My Autumn Song quilt and an accompanying Haiku poem I wrote for the occasion have been accepted into ShenArts ‘Song for Autumn’ Member’s art exhibition.
Accepted pieces will hang in the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley found at 901 Amherst Street in Winchester, VA from September 10th through November 10th, 2024.
This exhibition was inspired by Mary Oliver’s poetry. Through visual art and poetry, this exhibition seeks to capture the essence of the season.
Save the date:
On Sunday, September 22nd, you can both see the artwork and meet the artists at a reception from 2 – 4pm. I’d love to welcome you there.
“C”entennial Sea, was selected by Hoffman Fabrics to travel throughout 2024 as part of the 20 piece collection honoring their 100th Anniversary. It will make its debut at The Road to California Show in Ontario, CA, scheduled for January 17-20, 2024.
More travel details to follow.
This was the first time I have ever entered a Hoffman Challenge.
I call this quilt “C”entennial Sea. A mixed technique entry, it was improvisational string pieced, Caran d’Ache painted, hand appliqued, embellished with couched wool yarns and 1/8th” silk ribbons, and free-motion embroidered and quilted.
Inspired by their company’s story, I incorporated all 15 of this year’s challenge fabrics into my design with a “C” (Roman Numeral for 100) of sun peeking through clouds as it both sets on their first 100 years and rises on the next. I completed the appliqued lighthouse (painted on white muslin) that overlooks the sea with a free-motion embroidered lantern room and light. To further create movement in the choppy sea, I couched coordinating shades of wool yarn around which I wove and sewed tiny silk ribbons. In the reverse appliqued black border I echo quilted undulating waves, radiating out to the binding, with the hope Hoffman will continue to ride them to even greater success in this next 100 years.
The story behind Reborn… it is a 20″ square art quilt designed for Cherrywood Hand-dyed Fabric’s ‘Monarch Challenge’ 2023.
As one who is a new creation in Christ, I love the example of the caterpillar and the butterfly! Their complete transformation illustrates the concept that it is possible to die to one’s old self and live again as a completely new and beautiful creation.
In Reborn, I adapted slightly Richard Bach’s quote about the caterpillar and butterfly, and surrounded my monarch caterpillar and butterfly with lots of the milkweed leaves and flowers that are necessary to sustain them.
Hope is found in:
Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.”
and
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Techniques used: raw edge fused, hand & machine appliqued, machine and both wool & Aurifil (50wt) hand embroidered, Pigma inked, Derwent Inktense painted, thread painted, and longarm free motion/hand guided quilting.
We thoroughly enjoyed sharing our studio passions with visitors! While the “Top of Virginia Trail” has closed, those interested in a tour can email me to set up an appointment. (Sue@Studio2724.com )