Nomadic welcome

12"x13", tea stained cloth, machine and hand stitching, gold foil, hand cut stamps.

This piece began with the story of the Nomads and how they have a custom of never turning away the stranger. I used the colors brown, red and black to denote the common colors of desert weaving. Actually had a very different kettle but I felt it didn't fit with the other shapes so I did what I rarely do...dismantle the shape. This time I used a photo transfer of an ancient kettle that I thought a better "fit". I used foil with the addition of stitches.

Keeping Promises

15"x18", all fabric, flour paste resist, tea stained and rust treated. machine and hand stitching with silver leaf. hand cut stamping, 2 digital transfers.

This one follows into a new oasis, one that is rewarded with food or in ancient terms "manna". I used two digital images of containers and the introduction of birds in flight as a way of celebrating abundance when least expected. This one became quite orderly (for me) after beginning with such raw shaped and rust stained trim. I especially liked cutting hand stamps in trim and leaves as well as using the couching stitch to create small container in bottom right hand corner. Beginning with the trim first was the challenge...always good to throw myself a curve ball!