Having just returned from the Road to California quilt festival in Ontario California, I’d like to share this amazing dimensional piece of fiber art by Lys Axelson, who won the Outstanding Artistry award.
I spoke to Lys on the phone yesterday, to congratulate her, and learn more about how she made her Sahara Lion. I was fascinated by the layered dimensional strands of the lion’s mane. You can see detail shots in the RD2CA photo album here.
Dimensions: 94″ W x 60″ L
Techniques & Materials: Couching of yarn and perle cotton throughout. Decorative stitching and free motion quilting. Hand beading, hand embroidery (eyes). Hand applique. Donated fabrics, some new African fabrics. Heavy stabilizer for some mane pieces. (Pellon Fuse-N-Shape.) Scrap batting.
Artist Statement:
The Sahara lion is a subspecies of the now extinct Barbary lion, known for its magnificent dark mane. It is unlike the robust lions of the Serengeti Plains and other sub-African habitats with their large prides, lounging in the shade, watching over herds of prey. The Sahara lion is lithe and handsome and adapted to the desert, where prey and water are scarce. Those still existing in the Southern Sahara are threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
Lys works on 4 different domestic BERNINA machines – using a different machine for different techniques. She used her B475, B750, and vintage machines 830 Record, and 1000 Designer, to make this mind-boggling piece.
If you are in the SAQA Europe/Middle East regional group, please note that I am giving a lecture on International Quilt Trends (via Zoom) next Monday Feb 2!
Sharing your passion for fabric…
Luana & Paul
* Photo taken by Luana at the Road2California show. Fabrics framing the quilt image are in stock now at eQuilter.com
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www.luanarubin.com
Travel/Lecture Dates:
Feb 2 – SAQA Europe/Middle East – Zoom Lecture
Feb 18-21 – QuiltCon – Raleigh NC
Apr 26 – May 1 – Alegre Retreat, Gateway CO
May 16 – New England Quilt Museum, Soul Stories Artist Reception
May 18-26 – Montpellier, France
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See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.
Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.
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