Acquaint Yourself with Mixed-Media 'Quaintings'

16 Nov 2011

mixed media stitch cherries
One of Mixed-media Stitch
Artisan Cynthia Frenette's 'quaintings.

cate pratoMix paint with fabric, thread, and ephemera and what do you get? Mixed-media quilted paintings, or "quaintings" as artist Cynthia Frenette likes to call them.

Cynthia, of Mission, British Columbia, Canada, was chosen as the 2012 Cloth Paper Scissors Artisan in the Mixed-media Stitch category.

Having seen Cynthia's work first-hand, I can tell you that these images do not do it justice.

Each piece begs to be lingered over and touched, such is the textural, multi-layered nature of the artwork. The more you look, the more you see.

Cynthia's favorite supplies include thrifted and vintage fabric; old magazines, newspapers and other ephemera, such as metro tickets from her recent visit to Paris; plus Liquitex acrylics and "plain old regular black polyester thread" that she goes through "by the mile."

mixed media artist cynthia frenette
Cynthia Frenette

"I get inspired by textures and by places that are full of character, old weathered and worn buildings, gardens, and well-loved houses with character," says Cynthia, such as those she saw on her recent trip to Giverny and Monet's gardens.

mixed media fabric painting
Detail of a lace-filled window 'quainting.'

You can learn more about Cynthia and her artwork in the January/February 2012 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors.

Subsequent issues in 2012 will feature the other Artisans:

Kristy Quinn, Indianapolis, Indiana (Printmaking and Surface Design);

Laura McHugh, Matawan, New Jersey (Mixed-media Jewelry);

Roann Mathias, Cordova, Tennessee (Art Journal and Bookmaking);

Valerie Pillow, Lenexa, Kansas (Collage and Assemblage).

Each of these Artisans has something unique to offer, and you won't want to miss getting to know them.  If you're a subscriber to Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, you won't have to worry. If not, start the year off right by subscribing today.


P.S. Have you ever combined stitch, fabric, and paint? How did it come out? Let me know in the comments section below.


Related Posts
+ Add a comment

Comments

artsygram wrote
on 16 Nov 2011 9:56 AM

About 20 years ago, I made Santas, recycling a much-loved worn-out handmade quilt, ticking for beards and painted faces.  I recently was going through my 'art stash' and found my leftover Santa supplies (yes...from 20 years ago!  :).  It's time for a new Santa!  This time, I think he will have a 'quaint' new look!  LOVE CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS!  

roselegge wrote
on 16 Nov 2011 10:04 AM

I do it all the time!  I'm gravitating more and more to fabric collages - unlike alot of artists, I don't mind if the paint changes the hand of the fabric.  I LIKE a lot of different textures!  And the paint also acts as an adhesive to hold the layers together.

Rose Legge

www.rosehips1.blogspot.com

Cynthia_F wrote
on 16 Nov 2011 11:31 AM

Thank you so very very much, I am so honoured and thrilled to have been chosen and awarded this great honour! How exciting!! :D

Peggy Holt wrote
on 16 Nov 2011 11:45 AM

I have been fascinated by the concept of quilting and then painting for quite some time.  I finally found enough information to make it work!  My most recent venture is included in my new book soon to be released by AQS called "Creating Your Own Dream Feathers."  

I look forward to getting my new CPS to view more of Cynthia's beautiful work.

Debbie P. wrote
on 19 Nov 2011 6:04 PM

During my art quilt explorations I've painted a willow tree base on to cloth, adding silk ribbons in shades of green as boughs and finished with bluish-green beads as accents.  Along the curved top portion I've added a 1/2 shekel (with the harp pictured side up) set in a handmade bezel.  A quote from the O.T. will be added about "hanging the harp upon the willow tree'.  The very final step is to 'sew' it on to a beautifully curved wooden frame that's been created for it.  Deb P.

LaurieTee wrote
on 23 Nov 2011 3:23 PM

I've been working with fabric, muslin and others from the thrift store, some painted with watercolors, some which have gel medium transfers... adding buttons and embroidery, and trims and WHATEVER !!... and stamping images and text... I've been hand stitching the pieces together... some quilt-like.  I eventually want to join them into fabric books, some with poetry, some more journal-like.  What a blast !! PS - Love Cynthia's work.