Creative Life Sampler

We had a new adventure recently when we went to see Midnight & Noon on display in the 42nd New Legacies: Contemporary Art Quilts at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins Colorado .  This is the third show that has accepted my quilt. Each time I get to see it displayed, I am impressed with how the curators have given it space to be seen from both sides. In this case it is featured in the front window of the gallery! The really cool thing about this venue is that it is located in the lobby of a performing arts center. Not only is it open to the public during the week, but people will be able to see the show during performances at the Lincoln Center.  Lincoln Center lobby Since the mission of New Legacies is to feature innovation and "material exploration" by artists working in textile art, this is an opportunity to expand the public's concept of the modern quilt.  It's an honor to be included with so many creative artists in this special exhibit. Under the auspices of...

Before moving on to other topics, I want to share some candid shots. There were lots of examples of creativity in public spaces. Always a joy to find these gifts on a journey.  In the airport at LAX: At the Raleigh Convention Center, inside: and outside: The Raleigh airport and the return trip:   Once you're in the right frame of mind, your surroundings become a banquet of visual inspiration! Happy creating all!!!!

  Hanging Sculpture at the Raleigh Convention Center Since the close of QuiltCon 2026, I’ve been tuning in to the flurry of responses and reactions on social media to the "statement quilts" in the show. There were quite a few this year and there have been some very effective reels that lift up their messages in unique ways. These mini films have been well constructed and effective. There has also been some push back questioning the suitability of what amounts to social commentary in the realm of the quilt show and calling out the Modern Quilt Guild for giving creators the platform to share their ideas. This has given rise to some really thoughtful and cogent responses from quilt content creators in support of the voices that were showcased and QuiltCon. The arguments in support of the modern quilt movement have been so well done, by stronger voices than mine, that their points don’t need to be rehashed here. But I would like to add my response to the whole unfoldment of t...

I was once involved with a group which included an individual that didn’t say much. It was obvious that they were engaged and very aware of what was going on, but they were quiet, unassuming, and thoughtful. The thing that impressed me most about this person was that, when they chose to speak, the conversation stopped short and everyone gave space for them to share. I’ve often thought of this individual when feeling pressure to join in on a conversation. When circumstances call for it, I’ve tried to emulate this unhurried, measured approach in order to think things through; choosing words and phrases judiciously for clarity in presenting my perspective. Ten years ago, those words didn’t include expletives or profanity. That was a conscious choice. But a lot has happened in the world and our country since then. There are times when stringing words together don't seem as effective at expressing the emotions of the moment as a single word.  As I was walking through a row at QuiltC...

  I have two vignettes to share that show how the creator can connect with the viewer. One shows the value of a really descriptive title, the other is an example of an effective artist's statement that draws the viewer in so they linger in front of the quilt. I was walking through the Hand Work category at QuiltCon 2026 and I came across this little gem by  Eleanor Kagan. Simple shapes. Very graphic. Saturated color.  What’s it about? Somebody came up beside me. We shifted positions so she could take a closer look at the quilt and I could read the artist’s statement. As soon as I read the title, I laughed out loud and my viewing partner came over for a closer look. We looked at each other and shared a good giggle. This was conspicuous enough for a third person to come up beside us, take in the title, and rush to bring over a friend to enjoy the moment. Well done, Eleanor! We connected with your work, then we connected with each other, and I think we all felt a connect...

I can't emphasize enough how important human connection is to the experience of attending QuiltCon. Whether you are standing in line for an event, hanging out at your own quilt, or lingering in front of a quilt you really like, it is so easy to strike up a conversation. People are joyful to be there and pleased to be with other quilters. There is an instant connection because you already know you have quilting in common.  After all, it is a celebration of quilts. Running into a ribbon winner, it is natural to lift them up for their accomplishment. This year when I came across Heidi Parkes in front of her prize winning quilt, I put aside my usual reticence to congratulate her. As we spoke, I was reminded of my first encounter with her work.  Back in 2021, I was doing a lot of hand appliqu é  and hand quilting, but I hadn’t been in the modern guild very long. Sometimes it felt like I was fumbling along, trying to figure out what made modern quilts different. That spring Hei...

