Mary Walter Quilts: Student Quilt Exhibit at the Whistler House Museum...

Mary Walter Quilts: Student Quilt Exhibit at the Whistler House Museum...: Why does it always seem to take so long to prepare for an exhibit and the time the exhibit is up seem so short? The Art Quilts at the Whi...

Student Quilt Exhibit at the Whistler House Museum

Why does it always seem to take so long to prepare for an exhibit and the time the exhibit is up seem  so short? The Art Quilts at the Whistler exhibit is still open until September 14th and the adjacent little gallery is showing my students quilts inspired by a Whistler etching titled "Street at Saverne". 

I am always intrigued by what this class produces. There is never any way to tell how the results of my teaching will inspire the finished quilts.There is not a neat successful formula for creativity and there is the risk of a lackluster outcome but there is also the spark of trying something new a try and having classmates to cheer you on. Trading fabrics and having a cool stash isn't bad either! Enough said these wonderful quilts speak for themselves.

Street at Saverne by Betsy DeWolf

Street at Saverne by Jacqueline E. Laslocky

 

Street at Saverne by Denise Morin

Re-interpreting a Whistler Etching by Janice Jones

Street Scene at Saverne by Phyllis Follett

Fireworks over Saverne by Kathy Collins

Fun times in Saverne by Susan Hardell

Lines and Old Lace by Barbara Fritz-Elliott

Whistler's Street at Saverne etching

You can see for yourself the ingenuity and personality  everyone used to create their quilted rendition of Whistler's etching. Wouldn't it be interesting if Whistler himself was around to comment on what he thought of the results! The exhibit is still open until Saturday September 14th, 2013  if you have the opportunity  to see them in person.

I will be partnering with the Whistler House to teach another class again interpreting a Whistler artwork. 
Two hints to get you thinking about the possibilities, its a painting and a figure.
Curator James Dynment will be posting the workshop information on the museum website. www.whistlerhouse.org

Happy Quilting,

Mary

Whistler Quilts!

A few years ago James Dyment the curator at the Whistler House Museum in Lowell invited me to teach a class. The idea was to take a Whistler painting and reinterpret it in fabric as a quilt to celebrate both Whistler and the textile history in Lowell.

The first class was a great success and we have been partnering to repeat this idea every year.This year I chose an etching called Street at Saverne to teach as an exercise exploring value and perspective. 

I create a pattern and discuss the design approach and techniques I used to create my sample quilt. Here is where the creativity begins!  My students quickly start to adopt and reject fabrics, techniques, and ideas.

A little fabric trading, critiquing and advice keeps the class flowing. By the end of the day everyone has a pretty good idea of where they are going with their design and the way they want to finish their quilts.

I have seen some of the completed quilts and am excited to see them all showing together next month at the Whistler House during the Lowell Quilt Festival. I love the creativity and expression each quilt represents. Everyone created their own path to get to the finished piece. 

Whistler's Street at Saverne etching

Mary Walter's Street at Saverne quilt

We all await the moment when the class gets back together to see the finished quilts hanging together for the first time! Then we enjoy the opening reception and reaction of the viewers as they experience the theme and the variety of the quilts we created. 

I will post the class exhibit for everyone to enjoy but if you can see them in person please join us for the opening reception and the next dates for the next class Whistler Quilts class. 

For info visit www.whistlerhouse.org. A special thanks to James and the Whistler House for organizing,supporting our classes, and exhibiting our quilts.

Happy Quilting,

Mary