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| Collin Ruff Fellows with "Mars" - part of his "Otherworld Visions" series |
The quilting community lost a rising star yesterday morning when Collin Ruff Fellows passed away suddenly. He was 49. Collin was a friend. Less than two weeks ago we had dinner with his husband Marlin at Pepitas, their favorite Mexican restaurant. They were excited about the future, and we talked about their upcoming plans.
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| "Neptune" by Collin Ruff Fellows |
There was nothing ordinary about Collin, and that's why I liked him. He was a big, burly guy with lots of ink and piercings. He enjoyed cigars, leather and motorcycles and had a soft spot in his heart for pit bull pups. He was passionate about social justice, especially with regard to the LGBTQ community, and was working on a new quilt exploring social justice themes.
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| Collin Ruff Fellows |
Collin stuck out at quilt shows, but his alternative appearance never fooled me. He was intelligent, articulate, and surprisingly soft-spoken for such a big, bearish man. He was also an unusually talented artist. When I first saw his work, I was so impressed I went directly to my friends who worked in print media. Generation Q Magazine picked up a story last year, and his quilt "Earth" appeared on the cover of the November/December 2016 issue.
More recently, his work was juried in to the upcoming exhibition of quilts by men at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum. I urged him to enter, never imagining he would not be here for his museum debut.
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| "Jupiter" by Collin Ruff Fellows |
He was very curious about quilts, especially the history of quiltmaking in America. Whenever he came to visit, he made a beeline to my quilt history books. He worked with a clear sense of historical context and always pushed the boundaries. I photographed some of his quilts from the "Otherworld Visions" series and hoped to photograph "Jupiter", his latest completed quilt before Thanksgiving.
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| work in progress from the "Otherworld Visions" series |
Collin completed several quilts in the series, each representing one of the planets in the solar system. I am not sure how many he finished, but the ones I could find from the series are in this blog. He started making quilts just a few years ago, drawing on his creative experience as an accomplished glass artist and former dealer of vintage mid-century modern collectibles. Decades before getting seriously involved with quiltmaking, he made panels for The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.
Even though Collin's heart condition was no secret -- he and I both had heart attacks in 2016, and talked about it often -- I am thunderstruck. It reminds me of something people say when they lose a friend or loved one suddenly to a heart attack. "His heart was just too big."
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| "Earth" by Collin Ruff Fellows |
Writing a memorial for Collin is not what I expected to be doing today. Selfishly, I miss my friend terribly, but I was lucky to know him. The world can only wonder what he would have done. At the same time, we are fortunate to have the quilts he left behind. Collin Ruff Fellows will live on through his work.
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such a talent and such a shame he passed to soon,I did not know him BUT I am impressed with his Quilts
ReplyDeleteSuch sadness.
ReplyDeleteI thank him for his vision, his get it done with his quilts. Why he left us so soon is not for anyone to say, just know that he will be miss.
ReplyDeleteGreat human bean and outstanding quilter. This is a big loss. I was honored to be his friend. My heart is broken.
ReplyDeleteHow sad for his family and friends as well as the quilting community! His quilts are beautiful and vibrant; sounds like he was the same way! Prayers and hugs.
ReplyDeleteMy sympathies to you on the loss of your friend and fellow quilter. It is not easy to lose those that inspire us and enhance our lives. When I finished reading your tribute to him, this thought popped into my head....."and this is why we should not judge a book by it's cover!" Here was a man who supposedly did not look the part of a typical quilter and yet he was an Amazing quilter and clearly someone who shared his talents. You were lucky to call him friend. His quilts, his glass works, his friendships will still live on even though he is gone.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this tribute to him.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! I could not have described him better than this. Thank you (from his extended family) for such a beautiful tribute. He will be missed and it will take time for many of us to cope with his loss. Much gratitude for your kinda words. Collin and his husband Marlin gifted my husband and I wish our first rescue dog. A beautiful white boxer that they raised and entrusted us with. A gift that keeps on giving. <3
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to hear, Bill
ReplyDeleteAfter meeting him at a quilting class, I was impressed with his zest and creativity. He is gone way too soon. Condolences to you, Bill, as well as his friends and family.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest condolences on the loss of your friend. He sounds like an amazing person, and his quilts speak volumes about his artistry. A great loss.
ReplyDeleteWell that just sucks. I'm sorry for you Bill, and for Marlin. I'd never heard of him before this post but WOW, what amazing use of colour and pattern!
ReplyDeleteI'm still in a bit of shock - we were just talking recently about political quilt ideas and he was always so supportive... and super creative! He was very inspiring and I love his work. So sad - and surprising. Condolences - and to Marlin too - my heart hurts for him.
ReplyDeleteI loved following Collin and I wish I would have met him in person. We truly lost a gem... I will miss his posts on FB and interacting with him. I am very saddened by this sudden loss. Gone way too young!
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely tribute, Bill. I'm sorry the RMQM family will miss the opportunity to meet Collin in January.
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss. I never knew him but thanks to your wonderful writing I do now and I miss the work he could have done. I hope someone will do a collection of his work to Share.
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