is our abstract mosaic work. Our
is a likeness. It is our representation of Betty White. We hope that there may be some semblance of connection between the original and our production.
I had to look up a definition of the phrase “abstract art”. Abstract art:
Art that does not attempt to represent external, recognizable reality but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures. From Dictionary.com –
Abstract art seeks to break away from traditional representation of physical objects. It explores the relationships of forms and colors, whereasmore traditional are represents the world in recognizable images.
We chose Betty White because she is Betty White. She is the actress, that over many years has always been able to make both of us laugh. Her extreme characters are each individually unique. Each is to be treasured as her skills open a distinctive persona which ultimately finds a place in our hearts. In 2013 Betty White was awarded by the Guinness World Records with having the longest television career for a female entertainer. From Wikipedia, “
Betty White is regarded as a television pioneer for being one of the first women in television to have creative control in front of and behind the camera.” Betty White is the president emerita of the Morris Animal Foundation where she has served as a trustee since 1971. Our
BW 1950 along with our
BW 2010 is our attempt to capture the sensitivity of 60 years of Betty White.
BW 1950 was inspired by a 1950 black and white photograph of Betty White when she was 28 years old. The original photograph is a part of the Getty Collection. Our technique is to create an abstract mosaic using 16 fabrics to represent the black and white picture. The construction of
BW 1950 is of 900 squares created by 0.8-inch squares and isosceles triangles.
It is our abstract construction of a black and white portrait. The quilt and wall hanging when complete will measure 24-inches square. It is composed of 0.8-inch squares and isosceles triangles which each have two sides that are 0.8 inches and a diagonal of 1.13 inch. If our
BW 1950 was constructed of only squares it would be an assembly of 900 squares created from 16 different fabrics.
The piecing of
BW 1950 is sort of complicated. Care was taken when joining the little pieces, especially the triangles. After two small pieces are sewn together they have to be finger-pressed open at the seam and then pressed with an iron. It is not as difficult as it sounds. Finger-pressing is sort of like setting up a fold prior to using a heated source like an iron. The iron is then used to then “fix” the fold.
Our quilting technique is to stitch as close to each ditch to create an almost “hand-done” mosaic art piece. Our
BW 1950 is the companion art quilt to our
BW 2010. We have decided that the best way to quilt and showcase our
BW 1950 is to quilt it as if were the mosaic that we intended it to be. I kept thinking and dreaming of Frank McRae when he is lovingly putting the mosaic tiles back in place in the 1987 film
*batteries not included. And we are trying to create that similar type of presentation with our quilt and wall hanging.
Follow the progression of our
BW 1950 via the following links.
If you have any comment, thought, idea feel free to contact us at
Quilts SB.
Enjoy,
Jim and Andy
