Friday, February 24, 2012

Tree + Me



Tree + me have been together for about four days now...

I think we're just beginning to understand each other.

Every day in the winter when I stitch, I look out my window and see these bare trees.


I like them. I enjoy seeing their structure minus all the frou-frou of their leaves.

And when I go for a walk in winter, it's like the curtains are drawn back and I can see the shape of the land where I live...the rock formations and elevations, the steep descents of the valley, and the rise to the crest of the hill. The earth is laid bare and a bigger picture is revealed. And the view is very structural and very grounded.

And that's where I've been with my tree. Working on its structure.


Helping it to become a tree. And I can't help but draw metaphors to myself and my own realization.

Last we talked, I had just laid down a sketch of what my tree would become.


Then I better defined some of the outline and laid down some big splotches of background depth (aka silk ribbon). These areas of depth will eventually be covered and only hints of what they once were will remain.



Then came the main body of the trunk...the real structure...the real strength...and this is where I've stopped for today.


What is left is the fine tuning...the subtle shading...the refining of the gross nature of the stitches...the blending of one color into another so you can no longer tell where one stitch started and the other ended.

Until there is a subtlety of approach, a harmony of elements...and you no longer see all the individual stitches...all the individual events and people that have shaped who I have become...

All you see is a tree...and me.

And we're both still a work in progress.

34 comments:

Mosaic Magpie said...

Amen Sister,
Aren't you glad we are a work in progress! The tree is beautiful and I can imagine it will become even more so as you progress.
Deb

Sonja said...

Where do you get the time to do all of these things? Your work is so amazing.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

This is really coming along beautifully as all your work does.

Your talent amazes me.

I'm glad I'm not a finished piece yet, but still a work in progress.

Have a lovely weekend ~ FlowerLady

magicmoonmusings said...

Looks amazing. All that texture is so lovely.

I too love seeing bare trees in the winter. They're like lace!

Vicky aka Stichr said...

this tree is breathtaking!

Shirlee Fassell said...

Your tree is glorious!! Is that a mirror in the hollow of the tree? Love it!!

Anonymous said...

I watched the amazing progress of "Tiffany" and I just looked at that tree and had to tell you... You are incredible...I stalk your blog for posts and each and every thing you do is amazing...I wish I had half of your talent

Wanda

Suztats said...

I love the tree and all the dimension you've added with the different threads. It has wonderful structure! I look forward to seeing it develop further. Are you creating a hollow in the tree, perhaps with a little critter poking its head out to see if it's safe to climb down?

Mouse said...

ohhhhh just love that tree :) dare I ask what are you going to do for the middle bit that's missing ??? :) love mouse xxxxx

Judy S. said...

Love the texture you're achieving on your tree trunk, Susan. Are you using wool thread? The colors are great too. Bare trees remind me of a CA friend who dubbed them "stick trees" upon moving to PA. It's always fun to watch your stitching progress!

Catherine said...

Oh wow!!

black bear cabin said...

i dont think ive ever seen you work on anything quite like this before...i love your work, but i must say, this piece is my new favorite...and its stunning! i really love what you have created here! cant wait to see it finished! Beautiful!!!

Queen Bee's Musings said...

Wow... Today driving home from work in a busy busy day, I had noticed the outstanding beauty of the trees that were outlined on the north side of the trunks with new fallen snow. The contrast to the trunks and blue/sunset was breathtaking. I considered your analogy of weaving stitches of tree to growth of your life so very insightful. Nice thoughts to ponder!

Debbie said...

Sue, if you have never seen this video, please watch it. It"s called "Advice From A Tree"..I promise you will love it!


http://tinyurl.com/http-tinyurl-com-3kqnb4o

Linda H said...

Your tree is wonderful!!! Can't wait to see this block progress.... I, too, am in awe of your work...
Hugs
Linda

Glenda said...

I find your work so inspirational -- your creativity blows me away. I love trees . . . with leaves, without leaves, makes no difference to me -- I'd rather look at trees than flowers any day. I'm looking forward to following the progress of this piece.

Is that a mirror in the tree's hollow???

Susan Elliott said...

Yes!

Rose said...

That tree is amazing! What is the size of it. Sometimes it's so hard to tell when looking at pictures online. I love how you added the background texture - silk ribbon!

Lisa Boni said...

Love the way your tree is coming along! It has great dimension! There is something so satisfying in stitching trees!

FYI, I've stitched a few trees on round robin blocks that could be cousins to the one you are doing! Thought you might like to see!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivoryblushroses/4627659751/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivoryblushroses/5156204890/in/set-72157623209571287/

I'd love to do a trees through the year CQ.

Marie Alton said...

Hi Sue ... I think you've pretty much nailed the beauty that is winter ... not to mention capturing the bare awesomeness of the naked tree in stitching!
It' way cool!
Marie

Wendy said...

Don't you just love that we are all a work in progress! Your tree is just beautiful! And I know that as you progress this tree will only become more beautiful.

Rachel said...

You're clearly paying great attention to your nearby models, as well as meditating on life!

Elizabeth said...

You, My dear friend, are a grand masterwork!!! I love watching you create and I can see that I have been away too long!! Your tree is coming along beautifully and the idea to build on textured colored silk ribbon is brilliant!!!

I was out with a new art friend- a gal from my gallery- we were scavenging along the Rappahanock River gathering driftwood and weathered slabs of thick bark. I thought of you - Melissa reminds me of you- and as were climbing about on mountains of wood we got to giggling, :) as can happen and I found myself wishing that you were there and that we could forage together!! We are looking for thick bark pieces to mount our work on - she does amazing polymer clay and I want to mount some of my textile collage. Wanted you to know how much you inspire me and that I think of you often!!
Big Hugs!!

Createology said...

Your tree is so beautiful. I also like how you have described what you see when you look at winter trees. Your words are as exquisite as your stitches. Joyful to view...

MeganH said...

*WONDERFUL* (sorry, have to shout) tree hollow! So beautifully structured, modelled, built, created...imagined....
You are an example to us all....

Nancy said...

Your work is amazing as usual!

Sarah Sequins said...

Bare trees are always so haunting and spooky to me, but in a good way. :)

Your tree is coming along wonderfully! I enjoyed your description of the colors blurring together as you add more thread.

Can't wait to see how your newest creative venture turns out, and to see more works in progress. Those are always fun.

diana said...

This entire post is absolutely gorgeous - every stitch, every picture, every word. I am so glad I found you and can now have the pleasure of receiving your posts in my inbox whenever you put them up. Simply. AMAZING. Thanks so much

Faith said...

Soooo... beautiful! I love that you put a mirror into the tree. I never would have thought of it, but it seems so right.

Miriam said...

Beautiful stitching, Susan!

Claudine said...

Vraiment magnifique ! bon dimanche

WandarArt.Stitch said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
WandarArt.Stitch said...

Susan I have no words literally to delight your every artistic work, are so beautiful, unique, and an excellent friend sharing with each Folks great telent,and more.....
many hugs ...........

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I feel exactly the same way about bare trees. I spend a lot of time looking at the woods across the street to catch sight of the critters traveling their paths and always stay on the look for my crows or hawk.

What a great journaling piece. I see so many parallels in the analogy.
xx, Carol

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