff on my site and will post comments that will relate to suffering for one's art.

[arlee]

Her hair is free motion stitched with regular thread, copper metallic and some bronze paint, no yarns or heavy threads at all :}
Thank you both for your kind comments!

[Patricia Chauncey]

Question?

When do you sleep? My god you are prolific!
I am jealous of your energy!


Patricia

[Nicky Perryman]

This is amazing. Love it. Reminds me of rock n' roll in the 1970's!

[cara]

the diary of this piece is brilliant. i loves it.
i got to take more pictures and sample sample sample.
inspired me again.

[sharon]

What a beautiful piece, her facial expression is perfect, very enigmatic, always a difficult thing to achieve. The textures too are stunning.
I hope you don't mind but I have tagged you - see my blog for details. Hope you'll participate - it is just for fun!