Hi Everyone! Recently I pulled out the blocks for one of my quilts which had been stashed away for a very long time in the hope of finishing them soon. I finished this little painting using fountain pen inks, looking forward to sharing my findings with you. To wrap it all up, I have a pair of little wild flowers.
Unfinished Garden Path Quilt
Let’s start with the Garden Path quilt. I had the quilt layout design done long ago. It was inspired by the gardens I had visited in the UK. Some of those gardens really look like fairies live there.
Please click on the image thumbnails to see the pictures –
Selenite Clematis, Olivine Tulip, Kyanite Iris and Garnet Primrose
These are all 12″ flower patterns that I designed with stained glass motifs in mind.
If you are wandering about the names – I love geology and the flowers started looking very much like they were made of crystal. So, I decided to name them after my favourite minerals.
Here is the full stack of finished blocks. Only five more to make. I am hoping to finish at least two more blocks within the next two week.
A Little Experiment – Painting With Fountain Pen Ink
Fountain pens and I go a long way back. In school, from third year onwards, we were to use fountain pens only. I still remember the anticipation of getting my very first fountain pen. Since then, I have only ever used fountain pens for writing. This is a quilt block I designed based on one of my pens.
For my birthday this year, my husband gave me a fountain pen and couple of bottles of beautiful inks. I was curious to see how fountain pen ink would behave as paint, so I set out to sketch a quick painting with them.
Please click on the image thumbnails to see the pictures –
The blue ink is Pilot Iroshizuku Moonlit Night, the red is Diamine Dragon Blood Ink. Love the names. He really knows me well!
I left the ink on my palette for a few days. I was afraid that once the ink dried, it may not rewet well. To my surprise, it was as good as fresh ink with a drop or two of water.
I tried sploshing a little ink on wet paper in my little book. It spread out just like watercolour.
Although these two inks are from different companies, they mixed very well and I was able to create different shades of black, grey and purple.
The Dragon Blood ink is infused with gold coloured particles which gives it a slight shimmery effect. That part is only seen in the undiluted ink.
With watercolour, I can lift and move paint easily as long as it has not dried completely. These inks, however, would not budge at all.
I started with extremely diluted paint, and slowly built up the colour intensity by layering. The inks did not lift off when I applied the next layer. It was really easy to work with them, and I needed very little ink for this 6″ x 4″ painting.
Even the diluted colours dried with a soft but vibrant effect. I found that to be very unique to these inks.
Fountain pen inks can be quite expensive. Goulet Pen Co. sells ink samples for a very reasonable price. Jet Pens also has a very good collection.
Little Book of Dragons
This moss green journal was the very first 3″ x 4″ journal I made. The early editions of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Hobbit was bound in light green cover. As soon as I made this book, I wanted to make it a book of dragons. I am glad I waited. Now the first painting is special, made with the inks I got for my birthday and inspired by the weather on my birthday at Yosemite Valley.
Dragon And The Little Boy
This little boy can befriend dragons very easily. Not to control them mind you, but to talk to them. Dragons always have such fascinating stories to tell. While everyone else thinks he has special powers of making dragons listen to him, he would tell you that he is simply being nice to them and listening to them.
Little Wild Flowers
Last Sunday, despite my deadly pollen allergies, I hazarded a little outing on a trail. Although I paid for it dearly afterwards, I found the most beautiful flowers there. These are Golden Fairy Lanterns. I found these two tucked away beside an oak tree. More on the next Wandering Camera.
I always get asked – The quilt patterns and the journals, designed and hand made by me are available in my shop.
I think we all can use a little helping of fairy tale inspiration every now and then, don’t you?
Until next time,
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them.
48 thoughts on “Little Stories – Fairy Tale Inspired”
Tamara May 4, 2022 at 10:36
Your attention to detail in your quilt blocks is mind boggling! And, I love that you create blocks based on your own story / life experiences. That block with the fountain pen – AMAZING! BRILLIANT!
And, then there’s your little green book of dragons! So love this idea of a theme book of art!
Sharing your post with my sister who is also an artist. She will be inspired by your work, I know! Thank you for sharing such beautiful parts of you!
handmade by amalia April 26, 2022 at 23:48
Such a pretty painting! Love the dragon with the wise eyes.
Amalia
xo
Sam April 26, 2022 at 05:34
Wow your art work is incredible x
Debbie April 25, 2022 at 13:44
soma, you are so creative and talented. i LOVE the quilt it is so uniquely beautiful!! the golden fairy lanterns are stunning, i know you suffered to get the picture but i wanted you to know how much i enjoyed it!!
