A Crafter's Life

And Now For Some Art Quilts

tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles

This is a continuation to yesterday’s post (Paper Piecing Paradise) where I shared that a week or so ago quilting friend and her partner; and attended the opening of two quilt shows at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum.

The second show opening at the museum was SAQA Wild. Per the museum’s website the show: A collection of Art Quilts submitted by Studio Art Quilt Associates members from an invitation to let their imaginations take them on a journey to a WILD place – ANY wild place. The exhibit includes pieces from 30 artists, many from our own state of Colorado!! WILD is a small word, with BIG opportunity especially when you live in the area of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. These art quilts use texture, shape, color and a multitude of techniques to take you to their WILD places.

Here are my favorites of the art quilts on display in the show:

Lots of art quilt inspiration in the show!

If you aren’t familiar with SAQA, it stands for Studio Art Quilt Associates. When I lived in Central Oregon I was an active member of our local SAQA group which at first was headed by Jean Wells an international known art quilter, author and former owner of the Stitchin’ Post in Sisters, Oregon which held the annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.

I participated in their local shows and challenges for about 5 years.

After moving to Colorado in 2019 after my life partner, “Terry the Quilting Husband” died in 2018, I lost my “art quilting mojo” as well as my tolerance for group activities so I didn’t join the local SAQA group. (And in 2020 we had the COVID pandemic that stopped group activities for quite a while).

I’ve met some wonderful quilters in the 5+ years I’ve lived in Colorado and have been invited to join various guilds and groups but so far I’ve declined.

I remember the card my friend W sent me in 2020 that reads: “Give Yourself Grace“, and I continue to remember to do that. Perhaps I will join a quilting group in the future, perhaps not. Currently I am enjoying just working solo on project ideas and catching up on my backlog.

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Published by tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles

Quilter, crafter, obsessive tea drinker and lover of all furry creatures (especially dogs and cats) - join me on my tierneycreates blog as I share stories from "A Crafter's Life".

22 thoughts on “And Now For Some Art Quilts”

  1. WOW!!! Those quilts are so beautiful 🤩 I’m especially drawn to the wolf and the tree/leaves blowing in the wind…but that Lion!! I’ve often thought of joining a guild and even started a little group in my neighborhood but I’ve found I prefer solo creating 😉🙂

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  3. Time is strange anyway, even without mourning, and relocation and Covid and crowds and all. I love that Quilting sparkles in your consciousness (again? still?) whatever path you end up treading.

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  5. Tierney, my thoughts went several places when I read this post. I love your passion for quilting and your understanding and appreciation on the art quilt medium. Having viewed art quilts in person, I know it’s hard to convey the extraordinary detail in a photograph. These works are stunning, so I know seeing them in person must have been mind-blowing.

    My father painted with oils, and when he and my mom got together, he encouraged her to draw and paint as well. When I asked her years after he died why she didn’t paint anymore, she said it was because it was something they did together. Your paragraph about losing your art quilting mojo when Terry died evoked a similar sadness, for you, and for all who’ve loved a creative soulmate.

    I’m glad you are giving yourself grace. xo

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  6. Those quilts are stunning, and must be even more so in person. I am intrigued by the second last one. Is the background a photograph that has been quilted on to? The explosion of blue colour is very effective.
    “Give yourself grace” were words you sent to me in a card, and they helped remind me that no one, least of all me, expects me to be perfect. Thanks again for the reminder.

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  7. Thank you very much for your report and the wonderful photos! It sounds like a fantastic experience to attend the openings of the quilt exhibits at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum. I find it so inspiring how you network with other quilters and explore creative projects together.

    The exhibition “SAQA Wild” sounds incredibly exciting! The idea of artists using their imagination to travel to “wild” places is simply brilliant. I can imagine how diverse and impressive the works of art that have emerged from this invitation are. It’s really fascinating how texture, shape and color come together in the quilts to tell stories and express emotions.

    Best wishes…..Rosie from Germany

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  8. I think it’s normal to go through different stages in your crafting life just like the rest of life. You had such a massive life change there, so it’s not surprising that your relationship with your art changed too. Especially since Terry was such a big part of that with you. I am glad you are getting it back 🙂
    Thanks for sharing these beautiful quilts. I like the cat best!

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