A few days ago, I posted these blocks on instagram and facebook:
And here is the caption I wrote:
"Yesterday, I stitched together a bunch of tree blocks in varying sizes. Today, I’m trying to figure out how they should go together to form a quilt? I know I need sashing. But how fancy or how simple? And what color? I’m going to sit here and stare at them until they tell me!"
I got a lot of advice from people on how they would put the quilt together. A small sampling of that advice:
- "Narrow sashing in the orange or magenta would be stunning."
- "You don't need sashing. Sashing can be a detractor imo. Play with them without and see what you like."
- "No sashing. Maybe add a non-tree block somewhere."
- "I’d make each into a little art quilt and arrange them on a wall in a grouping."
- "Love the tree blocks. I would go with a simple sash since several of the backgrounds in the blocks have busy patterns. It does not have to be a plain sash. Just not too busy."
- "A simple sashing to show off the blocks. I would make the green and brown the featured block and made 3 more blocks to go to the right of those already done. But I like things orderly. They are good blocks and pretty. Hope to see the completed quilt."
- "Some sort of mini dainty Asian motif in a yellow pink silver ect plum flowers poke a dots stars etcc. ….no black orange or green…i think a solid would take away from the movement."
- "Pull out your leaves stencil – fallen leaves surround the trees in golden yellow."
- "No sashing!"
- "No, you do NOT need sashing!
Try it without first.
You need more blocks tho.
Good start!" - "What about making a big border of white and they are all surrounded by white."
I found all the suggestions interesting to read even though I vehemently disagreed with about 85% of the opinions offered. However, I felt the experience was a good reminder to me of two important art principles:
- The art you make should always be based on your feelings, intuitions, inspirations, and personal perspective. It’s what makes it “you” and not like what other people make. It doesn’t mean that other people’s opinions aren’t interesting or worthy, but they’re not you.
- Everyone makes art differently. And that is so wonderful! I think we could all start with the same supplies, same theme, and end up with hundreds of wildly different compositions and isn’t that exciting!!
Finally, I think it's really good and healthy to see other artists' work and have opinions about how you would remake a painting the different choices you would make in putting together a quilt, because that means you are aware of your personal style — what you aesthetically prefer. The flip side of that is that I think it can be creatively draining and artistically damaging to take other people's opinions into your studio with you. Let's face it, I don't need critics and doubting voices beyond the ones that already exist in my head!
Here's the current state of my quilt:
I don't think it's quite done yet. It needs a strip of flying geese on the right side to pull it all together — now, you may agree or disagree on that point (which is great), but I'm clear that, for me, that's the solution to finishing up this composition!
Here’s to our differences, they make for a world full of unique art!
Thanks for stopping by!
Listen to yourself! Your decision is perfect.
Listen to yourself! Your decision is perfect.
Listen to yourself! Your decision is perfect.
Listen to yourself! Your decision is perfect.
Listen to yourself! Your decision is perfect.
Listen to yourself! Your decision is perfect.
Listen to yourself! Your decision is perfect.
Julie I agree 100% as far as making your own kind of style. I love your quilt and can’t wait to see the finished project! I do lots of “auditioning ideas.” I take pictures and let them sit a bit. The pictures often seem to tell me what I like best! That’s my way <3
Julie I agree 100% as far as making your own kind of style. I love your quilt and can’t wait to see the finished project! I do lots of “auditioning ideas.” I take pictures and let them sit a bit. The pictures often seem to tell me what I like best! That’s my way <3
Julie I agree 100% as far as making your own kind of style. I love your quilt and can’t wait to see the finished project! I do lots of “auditioning ideas.” I take pictures and let them sit a bit. The pictures often seem to tell me what I like best! That’s my way <3
Julie I agree 100% as far as making your own kind of style. I love your quilt and can’t wait to see the finished project! I do lots of “auditioning ideas.” I take pictures and let them sit a bit. The pictures often seem to tell me what I like best! That’s my way <3
Julie I agree 100% as far as making your own kind of style. I love your quilt and can’t wait to see the finished project! I do lots of “auditioning ideas.” I take pictures and let them sit a bit. The pictures often seem to tell me what I like best! That’s my way <3
Julie I agree 100% as far as making your own kind of style. I love your quilt and can’t wait to see the finished project! I do lots of “auditioning ideas.” I take pictures and let them sit a bit. The pictures often seem to tell me what I like best! That’s my way <3
Julie I agree 100% as far as making your own kind of style. I love your quilt and can’t wait to see the finished project! I do lots of “auditioning ideas.” I take pictures and let them sit a bit. The pictures often seem to tell me what I like best! That’s my way <3
go with your heart. after all, it is *your* quilt. and it will be wonderful, Julie!
