Finally---Working on "Art" Quilts

Several months ago I mentioned that I was setting a goal for myself...I was going to make 12 fiber "art" projects before the end of the year. Well...I really have done only one. (Two if you count a little landscape quilt I did during a guild program, but that would be stretching it a bit.) I have eleven to go before the end of the year!

Yesterday, I worked on two "art" quilts. Actually, they are pieces for a LAFTA (Louisville Area Fiber and Textile Artists) project. Several LAFTA members (53 actually) agreed to make a 10" X 10" fiber piece that can be mounted to a stretched canvas base. Any type of art medium can be used as long as it can be worked or placed on the canvas. The canvas background has to be covered or painted, but the work can extend slightly over the edges. All of this collaborative work will be placed together onto one big wall at the Hosparus-Counseling Center in Louisville. This piece is due next month.

I have to tell you...I'm pretty scared about this project. I haven't done many original "art" quilts. Many of the members of this group are REAL artists. Many are nationally known for their work. It is a little intimidating (being such a novice). At the next meeting, each person is bringing their finished project and telling about it. We have to include an artist statement! I've only had to do one of those before--and that was for a quilt that got into the "In Full Bloom" Exhibit. What is included in an "art statement?" What if you made the piece simply for the pleasure of the process--without some deep meaning behind it? Anyway, I did give these pieces some thought and tried to keep hospice care in mind as I worked. I chose the design not only because I liked the design, but because there actually is some meaning behind it. On one of the pieces, I chose the colors with hospice care in mind. The other simply used colors I like. Only one of the pieces will go to the Hosparus; I'll keep the other. I just hope I don't embarrass LAFTA with my "art" piece contribution.

My dilemma now is to decide what to add to the piece before mounting. I definitely will be doing some quilting, but I have to decide if it needs anything else. I guess I'll get it quilted and decide if really simple is the way to go. I'll be posting pictures when they are further along. (And even that is intimidating!)