CQ West: Unfolding Stories 3

Pheasant Dreams
For this piece I started with a Pheasant and discovered it originated from Asia which
influenced colour choices. I like to dye my fabric, print and embellish.
I find I do lots of visiting Exmoor and the Mendips and Pheasants are in abundance, they are
always in the lanes and milling around, and if you cannot see them you can hear them. The
colours on the male are very striking and beautiful. Using the method of shadow appliqué I
was able to place the small details in the pheasant and place them down individually,
building up the picture until I felt the first pheasant looked like he was full of character and
stomping through the fields/grasses. I wanted to capture the feeling of him marching along
in a carefree fashion which I wanted to copy with the next two. The placing of the fabric and
the colours chosen were what I felt gave him personality. The printed pheasants were simply
an expression of many pheasants as they are rarely alone even if you only see one or two at
a time.