Theme: Quotations
Dee Stewart Merrell
"Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife, are in fact plans to protect man.”
― Stewart L. Udall
Title: “A Tree for Udall”
I have kept many books of handwritten quotations over the years; I don't know where they are now, but I am sure that if I could reread them they would still have deep meaning. As I have lived in different places and been the keeper of children, of promises and of secrets, I have changed and the themes of my quotes have changed. Now one of my favorite quotations, written by me but not the one I chose for this challenge, is; “Grow where you are transplanted”. I have a closeness with nature, farmland and agriculture which was the canvas of my youth. Presently I live in the city, or rather, suburbs, which I love, but those initial roots have also been my support. When choosing my quote I knew that I wanted to offer homage to trees.
I have concerns about the present path that our government has chosen in regards to our environment, and I look back to the progressive leaders that initiated the environmental movement; I chose to highlight Stewart Lee Udall. Stewart Lee Udall was an American politician and later, a federal government official. After serving three terms as a congressman from Arizona, he served as Secretary of the Interior from 1961 to 1969, under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Udall played a key role in the enactment of environmental laws such as the Clear Air, Water Quality and Clean Water Restoration Acts and Amendments, the Wilderness Act of 1964, the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965, the National Trail System Act of 1968, and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. He also helped to spark a cultural renaissance by setting in motion initiatives that led to the Kennedy Center and others.
My art work was done with two contrasting hand-dyed fabrics, manipulated to offer the best placement of color. The trees are fused and stitched with simple background quilting. The background fabric is by Gloria Loughman, and the tree fabric by Ricky Tims. The quilted piece is mounted on an 11” x 14” canvas frame.
Dee. your views and mine are so in sync! And Udall has long been one of my heroes. Your quilt is striking and dramatic, and it is perfect for the quotation. And I do love your own quotation, incidentally!
ReplyDeleteOh Dee... Your quilt is exquisite ! Color, composition, rhythm... truly breathtaking (no pun intended, but so true !) I'm also hugely concerned about the environment, and am in the process of a project here, "Keep Gatesville Beautiful," part of the "Keep Texas Beautiful" program, and will start Master Gardeners classes in January. Gardens, trees, flora and fauna... art and music, all help to keep our world beautiful and clean ! Great Job ! ! ! !
ReplyDeleteOh Dee... Your quilt is exquisite ! Color, composition, rhythm... truly breathtaking (no pun intended, but so true !) I'm also hugely concerned about the environment, and am in the process of a project here, "Keep Gatesville Beautiful," part of the "Keep Texas Beautiful" program, and will start Master Gardeners classes in January. Gardens, trees, flora and fauna... art and music, all help to keep our world beautiful and clean ! Great Job ! ! ! !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colors and effect in this piece. Love the quilting of the trees and the dimension you created!!
ReplyDeleteDee, I ABSOLUTELY love your quote and the conservation of our earth. I, too, am so concerned about the reversal of many environmental regulations. I consider all of us the caretakers of this earth we have been given. A beautiful quilt that says so much!!! You get an A+ from me!
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt. Trees are so important to me. As is conserving our resources. I love the composition and the quilting!
ReplyDeleteLove the shadow and tree stitching!
ReplyDeleteI really like the fabric you used for the trees. Simplicity at it's best!
ReplyDeleteDee this is a beautiful piece and an important sentiment that I wish people remembered more often.
ReplyDeleteI too, agree with your quote. Environmental Science was one of the classes that I taught to high school students and in which attempted to teach them the importance of the interconnectedness of all things on Mother Earth. It is sad so many in high places to not get the big picture. Your quilt perfectly illustrates your quote!
ReplyDelete