Monday, November 7, 2016

Imagination!

"The Pie of Life: Page of Wooden Spoons in the Kitchen Tarot" by Susan Shie
Imagination! That's what I saw at this year's International Quilt Festival in Houston. The event is the largest of its kind in the United States, and it attracts the most gifted artists. It was my first time attending "Festival" and I was impressed by the level of imagination throughout the work.

The amazing 20-foot-long quilt by Susan Carlson

Cotton Sophisticate by Chawne Kimber
Tom Korn special exhibit
Tom Korn special exhibit
Cathy Wiggins special exhibit
"Twisted" special exhibit by Mary Kerr
"Twisted" special exhibit by Mary Kerr
Christina Belding with one of her three quilts in the show
Best of Show winner Cynthia England and "Reflections of Cape Town"
Bethanne Nemesh and her award winning quilt "October Sky"
"The Boundless Energy of Children" by Ruth de Vos
Some of my favorite quilts were the antique and vintage quilts but no photos allowed. One of my absolute favorites was a "Broderie Perse" chintz appliqué quilt made in the 1840s in New Jersey. I overheard a lady asking where the maker could have gotten the materials, and the answer is: either New York or Philadelphia! Chintz fabrics were found in port cities because the fabrics were imported.

With Victoria Findlay Wolfe
My Festival experience wasn't the typical first-timer's experience. I knew many people who were there, and got to meet people who have been Facebook friends for years. And people knew me. Everyone was surprised to learn it was my first time attending Festival, and it was great seeing everyone, both new and longtime friends. 

With Gilbert Muniz
Witrh Penny Barnes
With Penny Barnes and Andi Herman.
With Mary Kerr and Lori East
I didn't expect to stir up any controversy, but it looks like I did just that when I posted photos of the "Husbands' Lounge" at the Festival. I'd heard about it for many years, the stuff of legends, and discovered it's for real! When I posted the photos on Facebook, some of the ladies in the audience didn't appreciate the humor as much as I did.



Now, maybe it's an idea someone came up with 30 or 40 years ago, and maybe it needs a little revisiting today, but I think it was a well-intended idea originally. Of course, things are different in 2016. Maybe it should just be a "Lounge for the Overstimulated" going forward. There's always going to be someone who needs a time out because the whole experience is intense. The passion is intense, and the amount of imagination is intense.


Imagination! At the airport, I was lucky to meet Hollis Chatelain and Meg Cox for the first time. They, too, were surprised I'd never been to Quilt Festival before. While we were chatting over a quick sushi dinner, they asked about my impressions of the event. The Festival made me want to be more of a maker. Doesn't that just say it all? On the drive home from the airport, I heard the perfect song for my mood, a 1982 funk song called "Imagination" by the B.B. & Q Band. Imagination! That's what it's all about. 

12 comments:

  1. So sorry I missed seeing you, Bill--I rarely get off the 3rd floor. Next time.

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    1. Yes, next time. I wasn't there the whole time, so partly on me.

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  2. So many AMAZING pieces! I'll bet that they are even more impressive in person!

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  3. Wow-I love the crocodile! I wonder if it was made to hang in a special place? Thanks for posting all these.

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  4. It was a pleasure to meet you & I am pleased to have photo-bombed your snap with Victoria -- three polyester knit quilt fans!

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    1. Thank you so much for the pin, it was great to meet you. I love that you also love polyester!

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  5. Wow these are gorgeous! I never learned to quilt or sew - but these pieces of art are totally inspiring.

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  6. Wow!!!! Amazing quilts. They are gorgeous.

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  7. Bill, it's great to read your posts again! And I wouldn't have believed that some of those pieces were quilts unless you told me. Works of art indeed.

    TenThousandHourMama.com

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  8. Is it interesting where our inspiration to create/make comes from at times! I look forward to seeing the form you take with your project!

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  9. Isn't IQF amazing - the Grand daddy of all quilt shows as my tour director calls it. I've been 13 times since 1995 and it never gets old, as you can imagine.

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  10. I am also surprised you've never been to a quilt festival, these seem right up your alley! And I find the Husband's Lounge funny, though I can see renaming it for access to all - like a recharge lounge. Especially with charging stations... is that too modern? :O

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