Opening this Friday evening, November 1st, Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, the gallery where I show my work, will host “Tea Party” – a multi-media exhibition. I was invited to participate early last summer, and my “Twenty-Five Teacups” will be at the party.
Because I love everything about tea – the warmth, the lift, the comfort – and the cups – whether reaching for a favorite at home or choosing from a good grouping at a friend’s house, I was excited right away to be included.
All spring I’d been thinking about pattern and the Souleaido squares were still on my worktable, so I began there, settling on a grid of twenty-five squares, composed of two patterns (wallpaper and tablecloth) and a teacup (mug or cup and saucer, each has its time). I adapted some of the fabric squares and had fun searching for other inspiration to make up backgrounds (learning a lot about the little motifs used in patterns for centuries).
I rearranged repeatedly (my painter friend encouraged my keeping on through many photo texts). I enjoyed manipulating the color, shape, and stylized flowers in the patterns. Then, with all the backgrounds and cup silhouettes complete, I decorated the cups with more recognizable flower species – from this summer’s garden, from my morning walk, and from my old work.
The squares are small (5½” x 5½”), on heavy Fabriano paper. The gallery plans to hang them unframed in a grid (attached by tiny, powerful magnets), and price them at $65.00.
I will post all 25 teacups for a while here on “Her spirits rose…,” beginning with “Teacup Seventeen” (Helenium) – orange flowers for this Hallowe’en week!
I am eager to see all 25 pieces!
Sent from my iPhone
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Well – maybe you’ll come to the opening – like the old days at Stonington! xo
It’s so great for me to see one of these “close up and personal” after seeing the distant views. I love the colors in this one. It will be so much fun to have them all hung up in the gallery!
Thanks Carol – and yes, I’m eager to see them together in the gallery. My wall is looking very empty this morning!
I love your description of your process, and the Helenium! Perfect. How long will the show be up? We return from Morocco November 21st. Will there be time to see it??
Thanks Bonny! And yes – up till the end of the month! Wishing you the greatest trip!
Looking forward to seeing them here!
For a whole month 😊