The first time I ever saw the canyon's out west, was a family trip with my husband Bob and two daughter's Rebecca and Taryn, many years ago. I was struck by the vastness of the quiet beauty in those rocks, and the amazing color palate that was everywhere. Just walking around in the early morning light you could see the faces of the native people in the shadows of the rocks and caverns. There was a sense of permanence and history like I had never felt before in the outdoors. After seeing the cliff dwellings, and their paintings of life on the canyon walls, our family decided to gather rocks of different colors and research how to make paint from them. It became a science project and a lesson for the girls in using the resources around you. I decided to depict a Native Chief as though he was part of that canyon wall, with his feathers being the striations in the layers of rock, and his facial features being the shadows of what once was. The stick weaving on his headdress depicts the resourcefulness and the sensibility of using and finding beauty in what is around you. It was a wonderful challenge, and it took me a while to get to this place. I am so looking forward to the reveal today, I am sure it will be amazing and filled with lots of creativity!!!!!
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| Quilt Front |
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| Quilt Back |
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| Chief Seattle |
Oh,Lois! What a wonderful story and a wonderful quilt! Perfect for this challenge. How fascinating that you turned the rocks from that memorable family vacation into a science lesson in making paint. (I want to know more about that.) Your quilt is truly a work of art. You are a fantastic addition to our group, and I am so glad that you have agreed to join us!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job! You created a piece that really shows the power and peace of the area you visited.
ReplyDeleteWow!! I am so impressed by your spectacular work as well as your story and interpretation! Just incredible!
ReplyDeleteHow thoughtful and impressive. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour back story brings even more meaning to a wonderfully constructed image. Fabrics, colors, composition, lines, embellishments and especially the 'feather stitch' are perfect! Love this quilt.
ReplyDeleteHi Lois - What an amazing piece ! That you thought to make the Chief as if he were a part of the canyon wall was awesome. I loved your story and how you were able to use some of your family's personal history to bring this quilt to life. Thanks for taking my challenge word into an entirely different direction !
ReplyDeleteI love the back story & inspiration for your quilt. How wonderful that you were able to give a voice to this special family memory so dynamically.
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