WOW what what a family heirloom to pass down. absolutely beautiful.

What a beautiful tribute. You're a talented artist.

That is lovely. A real tribute to honor your mother.

I think that is so beautiful. I wish I had your talent.

That is the best portrait picture I have ever seen. What a wonderful way to hold your mother close.

She was a beautiful lady and your quilt is a wonderful honour :thumbup:

What a wonderful tribute to your mom ! Great Job :mrgreen:

That is oh so inspiring!!! Could you elaborate as to the classes, books, etc. over the past year that brought you to this point? I've been purchasing books about from pictures to paintings and that sort of thing for several months now. You rock!!!

Thank you! One of the guilds I belong to had Bisa Butler in for a workshop, and I learned the technique from her.
http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?in...796&int_modo=1

It's a "progressive" fused applique method using an enlarged B&W photograph as the template. You create areas from dark to light and cut the pattern from the photograph, trace around the fabric and then fuse it to the lower layer. The trick was to cut out the entire head first in the "base" color and add highlights and shadows on top.

The photograph I was working from was also a very intense photo - especially the eyes.

The other thing Bisa taught us was to break away from using actual colors that may be present in the photo (or on the person). She had us look at our photos and list 3 emotions that the photo invoked in us and then had us translate the emotion into color. The workshop photo was a famous picture of Marylin Monroe.

Lovely, well done, such a pretty tribute to your Mom.