Brigham Young Museum of Art-SAQA Exhibit, “Evolving Perceptions”

I have been asked to speak at the opening reception for “Evolving Perceptions” on Thursday, July 23, 2020.  This is going to be a virtual opening with several people speaking on a panel discussing what sparked the artist’s interest in becoming an art quilter, how they approach creating a new piece, how they decide what materials and techniques to employ, and what it means to represent SAQA (Studio Arts Quilters Association) internationally and regionally.

The quilt below “Lichen with Branches” is part of a series on lichen.  This is a painted quilt, which was painted after quilting.  This makes the stitches very defined and creates a lot of texture.  The materials used include: felted wool, yarn, cheesecloth, lace, black lava, and heat distressed Tyvek  I added some painted branches to give the quilt more contrast and to push this beyond the perception of a quilt as being soft and cozy!  I have applied hand stitching and machine quilting., which was done before the painting.

lichen w branches full

The ability to connect with artists around the world, to enter my work in exhibits, an opportunity to learn from webinars and to use SAQA’s resources are the best benefits of being a member.

Social Justice Art Quilt

Hand painted dryer sheets, inkjet printed images, fusing with hand stitching and machine quilting.  Images are from the U.S. National Archives African American Portrait Project.

Face It
This quilt was inspired by a quote from James Baldwin: “Not everything that can be faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced”.

Work in Progress – Dancing

I have finished creating a PhotoShop Elements image in preparation for a quilt I want to make.  It was originally inspired by “Drops of Jupiter” by Train.  I had in mind a dancer “dance along the light of day”.  After playing with it in PSE, this is what I ended up with.

Dancer-hair-n-blue-1

It was cropped ruthlessly and then I kept playing with the clone stamp and the self-healing brush to get all the hair going. Not too sure about that skin tone…. I want to make a quilt like this and maybe add a dancer in somehow.