Outstanding Art Quilts: The International Quilt Festival

Art quilting involves the use of both modern and traditional quilting techniques to create art objects, which are often displayed on the wall like paintings. These pieces are typically based on the maker's experiences, imagery, and ideas, rather than traditional quilt patterns.  Here are some outstanding art quilts from leading practitioners of the art.

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Heights by Maya Chaimovich (Israel)

Israeli quilt artist Maya Chaimovich, who has exhibited in Quilt National, was first a woodworker and jeweler before she discovered fiber art and her passion for contemporary quilt art. This gorgeous collage-style piece features many different bright colors and contrasts. Her free-motion machine quilting recalls the contouring of topographic maps.

Deluge by Libby Lehman

Libby Lehman’s quilts are outstanding examples of contemporary artistry and original. Over the decades, she was recognized internationally for her intricate quilts and trend-setting techniques. Deluge is a three-piece whole cloth top. Machine appliqued shapes were added, which meander across the surface, creating movement and transparency.  Deluge is further embellished with yarn and thread.

Aquarium #1 - Fish Tails by Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry

Hand dyed and painted, with all the curves machine pieced, Aquarium #1 is one of Caryl Bryer Fallert’s enlarged semi-abstract studies of natural forms. She intertwines organic shapes, changing tonal values in the colors to bring bright elements forward and pull darker motifs into the background. This artist’s expertise in both design and stitching have won her numerous Best of Show awards and other honors. 

 Lichenometry by Betty Busby

In science, “lichenometry” is a technique that uses lichen growth to determine the age of exposed rock. The beauty of these living organisms is depicted in this stunning piece of the same name by Betty Busby. She is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, where she majored in ceramics. She then founded a ceramic tile manufacturing studio and ran it for 18 years before moving to New Mexico. She has been working full-time making fiber art and teaching since 2003.

 Matchstick Moons #3 by Melody Johnson

A member of the Chicago School of Fusing self-named group of artists, Melody Johnson is best known for her powerful use of color in abstract design. Matchstick Moons #3 perfectly balances line and shape within a dynamic multi-colored surface.

Image credit:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2022 International Quilt Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lichenometry is from the Frank Klein Collection.  All other quilts shown here are from the International Quilt Festival Collection.

Modern Quilt Month 2016 - Part 3

Welcome to Modern Quilt Month 2016! We've enjoyed seeing the modern quilts at various shows, and summer is the perfect time to feature them. Here are modern quilts made with simple shapes, Kaffe Fassett and ombre fabrics, circles, stars, and Dresden fans.

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Meandering Thru Greece with Father Bob, 96 x 96", by Anne F. Zick

Anne Zick says, "This quilt was inspired during a class taught by Sally Frey [at a Quilter's Affair workshop] in Sisters, Oregon.  Anne, her husband, and Father Bob had just returned from a trip to Greece."  We enjoyed Anne's lovely hand quilting in the center of the strips.

Grisaille - Working in Shades of Gray by Margit Kagerer

The quilting makes this contemporary quilt shine.  Margit Kagerer says, "The commercial ombre gray fabric was a challenge for me since I usually work with colored prints. I free-motion quilted 26 pairs of curved and straight lines."  This quilt received Honorable Mention at the 2015 Arizona Quilters Guild show.

Circle Fun 2, 24 x 24", by Jackie Seidell

This quilt was featured at the 2016 Guild of Quilters of Contra Costa County quilt show. Jackie Seidell says, "I learned this technique at a Thread Play class with Libby Lehman. I used the circular attachment for my machine, some machine embroidery stitches, and lots of free motion quilting."  We admired Jackie's beautiful design and feather wreath quilting.

Odin II by Sylvia Borschel Lewis (Utah)

Sylvia Borschel Lewis says, "This quilt evolved from the leftover parts of another quilt. I had the pieces tacked up on the design wall. Once I started to sew, it just flew together. When the top was pieced, I realized I had another boat! I titled this Odin II in honor of my father. He has loved sailing all his life and always named his boats Odin."

Star Burst, 96 x 96",  by Angela Mason (North Carolina), quilted by Pam Bowman

We love Angela's choice of gradated colors in these stars. Star Burst was inspired by the Binding Tool Star quilt pattern (at Missouri Star Quilt Company) and the quilt just kept getting bigger!   The beautiful quilting is by Pam Bowman.

Peacock, 98 x 98", by Joan Chao (Illinois), quilted by Anne Christopher

Peacock greens and blues were beautifully blended in this quilt.  Joan Chao says, "This quilt represents peacock feathers.  The Kaffe Fassett floral prints blend together for a homogeneous soothing effect."  The creative quilting was done by Anne Christopher.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2016 AQS QuiltWeek (Peacock, Star Burst, Meandering); the 2015 Arizona Quilters Guild show (Grisaille); the 2015 Springville (Utah) quilt show (Odin II); and the Guild of Quilters of Contra Costa County (Circles 2).

