Pixeladies classes and abstracting photos

I know, twice in two days, really, what is going on!!  I have been working today on the course offered by the Pixeladies and since I'm trying to not watch so much Netflix I seem to have time for other things (quelle surprise!!).  Not painting today, which I also want to do, but perhaps tomorrow.  Ok, ok, I did watch a BIT of netflix this afternoon (I'm often up by 4 and the days get SO long), but I have also done a bit of photoshop elements as well.  Baby steps.

I have been working on a photo I took in Arles last year (one year ago right now, I cannot believe how the time has flown!).  Anyway, here is a series of photos.

Starting with the original (after straightening it a bit, something else I'm learning).

And then with a few tweaks to work on gradations and ideas for fabric and stitch.

And finally a piece that might be more accessible using hand dyed fabrics in gradations of greys and that could be highlighted with stitch to enhance the finer details suggested in the pieces above.

Such a lot of fun, with tons of possibilities.  I could take out quite a lot of the details in the windows (using some of the editing ideas that the Pixeladies explain) but am thinking of other ways that one could create the look of curtains using cut back applique and stitch.  The beauty of fabric is its tactile quality and I think it would be fun to play that up here.  Now, who knows when I might ever get to this, tied as I am to my kitchen table, but at least the brain is starting to turn over a bit.  That's a start, right???

Such a fun course (you were so right, Margaret!!) and I would really recommend it.

I'll be back.

www.pixeladies.com