Pat April 25, 2022 at 07:53
Lovely artwork and flower graphics, Soma. The wildflowers are exquisite!
Angela Grasse April 25, 2022 at 07:45
Beautiful quilt blocks. I love a good fountain as well!
image-in-ing weeklly photo linky April 25, 2022 at 07:38
What beautiful work – this is a quilt to be proud of! Thank you for sharing your talents at
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs April 24, 2022 at 03:15
You are very talented Soma! What beautiful work. I love the garden path quilt pattern it’s so pretty and your little book of dragons is awesome!
Thanks so much for joining in with #MMBC. Hope to see you next week. :)
RachelSwirl April 23, 2022 at 12:44
You are such an incredibly talented artist, I wish I had your skills! Thanks for sharing and for linking up with #MySundaySnapshot.
Valerie-Jael April 23, 2022 at 00:57
Beautifl art and I love your quilt. The effects from he founain pen inks are beautiful. I still have my first founain pen and my geometry set from my childhood, and the pen gets used a lot. Have a great weekend, take care, hugs, Valerie
Sarah MumofThree Wood April 22, 2022 at 23:03
Your quilt is absolutely amazing! I love all the work that has gone into it.
It’s very interesting to read about how ink works as paint and I love your dragon.
Michelle April 20, 2022 at 09:50
Love the dragon painting, and your quilt blocks are exquisite!
Michelle
Alison April 20, 2022 at 09:00
Such beautiful art Soma! I love the dragon, and those inky splodges. They are gorgeous colours indeed.
Your quilt blocks are really stunning, I can’t wait to see the finished quilt.
Alison
Heidrun April 20, 2022 at 07:47
Indeed a beautiful quilt. I admire your needle work. Thank you for sharing.
Jill April 19, 2022 at 13:10
Your work is amazing! thank you for sharing.
Sherrie April 19, 2022 at 09:39
Hi,
I really like your Garden Path quilt…..it will be beautiful
when done. And your dragon drawing is awesome. I can’t
draw a straight line with a ruler…have a great day!
Yvonne April 19, 2022 at 09:07
I haven’t used a fountain pen forever. I loved them as a child. They have an elegance about them that makes even simple writing an art. There’s also an elegance in how you piece your quilt blocks together to create beautiful art. Your Golden Fairy Lantern photo is a treasure . I didn’t realize you get allergy attacks with pollen. Must be difficult, but you always seem to manage a bit of fairy tale inspiration in your blog. Take care.
Linda April 19, 2022 at 04:50
Hi Soma, so glad to “meet” you! You are so gifted, and I enjoyed looking through your creations. Your quilt blocks are beautiful, are they paper pieced? My mother used to love fountain pens, so I grew up with them and enjoyed using them when I was younger. Your ink drawings are wonderful.
Thank you for sharing your post with To Do Tuesday!
Angie April 18, 2022 at 14:28
P.S. And thank you for linking to Mosaic Monday!
Carol April 18, 2022 at 03:36
The quilt pattern is very pretty. #MMBC
Anne Sweet April 18, 2022 at 02:54
The quilt is amazing, I love the way you have incorporated the flowers with the crystal shapes. I also love your dragon. I couldn’t imagine drawing with a fountain pen, although I used to like writing with them at school.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare April 18, 2022 at 02:21
Everything is so beautiful! I can hardly believe you made that book. It’s perfect and the Dragon is wonderful. I was very interested to hear about your inks and your quilt blocks look lovely :)
Bill April 18, 2022 at 00:33
Wow beautiful work on the quilts and I do like the drawing of the dragon, you d such intricate work
Veronica Lee April 17, 2022 at 23:43
Fabulous work!
I love that dragon!
Happy Monday, Soma!
Julie April 17, 2022 at 16:05
Love the quilt blocks and the dragon.
Kim Carberry April 17, 2022 at 10:06
What great work. I love that dragon and the quilt is beautiful. x
Dixie April 17, 2022 at 09:21
Lovely quilt blocks. I love fountain pens too.
Beautiful artwork. The Fairy Lanterns are so delicate and beautiful.
Happy Easter, Soma.
Angie April 16, 2022 at 14:05
Soma – your quilt blocks are so creative with the appearance of both crystals and stained glass. Our son loves fountain pens as well; maybe I should give them another try! The Lantern flowers are precious – glad that you risked an outing despite your allergies! Happy Easter!
Lavender Dreams April 16, 2022 at 08:03
Your art always inspires me. I think it is amazing to be able to create art and tell stories! And I don’t think I knew that you quilted. What a beautiful design! Enjoy your weekend!
