DANCING IN THE SHADOWS

2000
63.5"x40"

Dancing in the Shadows

fiber reactive dyes and textile paints Egyptian cotton, linen, cotton broadcloth, tulle Rayon threads Dropcloth Silkscreen, block, and monotype printing Collage construction Machine stitching and quilting

Dancing in the Shadows is a collage of scraps of painted and printed fabrics. It features faces and figures; images I have used repeatedly in my work. So, some of these images have been around for years and appear in many of my earlier works. I like the sense of continuity this promotes in my work.

The atmosphere of shadows in this piece is created with overlapping layers of tulle in various areas of the composition. Several different colors and shapes were used to create a diffused, somewhat misty atmosphere. I wanted to see how the layering and varying colors affected the painted work underneath. Developing a sense of depth and mystery is part of the creative exploration for me.

This is a very playful piece. For once, I let many pieces fall where they may: there are even some diagonal lines and shapes! I did very little cutting, using the painted scraps as I found them. The "background" of this work is a dropcloth. It absorbed years of painting and printing of other panels of fabric, and thus became the rich, deep fabric it is. It is a serendipitous panel: having simply received the excess dye and paint of my efforts for many painting sessions!

Dancing in the Shadows has a companion piece: Let's Talk. They were composed simultaneously. This one is more playful and unstructured, while Let's Talk is more formally designed.

EXHIBITION HISTORY: 2001, QUILT SHOW AT TURTLE GALLERY, Invitational Exhibit, Deer Isle, Maine