Messages from the Orient

Several years ago, as part of a "Messages From..." challenge posed by my group Seams Unique, I created my "Messages From the Orient" piece.  The piece had to be 20 x 30 inches in a vertical format.  This is what I came up with, and I really liked the way it came together. 

I included several panels of Sashiko hand stitching, plus charms, coins, even a pair of chopsticks.  I had been collecting oriental fabrics, and had many to choose from.  All the background fabrics were from a panel of upholstery fabric, with grays, beige and white. 

The kimono was from a pattern, made separately.  I did another kimono and put it on a painted canvas for a smaller piece.

I recently had to come up with an idea for a piece to enter into the Fiber Artists of Oklahoma 2015 exhibit, and I was inspired by my oriental fabrics, and a piece done by my friend and fellow artist, Marilyn Seibring.  She had done a piece with three panels hanging from a drapery rod, and it focused on her walks on the beach, with pieces of beach glass, rocks, etc.  I decided to try something similar, using my oriental fabrics.  Here is the finished piece, titled "Messages from the Orient II"

The exhibit is a juried one, so I won't know if I am accepted until sometime in May, but I am pleased with the way the piece turned out.  Here's hoping it gets accepted!  Now that my studio is up and running, I will be blogging more often, as I now have my fabrics and ephemera to play with again!