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We found this art object in Alex's house during the taping. Why?
When Capt'n John's mother's estate was settled, Alex wanted this piece d' art. No one else in the family fought her for it. Actually John has fond memories of it in his grandmother's house in the early 1950's. We really don't know how old it is. For historical accuracy, it was Alex who added the eye patch. Would you have "fought" for it?
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Covid-19 quilt by Linda Fisher, May 2020, Lubbock, Texas. Photo courtesy Museum of Texas Tech University.
I know that every quilt show and fair where quilts are displayed will have a bounty of quilts offered for exhibit when the pandemic is over. Quilters know the value of keeping their creative juices going while the rest of the world spins out of control around them. One quilter in particular, Linda Fisher of Lubbock, Texas reports that between March and July 2020 she has made 21 quilts—most full size. She says that quilting is her therapy.
As an expression of her experience during the stay-at-home orders around the Covid-19 virus, Linda Fisher made this piece, "Covid-19" in May 2020. She offered it to the Museum of Texas Tech University to join the 70+ other quilts she has made in its collection.
Photo courtesy Museum of Texas Tech University.
Fabric scraps from another project were pieced to form blocks that are scattered across the quilt top. Linda used small bits of fabric to represent the “virus” and as a place to start her machine piecing (no wonder everything lines up so well for her). The background is filled with hundreds of quilted circular, and almost invisible 'viruses" quilting design. Additional “Virus” bits are attached using a variety of embellishments including beads and metal rings.
Detail of “Virus” fabric bits attached using a variety of embellishments including beads and metal rings. Photo courtesy Museum of Texas Tech University.
This quilt documents the current event the in which the world is living. It will serve to remind those not yet born of the pandemic and provide an opportunity for those that lived through it to tell of their experience.
In addition to the 70+ quilts that Linda Fisher has made and are already in the Museum’s collection, she plans to auction another 30 or so to benefit the Curator of Clothing and Textiles position Endowment at the Museum of Texas Tech University in February 2021. Information on that auction will be available hopefully by January 2021.
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Alex was taping Tuesday at Freddy Moran's house and celebrating her 90th birthday. Join Alex on a quick LIVE house tour and meet Freddy.
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There will be no Alex Anderson Live at 10am this Wednesday, July 15, 2020.
Stay tuned for random LIVE broadcasts during the taping of new shows.
You never know what Captn' John might discover with his trusty video camera!
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In this lesson we continue our focus on Balance, which is the visual arrangement of elements (color, texture, space, etc.) to create a sense of stability and calm. Let's look at the two basic flower examples on the left. An imaginary line has been drawn down the center of each. Notice that the flower on the left has mirroring images, while the flower on the right does not.
While symmetrical designs evoke harmony and stability, as an artist you can decide if you want to shake things up a bit to make them more interesting. The example below illustrates both a symmetrical design and asymmetrical design. Notice how the design on the left uses mirroring elements to create a sense of calm and stability. While the design on the right uses an asymmetrical layout of large blue blocks that balance the weight of the strip units on the right. The entire work is balanced, but with a more energetic and exciting feeling. As the artist, you decide what message or feeling your work should express.
Let's view some quilts that illustrate Symmetrical and Asymmetrical designs:
Turkish Treasures by Pat Holly (Show 608) [Image by AQS]
Blueberry Hill by Nancy Arseneault (Show 1907). [Image by Road2CA]
Is She Ready Yet? by Heidi Proffetty (Show 2406) [Image by AQS]
Asymmetrical Diamond. Designed by Lisa Roddy. (Pattern Available from Robert Kaufman)
I’m constantly in search of balance… in my life and in my art! (I’m not sure where it’s easier to achieve.) In art, compositions can be balanced either symmetrically or asymmetrically.
Think of symmetrical designs as mirror images. They are the same on the left and the right (or the top and the bottom). There is often a focal point in the center of a symmetrical design.
My art quilt, Uplifting, is a good example of a symmetrical design. The black ladder sits right in the middle of the space and the background fabrics frame it evenly on the left and right. Even the arch at the top is predictably even on each side.
In a symmetrical design, I think it’s important to add details that are not symmetrical. This is called near symmetry. (A design that is exactly the same on each side is called perfect symmetry.) In Uplifting, the yellow flowers are placed irregularly. There is also a swarm of green hand embroidered x’s that sweep from the bottom left to the top right. Even the blue arch dips down over the yellow on the right, but not on the left. These small asymmetrical details add interest and dynamic movement to the design. They keep a symmetrical design from being static or boring.
Rising and Setting is a good example of an asymmetrical design that still feels balanced. This is achieved by arranging elements that have similar visual weight in shape and color throughout the design. The red ladder, the radial sun, the vertical strip with the rain drops and the horizontal striped fabric all work together. The ladder fills much of the space, but because it’s made of thin lines in a color that doesn’t standout from the background, it doesn’t take over. The striped fabric stands out, but because it’s relatively narrow, it also doesn’t take over. It’s counter-balanced by the fabric with the raindrops.
As in Uplifting, the details in Rising and Setting compliment the balance of the overall composition.
I like both symmetrical and asymmetrical designs. Neither is easier, better or more pleasing than the other. Look for examples of symmetry and asymmetry art, architecture, graphic design and nature. You’ll find many inspiring examples that will help you think about how you can compose your own original designs.
See more ideas in the Design and Composition chapter of my new book, Art Quilt Collage: A Creative Journey in Fabric, Paint and Stitch.
Click here for more topics related to The Art of Quilt Design program.
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Rosalie Dace is one of Alex's favorite instructors. Here she talks to Lisa Walton about the inspiration and process behind her quilt, Here & Now. If you don't know anything about Rosalie, this video is a great introduction.
Watch Rosalie in Show 711: Quilting - Where Imagination and Reality Meet.
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Alex celebrates Freddy Moran who is turning 90 years old. Freddy is a queen of scrap quilts & quilting freedom. "Red is a Neutral" to Freddy. What will be your new neutral?
Alex is LIVE Monday, July 13, 2020 at 10am PST, 1pm EST, and 6pm London time.
Note: There will be no Alex Anderson Live at 10am this Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Stay tuned for random LIVE broadcasts during the taping of new shows.
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This life-like quilt, It Takes the Case by Karlyn Bue Lohrenz, won Honorable Mention Art-Pictorial at IQF Houston 2013.
Click here to see the quilt and watch a video with Alex and Karlyn.
It Takes the Case - 35 Pieces Non-Rotating
It Takes the Case - 99 Pieces Non-Rotating
It Takes the Case - 300 Pieces Non-rotating
It Takes the Case - 99 Pieces Rotating
It Takes the Case - 300 Pieces Rotating
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Is this a Grandmother's Flower Garden block? Find out when you play Jinny's Memory Match.
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