Awakenings

  A few lines from a song was the inspiration  for  Awakening I .   I included the words on each label.
   "Like the sun that rises,  From the darkness comes the light.  
      I hear your voice.   And this is my awakening."
  Each time I heard these words a strong mental image came to mind.  The first shimmer of light each morning....that early morning glow you see (if you arise early enough, that is) that streaks across the sky, peeking out from behind the foliage of the trees.  So my intent was to create the source of light that arises from the dark.

    Here     and here   are posts for the start of Awakening I.  The center of the piece blends out to the border on either side.  The strong contrast of dark to light---border to center area---is a favorite technique I like to use.  It creates a frame/border and  I like the way your eye is drawn around the whole piece.

     But by the time I was almost finished with number 1,  I wanted to try another simpler version.    So number 2 was started as a smaller piece.  I decided not to use as many dark squares, but rather selected more medium value squares.  The light is concentrated in the center and a single fabric was used for the border.    Still I can see the shimmer of the early morning light....and the simple  border gives a calmer view.    Or it could be just a little closer to sunrise?                              

    Once again.....number 3.  I still wanted one more shot at this image.   This one was the example I used for posts on using  negative space.    The  focus here is on the  much larger blooms in the dark areas, and again the light is concentrated.  The border is a  very dark fabric that is separated from the center by an inset strip of gold fabric.    The sun is up in this one.    The difference  in each piece is more obvious seen side by side......

  I think the similarities and differences show well here.  The light just shimmers on them.  

    I couldn't decide which shot or angle I liked best.....so I just included them all.    Watercolor quilts are hard to photograph I think.  It is a kind of catch 22.....you need to be back far enough to see the "illusion" created by the blending, and yet you want to be close enough to pick up some detail.  

  Thanks for viewing and sharing my adventure doing a series.  I hope you might be inspired---just a bit.   I think I've said enough.  Happy stitching.