What started as a way to preserve a quilt my grandmother stitched by hand, has become a staple of my art practice.
“My painted interpretation of a large quilt my grandma made and stitched by hand decades ago using upcycled shirts. It’s gotten a lot of use and is showing the wear and tear that a well loved quilt will show on a long enough timeline. Still, I can’t bring myself to put it away for long. While a piece of me thinks I should keep it safe and preserved, my grandma is a practical woman that likes knowing something she made is getting good use. A sentiment I can appreciate. And so, maybe I can extend its life through watercolor.”
I’m regularly tempted to pick up quilting but some key elements don’t align (like storage and the ability to cut and sew in a straight line.)
My solution: Watercolor Quilts. Small and satisfying to make. The more wobbly and whimsy the better. Don’t take a year (or 3) to complete.
