Sonoma Sorrows 

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“Sonoma Sorrows”

Autumn 2017 was a time of horrific wildfires in the northern parts of California. I made this art quilt during the 2017-2018 winter, but it could also be used to portray wildfires since that time that have occurred in the same area.

The quilt is raw-edge appliqué (this seems to be my “go-to” technique, satin stitching, and free-motion stitching. And of course, grapevines and the produce needed to be seen on the quilt as well, as well as burned structures.

Estes Park Flooding

“Estes Park Flooding” 

In September 2013, flooding occurred in Estes Park, Colorado. Living in that beautiful town at that time, I awakened at 2:00AM - something didn’t feel just right. I went to the front window that overlooked the main road in town down the hill from our home. I didn’t’ see a road, I saw a muddy river. Much devastation occurred to the businesses along that road and also in neighboring towns. 

This quilt starts with beautiful skies, crystal clear days, and, working down to the bottom of the quilt, the devastation that occurred. I started with satins at the top, ended with burlap at the bottom. Although I no longer live there, the town is still exceptionally beautiful, even after the devastating flood.

Coronavine

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“Coronavine”

2020 introduced us to a world-wide pandemic, Covid-19. When this began making news and changing our lives at an alarming rate, for me it was almost planting season. Thinking of spring gardening, maybe a few flowers, maybe some vines on my trellises, I realized the art quilt version of this disaster was calling for me to combine the pandemic and my gardening dreams. Thus, I came up with my “Coronavine”. If you look closely at the white trellis in the background, it may morph into white cemetery crosses.

The “virus” flowers are painted with acrylic paints. Most of the quilt is raw-edge appliqué. The “seed packets” in the center contain all of the information that a normal seed packet may contain. This quilt has recently been published in a book, “Quarantine Quilts” Creativity in the Midst of Chaos”, edited by Sandra Sider. 

Houston

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“Houston” 

Flooding occurred in Houston in 2017 (and many times since then). This was a result of Hurricane Harvey. Thousands of people had to flee their homes. The death toll was between 68 and 103 depending on how the deaths were tracked. 

For this quilt I compiled words from many of the newspapers from around the country that were reporting on this tragedy. I used this words on shredded strips on the lower half of the quilt. I also have miniature water bottles (reportedly, water was in very short supply), wooden crosses to denote those who were killed, miniature cars, twigs, etc., all adding up to give the viewer an idea of the devastation. The top part of the quilt is a combination of various buildings that make up the Houston skyline.

 Convergence: Past and Present

“Convergence: Past and Present”

A little bit of whimsy about the pandemic. I frequently switch from tragedies to whimsical quilts while I’m working in my studio. It provides a good balance for me that I need when working on the more serious “tragedy” quilts. 

This quilt is reminiscent of my childhood summers spent traveling to Colorado. I would frequently see the consecutive advertising signs along the road. I always loved seeing them - it meant I was on vacation! I decided to combine this favorite memory with what might be seen on those signs today. “Wash your hands, stay six feet away, shelter in place, til another day. Covid-19”