M is for Monochrome

 

I've been thinking about the stark appeal of black and white for a while (remember this?!)

At the quilt festival I found these (mostly) black and white quilts inspiring:


(B)ordered Orange by Christine Dance

Black and White Rag by Alexandra Lake

This close-up shows the rainbow of tiny pieces between each block.

I've always resisted black and white, I was trained in art school to see both as 'non-colours'. Then I saw a book about Nancy Crow's quilts and I started to change my mind. I'm still resisting combining black with colour, I think it takes a really skilled touch to carry it off, but I've warmed to the idea of black and white with little coloured highlights here and there.

I was working on the beetle cushion (for my current bugs phase!) while I stayed in Birmingham for the festival and those quilts must have influenced me because I couldn't resist adding a touch of lime green to the finished cushion when I got home.

This monochrome-with-a-touch-of-really-bright-colour combination appeals to the 80's youth in me, when things like that were all the rage!

Comments

[tamy]

Simply classic looking!!

[Sonya]

Another comment - so prolific today, lots of catch-up here - I am in love with the bugs! The precision is just beautiful. And yes, the lime green is just the ticket.

[hazeljoy]

beautiful & lovely. do you draw the bugs yourself?

[French Knots]

Love the beetles!!

[CharlieP]

It's amazing how a tiny bit of colour brings the whole thing alive. Lovely!

[Sarah]

I'm liking your bug phase. The cushions are beautiful! Way to step out of your box!

[Betsy]

I love this cushion! The buttons really pop and the bugs are absolutely gorgeous. nice work!

[A Fanciful Twist]

Oh!! My oh my!! Lovely!!1 You know, I adore black and white and splashes of color. My sister syays I am one of thoe people who "likes black and gold and thinks they look good together... " hahahaa

[bigbucketgirl]

The red, grey and black gives me hives(!) remembering my old room. That 80's 'thing' happened in my bedroom..I had the carpet, curtains, duvet and wallpaper in those colours. Eurgh. perhaps that was what put me off them for life.
I do like black and cream combinations and have to say that the black, white and green is so crisp, clean and fresh. Lovely.

[Thimbleanna]

I love black and white and that touch of lime is adorable. Very, very cool!

[Laurie]

I'm liking the black and white as well. So classic.

[nicolette]

I love black and white, I grew up in the pop-art era! My car is black and white and I still like the black and white photos. The bugs look great!

[Mirre]

Wonderful... I love that cushion!

[Dees]

OH those bugs!!!!!!I love love love them!you did an amazing job my dear!
xoxo

[Ullan Tilkut]

Hi! The quilts are fantastic! Thank you for showing them!!! :)