Quilting As Art

I took a rather lengthy trip that started in January and ended in March.  I did not take my laptop, so I did not update my blog while I was on the road.  I flew to Destin, FL, then stayed with my daughter in FWB for about three weeks, before we hit the road and traveled across the south.  While waiting for the road trip to begin, I created a Kawandi style art quilt.  For the backing I used a pink tablecloth, I got for $2 at a local thrift shop.  The rest is made with scraps I found in my daughters sewing area.

One of our destinations was Laurel, MS.  The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is a top-notch art museum.  It is rather larger than we expected, so we were able to enjoy it for a good length of time.  They had a number of excellent exhibits.  We actually went there to see the Art Evolved: Intertwined exhibit.  Part of that exhibit consist of art quilts on tour by SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates), of which I am a member.  It is always a treat to see the amazing works of other quilt artists. 

Laurel Izard, Condor.

Do click on the photos, they will enlarge.  I made sure the information tags were captured in my photos of each individual piece.

Clara Nartey, It's A Balancing Act.

Our room, at the bed and breakfast we stayed at, had a family heirloom quilt on the wall.  It was made by a family member and handed down to our host.  It is very much a work of art. (below)

Seeing the Laren Rogers Museum of Art was really the only quilt related planned-stop on our trip.  It just so happens, we were laid over in Deming, NM, unexpectedly.  While visiting their amazing historical museum, we found out that the Deming Art Council, was exhibiting art quilts into April.  We took advantage of the time we had and went to the exhibit.  They were quilts by local area artists and they were truly wonderful.  

This piece, by N. Costa, draws you in.  I am trying to not put a ton of photos in my post, but it seems inevitable.

This is the close-up, and you can see just how much work she put into this.  I love it!

This piece is by Desert Art Turtle (whose name, I think, is Jody).  It has three-dimensional aspects to it, including the salamander clinging to the lower part of the cactus.

This piece is by Paula Fluder.  She used her own hand-dyed fabrics to make this astonishing artwork.

Paula Fluder, hand-quilted.

Val Irish, Graffiti in Purple.

Val Irish, Graffiti in Orange.

Val Irish, Graffiti in Pink.  I like her series, especially the words in gold lettering and the little details.

N. Costa, Storm Clouds.

More from Desert Art Turtle.

By Cathleen Norma, log cabins. 

 

I got to talk with N. Costa at length about art quilts and particularly the artists represented in this exhibit.  I had a delightful experience, and I recommend you stop by the Deming Arts Council if ever you are in the area.  I think whatever the art they are featuring, it will be worthwhile.   Tip: Use the parking behind their building and walk around, to avoid having to back into heavy traffic on the main street.