Working in Series . . . A Quilt University Class

My husband Paul's Sculptural  Table Series

I'm taking my first on-line class at Quilt University this month; its Elizabeth Barton's  "Working in Series" .   Now I took this at QBL in a 5 day format - LOVED IT - but only did one of the series of 6 I was suppose to do!  Sighhhhhhhhhhh!  So thought I would take a refresher and have the whole month to explore the topic.  If you are looking for a good design teacher I would HIGHLY recommend Elizabeth.  I've taken 2 - 5 day classes and read her amazing blog -  and learned a ton!

We have homework and exercises each week - sooooooo thought I would post my work here.

The first exercise was learning what exactly is a series.  Its basically a body of work that is pulled together through design elements in common - it could be subject matter - but also technique - color choices - use of shape and line etc etc - I mean honestly - the sky's the limit.  Our assignment was to pick 2 each of quilters, painters and other craftsmen and analyze their series.  Here are my results: 

note: due to copyrights and such didn't post the works here - but please just click on the name and it will take you to the series

Quilters – My favorites – left out Elizabeth ‘cause don’t want her to get a big head!

Linda Levin -  New York Series

Elements that are consistent in this series – content of New York buildings, technique (form), color choices, vertical feel movement, medium – hand dyed fabrics

Jeannette DeNicolis Meyer -   Windows and Storylines

Elements that are consistent in this series – content of ribbons (storylines), feel of movement (most horizontal, some vertical – no diagonal) - Each piece limits color choices – value is used to emphasis the focal point – form (technique) – medium – hand dyed fabrics

Painters – Again a couple of my favorites

Jacob Lawrence - 

War Series – Elements that are consistent – topic - figures in War – use of limited color palettes – use of simple shapes to form figures – repetition of shapes

Wassily Kandinsky -

Another of Paul's Sculptural  Table Series

Elements that are consistent – Use of line (curves) – Use of Value (dark/darks help create movement) – Chaotic feeling of the pieces

Others

Wendell Castle 

Elements that are consistent – Its all about form – curves and fluidity

Paul Sayre – (my husband) – he’s in the middle of this sculptural curved fine furniture series – he started with a Maloof style rocker and than has designed about 6 pieces

Element that are consistent – form that matches function - curves and fluidity - tables