How My Great-Grandmother's Quilts Are Inspiring My New Paintings
The beginning of a new collection
Almost every Christmas, for as long as I can remember, my great-grandma would gift us a handmade quilt. These “grandmama blankets”, as we called them, are a staple in my family’s homes and I have a small collection of them myself. She lovingly signed each one, and they’re some of our softest blankets from years of late-night cuddles, sleepovers, and movie nights.
The fabrics were planned in carefully-chosen palettes of florals and vibrant colors that have lovingly faded over time. Her quilts are more than just blankets; they are tangible memories, each square holding a piece of our family story.
Side note: just the other day, Georgia started “crawling” (I put it in quotes because her technique is a little questionable😂) on one of our quilts. It’s so crazy and wonderful to think about how these little mementos are still such a part of our daily lives so many years later.
I've always sought ways to incorporate these meaningful and storied pieces into my work. I previously painted this still-life featuring one of her creations, and since then, ideas have been whirling around in my head. I thought about creating an actual quilt from printed fabrics of previous paintings, but my sewing skills leave much to be desired.
Instead, I found a way to weave the essence of her quilts into my art. This new series of paintings is directly inspired by her colorful blankets. Each brushstroke mimics the careful stitching, and the vibrant colors echo the diverse fabrics she used. These paintings are memories stitched together, just like the patchwork in her creations.
This first piece tells the story of sunny days full of dappled light, rustling leaves and the feeling of looking up when under a canopy of trees. It’s a special kind of magic.
I’m excited to keep exploring the idea and finding new stories to tell with each new piece. This summer has already been filled with so many memorable days that I can’t wait to paint.
I’m still very much in the creation phase of this collection, but I’ll keep you updated with details about a release as I figure them out. So stay tuned, friends💕
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