Highlights from the 2014 Tucson, Arizona Quilt Fiesta (continued)

We headed south through the sunny Arizona desert last weekend to the  2014 Tucson, Arizona "Quilt Fiesta" .  Here are some more of our favorites.  We hope you have fun viewing these selections!

Together We Dance by Patsy Heacox

1st place winner in the  Pictorial Art category, Patsy writes, "Five times World Champion Hoop Dancer, Tony Duncan, inspired me to include his family in a new way. [My techniques include] inked portraits, raw edge appliqued, thread-painted, embellished. Background quilting of childrens’ images, sacred symbols. 

Close up, Together We Dance by Patsy Heacox

We were very impressed by this artistic quilt and the creative background quilting, which includes the Native American flute player, which you can see in the upper left. You can also see part of the quotes, which Peggy says are inked and then free motion outlined.

Extravagant Nature by Laura Steiniger

Extravagant Nature was adapted from Kim McLean’s Roseville Album pattern. "My love of nature inspired me to adapt a Kim McLean pattern. I added rabbits to personalize the design and had fun creating the birds and animals out of Kaffe Fassett and other fabrics. I’ve never had this much fun playing with fabric."

Close up, Extravagant Nature by Laura Steiniger

In this close-up, you can see the fabulous colors that Laura chose to depict the animals, including the very cute rabbit on the lower right-hand side.

Close-up, Extravagant Nature by Laura Steiniger

Laura has done wonderful work in creating a tree-of-life motif, where these lively, happy creatures exist in a vibrant fantasy world of different hues.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? by Janet Pugh and Barbara Barr, quilted by
Barbara Barr (non-judged)

This highly imaginative quilt is a view of a dinner table, as seen looking down from above on the table. Janet writes, "Barbara and I envisioned hosting a dinner party with 8 of America’s best-known contemporary quilt artists as guests. We designed 8 dinner plates in their respective styles. Ours are the two end plates on the tables. Can you guess who’s coming to dinner?" (The answer is in the footnote* at the end of the post).

Close-up, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? by Janet Pugh and Barbara Barr

Each plate is a mini-quilt that is finished and then appliqued to the surface of the quilt.  This Mariner’s Compass design is from Judy Mathieson.

Close-up, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner by Janet Pugh and Barbara Barr

The plate shown above was designed in the style of Caryl Bryer Fallert.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner by Janet Pugh and Barbara Barr

The plate shown above was designed in the style of Yvonne Porcella.

Silver Winter by Jacquelyn Morris-Smith

This quilt was based on the Golden Tapestry Special Edition pattern by Anita Goodesign, which was originally done in gold thread on a blue background. Jacquelyn says: "When I saw this design I immediately wanted to do it in black and silver. This reminds me of a beautiful winter scene, with over 2 million machine embroidery stitches."

Close up, Silver Winter by Jacquelyn Morris-Smith

In our opinion, this pastoral garden scene brings to mind a tapestry pattern from centuries past. We really enjoyed this superb example of machine embroidery.

Circus Stars by Sally Dickinson, quilted by Mary Vaneecke

First place winner in the medium size quilt made by two persons,  Sally Dickinson notes, "Circus Stars started as a collection of clown embroidery patterns from older Aunt Martha’s Hot Iron Transfers. Instead of working these in Red Work, I chose ‘Rust Work’ to give the quilt an antique feeling." The light colored stars with various sized-points placed in between the blocks really add sparkle to this quilt. Pattern source: Embroidery from old Aunt Martha's Patterns.

Close up, Circus Stars by Sally Dickinson, quilted by Mary Vaneecke

Sally's expert workmanship is shown here in her precise rendering of the tiny blocks and the little clown spinning the balls and the hoops.

Square Peg in a Round Hole by Barb Smart, quilted by Barbara Angerhofer

Barb Smart used a Burgoyne Surrounded pattern by Mary Fons, which was published in the Winter 2012 edition of Quilty Magazine (as of this writing, there is a digital pattern).  We've always loved this pattern, which originated in the 19th century (see the history below). Barb Smart has created a wonderful graphic version with a single blue block which adds a contemporary focal point to this quilt.

close up, Square Peg in a Round Hole by Barb Smart, quilted by Barbara Angerhofer

Barb Smart says: "This quilt is machine pieced and made with 100% cotton. My inspiration was to practice squaring up 9-patch blocks. I like the simplicity of the pattern, yet it shows drama!"  Barbara Angerhofer's quilting, which was done in concentric and overlapping circles, adds interest and a sense of movement to the quilt.

"Burgoyne Surrounded" is an abstract depiction of the battle of Saratoga, a turning point in the American Revolution. The chains of small squares represent regiments of Redcoats and British armies of Burgoyne, marching from Canada, and General Howe, marching from New York. The circle represents militiamen from New England, surrounding Burgoyne at Saratoga. This pattern and a related one, "Burgoyne's Surrender," have been popular since the 19th century.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.
*Answer to "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner": Top row, L-R: Michael James, Jane Sassaman, Ruth McDowell, Ricky Tims; Bottom row, L-R: Judy Mathieson, Yvonne Porcella, Libby Lehman, Carol Bryer Fallert.