eQuilter Blog

Last week I was at Quilt National in Athens Ohio, and I am still processing this tight focused art quilt exhibit that some artists consider the Oscars of quilt exhibitions. With only 84 quilts in a very special venue, it is certainly a thrill for any artist whose work is accepted.

This week’s Creative Nudge collage features “Rocky Trail” by Randy Frost, who won this year’s Hilary Morrow Fletcher “Persistence Pays” Award.

Her artist statement says: “Rocky Trail is part of my Journeys series. A journey can be real or imaginary, the distance, any length. Choose any destination…”

Her abstract work of art is a visual metaphor for our creative process, which takes us on a journey with an unknown destination…but the process is the most important part.

Abstract quilts and abstract fabrics are a huge trend now. They are full of painterly textures, dramatic gestures, and rich visual stimulation. As with all art and design trends, they parallel trends in pop culture, mass consciousness, and social metaphors. How do you feel when you gaze at an abstract piece? Does it take you to a Zen meditative place, or do you find yourself looking for a face, a symbol, a recognizable shape?

I love standing in front of abstract pieces in museums and galleries and listening to the comments of viewers as they pass through. When we can just ‘be’ with these pieces, without identifying someone or something, it enables us to go to a deeper level of consciousness.

Making abstract art can take us even deeper. You may still see a face or symbol in the final piece of work, but the abstract process is an exercise in pure consciousness and playful exploration.

I am writing to you from the Dairy Barn in Athens Ohio, where today I am lecturing on International Quilt Trends. I have to write this before I go see the Quilt National exhibit, so my comments on the show will have to wait a little bit!

One of the trends I am tracking is the illusion of depth and light through the use of Ombre piecing or Ombre fabrics. When this technique is used with other creative devices such as complementary colors, in this case set off on a neutral (Taupe) background, it really makes the design pop!

This stunning Double Wedding Ring by quiltmaker Joke Spaans-Stolp (Netherlands) uses not only light, midtone and dark shades of each color…but also uses shot cottons in the rings, to add further depth and dimension to what would be an otherwise traditional quilt. This collage above features a detail from the quilt (seen at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham UK), framed by Ombre fabrics showing the similar effect of light and dimension.

Modern and traditional quilters are exploring the creative boundaries of beloved favorite patterns like the Wedding Ring. Judy Niemeyer’s Wedding Ring patterns have been favorites at eQuilter for years, as have Darlene Zimmerman’s plastic templates for Wedding Ring blocks. Two years ago Victoria Findlay-Wolfe’s Wedding Ring interpretation took best of show at the first QuiltCon in Austin Texas.

For this year’s QuiltCon photos, Sacred Threads, and other quilt exhibit photo galleries, check out my photo pages. Enjoy!

Thanks for supporting our family-owned business, with over $1 million donated to charity. While in Ohio I am meeting with Kathy Price, the director of Mission of Love, so we can plan our next partnership to help those in need….with your support.