Beth/Lyric Project--Week 4 (Shape: Active vs. Stationary)

As a reminder to those of you that don’t normally keep up with my blog (if you do, skip to the next paragraph), I have started a project that I’m calling the Beth/Lyric Project. In the spirit of the movie “Julie/Julia,” (i.e. Julie working through Julia Child’s cookbook) I have decided to work through the exercises in Lyric Kinard’s “Art + Quilt, Design Principles and Creativity Exercises” book. My goal is to get at least one of the exercises done each week. I’ll be posting my progress on Sundays. I’d love for you to work along with me. If you decide to do that, please post and let me know how you’re doing—send pictures too! If you have trouble leaving a comment on my blog, email me at bschnellenberger@gmail.com.

This is the fourth exercise in the Beth/Lyric Project. The topic is “Shape: Active vs Stationary.” For this exercise I was instructed to cut several shapes from a dark, solid fabric and arrange them on a base to create a very active composition. Next, I was instructed to use the same instructions to create a still and calm composition. This is my “active” piece.

Some of the things that help portray movement are the repetition of the curved shapes and the quilting lines. I think they help to “pull” your eye around the piece.

This is my “stationary” piece.

It feels “stationary” to me because the triangles, even though they are repeated, are positioned equal distance apart and the orientation for all the triangles is the same. The quilting lines seem to be “holding” them down.

Before this exercise, I really hadn't given much thought to active vs. stationary objects. This really made me think about what was needed to portray each state.

Next week's exercises is on "Line Weight" and "Line as Texture." I have already started work on these. I'm heading up to Bloomington, Indiana, to the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show (see my sidebar), and I wasn't sure if I'd get done on time since I'd be up there.

Come on...it's not too late to join me in doing these projects. Just "jump" in. Also, if you are in the area, come on over to the quilt show. You'll enjoy it.