Those of you that follow this blog, and my work, know that I am enchanted by watercolors. I love the free-flowing, unexpected nature of the medium and the way the colors interact and behave. My paintings have become a near-daily discipline. And I love painting each day.
While on a run yesterday, I was hit by a “lightbulb moment” and had the idea of combining my beadwork with my watercolors. I love the irregular, and capricious nature of color placement with paint and wanted to try to combine this nature with beads. Like pointillist dots on a canvas, the little seed beads sit tightly embroidered next to each other, but interact with the eye to create colors in the viewers’ mind.
I have never considered beading this way. I have always worked with blocks and shapes of color, and while I have varied the colors within these shapes, I never thought about combining them as loose brush strokes across the canvas.
I made this piece very quickly. I couldn’t stop. I was obsessed and excited to see how it would emerge. I think that the fact that I didn’t really plan it, helped in its spontaneity. That is, if you can ever explain bead embroidery as “spontaneous!”
6 replies on “Brush Stroke Cuff”
Regina Blitt
At the risk of running out of superlatives, I’ll just say it took my breath away. So brilliant in its simplicity! so simply brilliant!!! Thank you, again, for making my life happy with your work. Riikki
Julie
Oh, Rikki- thank you so much. Sometimes these ideas just pop in my head, and then disappear. Other times, they take hold. I’m glad this took hold.
Toni Caridi Perkins
I love this free form color and whimsical shape design. It looks happy.
Julie
thank you, Toni- I love to work in an intuitive way.
Annette Anson
Oh my goodness, now this is art. It is ALIVE. You know my zest for color. Well, this has a rhythm to it. I love it
Julie
Thank you Nette! xoxo