Working on a face using yellow is challenging to say the least. Yellow is
difficult to photograph, and the values can easily be too subtle when viewed
from a distance. I originally made the top for this piece last November
-- and then covered it for at least a month because I knew it wasn't working
and needed a major overhaul.
However, after I had spent a lot of time thinking about the piece and sharing
it on my blog, it became clear what needed to change. Values had to be darkened,
areas had to be highlighted & shaded more. This has been my most difficult
face because I was not working with a great photograph, but I knew
the subject fairly well, and her personality eventually came through.
I was most surprised that black didn't play well with yellow. Black has
always worked well in past pieces, but it was much too stark for this piece.
I quilted this piece more fancifully than previous appliqued faces. I wanted
the quilting in the background to add more of a statement to the overall
piece so I extended her personality outwards. Amy is one of those few, rare
individuals in life that is truly an angel on earth. It only made sense to
show that part of her personality.
