Linear Series

The Linear Series By Carol Taylor This series is based on using lines as the focus of design.
Detours: 21 x 56 This quilt came about by continuing on with the idea of a primitive motif made up of linear elements. Each motif was cut individually without the use of rulers and this time I tried to emphasize the depth by combining different widths and values in my lines to create perspective. I also limited myself to 3 basic colors of hand dyed sateen. The result looks rather like a maze, causing the viewer to detour many times.	c

Symbolic Remnants: 53.5 x 77.5 Variations of a modified ancient Aztec spiral motif playing against my woven linear lines create a rhythmic pulse in this work. The six different sizes were cut individually and improvisationaly. The larger motifs amplify the smaller ones, creating the slight differences in pattern and proportion as each row is scanned. The palette takes one straight to Mexico and the Southwest using my own version of these symbols.	Symbolic Remnants Symbolic Remnants Detail
Rhythm & Blues 32 x 50 Fine line work to create a figure ground relationship is the basis of this design, creating layers. Rhythm and Blues Detail	Rhythm and Blues
Interwoven 44 x 49.5 Going back to basics in using the quilt block, this quilt is made up of 72 blocks, pieced with delicate, slim lines that are interspersed with "bits" to create stripes. By alternating the stripes horizontally and vertically, it creates an woven look.Value is used to further define the design, as well as a small Nine patch that is formed in the light area, and one block that is pieced differently that is hidden in the corner.	Interwoven Full View Interwoven Detai
Intertwined: 63.5 x 68.5: Intertwined refers to the illusion of a woven pattern, but also the interminglings of past and up-to-the-minute influences, as return to the basic block and structural grid of traditional quilts combines with the innovation of improvisational curved piecing and decorative stitching. The plays of color and value in blocks and striped patterns, serve to elongate some blocks, shake up any regularity, and energize the field. Patterns of broad and narrow linear elements encourage the viewer to perceive an over and under illusion, a sensed intertwining of layers. This piece was created using hand dyed cottons and a single commercial striped fabric. A free motion “connection stitch” in rayon threads echoes the blocks and lines, and also mimics the miniaturized technology that helps us interconnect to create the social fabric of our lives.	Intertwined Intertwined Detail
Ornamental Grasses: 58 x 39 This is an abstraction inspired by the wonderful ornamental grasses that gracefully sway and bend in my garden. They are such a calming influence. They have such wonderful shades of green and orange-browns against the blue sky that I never tire of looking at them. Also known as "Pampas Grass", they change with the season and display lush tones of green and lime in the summer, beautiful orange-browns in the fall, and then off white and cream when it gets really cold in Upstate NY. Some are short and some are even taller than I am and regardless of season, they are a joy to behold as I look out my window.	Ornamental Grasses Ornamental Grasses detail Ornamental Grasses
Undercurrents: 59.5 x 42 Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the open sea while you are floating on a boat above the depths? The answer is undercurrents. Streams of water flowing this way and that with a rush of warm or cool water that can suddenly pass you by when you're swimming in the ocean. Some of the very strong currents, called undertow, hide under the quiet surface water and can grab you and pull you under with their force. This piece is an abstraction of all of this underwater action.	Undercurrents Full View Undercurrents Detail
Amber Waves of Grain: 26.5 x 59.5 This quilt was inspired by the wonderfully textured fields of grain which cover so much of our countryside. It reflects the view from above, which always reminds me of a patchwork quilt as the fields line up in varying patterns and you can see the slim separations dividing the rows. You can even see which fields remain in shadow by the change in values. The extensive quilting creates a texture to represent the delicate strands of grain waving in the breeze. The accent colors of reds and blues even bring a patriotic touch to the yellows, gold, and oranges of the grain fields. Amber Waves of Grain	Amber Waves of Grain Full View
Tapestry (I, II, III): 75 x 64.5 as triptych (22-23.5 x 64.5 each) Using hand painted and hand dyed fabrics to create texture, this triptych resembles a piece of tapestry. Each piece is different and can be hung separately to enjoy the vertical melding of light to dark values. When the 3 are hung together as a triptych, each column enhances the others with the play of light to dark values horizontally. That's what you notice from a distance, but the piece draws you in to view the intricate writing and printing of the individual fabrics too. Perhaps this piece is representative of a modern day crazy quilt.	Tapestry Full View Tapestry Detail
Linear Rhythms: 41.5 x 66.6 Using the skinny stripes to enhance a large composition first blocked out in a colors and proportions was the goal of this piece. The alternating directions of the lines with inserted "bits" creates texture and another layer. It is completed with quilting using satin stitch "connections" to mimic the inserted bits.	Linear Rhythms Full View Linear Rhythms Detail View
Daybreak: 60 x 60 My challenge for this piece was to use a lighter and more limited palette and to create a nine patch composition using blocks. The main blocks are made up of 4 small blocks made with delicate curvy lines with “bits” of yellow inserted, as well as two larger blocks with thicker lines and bigger bits, and one long narrow piece to complete each 21” block. As I started combining the soft blues and yellows, I decided to go from the lightest combination of colors in the upper left to the darkest in the lower right, trying to capture the spectacular look of a new day breaking. The quilting mimics the curvy lines and bits by using satin stitch every few inches to complete the design.	Daybreak Daybreak detail
Connections: 39 x 59 A simple composition done in a large format, where the lines are large enough to be called shapes instead of line. The 3 asymetrical columns employ the use of value from top to bottom in opposition. The quilting lines done close together in opposing vertical and horizontal lines add another layer of design and help to define the background and foreground more distinctly.	Connections Full View Connections Detail View
Linear Study 16 x 18.5 This piece was the first to play with skinny curved strips interspersed with "bits" of fabric to break them up. Done in simple black and white backgrounds with colored strips.	Linear Study Full View Click on image to see larger photo Linear Study Detail
Counterbalance 18 x 23.5 Using the linear strips, this composition was done more freely with more color and using formations to balance each other on top of the black and white striped background.	Counterbalance Full View Counterbalance Detail
Afterglow 30 x 22 A "softer" version of Counterbalance done in browns and pumpkin colors that give the feeling of a campfire burning down and the embers leaving an afterglow, with even a few "sparks" as shown by the "bits" inserted into the striped background.	Afterglow Full View Afterglow Detail
Cubic Color: 21 x 20 Making tiny version of my block motif and assembling them by twisting and turning created this small quilt. There are 36 of these small motifs used. Can you find the motif? The heavy machine quilting in cubes or boxes adds another layer of design using multicolored rayon thread.	Cubic Color Cubic Color Detail