Welcome to Art with Fabric
This hop is hosted by Alida of Tweety Loves Quilting. Thank you, Alida!
The Inspiration
I am intrigued by art work of many styles; I browse art museums whenever I can. Several years ago on a trip to Chicago, I convinced Tu-Na Helper to let me tour inside the Art Institute for a few hours. I was so excited when I discovered American Gothic. I had no idea it was on display there so it really took me by surprise.
Grant Wood. American Gothic, 1930. The Art Institute of Chicago. Friends of American Art Collection. Used with permission.
American Gothic was not new to me. I had seen it on the walls of my living room. I love my kids’ artwork. One of their teachers taught them to paint the masterpieces. Since I have 5 kids who had this same teacher, I have lots of pictures of art seen through their eyes.
I find it fascinating to see what details the kids chose to paint in their pictures.
Yes, I am guilty of framing my kids’ art work and hanging them in the living room. Don’t you?
Three years ago, my sister took our family photos. When Tu-Na Helper and I had our turn for our “couples” picture, we had a little fun with it giving it a bit of our character. 
I grabbed an apple to hold in our picture and we tried not to smile. We have an apple orchard with 11 trees so we harvest a lot of apples. I wrote about the cider process and the other yummy apple goodies we make here in Tu-Na Eats: Apples, Apples, and More Apples.
When Alida announced the sub-theme for this Art with Fabric hop to be 1+1=3, I knew just what art work I’d use for my inspiration and how I’d turn my photograph into an art quilt for this blog hop.
The Creation
Tu-Na Helper printed that picture of us on printable fabric for me. That little project had us running in circles for awhile. Our old printer was no longer working and we were considering purchasing a laser one. I am so glad we didn’t as printable fabric can only be used in an Inkjet printer. Copy shops and print shops do not copy onto fabric anymore as they only have laser printers.
I designed the pattern for this block and set to work making it.
Here’s the work before I started quilting it. Notice the green fabric which looks like it has apples.
I added a few details with the quilting.
Tu-Na Helper gained the outlines of a jacket and bib overalls. I gained a necklace and the ric rac of the apron. I also outlined the apples on the trees, the pitchfork, and some of the bricks.
North Dakota days are very windy so I quilted some wind currents in the sky.
I added more straight line quilting for the siding.
This fabric was perfect for the back.
I even remembered to add the corner triangles for hanging before I bound it. If you look closely, you can see the outline of the pitchfork.
I made an extra wide single binding. The frame around this 17″ wide x 17.5″ long wall hanging is 3/4″ wide.
Tu-Na Gothic
The Connection to the 1+1=3 Sub-Theme
The apple, in a Biblical context, is often referred to as the forbidden fruit which Eve plucked from the tree and used to tempt Adam. In some cultures an apple symbolizes beauty, new beginnings, love, or fertility. I’ll just leave you with those thoughts to ponder.
See More Art
Here’s the line-up for today.
Wednesday, May 23th, 2018
- Kat at Kat Knap The works of Olek inspired Kat to produce her first street art project. Kat, and other interested fiber artists, yarn bombed a tree in the yard of her local yarn shop, Fiber Frenzy, with crochet bands and flowers.
- Julie at Julie Bagamary Art Julie was inspired from the beautiful watercolor work of Marni Maree to create her own version of purple coneflowers.
- Karen at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats You are here. Thanks for stopping by to view my piece inspired by the Grant Wood’s painting titled American Gothic.
- Wendy at Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life A work by Clare Youngs inspired Wendy to make the cutest improv rooster art quilt. You’ll want to see it for sure!
If you missed seeing the Art with Fabric pieces posted earlier this week or want tomorrow’s links, please read my post here to get the links to the blogs. They are all so clever and interesting you’ll be glad you did. I’ve updated the post with direct links so that you’ll always be able to find the works.
My first Art with Fabric entry was Sunflowers—If van Gogh were a Quilter. You can read about it here.
What I Learned Today:
- For this painting, Grant Wood had his sister and his dentist model as a farmer and his daughter.
- The farmhouse in Grant’s painting is representative of Gothic architecture—large windows, pointed arches, tall structures, and columns but on a smaller and more modern scale than the European cathedrals and castles.
- One never knows when an unusual photograph will come in handy.
- Do not get rid of the ink jet printer if I ever want to print on fabric in the future.
- Having a good supply of fabric choices makes creating art a whole lot easier.
- Part of that good supply (as well as my collection of Aurifil thread that I forgot to bring along with me) is at my other house and not accessible until I return in November.
- I sure could use some of that now!
- When I was in my AZ house during the winter, I yearned to use the stash I had in this house.
- In my definition, 1+1=7.
Question: Do you prefer to look at art or make art? Considering my drawing skills are challenged with stick figures, I think I do ok making fabric art pieces. However, I love to look at the art that others make whether it’s painted, quilted, molded, or otherwise constructed.
