Perfect Landing

The fleeting moment caught in this work of art is of a female mallard duck settling onto the surface of a pond and is based on a snapshot taken by my daughter and used with her permission. I was inspired by the exquisite balance at the moment of landing, and the churned up water which looks like molten glass. The photograph informed me of the correct position of the duck’s body, wings and feet during the landing process. The duck is composed of fabrics that suggest feathers, but which are in fact flowers, leaves and others prints - including a fish! Thread painting with free motion machine stitches adds details and highlights. In the photograph the pond surface reflects a clear blue sky, disguising the murkiness of the water. I chose instead to render the pond using the wide variety of texture and colour that I like to work with. The background is quilted under several layers of fabric and tulle. My pond reflects the motion and activity of the duck, the suggestion that once this moment has passed, there may be other ducks, lots of quacking, and many more takeoffs and landings.