Vallejo artists present `The Nature of Thread'
Exhibit showcasing Bay Area nature taking place throughout February
Orna Pascal and JoAnne Lincoln love quilting. They also love nature. This month the duo and many others are threading the needle between the two subjects at Mare Island Art Studios.
Fiber Expressions Art Quilts Inspired by the Nature of Our Bay Area's “The Nature of Thread” is at the venue through Feb. 26. The exhibit showcases 33 pieces of art by approximately a dozen artists that feature different types of quilts with the theme of nature of the Bay Area.
“We've always been textile enthusiasts, so to have a show entirely on textiles is very exciting,” Pascal said. “However, this exhibit isn't intended to be just one kind of display. There is piercing, stitching and applique to name a few. The quilts have all kinds of fabrics, whether it be beads, stone, twigs — whatever the artist felt compelled to do.”
Quilts displayed shows art featuring coyotes, raccoons, crab, bobcats, birds, trees, abstract and much more. Some quilts are for sale, while others are just on display.
Lincoln said her favorite quilt of her own that she put on display was of a coyote.
“I think the most important thing for me with the quilts is the expression,” Lincoln said. “I volunteer for Napa wildlife so I know that coyotes are villainized often and misunderstood. I want to express that in the quilt and show my special affection for them.”
Jennifer Whitmer, who is new to the group, says her preferred method is to “jump right in” and let her art unfold.
“It's kind of like having a great idea and then pulling stuff together out of a big stash,” Whitmer said. “Once I'm finished with a project I try not to become attached to it too much. I'm finished with it and I've already moved on to the next project.”
Pascal said that her reaction to posting her quilts up on the wall of the Mare Island Studios is most likely the same as any artist putting up any art.
“There is a sense of relief,” Pascal said. “We're happy to move on and see it be complete.”
Putting all the quilts together in the art studio was another fun, but difficult process. Both
Pascal and Lincoln would ponder what quilt needed to be next to another quilt, and what quilt had to be on the same wall as another.
“It takes time,” Lincoln said. “You have to find out what likes to be next to another piece. The goal I guess is to make it look like it had been easy to put together.”
The walls won't be the only collaboration. Pascal said the studio always aims to hold the exhibit up in February so it can coincide with the Flyway Festival, beginning next weekend on Mare Island and elsewhere in the Bay Area.
The exhibit goes on for the rest of the month from noon to 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday except for next Saturday, Feb. 11 when the exhibit will be open for an artist reception with food from 2 to 5 p.m. with doors opening at noon. Contact jklincoln59@gmail.com.