"Facade VI" is part of my series focused on transparency, texture, shape and line. This piece has been in a traveling exhibit, "Layers", with the Kansas Art Quilters.

I have used loosely woven scrim, like cheesecloth, and a variety of sheer and textured materials ranging from hand-dyed silks to burlap to screening. It is all stitched to sheer silk organza, creating subtle color and value shifts as one color is placed to overlap another. By using a sheer foundation, the translucence of the entire piece creates a mesmerizing work of art. Light flows through it, and changes its appearance with changing light. Fascinating new shapes arise with the overlaid sheer fabrics, which I emphasize with hand stitching using thick thread.

The scrim moves slightly out of square as it is handled, almost if it has a life of its own. The organic shapes that emerge give the basic rectangle an attitude that is most appealing. The resulting piece has much to see; colors, shapes, stitching in contrasting or matching threads, a variety of textures, some metallic threads, organic shapes, and surprises such as an occasional primitive design in the stitching.

The frayed edges are in keeping with materials chosen. When I work, I keep in mind the qualities of the fabric I am using. The scrim is delicate, frays easily, and the warp and weft move out of straight fairly as I move them around. It is translucent. I try to capture these qualities in the artwork.

Once it is stitched to the silk organza, it is strong and will last for years with reasonable care. It would need to be gently shaken a couple of times a year, and needs to be hung out of direct sunlight.