Erika N April 16, 2022 at 04:21
This is an amazing fairy tale piece. The red on the dragon really stands out with those cold winter colors. Reminds of of Iceland for some reason. And your quilts blocks are also amazing. That will be a gorgeous quilt once stitched together. Have a wonderful weekend and Easter if you celebrate. hugs-Erika
Eileen April 16, 2022 at 02:07
Hello Soma,
Your quilt blocks are beautiful, I love the garden flowers, they make a pretty pattern. The dragon watercolor is awesome, cute story!
The Golden Fairy Lantern flowers are lovely. Allergies are awful now, I hope you feel better soon. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Su-sieee! Mac April 15, 2022 at 22:54
Your inspire me, Soma, most definitely. I wondered how you got such rich colors with watercolors and now I know. Your quilt is stunning. It reminds me of fleur de lis and the queens. hats in Alice in Wonderland. Good cheer, Imaginative One!
Susan April 15, 2022 at 14:03
The red dragon drew me in right away. And, I like the short story.
I remember when you first made those flower blocks. They are so pretty and I liked what you named them.
I like those little yellow flowers. Pollen season is beginning here. I noticed last year when we were wearing masks, being outside was quite as bad, so I have been wearing them when I go for walks and will wear them when I can start working in the yard in addition to everywhere I go where there are other people.
Joanne April 15, 2022 at 13:57
Your quilt is beautiful! I LOVE that dragon painting you made… I haven’t worked with fountain pens and ink in years but I went through a huge phase in high school and college where I drew/painted/wrote with them so much. Now I kind of want to get a few and start experimenting again… I wonder what I did with my pens and tips.
Linda Calverley April 15, 2022 at 11:49
Beautiful quilt and quilt block. Love the dragon pic too.
Gillena Cox April 15, 2022 at 10:57
I remember using foubtain pebs on high school. Now a days students use ball points.
Your quilt patterns are inticate. BRAVO
Thanks for linking up at Art For Fun Friday
Happy Easter
Muchlove
Linda K April 15, 2022 at 10:12
beautiful quilt design Soma and I love how you named the flowers. Your dragon story page is so wonderful, and what a great way to begin your green journal!
So fun playing and experimenting with new supplies and tools. have a lovely weekend ahead. Hugs!
riitta k April 15, 2022 at 05:14
Such lovely post! Those little wild flowers are adorable and your quilt design is fabulous. I love also the boy & the red dragon. Thank you so much for this Lovely post, wishing you a sunny Easter!
Kathy April 14, 2022 at 19:02
oh bummer I couldn’t get my comment to post I will come back later probably this one well haha
Kathy April 14, 2022 at 19:00
Good evening, I so enjoyed reading and learning things in your post. Your quilt blocks are lovely. My Mom did allot of quilting and she loved paper piecing intricate blocks like yours. this will be so pretty.
Learned more about inks thank you anxious to try mine soon. Thank your for the watercolor tip for backgrounds.
Your pens are lovely. I am using a straight dip pen at the moment for my slow mail letters, have not looked into fountain pens yet, but I am enjoying my dip pen
Love your handmade journals and your dragon page-
Have a good evening
Connie Griffin April 14, 2022 at 18:08
Oh my Soma those quilt blocks you have created are amazing, I can never seem to do anything more than squares and rectangles when I am piecing together a quilt, these shapes of your flowers are so pretty and very well sewn together.
Great job on the two pages in your book, You have done a great job with the sky and rocks as well as your two characters. I like how the boy doesn’t have special powers, but just being nice and listening, wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all could do that :)
Christine April 14, 2022 at 17:02
I so enjoyed your lovely post with exquisite art and a nice dragon story. The quilt is lovely.
The Joyful Quilter April 14, 2022 at 16:20
Lovely work, Soma! Glad to see that you are enjoying that thoughtful gift you received.
Carol April 14, 2022 at 10:43
Your illustrations are perfect
Mary April 14, 2022 at 09:37
I LOVE the color that you painted the dragon! It’s fabulous. The inks sound wonderful. I’ll bet you really enjoyed using them in a different way. Yes, the names are so fun too! I love your quilt flowers. I think you need to finish that quilt and enjoy it on your bed. You could sleep under those wonderful memories of spying British flowers.
A ShutterBug Explores April 14, 2022 at 08:08
Oh I adore your art work of the Little Boy and the Dragon ~ and your quilt is very elegant ~ you are so creative ~ Xo
Wishing you love and laughter in all your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Karen April 14, 2022 at 05:32
you are so creative. I think we always envy someone else’s abilities and I envy your sketching ability – I always wished to paint and sketch and I have no talent for that!
Michele Morin April 14, 2022 at 02:03
There’s always something intensely creative and interesting going on here!