Hello Basketman,
I would say that going with batiks is a good start. My scenic quilts are nothing spectacular, but I have a lot of fun with them. I've done everything from one of my cats surrounded by tulips, to one that I call "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" after the song from the sixties. If you are going for a certain shape, try cutting out that shape in clear plastic and moving it around on top of the fabric.