Jazz Series
Music has long been part of my creative process. When I hear music I see colors and shapes. Music and art composition seem very similar, i.e., “Here is a very strong orchestral (or visual) arrangement that needs a little accent r-i-g-h-t over here — a piccolo? A lime green?”
When I started creating monotypes in the textile dying process, I began to see a musical rhythm revealing itself. These monotypes serenaded me, encouraging me to create a series of artworks relating to the musicality within. The Jazz Series emerged and is still developing — and the beat goes on!
Pink Jazz
37″W x 48″H
This is an exploration of color using my hand-dyed cotton fabrics, and structured around a monotype. The strength of the colors along with the movement in pattern give this a lot of excitement, while the use of broad strokes is very calming. It seems to me very musical or lyrical. . .and became the beginning of the Jazz series. Hand-dyed cottons, pieced, appliqued and surface textured with stitching. An original design.
Pink Jazz – detail
Green Jazz
51″W x 39″H
This is the second in my Jazz series. Like high, clear notes dripping from a guitar, the lightness and fresh attitude of this piece come through loud and clear. Hand-dyed cotton fabrics, pieced, appliqued and surface textured with stitching. An original design.
Purple Jazz
34.5″W x 48″H
Purple and it’s counterpoint yellow set up a rhythmic harmony in this piece. Hand-dyed cottons, monotyped, pieced, appliqued and surface textured with stitching. An original design. The third piece in my Jazz series.
35″W x 33″H
Using colors typically associated with babies, this soothing arrangement is infused with the energy of youth. Strike up the band! All hand-dyed cottons, pieced and surface textured with stitching. An original design. Fourth in the Jazz series.
Jazz Unplugged
53.5″W x 35″H
This piece is based on jazz that is very progressive, that almost sounds as if wrong notes are being played, but in fact the whole composition holds together via a common theme. In this case there is a basic melody accented by echoes that are barely recognizable. Hand-dyed and commercial cottons, metallic threads, ink, pieced, fused, appliqued and surface textured with stitching. An original design. Fifth in the Jazz series.
51″W x 44″H
A continuation of my Jazz series, this piece came to me while listening to Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass. Their interpretation of ‘Tangerine’ is a slow, rolling, rich blend of sounds. All cotton monotyped and hand-dyed fabrics, pieced and accented with surface stitching. An original design.