go with your heart. after all, it is *your* quilt. and it will be wonderful, Julie!
go with your heart. after all, it is *your* quilt. and it will be wonderful, Julie!
go with your heart. after all, it is *your* quilt. and it will be wonderful, Julie!
go with your heart. after all, it is *your* quilt. and it will be wonderful, Julie!
go with your heart. after all, it is *your* quilt. and it will be wonderful, Julie!
go with your heart. after all, it is *your* quilt. and it will be wonderful, Julie!
I’ve been thinking about a quilt like this for several years. 🙂 Gotta get off my duff and MAKE it!
🙂 Linda
I’ve been thinking about a quilt like this for several years. 🙂 Gotta get off my duff and MAKE it!
🙂 Linda
I’ve been thinking about a quilt like this for several years. 🙂 Gotta get off my duff and MAKE it!
🙂 Linda
I’ve been thinking about a quilt like this for several years. 🙂 Gotta get off my duff and MAKE it!
🙂 Linda
I’ve been thinking about a quilt like this for several years. 🙂 Gotta get off my duff and MAKE it!
🙂 Linda
I’ve been thinking about a quilt like this for several years. 🙂 Gotta get off my duff and MAKE it!
🙂 Linda
I’ve been thinking about a quilt like this for several years. 🙂 Gotta get off my duff and MAKE it!
🙂 Linda
Ha!! Love what you have done. Very ‘YOU’.
Ha!! Love what you have done. Very ‘YOU’.
Ha!! Love what you have done. Very ‘YOU’.
Ha!! Love what you have done. Very ‘YOU’.
Ha!! Love what you have done. Very ‘YOU’.
Ha!! Love what you have done. Very ‘YOU’.
Ha!! Love what you have done. Very ‘YOU’.
I love it! It is so totally YOU!!!! And I do so agree with you about making your own art decisions – only you can speak in your art voice.
I love it! It is so totally YOU!!!! And I do so agree with you about making your own art decisions – only you can speak in your art voice.
I love it! It is so totally YOU!!!! And I do so agree with you about making your own art decisions – only you can speak in your art voice.
I love it! It is so totally YOU!!!! And I do so agree with you about making your own art decisions – only you can speak in your art voice.
I love it! It is so totally YOU!!!! And I do so agree with you about making your own art decisions – only you can speak in your art voice.
I love it! It is so totally YOU!!!! And I do so agree with you about making your own art decisions – only you can speak in your art voice.
I love it! It is so totally YOU!!!! And I do so agree with you about making your own art decisions – only you can speak in your art voice.
I agree–art you make should always be based on your feelings, intuitions, inspirations, and personal perspective. On that note, you have done a fantastic job of doing it “Julie-style.” Brava!!!
I agree–art you make should always be based on your feelings, intuitions, inspirations, and personal perspective. On that note, you have done a fantastic job of doing it “Julie-style.” Brava!!!
I agree–art you make should always be based on your feelings, intuitions, inspirations, and personal perspective. On that note, you have done a fantastic job of doing it “Julie-style.” Brava!!!
I agree–art you make should always be based on your feelings, intuitions, inspirations, and personal perspective. On that note, you have done a fantastic job of doing it “Julie-style.” Brava!!!
I agree–art you make should always be based on your feelings, intuitions, inspirations, and personal perspective. On that note, you have done a fantastic job of doing it “Julie-style.” Brava!!!
I agree–art you make should always be based on your feelings, intuitions, inspirations, and personal perspective. On that note, you have done a fantastic job of doing it “Julie-style.” Brava!!!
I agree–art you make should always be based on your feelings, intuitions, inspirations, and personal perspective. On that note, you have done a fantastic job of doing it “Julie-style.” Brava!!!
One thing I have noticed about “advice:” The more detailed the suggested changes and/or additions, the more they like what you have done and want to make it their own. You are absolutely right, Julie, about sticking to your own vision. And the quilt is gorgeous!
