Taking Root is part of my series, “Transformations”.  This series explores changes we experience with the passage of time. This artwork has a Spring and is about sprouting and growing. The Spring theme is a metaphor for establishing roots. The root refers to establishing a foundation, the plants refer to growing and finding fulfillment, and the orbs refer to a sun or a moon moving across a sky, representing time passing. 

The cotton broadcloth fabrics were dyed with Procion MX dyes in different values of the same hue and overdyed to create a more complex texture. Using fabric paints, the leaf images and orbs were screened on using thermofax screens I created from photos. The root was stenciled in transparent fabric paint. The artwork was fused to a felt backing and then hand stitch was added to create a gentle flow of shapes, line, and color. 

Flat aluminum slats (removable) are attached to the back with velcro at the top and bottom. Wire is attached to the top slat so that it is ready to hang as a traditional tapestry. 

(You could frame it if you choose to do so by removing the slats. If you choose to frame it, I would recommend that you mount it on top of mat board to keep the edges exposed and preserve the look of a textile rather than cover the edges. And I would recommend to not cover it with glass or plexiglass to keep the look of tapestry. However, it could be framed in whatever style you choose.)