Stretching Art and Tradition

Artist: Carol Valenta, Green Bay, WI 

It is written on the arched sky; it looks out from every star. It is the poetry of Nature; it is that which uplifts the spirit within us. - John Ruskin

In this first year after the death of my son I have been searching for the meaning of my life. Being out in nature helps me find the spirituality in myself. I found this quote by John Ruskin that spoke to me. John Ruskin was the leading art critic of the Victorian era who wrote on many subjects, emphasizing the connections between nature, art and society. Ruskin said that art is "the expression of the spirits of great men."

I have previously been a traditional quilter, so my "stretch" is designing my own quilt. I have been finding the artist within me, and trying to express it through quilting. My quilt uses the four elements of nature to express the spirit within me.

This quilt uses fused appliqué, and stamping. Materials are 100% cotton fabric and thread and blended pigment and dye ink. The process for designing and making this piece was both painful and exhilarating. Trial and error, drawing, erasing, starting over, totally changing from the first ideas and design to what ended up as the finished project.  

© 2014 Carol Valenta