Unexpected Beauty

Name/Title

Unexpected Beauty

Entry/Object ID

2005.01.03

Made/Created

Artist

Sandra Leichner

Date made

2004

Place

City

Albany

State/Province

Oregon

Country

United States

Continent

North America

Dimensions

Height

66 in

Width

51 in

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Artist Commentary

Label

“I am passionate about the traditional framework of the American quilt, and that unique style is always reflected in my work. I personally refer to what I do as ‘illustrating with fabric and thread.’ The lesson I learned was to approach any artistic medium with the same view: that technique is an integral and essential step in the overall success of the final piece and its overall impact. My quilts are designed to specifically incorporate techniques that force me to stretch my abilities. Unexpected Beauty took seven months to complete. Its creation departed from my usual tradition-based style in order to see if I could translate one of my watercolor illustrations into fabric."

Label

"I am passionate about the traditional framework of the American quilt, and that unique style is always reflected in my work. I personally refer to what I do as "illustrating with fabric and thread". I discovered that the illustration style transfers well when designing and creating quilts that still maintain the soul and integrity of the American style of quilt making. Each quilt I make is designed to be distinct and very different from the previously completed quilt. I am always designing my quilts to specifically incorporate techniques that force me to stretch my abilities, and to continually make each new project challenging and interesting. I have a tendency to approach the construction process in the same way I have been taught to approach any other artistic medium, that technique is an integral and essential step in the overall success of the final quilt and its visual impact. I enjoy the whole process and although it usually takes between one and two years to complete one of my quilts, I am never disappointed I invested that time and effort. I believe there is something very comforting about a quilt beyond the tactile materials used to create it, and I hope my work reflects that feeling of comfort when viewed by others. I don't think of my quilts as art, but rather as illustrated quilts that tell a simple and positive message about the current times we live in. Hopefully my quilts, and their stories, will translate well from generation to generation. The quilt took seven months to complete and was an opportunity to depart from my usual traditional based style and to see if I could translate one of my watercolor illustrations to fabric. With so much anger and media focus on the turmoil in current times, I wanted to point out that sometimes we need to be more open and perceptive to the positive messages and beauty that lies hidden just under our noses if we just choose to find it."

Label

Flower depicted: Hellebores

Research Notes

Notes

Awards Won: RJR BEST OF SHOW-WALL American Quilter's Society Show, Paducah BEST OF SHOW Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, Virginia FIRST PLACE AWARD Road to California, Ontario

General Notes

Note Type

Materials Used

Note

Cottons; cotton, silk, polyester threads; fabric paint, rock crystals, wool batting

Note Type

Techniques Used

Note

Hand and machine pieced, hand appliquéd, hand embroidered, hand beaded, machine quilted