One thing I have noticed about “advice:” The more detailed the suggested changes and/or additions, the more they like what you have done and want to make it their own. You are absolutely right, Julie, about sticking to your own vision. And the quilt is gorgeous!
One thing I have noticed about “advice:” The more detailed the suggested changes and/or additions, the more they like what you have done and want to make it their own. You are absolutely right, Julie, about sticking to your own vision. And the quilt is gorgeous!
One thing I have noticed about “advice:” The more detailed the suggested changes and/or additions, the more they like what you have done and want to make it their own. You are absolutely right, Julie, about sticking to your own vision. And the quilt is gorgeous!
One thing I have noticed about “advice:” The more detailed the suggested changes and/or additions, the more they like what you have done and want to make it their own. You are absolutely right, Julie, about sticking to your own vision. And the quilt is gorgeous!
One thing I have noticed about “advice:” The more detailed the suggested changes and/or additions, the more they like what you have done and want to make it their own. You are absolutely right, Julie, about sticking to your own vision. And the quilt is gorgeous!
One thing I have noticed about “advice:” The more detailed the suggested changes and/or additions, the more they like what you have done and want to make it their own. You are absolutely right, Julie, about sticking to your own vision. And the quilt is gorgeous!
Julie, your quilt so far is amazing! I love the colors and all the different patterns. You are so creative the way you put it together so far.
Julie, your quilt so far is amazing! I love the colors and all the different patterns. You are so creative the way you put it together so far.
Julie, your quilt so far is amazing! I love the colors and all the different patterns. You are so creative the way you put it together so far.
Julie, your quilt so far is amazing! I love the colors and all the different patterns. You are so creative the way you put it together so far.
Julie, your quilt so far is amazing! I love the colors and all the different patterns. You are so creative the way you put it together so far.
Julie, your quilt so far is amazing! I love the colors and all the different patterns. You are so creative the way you put it together so far.
Julie, your quilt so far is amazing! I love the colors and all the different patterns. You are so creative the way you put it together so far.
Julie, that is so wonderfully “you” Love it
Julie, that is so wonderfully “you” Love it
Julie, that is so wonderfully “you” Love it
Julie, that is so wonderfully “you” Love it
Julie, that is so wonderfully “you” Love it
Julie, that is so wonderfully “you” Love it
Julie, that is so wonderfully “you” Love it
It’s awesome! Go with your vision and this will be a master piece!
It’s awesome! Go with your vision and this will be a master piece!
It’s awesome! Go with your vision and this will be a master piece!
It’s awesome! Go with your vision and this will be a master piece!
It’s awesome! Go with your vision and this will be a master piece!
It’s awesome! Go with your vision and this will be a master piece!
It’s awesome! Go with your vision and this will be a master piece!
Inspirational thoughts! Thank you, Julie!
Inspirational thoughts! Thank you, Julie!
Inspirational thoughts! Thank you, Julie!
Inspirational thoughts! Thank you, Julie!
Inspirational thoughts! Thank you, Julie!
Inspirational thoughts! Thank you, Julie!
Inspirational thoughts! Thank you, Julie!
It’s so you. Reminds me of your journals so it works! Yay. Thanks for for sharing. I think creatively when I watch Make It Artsy on PBS and receiving your emails. Know that you are an inspiration. Thank you
It’s so you. Reminds me of your journals so it works! Yay. Thanks for for sharing. I think creatively when I watch Make It Artsy on PBS and receiving your emails. Know that you are an inspiration. Thank you
It’s so you. Reminds me of your journals so it works! Yay. Thanks for for sharing. I think creatively when I watch Make It Artsy on PBS and receiving your emails. Know that you are an inspiration. Thank you
It’s so you. Reminds me of your journals so it works! Yay. Thanks for for sharing. I think creatively when I watch Make It Artsy on PBS and receiving your emails. Know that you are an inspiration. Thank you
It’s so you. Reminds me of your journals so it works! Yay. Thanks for for sharing. I think creatively when I watch Make It Artsy on PBS and receiving your emails. Know that you are an inspiration. Thank you
It’s so you. Reminds me of your journals so it works! Yay. Thanks for for sharing. I think creatively when I watch Make It Artsy on PBS and receiving your emails. Know that you are an inspiration. Thank you
It’s so you. Reminds me of your journals so it works! Yay. Thanks for for sharing. I think creatively when I watch Make It Artsy on PBS and receiving your emails. Know that you are an inspiration. Thank you