Amanda Snavely 3/6/19 Amanda Snavely 3/6/19

Thread Selection

I have been talking with other artists about the importance of sharing our processes. Sometimes it is fun to peak behind the curtain, and see how an artist’s mind works. My mind is usually a tangle of thread. I attempted to be a little neater in my process this time just for your benefit.

I begin with a tray or box and start tossing in tons of threads. I try to add a huge variety of colors, thicknesses, and textures to my selection. Tossing the colors together, somewhat haphazardly, allows me to see color combinations that I might not normally choose. I use this same toss in a pile method for selecting fabric.

I place the tray next to the piece I am going to stitch. This allows me to get a feel for the color mixture. At this point, I weed out a few threads and/or add other thread choices.

I then check to see if I have enough variety in the color pallets I am considering for the piece. Many people think you should match thread to your fabric. I use the “matching” colors to ground the piece. But then, I add my traditionally non-matching colors. If you match all your threads, they disappear when your piece is viewed at a distance. The threads that stand out and catch your eye are the color shifts. These are the colors that work with your “matching colors” and support them in the overall effect of your design.

Now, it is time to begin stitching. Some threads will not be used and others will be added along the way.

Amanda Snavely 2/13/19 Amanda Snavely 2/13/19

Just Add Color

I’m excited to announce that my piece, Just Add Color, has been selected to be in the On the Edge exhibition at Oregon’s Historical Society Museum.

The On the Edge exhibition opens on May 3, 2019 at the Oregon Historical Society (OHS) located in Portland, Oregon and runs through August 15, 2019.

I’m excited to announce that my piece, Just Add Color, has been selected to be in the On the Edge exhibition at Oregon’s Historical Society Museum.

The On the Edge exhibition opens on May 3, 2019 at the Oregon Historical Society (OHS) located in Portland, Oregon and runs through August 15, 2019.

SAQA and OHS will host a reception for On the Edge in conjunction with the OHS community event speaker series on May 23rd from 6- 8 pm with Ann Johnston as the featured speaker.

Oregon Historical Society

Hayes Gallery and North Wing

1200 SW Park Avenue

Portland, Oregon 97205

www.ohs.org

93” x 33 ½”

Acrylic paint, Cotton Commercial Fabric, Canvas, Metallic thread, Cotton thread, Silk thread

Artist Statement:

Urban landscapes repeatedly transition through a cycle of viability, decay, and regeneration. They reflect the city’s quality of life and its community values. The beautification of collective spaces blooms during times of vitality through murals, protected green spaces, public art, and other creative placemaking. Just Add Color represents the perspective of a city in transition-- a city on the edge of change. The addition of color represents the effect of creative revitalization efforts on a city. Turned on its axis, however, Just Add Color also mimics rain washing the color away, revealing the grittiness, darkness, and desperation of a space on the edge of urban decay.