Olga Norris quilts revisited 05-28-17

 I added four of Olga's small pieces to the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection in 2012 and here are two of them.  They are so delicate and amazing, I hope you can see her work in person some day. 

"Red Hen"  Olga Norris - Hampshire, England  2012  7.5"W x 11"L

Hand dyed silk fabric, silk thread, hand stitched.  This type of stitching is in the style of Kantha work done in Bengal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kantha but so much more refined and expressive. 

www.olganorris.com

 

Here is a detail. (Don't you think this hen is has a satisfied smile?)  Notice how the beautiful hair is stitched to give it a different texture.   The black outline is the under fabric showing between the cut out pieces of silk.  I have tried to think of a name for this technique which is done in slightly different ways by several different artists, notably Terry Grant of Beaverton, OR.  Outlined applique?   Edged applique?  Puzzle applique?  Channel applique?  It is not really reverse applique, a very old layered technique used by the San Blas natives off the coast of Panama.  

 

The silk back is faced so the back of the work is not visible.

"The Crow's Story"   Olga Norris - Hampshire, England  2012  7.1"W x 7.1"L

 Hand dyed silk fabric, silk thread, hand stitched. 

  

Beautiful even stitches.

A wonderful crow shape - I wish I could hear his tale.  And the lady has a four toed foot!  I am especially attracted to Olga's rendering of hands and feet

The silk back is faced so the back of the work is not visible.
www.olganorris.com
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