new work: remains of the day

You’ve seen bits and pieces of this coming together over that past week if you followed my posts on Facebook. I’ve been working in a series, getting a number of quilts ready to show in the “To Dye For” exhibit at the Visions Art Museum in San Diego, CA. Then I was inspired by some leftover bits and used those for another quilt. And so on and so on and so on!

Remains of the Day
by Lyric Montgomery Kinard
23 x 33

As the wanted, the desired, are chosen and whittled away, what is left becomes beautiful and rises. The remains are here, singing.

EXHIBITION HISTORY
2017 Road to California: First Place (Art Abstract)
2016, Asheville NC Quilt Show: First Place (Art Abstract)

How’s that for a poetic, ethereal (nonsensical, self-absorbed, ridiculous) artist statement. Seriously. I hate writing artist statements. And creating titles. Since the quilts that began the series and instigated this piece were all made with the same batch of fabric I could get away with a series name and numbers. Mill Wheels I – V. Easy. Sounds all artsy right? Even though this is the same fabrics I think I’ve moved beyond the idea of Mill Wheels. This design began with the circle I had cut away from under a wheel shaped appliqué. (You can see that piece here.) So a new name. “Leftovers” didn’t sound enticing so “Remains” it is. Took a few days to realize that might be Macabre so I added in a poetic bit.

The improvisational design process involved simply moving pieces around on the wall until I liked what I was seeing then sewing them together. Then unsewing when I change my mind. With this piece it also involved being done with the quilt, facing, sleeve and all, and then deciding it needed beads. Well – the quilt decided it needed beads – I argued for quite a while but obviously lost the argument.

I’m glad I lost the argument. It’s a good sign that your embellishments are an integral part of the design if you lay them out, take a look (or a photo) then take them away and you really notice something is missing.