Bound
Mixed Media: (Acrylic Paint; Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon; Embroidery Thread; Gel Pen on Cold-Pressed Watercolor Paper)
"Bound" began as an exploration when I decided to work on a number of 22" x 30" pieces. I began by applying color to most of the papers, then putting them aside to dry for a while. The majority of the series has some element of stitching, wrapping, and/or ribbon incorporated. Some also include grommets or other scrapbooking hardware. After I had developed the background of this piece I used a double tracing wheel tool to lay out a pathway for the ribbon. I then had to perforate each of the indentations with a needle tool before working into the paper with the thread. The thread was woven into the ribbon stitching and then wrapped through the paper. It was time-consuming, but meditative - providing a welcome break from teaching during the worst days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Bound"
A quick splash of color brushed on to start...then laid aside for a long while.
Zooming in on the texture - holes are in place, following a gel pen trail.
Getting ready to attach the ribbon
A lot of progress on the ribbon attaching, but a lot more to go
More progress with the ribbon
A detailed view of the attachment process
Another detailed view
Checking to make sure there was enough ribbon to cover the trail
The view from the back