After spending a week immersing myself in the colors of the red rock canyons in Southwest Colorado, under our brilliant blue skies, I am back in the studio absolutely inspired by my week with 80 fellow textile artists. As you hopefully read last Thursday, I spent a week at the Alegre Retreat which has been organized by Katie Pasquini Masopust for the last 29 years. It has been held at the Gateway Canyon Resort for the last 15 years…a stunning setting full of intense color during the day, and starry skies at night.
There are art quilts hanging all through the resort, including these 2 quilts by Katie, who was also inspired by the red rock colors. Her Triptych (top horizontal quilt image) is so wide, I had to trim a little off the side to fit it into this collage. This large piece hangs in the event center. The vertical quilt image hangs in the lobby in the reception area. The owners are quilt collectors, and fans of Katie’s. You will recognize the iconic red rock in the top quilt, from last week’s blog post.
I’ve added a few of our current favorite Southwest fabrics as a backdrop in this collage image. If you have spent time in the Southwest, you understand the power of the red earth, the sage green grasses, under the big blue sky. The fact that we had some snowy peaks in the distance last week was just the cherry on top. If you’ve spent time in the Four Corners states (Utah, Arizona, New Mexico & Colorado) you know the magic of Southwest colors. Did you know that “Colorado” means “Color Red”?
The last hour of my inbound drive one week ago, was south of Grand Junction into this long scenic canyon. At one point I saw a sign point off to the left, to the Uncompahgre Wilderness area. That is where my endangered butterfly – the Uncompahgre Fritillary – is fighting extinction! I can only hope that this quilt will carry the message of endangered pollinators and threatened species, to those making decisions about climate change and habitat destruction. (This quilt will be in the SAQA Camouflage exhibit in Houston later this year.)
This week I am previewing collections from our suppliers, that will ship later this year. Today I placed orders for lots of gorgeous fabrics that I know you are going to love this Fall!
Sharing your love of fabric…
Luana and Paul
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Travel/Quilt Dates:
May 1-7 – London & Canterbury, UK
June 19-21 – Quilt Canada, Edmonton
August – World Wilderness Congress, Rapid City SD
December – Textile & Costume Tour – Italy
