Our neighbour’s flower peeking through the fence to say Hello!
When I saw the announcement for the Flag On A Stick blog hop, I teeter-tottered on the decision of joining. As I was sorting through things and putting stuff up in my new workroom, I came across a drawing I did for a college project few years ago. The objective was to describe yourself on a shield. I thought that would make a perfect pennant to hang in my new atelier, as my husband lovingly calls my new workroom. So I ended up joining the Flag On A Stick blog hop hosted by Sew We Quilt. It’s an indoor flag, so I used a very light interfacing to give it a little stability and sewed two tabs to the top so it can be hung on a wall. I took the picture outside just in time before the rain started pelting down.
This is the original painting that I scanned. It is done in watercolour pencils and marker. The scan wasn’t quite large enough for this project, so I scaled it up and printed it out. I then traced the drawing on the fabric in pencil and painted with acrylic colour pencils, paintbrush and textile medium. I haven’t done textile painting in a very, very long time and I couldn’t find any reference on how to go about it when using pencils. So I did a few test doodles to figure out what method works best for fabric painting.
The flag is steeped in symbolism. Every single colour and element in the flag has some meaning that describes me, but I won’t bore you with all the details. The only thing I think I should mention is this – the cat on the top is not there because I love cats. It’s there because I am very much like a cat – I am an extreme introvert, I like small spaces to hide in and I like to have control over my own life situations. The last bit is probably best described in the Latin phrase you see on the shield – Resolutely in action, gently in manner – which is why I chose it.
Thank you so much, Thearica and Mdm Samm, for coordinating the blog hop. I would have never worked on this otherwise and my new atelier would have remained without a flag. There are some really awesome flags being created by the other participants in the blog hop. I am sharing my day with these talented ladies and they would love for you to visit them –
I am giving away these two patterns from my shop to celebrate spring – Spring Kites and Fair Isle Star. My giveaways are for my followers only and I would love for you to follow me anyway you like. Please leave a comment and let me know how you follow my blog and you will be entered in my giveaway. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 10th.
Thank you so much for visiting!
-Soma
64 thoughts on “Flag For My Atelier”
Lorna McMahon April 12, 2014 at 14:42
What a great idea – and so creative! Love the symbolism and the colours! And the Latin text. Unfortunately…. I can only lay claim to the first half!
M-R @ Quilt Matters April 12, 2014 at 05:28
Gorgeous! I love the celtic design elements and the latin touch, Soma! Way to go!
Shauna T April 11, 2014 at 10:18
simply beautiful…great job
Elita @ Busy Needle Quilting April 10, 2014 at 04:11
Oh, that is so lovely! I love the twists in the cat’s tail along with what looks like Celtic influence along the sides. Very creative & well done!
Vera April 4, 2014 at 13:25
What a great idea for a flag! You are very original and I see you should brush your hair sometimes otherwise they get tangeled like the cats tail :-)
Susan @theboredzombie.com April 4, 2014 at 11:56
SO cool! I love the revival aspect of it. and I would not be bored with all of the details! :D
Sheesh April 3, 2014 at 17:33
I have been following you when I first noticed Dr Who as my Granddaughters love to watch this. I saved all the patterns and hope to get to make some of them as I can. Your banner is full of talent. Artistic in this way is not my talent but I do appreciate someone who can. If it is geometrical and/or has a pattern, I will approach it. I also like cats and watch for your mention of your cats. Kites amaze me and loved to make kites as a child — back when kids were more like to make them. Even a tail made from scraps from my mother’s scrap bin. Star patterns have a special folder on my computer. I love the various shapes and conformations. Keep up the good work. Oh, I also need to make a musical quilt for a GD which I will incorporate some of your musical notes. Perhaps I am procrastinating, awaiting a Soma Bassoon exclusive. GD is a very talented bassoonist in 10th grade, has been to Allstate in Georgia 3 times and the past 2 years she has been principal bassoon in the high school band. She is in Youth Symphony and other elite groups. Guess I can’t say enough about my honor roll girl. Thanks for letting me boast a little.
Leanne Parsons April 3, 2014 at 14:29
It is absolutely beautiful, and I wouldn’t have been bored by the details of the symbolism at all. It’s a great addition to your atelier.
