Friday, November 19, 2010

gulf oil spill quilt


my quilt top is done
it's a bit of a crazy quilt
(in more ways than one)
It is completely hand stitched.
I used photo transfers of my gulf spill watercolors,
tea stained muslin and tea bag paper.
I've been working on it since the end of September.
Doing the slow sew.

shown above are the shells:
sea star, cold water coral, lightning whelk
junonia, eastern oyster and horse conch

*
these are the birds:
red knot, snowy plover
roseate spoonbill, seaside sparrow and brown pelican

*

and these are:
the title, the loggerhead sea turtle, west indies manatee
ornate chorus frog, bottlenose dolphin and kemp's ridley sea turtle
Posted by Picasa


now it's on to the next phase:

153 days outdoors,


carefully wrapped,


tied to sticks,


and left to the whims of nature (and "la nina") in my weathering chair.

I will give photographic updates
and plan to unwrap it on April 20th (the one year anniversary of the explosion).
I shall see at that time if there is anything left to work with.
If so, I'll batt and quilt the thing.
If not, well, I don't know.
Trusting it will come back nicely stained and weathered,
but not completely ruined.

Do you remember why 153 days is significant?
It's not a test, just curious.




29 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Oh, my gosh. That is simply beautiful. And I'm shocked that it's "moving on" -- with utter respect for your artistic process, though.

Sarah said...

That is so lovely and I think if I had made it my wish to preserve it might get in the way of my artistic integrity! I think it will be so interesting to see when it comes off of your weathering chair(I love the fact that you have a weathering chair!) Was the 153 days how long the oil leaked for? Or something to do with the horrific amount leaked?

Robin said...

It's beautiful Kimmie!

Lynn Cohen said...

What a labor of love and so beautifully done. I am in awe. The paintings transferred beautifully...such good color. And your hand stitches are lovely. Just lovely.
I gasped at first when I realized what your next step was to be.
And then ...... I understood.
I am sure that by adding the weathered look (does it snow where you are? You might stick some rust-ables inside there with it) it will add just the look you are going for here...distress!

153 days until they cleaned up?
153 of some wild life lost?
????

Terri Kahrs said...

Kimmie, I believe 153 days is significant because that is the number of days it took to officially declare the well "dead". Your fantastic quilt is truly a labor of love - each stitch, picture and color. Phenomenal!!!! Hugs, Terri xoxo

ELK said...

i love the "craziness " of it ..the hand stitching is lovely ..the next step?..I will follow with interest as always !!

Poetic Artist said...

This is so beautiful..How will you have the patience to wait 153 days.
I do not know if I could do that.
I guess I will have to wait and see. You are brave and daring>>

Unknown said...

153 days is a long time...... I get the point and am anxious to see what happens.

teresaS said...

You are an incredibly patient person if you can wait that long to see what has developed! What a fantastic idea, though, and well worth the wait. The quilt is just amazing in every way...your stitching is really impressive.

Catharina Maria said...

Kimmie , i love , love, love your quilt so much .
I hope that it will be bether on the coast now.
Love from the Netherlands ♥RINI♥

ooglebloops said...

Absolutely beautiful!!! I am not sure I could put it thru the weathering process tho - altho I see your artistic viewpoint!!!!

Dianne said...

It will be interesting to see it after you unwrap it... and I'm sorry, but I have forgotten what the significance of 153 is....

*jean* said...

i shall look forward to seeing this project! it is absolutely stunning and i'm sure that the elements will only further soften and encourage what you have begun...

~*~Patty S said...

ooo Kimmie
beautiful
stunning
evocative
masterpiece
honoring nature AND giving it back to nature ... well you are amazing and inspiring again and again dear one! there is so much of you in this creation...very touching!
oxo

BadPenny said...

It is so delicate. I was totally suprised to see it folded on your weathering chair but totally understand why & predict wonderful mould spots & streaks when you unwrap it.

rebecca said...

may i start with your ambitious response to an earth tragedy? heart broken, you choose to honor the innocent caught in the middle of greed and ruin.
look at the tender beauty you have honored.
thank you for inspiring so many to SLOW down....reflect, care.
i have watched in awe your creation process and wait beside you to see what the seasons will bring.
all the while hoping,watching, imploring important life changes among the humans.
xoxoxoxo,
rebecca

margie said...

something very significant in this installation piece. not the 153 days but the reminder i think.

Teri said...

I thought that you already put the batting in because you hand quilted it already. That is usually my progression. How will you re-quilt it after it has already been quilted? I think that it is a wonderful idea. I can't believe that it is going to sit outside until April. Cloth is such a tender thing and usually not meant to be left outside in the elements but I can see what you are doing and why. Life is tenuous. The environment is tenuous, fragile. This will represent that. Nice.

Gaby Bee said...

I'm totally in love with your quilt! I would love to hold this beauty in my hands and take in all the lil details...

Unknown said...

Beautiful quilt! You are a patient woman- and BRAVE for leaving it out in the weather. Great project and symbolic on so many leavels.

lynda Howells said...

oh Kimmie this is beautiful. The idea is also a beautiful one too. I have just started a quilt making it from my eco dyed (Inda Flint) silk..when it is finished l had decided to re-wrap it with some more leaves and leave it for another month. It is just an experiment not like your interesting experiment.xxlynda

Steph said...

simply adore this quilt, Kimmie....Looking forward to see the beauty which mother Nature will create ....happy T and happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!

Nancy said...

Gorgeous Kimmie :)

Caryl said...

I can't wait to see the reveal. I have mine firmly fixed to my railing on the patio.
Your work is always a delight to see.

PAK ART said...

It is beautiful and I'm sure will be gorgeous after the weathering. Although I'm a wee bit afraid too...I would have a hard time leaving something like that outside to take it's chances with the snow, rain, wind and other progressions of nature, but I know that is precisely why you are doing it. Brave soul.

Sixpence and A Blue Moon said...

What a beautiful work of art and love. I make a lot of handmade quilts and know exactly how much time and work goes into a piece like this. I am so curious to see how it turns out.:) I'm not sure I could do this.:)) I hope it turns out exactly as you like.

Unknown said...

awestruck.

what are your thoughts for it afterward?

auction?

Irene said...

what masterpiece you've got here, Kimmie! simply breathtaking! :-)

Leslie said...

wow. just WOW!