Mandala CLXXXIX

(Above:  Mandala CLXXXIX and me.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

Little by little, I'm figuring out how best to use my studio space.  Until this morning, I'd been snapping photos of my finished work while each one hung on an exterior door.  I made sure that it was afternoon when sunlight didn't hit that door, but still the lighting was less than ideal.  Today, I decided to use two of my ProPanel booth walls in the sanctuary.  I positioned one so that it didn't face direct sunlight and had no shadows.  Voila!  Better pictures!  Even lighting!  No sharp reflections off the Mardi Gras doubloons/coins!  Why I didn't think to do this weeks ago is anyone's guess!

(Above:  Mandala CLXXXIX.  Custom framed: 32 1/4" x 32 1/4" (hung as a square); 45 1/2" x 45 1/2" (hung as a diamond.  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A glass floral frog; black, plastic clothespins with bird-shaped tops; orange toy archers; silver Mardi Gras doubloons/coins; UAW buttons; brass hinges; bottle caps; gold colored plastic lids with Tinker Toy connectors; assorted buttons and beads.)

Several things came together for this mandala.  First, I finally found a use for the big, readymade frame that I purchased from Bill Mishoe's auction for less than ten dollars.  I knew it was a perfect square and had the depth necessary for the mounted artwork (stapled to a 3/4" deep stretcher bar) but until now, the mandalas I've designed just couldn't compete with the wide, decorative frame.  Second, the quilt section was donated by Patty Kennedy-Zafred, an art quilting friend from the Pittsburgh area.  She sent me half the quilt; half to another art quilter.  She said that the quilt was vintage and damaged.  Considering the condition of the quilts I ordinarily use, it was almost too perfect.  The blue-and-white contrast was stronger than any other quilt I've used ... but this actually made it better for the frame!  Patty also sent me the UAW buttons.  (Thank, Patty!)

(Above:  Mandala CLXXXIX at an angle.)

Another thing I've recently learned is to snap an image from an angle.  My mandalas are often very dimensional.  The depth sometimes gets lost when seen only from the front.

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CLXXIX.)

Finally, I also learned a thing or two about hinges!  Because I stitch these pieces while they are stapled to a stretcher bar and laying flat between two work horse, it isn't until I've positioned the finished artwork upright that some of the hinge pins fall out!  A drop of super glue was squirted into the ends of every hinge.  I'm really pleased with this piece and especially for the lessons I learned from it.