Sumptuous Surfaces

... is the title of another online class I'm currently taking - this one with Sharon Boggan. I've been familiar with Sharon's work for a long time, particularly her online stitch dictionary - an essential resource for anyone doing Crazy Quilting/embroidery. In Pamela Allen's class we're supposed to work quickly, intuitively. Conversely, for the first week, Sharon is leading us through the design process, thinking about concept development and making sketches, thinking about form.

One of the ideas I've been kicking around is that of "portals" - you can see my first sketch above. I haven't done any shading or noting various stitches/densities to be used yet but I can "see" it in my head. Now I just need to translate all that to the sketch itself.

That sketch is very loosely based on a photograph - my own attempts at design were underwhelming to say the least. I thought it better that I move on than never get past lesson 1.

Any and all suggestions welcome!