Connie April 3, 2014 at 06:51
Your work is beautiful and this makes a very unique flag! Thanks for sharing!
Susan in OK April 2, 2014 at 22:32
I am now pleased to be following you on Facebook. I didn’t know you were there. I, too, am an introvert and am glad you shared what you were willing about the shield. That is amazing. I am in awe of your ability to put that onto fabric. It is perfect for you workroom. I’d have trouble trying to express myself on a shield – of course, I don’t artistic ability, so would really be a challenge. This flag is wonderful. I am very glad you chose to participate. It is an inspiration to us who don’t participate to really considerate it. Thanks for the inspiration.
Jane Capriotti April 2, 2014 at 22:02
Oh, I live it! You did a beautiful job with your watercoloring. I really need to learn how to do that.
annette April 2, 2014 at 20:05
now let’s try again … not sure where my first comment went. Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself with us through your flag. Lots of details in it and yet another way to create a flag.
thanks again
in stitches
annette April 2, 2014 at 20:02
Now that has a lot of info into who you are and what you love. thanks for sharing a little of you with us through your flag.
in stitches
Corrie April 2, 2014 at 17:13
What a sweet post. Thank you for sharing yourself with us! It’s lovely. I’m glad you got to work on it too & show us.
LJ April 2, 2014 at 16:58
Beautiful! You are quite the artist – such talent. Thank you for sharing some of the symbolism; it makes the flag so interesting.
CeLynn April 2, 2014 at 15:46
Wonderful way to turn a UFO into a finished piece of art! This is exquisite!
Shirley Clark April 2, 2014 at 15:15
You have a very unique flag! It shows up really nice outside too!
Tracee April 2, 2014 at 14:34
So creatively perfect…
Tina April 2, 2014 at 14:28
what a great artist you are!
MoeWest April 2, 2014 at 14:01
Well done and very creative!
qu*************@bl******.com " class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">Mary Pat Callihan April 2, 2014 at 13:44
Soma, after reading your post, I am so impressed that you were willing to put yourself out there. I know it took me about a year of following this blog to get up my courage to join. I think you will agree, though, that this is a wonderful supportive group of women. Now, your flag is superb and I am so glad you shared it!
MP
Brandy Pettit April 2, 2014 at 12:56
I’m following on Facebook! Your kites have peaked my interest quite a bit. I love that you enriched your flag with so much symbolism, I think that is such a great idea. Thank you for sharing with us!
~Brandy
Marcy April 2, 2014 at 12:31
Wow! It really caught my eye. Great idea with water color pencils. Never tried it but might have to now. Really a beauty.
Kathleen April 2, 2014 at 11:05
Beautiful. I imagine this was hard to do but it turned out to be a beautiful piece.
Janine April 2, 2014 at 10:56
This is wonderful, Soma. You really are a girl of many talents :)
selina April 2, 2014 at 10:28
So nice of you to share this part of your life with us. The flag is a wonderful piece of art.
Nancy April 2, 2014 at 10:22
Wow, that is a great flag. Obviously a lot of thought went into it. Nice job. BTW, I follow you via email subscription.
AmandaK@whatthebobbin.com April 2, 2014 at 09:57
What a beautiful flag. I love the colors. Nice work :)
Pat April 2, 2014 at 09:40
Beautiful design and workmanship and so personally meaningful. I do have your blog in my reading list on the sidebar of my blog although I had to add it manually as you do not have GFC. I always enjoy your creations. Thanks for sharing in the hop … :) Pat
Carla April 2, 2014 at 09:21
Beautiful artwork, Soma. I love that it is so personal.
Jeanne April 2, 2014 at 08:35
I follow your blog via email, don’t want to miss one thing! :)
Saucy Chick Sherry April 2, 2014 at 08:29
Wow…your thought and work put into creating this flag is amazing. How wonderful that it represents so much to and of you. Thank you sew very much for Hopping and Flag Flying…
Joan April 2, 2014 at 08:10
Wow, this is absolutely stunning. What a gorgeous drawing of your personal shield. Great way to display it also!
Pauline April 2, 2014 at 07:27
Your flag is unique…luv it…thanks for sharing your creativity!! Happy stitching, Pauline
daryl April 2, 2014 at 07:18
Fantastic flag!
