Carrying the colors of the center focus image to the edge of the quilt using squares which include the same colors expands the visual impact of the scene. Notice how the dark green squares extend the horizon line and the rose print fabrics pull the fence line out to the binding. In keeping with the rustic setting depicted the folded pieces of fabric form a sort of echo of the fence. Each of these folded fabrics are included in the border squares.
The trees and bushes are painted while the fence and the piles of roses are machine appliqued in a sort of broidery pers effect. The roof, steeple and front wall of the building are also machine appliqued. Two techniques that started being commonly used about this time are the folded inner piping insert and the use of the backs of fabrics in order to achieve the values needed. These were not entirely new techniques at the time, but they had not been used extensively before the early 1990s.
I think this is a charming quilt and it visits various rooms in my house and also in Corky's houses. This quilt taught me a valuable lesson about collecting. I had not thought about quilts being duplicated until I saw an almost identical work elsewhere. I learned that Vicki uses the basic pattern as a demo quilt when she is teaching, so who knows how many similar quilts there are around. Since that time I remember to verify that the quilts I buy are "one off" and will not be reproduced as quilts, or depicted on beer can covers, tote bags, etc. However, the artist always retains the copyright and it is her right to use the design as she chooses.
http://www.vntgraphics.com The Pajaro Valley Quilt show will be held Feb 27 and 28, 2010.
5 comments:
Vicki is one of my favorite artists and a friend for many year. I own a Vicki L. Johnson piece which is from her mid-90s period also. She's still actively making art and I believe is still teaching--her classes are unique and I am forever grateful to her for introducing me to Versatex paints, which is a line with 3 whites of varying opacity that I find tremendously versatile (hence the brandname?). -- Linda in Belgium
This is a lovely little quilt and an interesting technique. I was not familiar with this artist, so thank you.
I liked your introductory remarks, Del. It's surprising how difficult people think it might be to talk to an artist, whereas, being an artist who likes to talk, I love telling people about my work. One of the best times I had at a solo exhibit was when a total stranger walked in (with a dog under her coat -- it was cold outside), tugged me by the arm and led me to my paintings, saying, "Tell me what you are doing here."
Ever since then, I've used the line to my great advantage.
I think it a very charming quilt, one I could never tire of seeing!
Hi Del, thank you for suggesting how to approach an artist. I am a shy person, as many artists are, so at a show I love to tell about my work but find it hard to walk up to some one looking at my art.
A quilting friend suggested I take Vicki's class in the 80's. The painting is wonderful, and I have a background in painting. But I had never quilted or put a quilt together, it is one of the pieces I show at a Show & Tell, it is all puffy batting and flip from the back and sew binding. I love her work, thank you for describing details.
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