March 2017 – Narrative Textile Illustrations

Walking in Central Park, NYC, in the fall of 2016, made me realize what a great respite this place can be for the families and folks that live in this busy place, as well as for the tourists flocking here to experience “the big city”. Only looking up at the sky makes one realize that there is a metropolitan city just over a few blocks on the other side of the trees. This piece reflects my more common folksy style, but I did incorporate mono printing in creating the windows and fabric painting on the buildings and trees. All of the fabrics are my own hand dyed pieces. I also used texture magic to give dimension to the trees. If you enjoy the view or if it brings a memory forward, please share below in the comments.

ritter-qualitytimeorig — **QUALITY TIME ~ 2017** *Mary A Ritter* 35″ wide by 38″ high A boy can never get enough time with his dad. After a busy time in the big city, the two companions sit beside the lake in NYC Central Park, watch the model sailboats, and just enjoy some time together. The noise of the traffic, beeping horns, calling voices, and the shadows from the tall buildings are kept at a distance. This is quality time – father and son.

ritter-qualitytime-detail — Quality Time ~ 2017 Detail of buildings and trees

The winter of 2017 is proving to be a productive time. I recently completed two art pieces for the “Places in Time” series which follows my life and travels. This piece reflects time that we spent in a condo in Valencia, Spain in 2015. The description below the picture tells a bit about how it was accomplished. I placed the original photograph at the bottom for reference. I hope you enjoy seeing the finished product as well as the process, and if you do or if it illicits a memory, please share in the comments below.

ritter-teatime1500300 — **TEA TIME on Callé de Cadiz Valencia, Spain 2017** *Mary A Ritter* 25”w x 33”h A Valencian scrambles back to her third floor condo ready to relax after a long day. In an hour or so, she will return to work until late evening. The tea is poured and she relaxes on the balcony overlooking Callé de Cadiz, watching the families beginning to gather for their siesta meal or caña (small beer) at the sidewalk cafés below. The traffic is quieted during this time of day, and the warmth of the sun and the tea are a respite from her busy world.

ritter-teatimedetail — Detail of TEA TIME: The photograph of Callé de Cadiz (Cadiz Street) was taken while I vacationed in Valencia, Spain for two months in Spring 2015. It was altered in several digital apps and then printed on cotton lawn by Spoonflower. Pieced hand-dyed fabrics enhance the design along the edges, with fabric paint, machine embroidery, silk hand embroidered flowers and machine quilting. All work done by the artist.

apr-2015-callecadizsouth