Carolyn April 2, 2014 at 07:16
This is so, so creative! Love the colors! I follow you on Facebook. :) Thank you for sharing with us today. :)
Mary April 2, 2014 at 06:57
That is a lovely flag. I follow via GFC.
Carol April 2, 2014 at 06:50
So artsy, creative, and beautiful! What a great way to show of your drawing.
Susan April 2, 2014 at 06:43
I follow you for quite some time via email. I never would have guessed you were and extreme introvert. Beautiful flag.
Theresa April 2, 2014 at 06:43
This is really a lovely flag. I like all the symbolism. I follow you on Craftsy and Blog Lovin.
Agnes B. Bullock April 2, 2014 at 06:32
Am a Pinterest follower
Your falg is fabulous- simply breathtaking!
Shelley April 2, 2014 at 06:25
Wow, I never thought of textile painting for a flag. Yours is awesome :)
Heidi April 2, 2014 at 06:25
Very beautiful and so representative… Great job!
Michelle Harrison April 2, 2014 at 06:09
I am following you on Pinterest. I went right over and signed on to your Paper Piecing Quilt Patterns (my real name is Michelle Harrison but it shows up some places as Purl Buttons or Sewbeads)
I like the fact the colors even have specific meaning. I would love to know about all the symbolism but being that you are an introvert and like to control your life situation, I can understand that that is too much of you “out there” for random passersby to feel free to comment about. I see we have some things in common! Your flag is unique and mysterious.
Robin April 2, 2014 at 06:07
Great flag! All the detail is beautiful. I follow you via email!
Doris Quilting Queen April 2, 2014 at 05:57
Soma, that’ a very creative flag but we knew you were creative already! :) So talented! And yes, I’m following you.
Carrie April 2, 2014 at 05:55
I follow via email. Thanks for the chance! Lovely work as usual.
Susie April 2, 2014 at 05:32
What a beautiful banner for your workroom, Soma!
I love that it is filled with symbols of your life and personality.
I also love that you mix mediums in your art expressions!
Isn’t it great when we do a challenge, and we end up making something that we treasure, and wouldn’t have pushed our selves to make without a commitment!
Britt-Inger April 2, 2014 at 05:15
Your flag is stunning. I love it.
Vickie April 2, 2014 at 04:50
Your flag is whimsical and very fancy ! You must be too !
marjorie April 2, 2014 at 04:45
love love love it!!!
Marlene April 2, 2014 at 04:45
Soma I love the idea of a shield for your flag – I would have loved to hear more of the symbolism too. Fascinating! blessings, marlene
Alida April 2, 2014 at 04:40
Wow, such a great project! And I love the latin quote!! I may steal it because I think it perfectly describe myself too ;)
Krislovesfabric April 2, 2014 at 04:13
Love this, so personal and artistic…you always blow me away with your projects…though I must say, you have to be the most outgoing introvert I’ve yet to meet, lol! I also thought the cat was a nod to your sewing companion :) The shading and color in this is so perfect I tried to touch it on my screen!!
Debv April 2, 2014 at 03:53
The flag is wonderful. The color of your flag-cat is very close to Kitty’s colors if I remember from your posts. The Latin phase is also very cat-like, good choice
Thearica Burroughs April 2, 2014 at 03:38
Your flag is really unique! Great job on finishing a UFO and showing an original design. :)
mdm samm April 2, 2014 at 03:19
How very interesting…like a crest….totally colourful and outstanding.. Yes a flag that would speak volumes of YOU!
Shari April 2, 2014 at 02:58
Oh so loving your flag. Great idea to use it in your creative space, “atelier” has a lovely ring to it. Stalking you via email and on my blog roll…superb work!
Susie Parr April 2, 2014 at 01:49
Great flag thanks for sharing. Susie x
Rhondfa April 1, 2014 at 23:32
What a beautiful flag. You did a great job with it. Thanks for sharing your technique.
Judy April 1, 2014 at 23:14
beautiful and very harmonic flag, I love the cat’s tail! well done!
*Nicole Sender April 1, 2014 at 22:10
What an original flag! Following you on facebook: Nicole Sender.
Judy B April 1, 2014 at 21:53
Absolutely stunning flag! Thank you for sharing.
Anita April 1, 2014 at 21:36
Nice flag!