Paint by numbers: patchwork cushion
A little while back we had a 50th birthday to attend. The person celebrating his birthday is a painter who is a friend of Michel's. On his website here you can see the kind of work he makes. Michel and I both love his paintings very much.
Last year he was working on a book that shows an overview of his recent work. He asked Michel to write a piece about him (isn't that cool?!) en we helped him a little with the English translation of the text.
As a thank-you he gave us this:
Our first (and probably last) gorgeous piece of art... we think it's wonderful! This photo does it no justice at all, unfortunately. It is proudly hung in the livingroom. The children like it too, for the subtle details.
So we were invited to his birthday party. Coming up with an appropriate gift wasn't easy. Michel found a book that he thought would be appreciated, but I really wanted to make something myself. However, I found the thought of making something for an artist rather intimidating! Still, I put those feelings aside and started sewing.
I thought I would make a cushion for the sofa in his workshop. As a startingpoint I took Michiel's very own painting and picked out fabrics in the same colour tones as the painting. Then I cut small and wider strips and "randomly" started sewing. I did have some idea how I wanted it to turn out and I made sure the colours were spread the way I liked it.
When it was finished... I liked it! How I love a project that simply turns out the way I planned it!
But even better was that Michiel liked it as well. He was touched that I had taken the trouble to make something myself. And really that's all that matters, right?! As I've heard, it's now being used/displayed in his workshop.
I can see how making something for an artist could be intimidating. You did a beautiful job! That pillow is gorgeous. I dare say YOU are an artist too, my dear.
Posted by: joanna | July 16, 2007 at 10:46 PM
lovely. handmade gifts are the best.
Posted by: kirsten | July 17, 2007 at 12:13 AM
How creative are you!!! That is a fantastic idea and I bet he will love it!! His work is beautiful as well..at first I thought optical illusion type, but that's not it at all...very nice!
Posted by: PJ | July 17, 2007 at 12:21 AM
Your cushion is lovely! For me the biggest compliment someone can give is to use and enjoy what I made. Great job.
Dag,
Heather
Posted by: Heather | July 17, 2007 at 12:41 AM
how fitting, a perfect gift for an artist. The colors are such a nice interpretation and such a great idea.
Posted by: Blair | July 17, 2007 at 02:15 AM
How serendipitous! That is a truly lovely painting. He will love that beautiful pillow.
Posted by: Felicia | July 17, 2007 at 02:21 AM
i love the pillow you made for your friend- (and thanks for his link too- such fun to see his work!) i like how you really thought about 'his' colours when making your cover. great work.
Posted by: melissa | July 17, 2007 at 02:24 AM
What a lovely and thoughtful gift.
Posted by: lera | July 17, 2007 at 03:51 AM
Wat een prachtig schilderij.. daar raak je zomaar niet op uitgekeken! Je kussen is prima gelukt, een mooi cadeau!
Posted by: corry | July 17, 2007 at 08:56 AM
Allemachtig prachtig, jolly mighty good! It’s fun to use a painting for inspiration and the cushion turned out very well!! What a lovely gift. I like the astmosphere of Michiel’s work.
Posted by: nicolette | July 17, 2007 at 09:32 AM
That's a really lovely tale. I think the cushion is a perfect gift and you really captured the colours and forms from the original painting.
Posted by: sarah | July 17, 2007 at 09:32 AM
I love the painting and equally the cushion - a great idea to be inspired and guided by the painting, It's turned out to be lovely and I bet he treasures it!
Kim x
Posted by: Kim | July 17, 2007 at 10:36 AM
What a wonderful gift!
Posted by: beki | July 17, 2007 at 04:20 PM
The pillow looks great. I love making anything in a log cabin like design.
Posted by: Abby | July 17, 2007 at 04:37 PM
your gifts are lovely, both the painting you received and the pillow you gave! And I bet when you look at the painting you will also remember now the pillow it inspired, and when he looks at his pillow, he will remember the painting. How lovely, because sometimes it is hard to part with handmade things, and now you will each have a piece of them.
Posted by: hannah | July 17, 2007 at 10:05 PM
the cushion is fabulous! I love how it echos the beautiful piece of artwork. very, VERY well done.
Posted by: amandajean | July 17, 2007 at 10:20 PM
It should be! It is a piece of art too! SO NICE! Mirre, I think a homemade, thoughtful artsy gift is the very best. Beautiful.
And that painting? It has zebras in it, so you know I love it!
Posted by: Kelli | July 18, 2007 at 12:09 AM
the pillow. awesome. the art. stunning. me. jealous!
Posted by: heidi | July 18, 2007 at 05:29 AM
Both pieces of works in question are done by great artists!
Posted by: Emily | July 18, 2007 at 05:45 AM
Great story! The picture is beautiful - I love the zebra! The cushion is a perfect gift! I understand why you woul be nervous making a gift for an artist! I would be too!!
Posted by: Di | July 18, 2007 at 09:26 AM
It turned out great!
Posted by: Kajsa | July 18, 2007 at 09:56 PM
Thoughtful gifts are the only ones worth having don't you think. Lovely cushion and wonderful painting.
Posted by: janet clare | July 18, 2007 at 10:19 PM
The cushion is lovely!
Posted by: Chara Michele | August 03, 2007 at 12:02 AM