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I grew up in a Chicago tenement, most
in awe of how my mother took second-hand scraps of fabric,
furniture, and hand-me-downs and turned them into a palace
of a place for us to live. It might not have really been a
palace, but in my mind it was.
My artwork is most influenced by my imagination, the encouragement
I receive from my friends and the memory of my mom. I think
of her the most while I'm sewing; I think of how steadfast
and hardworking she was and at once, my patience grows for
the tedious work sometimes involved in quilt making. Satisfaction
with the results is much more important to me than how long
it takes to get there.
The colors in my head are vivid, recalling movement, Nature,
and the beauty of people. I have great respect for traditional
quilting and love to imagine and learn the history behind
the patterns, but my true interest is in creating one-of-a-kind,
uniquely designed quilts using more contemporary techniques.
I feel a communal joy in working with other women, and a personal
joy in creating articles of expression and comfort. I am influenced
by my need to express my imagination, my heritage, my vision,
and influenced also by my need to offer something of myself
through community service. For me, the art of quilt making
allows me to accomplish all of this. |
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