Ketubah Tree

This project is one that has been in the making for quite a while now. I completed the sketch and background painting for it over three years ago! A lot has come up between then and now, but I've also definitely been procrastinating about actually starting to quill it. I've been so nervous that I'd mess it up. 

This project means so much to me because I used the image, the two trees, and the sun and moon, in the Ketubah and chuppah for my 2007 wedding.  I designed the Ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) for my wedding. Though it is hard to see in this image, it features a drawing of two intertwined trees behind the writing on the left side of the book. 

I sketched out a similar design, which my mom then embroidered for my chuppah (wedding canopy). The intertwined trees are a traditional symbol representing the joining of two people in marriage.

I've always loved this image and thought that it would make a beautiful quilled mosaic. 

In the spring of 2018, I made a sketch based on my Ketubah design. Then I painted the background... twice.

I sketched it out as a 5"x7" design and then thought I might like it bigger, so I redid it as an 8"x10". I ultimately decided to go with my first, with some slight adjustments. I wanted to use paper that I already had and I knew that I'd run out of blue if I tried to do the larger one.

I moved the moon from where I had it originally positioned. I started with that and the sun.

I was really pleased with the way the sunset came out as I added each new layer. I was able to match the colors pretty well.

I decided to do strips of paper on edge for the tree trunk.

I liked the way it looked so much, I continued with on edge paper strips, rather than coils for the leaves of the tree. I think that it helped it to stand out in the mosaic.

Though I didn't include flowers in the painting, I decided to add a few to be more consistent with the designs from my wedding.

I may get a more impressive frame for it down the road, but I was eager to hang it up, so it is currently in a simple white frame that I had on hand.