A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was working on a series of four “Elemental Horses” – that is, Earth, Air, Water and Fire horses. They’re all finished now but it’s proving unexpectedly difficult to work out good colour combinations for them. I thought I’d use silver lame for the applique on the Air Horse, and gold lame for the Fire Horse, but it hasn’t been totally successful.
The silver lame Air Horse
The Air Horse is OK, although the scan doesn’t pick up the glitter of the silver lame, and the background should have been paler. The Fire Horse also needs some re-thinking. The figure of the horse is OK, and the gold glitter of the lame is nice (although again you can’t really see it on the scan) but as with the Air Horse there isn’t enough contrast between the horse and the background. I think I overdid the pattern on the background – maybe this would look better with a quieter fabric. Still, he does look as if he’s trotting through flames!
The gold lame Fire Horse
One thing I like about these horses is that they can be used in two different ways. If you stitch the background pattern and the pattern on the body, they’re decorative pieces. But if you leave out the background and the body pattern and use natural colours like black or brown, they immediately become more realistic
He *does* look like he’s trotting through flames! I don’t think the fabric is too busy, and you may be right about needing more contrast between the thread colors used for the horse/body pattern and the background stitching.
Again, the way you do the manes and tails is perfect.
Hi Mia, Have you ever used mylar as an applique material. Mylar can be purchased in gold, silver, etc. It might be shinier than the lame. I think your air and fire horses appear to be running through wind and fire. I love your idea of just changing the colors and background for versitility so that the horses will stitch out realistically.
Mia,
I have to disagree with your statement that they need more contrast! I just love the effect of the air horse’s lack of stark contrast with the air. I think it blends beautifully and give the feeling of movement. It just might be my screen but I don’t like the colors, maybe more red in the fire and less of a greeny-gold on the horse. But I think the are terrific and an example of when you don’t need contrast! You background choices look great to me. They are both stunning!
More stunning work as usual. Have you tried different colors of tulle for applique fabric on the horses instead of the lame? I did it on a dragon and loved the effects it gave. Going back to your horse. I love the air one, but a lighter blue for the air might make the horse stand out more. The fire horse is perfect as is.
Hi Mia,
both of them came out well! Maybe I would use mylar for appliques to get even more “firely” and “windy” look – just for fun of coursek, because I like your work at all.
Mia, beautiful as always. Your fire horse does look like he is trotting through flames. Your horses are very realistic and would be beautiful done on any background fabric. thank you for sharing!
Hi Mia
I tried to send you an email twice yesterday and both came back. Am I missing a step? I used the address you show.
Love your art!!!
Maggie – Texas
The horses are inspirational and very decorative! I love them!
I would really like the butterflys