Four New Pieces

abstract and representationalrepeating colors
Written By Joan Sowada

I enjoy working in my studio, especially on days that are cold and windy. There are plenty of those days in Wyoming in March, but also some days of melting and optimistic folks taking their cars to get a wash. Mostly it is a dirty month with no color and lots of grit and dust. All the cars need a wash!

Three of my new pieces were a commission created for the Gillette College board room. My assignment was to depict iconic spots on campus and include people. I have always been drawn to images having strong light and shadows or having reflections in water or glass. Two of these pieces have beautiful shadows and the third has wonderful reflections in the glass exterior. Fabrics were fused and machine appliqued and quilted.

The main entrance to the Gillette College Campus, Wyoming. Two students are shown entering the building. Blue sky and clouds in the upper right corner.

Entrance, 28 X 25.5

The bridge of the Gillette College Campus is seen with people gathered on the grass and a women with a bike on the forground. It is late in the day and there are nice shadows and also a tree in the upper right corner.

Bike and Bridge, 26 X 33

Technology Center Building on the college campus in Gillette, Wyoming. Two people walk on a path and there is a sky of blue and clouds.

Tech Center, 26 X 34.5

The fourth new piece is an abstract conceptual piece about being in a good place. Sometimes before I start a piece I write down words to guide me, such as, Favorable Conditions: no road blocks, loving support, time to think and rest, opportunities. We see an arial view of this place. I’ve used pale airy fabrics and warm golden fabrics to represent roads. Other areas (buildings, trees) are depicted using many green and purple fabrics. I associate growth and spiritual calm with these colors. I hand appliqued the fabrics and I used a combination of hand and machine quilting.

Abstract conceptual art showing roads and areas of contemplation and growth. Colors are yellow, green and purple.

Many Doors Open, 34 X 41

This photo shows a close up of streets and buildings. There are delicate flower boxes and a arial view of a tree.

Many Doors Open, detail

And what am I working on today? I have started another Abstract Conceptual piece. It is a vertical piece showing a large black weight crushing a pretty floral square/circle, causing large bits to come apart and fall to the bottom. My working title is The Center Will Not Hold. If you are thinking that this piece does not sound like Joan’s usual nurturing images, you are correct.

Sometimes I am compelled to say something, to be a witness. Monsters, Covid Limbo, Ugly, Democracy under Attack, June 2022, and No Escape are other examples of art created because of a necessity to speak. You can find these in Galleries on the menu bar.

I like to finish a blog post with a recipe. Quinoa Tuna Salad: Mix together(about) 2 cups cold cooked quinoa, one cup cold cooked cubed sweet potato, one 5 oz. can tuna drained, 1 cup chopped purple cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped red pepper, some dill pickle chopped, oil and apple cider vinegar.

Joan Sowada
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