This also completes my #9 goal for the 2018 second quarter of FAL. You can find the original listing here.
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At this time, I am not affiliated with any products or services that I write about. I just happen to find them helpful.
Thanks for stopping by and do come again.
Karen, Tu-Na Quilts
Linking to:
Show Off Saturday at Sew Can She
Let’s Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts
Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts
Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday hosted by Anja Quilts
Main Crush Monday at Cooking Up Quilts
Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt
2018 Second Quarter Finish A-Long at Sew Can She when it posts.
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats 
Oh Karen, I love this quilt! It just makes me smile. You and Tu-Na Helper have a fun sense of humor!
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This is just adorable, Karen! You did a good job interpreting the painting. And your kids’ pictures are really cute. They did a good job, too.
I don’t consider myself creative, so I prefer looking at art. I am constantly in awe of other people’s abilities to produce beauty in various media. Artistic talent is so impressive.
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Karen you are classic! This is a great piece (again, as I remember and loved your sunflowers too). Fantastic post, proud to be on this hop with you.
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I like how you had fun turning the photo into wall art.
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Whoa! Karen! Too cute! You have an entire gallery of interpretations of that one painting. That is sew fun! Great job!
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Fabulous! I love quilts that make me laugh at their whimsical nature.
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I love your version of the classic — it will be in good company hanging with your kids versions!
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Mostly I prefer looking at other people’s art work-therefore I enjoyed yours a bunch:)
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What I really love is that you had an old photograph that was so perfect for the project. The details you added in the quilting are fun, too!
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THIS IS DELIGHTFUL.
I freaking love this quilt. And I think my mind is evenly split between looking at art and making art.
You are so clever!
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What a fun project!!! I love looking at art others have created! Then I attempt to create my own art. I’m still trying to find my niche but I find enjoyment in each attempt and learn a lot!
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Weel, you have succeeded in recreating a classic. You were so lucky to have a photo that worked, fabric that worked and quilting that aiding you in completing the project. I love it.
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You’ve go a lot of creative genes in your family and it is easy to see where they come from! This is such a cute project. You two don’t look NEARLY stern enough. 😀
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*applauds* You hit it out of the park! When I saw that thumbnail image on Alida’s blog, I smiled.
Yes, you don’t know when images will come in handy. Having a photo archive is necessary for a blogger.
Good to know about the inkjets and printable fabric. I think I am already violating some unwritten quilter rule by using panels in my quilts. *grins*
I know I appreciated my stash when I was creating this piece. Had a complete blast making this quilt. Look for my post tomorrow!
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Karen, I love this so much!!!!! The stitching to add details is particularly cool, though i admit I didn’t notice it until you pointed it out. I was just so taken with the photograph! Such a fun photo, and now an amazing quilty piece of art.
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Wow, a superb piece of artistry.
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Karen: This piece is awesome! I love the photo and I love that you used it for this piece. I also loved looking at art.
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It turned out great. And it suits your personalities… 🙂 And I like both looking at art and making art. I think there is a fine balance so that you don’t become overwhelmed with so many ideas that you cannot create.
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Hi Karen, that’s a really great quilt! What fun and thanks for sharing your learning.
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The definition of whimsy is your quilt! I love it! Thank you for sharing today.
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You are such a talented lady! And Tu-Na Helper is a great helper, too!
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Love your sense of humor, Karen, along with the quilt! I really enjoy reading what you’ve learned during the process.
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I love it! This may be my favorite of the “hop” quilts so far!
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Oh my goodness that is exceptionally awesome with you and “Tu-Na Helper” recreating American Gothic (which I once got to see in person at the Art Institute of Chicago!) . Another delightful post!
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His sister and his dentist? Who knew? I absolutely love this quilt. It’s whimsical and shows your sense of humor. Your family must think it’s a hoot! Nicely done
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What a fun quilt, well done ;))
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Your quilt art makes me smile! Great job!
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I just read your blog today! I absolutely love this creative work of Art…….and love how it was created from a photograph and your children’s art…what a keepsake…..I am in awe of your creativity!
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How fun!! I love all the little details in this, so clever! 😊
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What a great idea for a quilt. It turned out wonderfully. Thanks for linking up with TGIFF.
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Such a great piece, interesting story and thanks for sharing your process!! I love to look at art and make art and then look at the art I make 🙂 Thanks for making this blog hop a success!!!
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Oh my gosh, this is both funny and very cool at the same time…love it! It’s interesting to see all the versions of that piece of art.
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Love it, and having met you two in person, I find it funny you could stay so somber for the photo! Thank you for pointing out some of the stitching details I couldn’t compare without a side by side. You did well with the quilting, and also appreciated were the facts about the original work. This will be a family treasure, you know.
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