Painting with Fabric
Painting with Fabric
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An important part of African American history resided in the black church. In our community, church was where we learned not only about the possibility of a better life, but about what it meant to be African American. Gospel singing was one of the ways these lessons were taught. They were the good news story. …
Many in the African American community in the 60’s and 70’s worked jobs that required uniforms or were unskilled labor. For women, wearing a dress or suit during the work week was not part of the equation. Church was the place where black women were able to show their style, and style they did! Vivian …
When I first saw Michelle Obama’s official portrait, I knew it had to be an art quilt. She was dressed in a piece with traditional quilt patterns strewn across a white background. As an African American mother of two girls I was so proud of Michelle Obama and her work while in the white house. …
Sometimes you just find a beautiful fabric. The background fabric for the Serengeti quilts was just such a piece. When I saw it it looked like a sunset. It begged for a quilt. These two pieces reflect a call that seemed to draw me to thoughts of the Serengeti. I also love silk threads. The …
A couple of years ago I joined the board of the Jeannette Rankin Foundation that helps non traditional age women finish their education. At a board meeting in Athens, Georgia one of the fellows came to share the meaning of this opportunity for her. She arrived wearing a gorgeous blue dress and proceeded to tell …
I was a young professor in Athens, Georgia when I was named a WK Kellogg Fellow. This leadership experience opened opportunities to meet people who would go on to make critical impacts on communities around the US. It also introduced me to international study and travel. When I completed my fellowship, I wanted my whole …
Dimensions: 40″ x 28″ I have twin grandchildren. Twins are special. Grandchildren are special. I take thousands of pictures of them. This quilt comes out of a fight over a stick. We were outside on a gorgeous spring day and the little girl picked up the stick. Her brother wanted it. So he walked along …
Dimensions: 30″ x 30″ This piece was part of a compilation of 97 original contemporary art pieces that trace the path of black history in the United States. The work was published in the volume And Still We Rise: Race, Culture, and Visual Conversations edited by Carolyn L. Mazloomi. The work is constructed of applique, …
40″ x 72″
Dimensions: 31″ x 42″ This is a theme I return to. The first quilt on torch singers was done early in my career and is now in the private collection of a midwestern university. A torch singer is one who sings of unrequited love. This piece continues in that line. I experimented with a part …