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Post by Otter on Mar 27, 2014 18:57:34 GMT
I've been sitting on this: I bought an old piece of needlework from a shabby-chic-type shop for six bucks. The stitchery is not complicated (daisies and asters) but the texture speaks to me (layers of yarn). It was completed (as signed) in 1969 and the colors reflect the time period: dark forest green, avocado green, harvest gold, baby-blue and white. The backing, which is stapled to a piece of cardboard, is a thin wool of dark, dark green. It is unframed and measures 24" x 24".
My dilemma: I want to funk it up, but I am torn between either making it into something I could hang or preserving the original handicraft out of respect to the stitcheress. The latter would mean ending up in the closet for-maybe-ever.
What I would like to do is a dry-brush of chalk paint in antique white over the dark green background. This would make it less depressing. Depending on that outcome, perhaps lightly paint over some of the yarn to lift the color into a fresh field. Or I could white-wash the whole thing as a statement piece and cradle it into a big white frame.
It is a tired old piece as it stands, and was stuck in someone's closet for a long time. But I do wonder what "D. Gracie" from 1969 would think if I attempted to alter her handiwork: would she be amused, would she be horrified, would she not care one way or the other?
What do you think? Should I preserve it as is, or is it okay to resurrect it with a different media?
Thank you for your thoughts!
Otter
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Post by shipoftheline on Mar 27, 2014 20:49:51 GMT
I believe D. Gracie would probably prefer someone giving it a good home and displaying it proudly even with a few alterations instead of being buried in a closet.
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Post by QueueMistressMags on Mar 27, 2014 21:31:33 GMT
Right. I can't speak for D. Gracie, but speaking for myself, I would prefer something I made to be upcycled and then used and enjoyed rather than sit in a closet, or worse, tossed in the trash. Otter, I've been meaning to direct you to this site, especially her Facebook page, where she posts photos of her upcycled projects. Some of them make me think of your experiments!
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Post by Otter on Mar 27, 2014 23:23:22 GMT
Thanks, Ship and Mags. I've been inventing stories in my head about how D. Gracie did a lot of needlepoint, embroidery, etc. and that she let go of this particular piece because John married Yoko, and the Beatles were about to split, so she went heavy metal and psychedelic, maybe hung out at the Fillmore, designing their fabulous posters. Then Disco and the Bee Gees came along, and having a violent aversion to white polyester pantsuits, she hitched a ride to Oregon and joined a commune. Hating the weather, and granola, she hitched back down to California where she completed her Masters of Fine Art at Stanford. She discovered Abstract and never looked back.....
I'd like to think that D. Gracie would say, "Go for it Otter, but keep my name on it."
And thanks for the website lead, Mags. She has some nice stuff! I've been googling "chalk paint on needlepoint" and "chalk paint on stitchery" but haven't come across anybody who has attempted to paint over that type of handiwork. I would have to use a light hand at first, and see where it takes me.
I like the term "upcycle" (versus "downward spiral"......).
Otter
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Post by polleepal on Mar 27, 2014 23:30:42 GMT
I'd be nervous of painting over part of the fabric to try to change the colour, in case it didn't work as anticipated. I think it'd be quite interesting and bold to paint over the lot in white, and put it in a textured frame to make the texture the main feature. Maybe even spray it very lightly at an angle with a slightly darker shade to give it a stippled effect. Hang it somewhere where the light is going to strike it from the side to make the most of it. I'm sure D Gracie would just be happy that the work still existed and was being enjoyed.
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Post by Otter on Mar 28, 2014 0:39:38 GMT
Hi Pollee,
Yes, a textured frame is exactly what I had in mind, with no glass.
I'm not nervous about using paint to change the colors. Chalk paint (as opposed to chalkboard paint) works well on fabric. It really grabs and takes hold. Dries quickly, too. I could use this safely on the wool-fabric backing. It's the yarn I'm not too sure about, so I might experiment first with some stray yarn I have around the house. I have a feeling it might butch it up... maybe break up the yarn a bit, which may or may not look kinda cool, especially if I do it all in white.
The stipple-effect sounds intriguing. Hmmmm...
Otter
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Post by shipoftheline on Mar 28, 2014 18:47:51 GMT
Sorry but couldn't see the pictures, the links are not working.
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Post by Otter on Mar 28, 2014 18:51:51 GMT
Bummer! I can't seem to get the images in there.
Back to school....
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Post by Otter on Mar 28, 2014 20:36:57 GMT
Here it is up close.
The full size.
To paint or not to paint...
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Post by pronetopanic on Mar 28, 2014 23:33:09 GMT
I don't think D. Gracie would care one way or another. If it were my work, I'd want it to be displayed rather than shut away.
Must admit, though, I don't find the original at all depressing. I really like it. But I don't think many folks these days have the kind of decor it would match. I certainly don't.
I'm sure you'll be glad of the change, whatever you decide to do. Good luck!
PTP
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Post by shipoftheline on Mar 29, 2014 0:25:17 GMT
I can see why you like it, it is nice. I think part of its charm is the contrast between light color flowers and the dark green background, which you might lose if you paint the background or white wash the whole thing.
If you had something like Photoshop you could take a picture of it and try different 'virtual' painting ideas without committing yourself.
Edit: Just had another idea, you can try layering some gauzy material over it to see if you like the white-washing effect.
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Post by Otter on Mar 29, 2014 19:16:55 GMT
Thank you, PTP, for kindly suggesting that not many folks these days have the décor it would match. That was a nice way to put it.
And yeah, having seen it in a different light...daylight certainly improves it...it is not quite so depressing.
Ship, what a great idea to use Photoshop or to cover with gauze to see how a whitewash would look. I don't have Photoshop, but I do have "Paint" on my computer, so I copied one of the images to the paint board and experimented with different brushes and techniques. The mouse was a bit unwieldy, rather like a chicken walked all over it. So I tried a watercolor "wash" over the whole thing and got this:
So, this is sort of how a white wash could change it into a lighter effect.
Hmmm...
Otter
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