Lancet Windows CCXXXVI and CCXXXVII

(Above:  Lancet Window CCXXXVI.  Framed:  31 1/4" x 11 1/4".  Layers of polyester stretch velvet fused on recycled synthetic packaging felt, stitched with 100% black cotton thread, and exposed to melting techniques. Click on any image to enlarge.)

Getting ready for April's Smithsonian Craft Show means making new work and that's what I've been doing.  It is really fun here in our renovated Cateechee mill village church because I can go back and forth between various projects.  Retirement is wonderful!

(Above:  Detail of Lancet Window CCXXXVI.)

In the last twenty-four hours, I framed this piece, finished and framed the next Lancet Window, designed a new Found Object Mandala, melted a skinny In Box piece (new idea!), and am working on a mandala that was designed over the weekend. Before retiring, I could never have done all this in such a joyously short amount of time ... and also because I now have more than one table on which to work!

 

(Above:  Lancet Window CCXXXVII. Same info as above.)

It's hard to know, however, exactly what I ought to create!  My best selling size has always been these Lancet Windows.  Perhaps this is because people can generally find a place for a tall, skinny piece!  Yet, at the last big show, not a single Lancet Window found a new home.  

(Above:  Detail of Lancet Window CCXXXVII.)

I've started to photograph many of my pieces at an angle ... just to show the texture, the layering, and the depth of the velvets ... but ...

... I'm trying to remember to also take a photo with Steve holding the artwork ... for scale!