Night! Yikes!

We’re going to the dark side with this prompt! It seems like our options are wide open with this one. We could really do any subject matter, as long as it’s in the night time. I’m planning a landscape. I’ve never done a nighttime scene, so I’m enjoying this challenge.

I’ve been admiring some wonderful climbing vines in the area, so I took some photos. Honestly, I’m afraid to go out to get pictures in the dark, so I got these in the daytime. Who knows what could happen out there after the sun goes down? Yikes.

I started by pulling out some dark fabrics. Those pillows stacked by the door are my son's. We're getting ready to take him to the dorm soon. (I made the math pillowcase!)

I laid out a background, like so:

Then I began adding some plant matter, and stood back and realized that there would not be enough contrast using these dark shades. So, I went back and selected some lighter values of my color palette. It’s coming along much better now. I’ve been hand appliqueing all of my shapes for days now. The composition is nearly finished, then on to the quilting. This one is large, and will finish at 40 by 30”.

Most of my original background is covered now! One material I used, which I enjoyed and want to use more of, is a hand dyed scrap of silk organza. It’s lovely because it adds color and depth, yet you can see the pattern of the fabric below.

I also attempted to use some foils for sparkle. I ended up covering all the (many) places where I tried this medium, because of mixed success with it. Partly because of bulky fabrics underneath the target area, and partly, I think, because my adhesive is not fresh enough? Anyway, I was able to rescue my work. I will try foiling again, only before stitching the shape to the project. Good lesson.

Thank you, Terry, for the interesting prompt!