Carol R. Eaton Designs

Carol R. Eaton Designs

FABRIC FOR SALE: click on pages below!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Creating Depth: Layers In Green

I recently returned from a wonderful vacation adventure in northern New England. We hiked, biked, kayaked and ended our week with a Sprint Triathlon... but that is a separate post on its own!

As we hiked in the mountains I was drawn to the many shades of green that the season has to offer. When I got back to the studio I used that imagery to experiment with creating layers of color for more depth.

Here are the results:
 
Mt. Willard, NH ~ inspiration photo
Don't you just LOVE those greens... just look at them!


I worked outside to take advantage of the sunshine. I laid ferns randomly across the surface of cotton fabric and began to paint over the ferns. 

Next I placed another layer of ferns on the fabric and applied more fabric paint.
I varied the greens just like in nature.

Here is the finished piece. The sun helped create some fun fern prints but as planned I didn't want the prints to be super distinctive. I only wanted a hint of the fern shape because the design was about the forest and not ferns. The vague fern prints provides an organic feel and suggestion of leaves and trees which was the goal of the design.

Here is a detail of "Mt. Willard". I'm happy with the varies shades of green
giving the fabric some depth and a little movement.

This inspiration photo is the view from Boulder Loop Trail in NH.
I hope someday to paint this color palette on my bedroom ceiling!

I took another yard of cotton outside to paint. I was going for the
lightest and brightest green coming through the tree tops. I laid leaves
across the fabric for a sun print and sprinkled salt across the surface.
Here are sun printed leaves before adding more layers of green. 

Once the paint dried I heat set the fabric. Because the paint was set the fabric
 didn't run when I added more layers of deeper greens. Remember this was an experiment to create depth so I just went for it. Lastly I sprinkled bronze throughout the surface just for added interest. I call this fabric, "Boulder Loop"!  



 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Artist Reception: Botanical Inspirations ~ Capturing Nature in Fiber

We had a lovely day for our artist reception at the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens in Stamford. Being surrounded by acres of gardens and forests while viewing the nature inspired fiber art was a treat!

The exhibit runs through June and I hope you have an opportunity to visit. Bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it!

As always the artists of the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective combined efforts to create a beautiful array of refreshments and shared some laughs and stories with our guests.

Antonia Torres, Mary Lachman, Karen Loprete, Ruth Anne Olson, Carol Eaton
Rosalind Spann, Judy Ross and Diane Cadrain
 
The show includes
over 30 pieces of fiber art
and here is just a sample of what you can expect!
 
Autumn Trees
Rosalind Spann
 
Clematis
Carol Vinick

Bird in Blooms by Rosalind Spann
Fall in New England by Carol R. Eaton

Ruth Anne Olson, Karen Loprete and Rosalind Spann discussing the art work

Bartlett Arboretum
Karen Loprete

Winter Red
Antonia Torres


Secrets of the Cabbage Patch
Diane Cadrain

Le Jardin by Mary Lachman
Black Eyed Susan by Carol Vinick

Geranium
Carol R. Eaton

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Botanical Inspirations: Capturing Nature in Fiber


The Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens present
Botanical Inspirations: Capturing Nature in Fiber


The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective is a group of artists dedicated to fiber and mixed media. The exhibition highlights the artists appreciation for nature and inspiration drawn from the Bartlett.

We invite you to meet the artists on June 9, 2013 from 12:00 – 4:00. Bring a friend and join us for a gallery talk, refreshments and tour the beautiful grounds at the Bartlett.

The exhibit runs through the month of June
Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, 151 Brookdale Road, Stamford, Connecticut


Participating Artists: DianeCadrain, Carol Eaton, Mary Lachman, Karen Loprete, Rosalind Spann, Antonia Torres, and Carol Vinick