“People and Portraits” Exhibit

For me, one of the highlights of the AQS Daytona Beach quilt show was SAQA’s exhibit “People and Portraits.”  Even though I had seen these pieces before, I thoroughly enjoying studying them again.

Mary Pal’s cheesecloth portraits were some of my favorites.  This one is called Homeless Love.

As you can see, she shapes tiny bits of cheesecloth against a black background to create stunning portraits.  Most of them are of the elderly or homeless.

This one is called Stogie.

Aren’t they wonderful?

Joan Sowada is well known for her portraits and images of every day life.  This one is called Flow.

And this one is Flight Zone.

Maria Elkins does a fabulous job with a variety of media on fabric.  This is called Windblown and is featured on the cover of the exhibit catalog.

Check out the quilting in this detail shot!  Although the quilt was beautiful before, this added texture really elevates it to another level.

Maria has another very touching piece in this exhibit, called Surrender.

If I remember correctly, this quilt was made as comfort for a family that lost their newborn child.  Can  you see the transparent hands coming in from the right?

On a happier note, Pam RuBert has one of her zany quilts included.  It’s called Towers of Babble.  In it even the dog has a cell phone!

Another quilt with social commentary is Hmm, by Pat Kumicich.  It’s about the 2008 presidential election.  (I’m thinking she might need to make another one this year.)

Like Joan Sowada, Lore Lupe Pelish’s quilts always show people in every day situations.  This is called We Were All There.

This detail shot gives a hint about all the print fabrics she used.

Finally, this quilt by Jenny Bowker drew my attention.  It’s called Hassan and the Glass.

The portrait is very well done, but I also think the composition and colors of the rest of the quilt support it very nicely.

This exhibit was just part of the much larger quilt show that’s still going on through April 27, 2016.  If you’re in the area, I think you’ll enjoy it.

Ellen Lindner