Button Tidal Wave in Gray

(Above:  Button Tidal Wave in Gray.  Custom framed:  30" x 29 1/4". Assorted gray buttons hand-stitched to a section of an antique coverlet.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

I might have to rephotograph this piece.  It seems that the intense autumn light bouncing around in my sanctuary-sized studio reflected off of some of the buttons.  I will attempt this in a few days ... when photographing the next Button Tidal Wave!  This tidal wave was so much fun to stitch that I immediately started a second one ... with dark brown buttons. That one isn't mounted and framed, but when it is, I'll take more photos of both of them.  In the meantime, this post will stand.

(Above:  Button Tidal Wave in Gray, detail.) 

I'm not sure how many button tidal waves are in my future.  Plenty of things will determine the number.  First, I haven't figured out how many are possible using the antique coverlet in my stash.  I've had it for a couple month.  It was donated to me by a friend who was also moving away from Columbia.  At first, I couldn't imagine cutting it.  I've never owned a coverlet.  I've always thought of them as rare and valuable and something NOT to be cut.  Yet, this one wasn't in great shape.  There are several "problems".  Plus, it was given to me "for art" ... because it needed a "second life".  

 

(Above:  Button Tidal Wave in Gray, detail.)

Second, I'm not sure how many buttons are used ... obviously hundreds if not many more than a thousand.  It is hard to know whether or not I have enough of any shade.  Obviously, I knew I had enough dark brown buttons for the second tidal wave.  I'm also sure I have enough light brown/tan buttons for a third.  My collection could likely produced several off white/white tidal waves, but that idea comes with a puzzle.  What buttons would define the outline?  I'll be thinking of this in the coming days.  In the meantime, I'll be stitching on a Found Object Mandala and mounting the brown button tidal wave.

Mandala CCX

(Above:  Mandala CCX. Custom framed: 21 1/4" x 21 1/4".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  Part of a lamp; poker chips; two teams of foosball figures; toy car wheels; sun-shaped parts of napkin rings; prisms; vintage electrical capacitors; four rotors from toy helicopters; keys; beer caps; expired medical devices in clear/green plastic containers; bright yellow electrical wire end connectors; red, plastic circles from a beer yoke; assorted buttons. Click on either image to enlarge.)

I've had the two teams of foosball figures for several months and have no idea why I waited to use them!  Perhaps it was the colors.  I just didn't respond well to a limited palette of red and yellow.  When I finally pulled out the green and blue poker chips to accompany the red and yellow ones, the design just fell into place.  Sometimes, the center inspires the mandala.  Sometimes, it's one multiple arranged in a focal circle that inspires the mandala.  Sometimes, it's the colors.  This is one of those times!