Blue Sun Series
The series started with a set of stitched and needle-punched samples in which I tried to capture what I saw outside my studio window when I looked over the water of the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The winter and early spring often bring glorious days of sunshine. Yet because of the time of year, the colors remain cool, even on a radiant day when the sun sparkles and the peaceful waters of the sound reflect the light. I was struck by how calmingly gray the water remained even on a sunny day, a delightful and characteristic blue-gray that speaks both of the time of year and of this place.
In order to capture the colors of water, I started by mono-printing white cotton with acrylics to create a canvas for stitched and needle-punched surfaces as well as other surface ornamentations. As my art practice evolved from acrylics to the use of earth pigments using natural binders such as soy milk, the cloth and character of the blue-sun pieces has changed.
Blue Sun: Heron
20 x 30 x 0.75 inches
This is the first piece in the series that uses earth pigments and natural binders for the painted cloth. The sun is inspired by looking at the sky while kayaking: the center so flat, but surrounded by the sparkling corona that continued into the cloud. Our favorite bird came visiting, too.
Blue Sun: Radiance
20.5 x 33.5 inches
The first piece in the series was inspired by the quiet radiance of the sound in late morning, when the sun creates luminous vistas across the water.
Blue Sun: Calm
20 x 30 x 0.75 inches
This work tries to capture the stillness of the early morning.
Blue Sun: Joy
21 x 33.5 inches
How to give the impression of something growing underneath the water’s surface? And the joy of being in a place of such beauty?
Blue Sun: Morning (for Barbara)
11 x 13 inches
Late March, early April brings the colors of a pale albeit sparkling sun that promises the arrival of summer, but still carries the coolness of late winter.