Quilt Artist:

Cherrie Hampton

Name of Quilt:

Dancing With The Storm

Size of Quilt:

30” X 30” Quilt

Materials:

Cotton sateen, commercial cotton

Techniques:

Machine appliqué, hand painted butterflies

Design Inspiration:

Inspired by Sky Ribbons by Libby Lehman. I have always admired the effervescent lady who loves color. Libby was the first person who taught me about thread and how to use it in innovative ways. She directed my journey toward art quilting with her loose designs that were full of movement and boisterous color. Although I have never taken a class with her, she has had a strong influence on my understanding of movement and texture in quilt design. Her iconic book "Thread Play" is still a favorite reference book in my library.

Statement:

Last year when I was beginning the quilting for my first art quilt for show, I remembered her flowing forms and pulled out her book once again to study those designs. Her quilt "Sky Ribbons" provided the perfect expression for my quilt and that quilt went on to win a blue ribbon in Paducah and "The Future of Quilting" award in Houston.

To create "Dancing with the Storm", the "Sky Ribbons" again inspired me to indicate the movement of air. I chose butterflies following the twisting ribbons to reflect hope intertwining with the many twists and turns of life. This seemingly lighthearted image is juxtaposed against a mottled dark hand dye illustrating the storms that also effect life.