Q=A=Q 2025 at Schweinfurth Art Center, Auburn NY We arrived a bit later than planned for the opening night of the Q=A=Q exhibit at the Schweinfurth Art Center on October 25. It was a rainy evening; the cloak room was filled. People were milling about taking in the show, reconnecting with friends, enjoying refreshments.  Opening Night 10-25-2025 This is always a special event, showcasing a wide range of unique voices from the quilting world in a wonderful setting. The staff at SAC handle the art work with great care and professionalism. The staging is thoughtfully and tastefully presented. This year's j urors,  Petra Fallaux and Paula Kovarik , chose 70 art quilts from pieces submitted by 330 artists who could submitted no more than two pieces for consideration. Curating a show is a major feat and their choices spotlight quilts from across the country as well as Australia, Canada, Germany, Norway, and  South Korea.   When you enter the space, you are aware ...

Phoenix Convention Center Still processing QuiltCon which took place February 19-23 in Phoenix this year! My quilt, Blue Improvised Silhouette, on the left. First, I had the joy of seeing two of my quilts displayed in the Handwork category and then I took a closer look at the neighboring quilts on display. I was blown away by the craftsmanship of the entire section. I was so impressed, and quite humbled, by the ideas and execution of all the quilts chosen. They have inspired me to experiment in my own work and push the boundaries even more! Now that I've had the time to look through my cell phone pics I thought I would share a little of what I observed at the show. Of course, there were reimagined variations on shapes or adaptations of traditional patterns like the Log Cabin. (It's always cool to see how people are rethinking and modernizing old favorites.) I'm also intrigued every year by the quilts that present an optical illusion and especially by the quilts that look di...

  The first weekend in November was the opening of the annual Quilts=Art=Quilts show at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, New York.  Q=A=Q Opening Night The show includes seventy quilts created by fifty three artists from around the world, including  Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Kuwait, Switzerland, and the US. This is the second year that I've been honored to be juried into Q=A=Q.  It requires a bit of effort to get to upstate New York on opening night; there are no direct flights from our location. So I'm doubly grateful for the support of family who joined me to take in the experience.  This is very different from a large quilt convention. While you can get up close to the work at any kind of quilt show, the more intimate setting of a gallery brings a unique perspective. The environment elevates a quilt to the status of art. I love that there are so many ways to present my work. I know this is a relatively new phenomenon and it reflects c...

In February, I was in Raleigh, NC for the whirlwind week of the Modern Quilt Guild's annual show, QuiltCon.  This is the third year I have been able to see my work hanging along side the work of talented quilters from around the world. But this is the very first time I can share that I won a ribbon! My "Ghana Batik Study" took second place in the Handwork category.  This was such a surreal experience!! QuiltCon 2024 kicked off with the award ceremony streaming live on Wednesday evening. Family who couldn't make the trip were able to watch the proceedings from home, and "quilty" friends from my modern quilt guild were there to cheer me on. To be honest, I'm not generally comfortable with the spotlight, but I was filled with a warm sense of gratitude for being recognized in this way.  The convention floor: quilt show (left) keynote speaker/special exhibits (center) vendors (right) The next morning I was eager to get to the show. In the past, I've enjoy...

  Last weekend we had the wonderful adventure of a trip to upstate New York. The occasion was the opening of this year's Q=A=Q show at the Schweinfurth Art Center. Two of my pieces were juried into the show: "Applique Gradation" (top) and "Reverse Applique Gradation" (bottom). Schweinfurth Art Center, Auburn, New York The Schweinfurth Art Center hosts this international juried show each year, giving creators the opportunity to present their work in a gallery setting. And it is really a lovely gallery space. Each piece is well lit and displayed with space to breath, so the viewer can take in a piece up close and at a distance without crowding others.  I hadn't been to an art opening since my art school days. Pretty exciting!  Jurors Chawne Kimber and  Irene Roderick have pulled together an amazing collection of modern quilts. Gorgeous color palettes, interesting compositions, bold designs; this show features an amazing array of voices from the modern quilting...