Just What is an 'Art' Quilt Anyway?

What exactly is an art quilt? Have you ever wondered what it is that makes one quilt a plain quilt and another quilt an art quilt? I have and I think there are other curious people who have wondered the same thing. So I thought of doing some research and looking around to find an answer.

I began with basic definitions.

art

¹

[ ärt ]

NOUN

1. the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power:
   "the art of the Renaissance"
   synonyms: fine art · artwork
2. (the arts)
   the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance:
   "the visual arts"

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quilt

[ kwilt ]

NOUN

a warm bed covering made of padding enclosed between layers of fabric and kept in place by lines of stitching, typically applied in a decorative design.
synonyms: duvet · cover(s) · coverlet · comforter · bedspread · counterpane

VERB

join together (layers of fabric or padding) with lines of stitching to form a bed covering or a warm garment, or for decorative effect.

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It seems to me that skill and imagination are important ideas in defining art, let's not leave out beauty.

Just where does quilting and art intersect? Is it in the eye of the beholder? Are there universal ideas to keep in focus to help us as individuals decide for ourselves. That's a brave thought isn't it?

With that in mind I'm off to explore to find some examples of skill, imagination and beauty in quilting.

Check in soon for more as we look at 'Just what is an 'art' quilt anyway?

Art Quilt Experiment, Adding Texture with hand embroidery....

I sewed together 'strip' fabric with batiks and muslins.

I sliced the 'strip' fabric into thirds horizontally and vertically.

Cross stitch and running stitches added.

 I'm adding more hand embroidery to my new art quilt, the texture and color adds so much fun!
Over the weekend I sewed up a strip fabric piece and cut it into small blocks to be used in another art quilt experiment. I'm using some blue and green batik to start with. I plan on using the small blocks as the center square for a bigger log cabin block. I'm still working through, maybe I should say playing instead of working, Gwen Marston's book
Liberated Quiltmaking II. Her book is full of great design and color ideas.
I'm going to run a small tutorial on finishing an art quilt, either with binding or with the envelope, pillow case, method.
Also, I think it would be fun to begin 'defining' art quilt. What is an art quilt anyway?
Happy Monday!
 

Farmer's Market, summer color, Liberated Quilt Making II

Gwen Marston's book, Liberated Quiltmaking II

 I'm working through Liberated Quiltmaking II by Gwen Marston. I finished this top in batiks, a study on the log cabin block, I chose a four square center. I'll keep you posted on my next project from the book.
It's Saturday, time to have an adventure, colorful, if at all possible, right?! The Folsom Farmer's Market! Gorgeous veggies, fruits and flowers were everywhere. We got Thai basil and lemons for pesto and tangelos for fresh fruit, I love that citrus smell.
 Remember to visit your local farmer's market, a great way to spend a Saturday morning!

Published in Art Quilting Studio Tropical Punch....

Art Quilting Studio is due out June 1st. I just got my complimentary copy for getting my article and quilt, Tropical Punch, published in it.
It's a good magazine, the editors choose interesting quilts with different techniques, textures and hand stitching.
Sujata Shah of the The Root Connection, has an interesting post to check out. She had a wonderful visit with Gwen Marston, who wrote the book Liberated Quilt Making II, published by AQS. I admire both these ladies' quilts. I'm currently working through Gwen's book getting fresh ideas and inspiration; that liberated style based on tradition.
Yes, to keeping the inspiration flowing!

Embellishing Hand Embroidery and Beads....

Over Memorial Day weekend; and yes, in memory of so much sacrifice, we have a lot to be thankful for,
 I got some embellishment done in the way of hand embroidery on my art quilt and beads added to my newest sewing kit; I just had to put a few more beads on.
Little steps are how I get things done.

By the way, in the world of beading and quilts there is a fine artist, Thom Atkins.
I've heard him speak and I've had the privilege of taking an embellishment class of his; excellent. If you need some WOW! take a look at his work.

Crazy Quilt style Strawberries n' Chocolate embroidery.....

Strawberries n' Chocolate sewing kit is finished. I've added final hand embroidery, glass pearls and beads. The needle keeps are made of felted wool. The pocket is roomy. The ties are wine colored, crushed velvet. It is just the right size to keep supplies for your current project at hand. It has a nice feel being made of silks and formal fabrics.
Scrumptious all around, will soon be up for sale in my etsy shop, crazyvictoriana.etsy.com

Fun Color Inspiration and Art Quilt Progress..

Fountains @ Roseville, CA beautiful family shopping.

One of many fountains among the shops.

Anthropologie @ the Fountians...

Hand embroidered textile from India @ Anthropologie, beautiful..

Home-decor findings, here and below, Anthropologie.

Peet's Coffee, good coffee and snacks..

Binding has been sewn onto the front.....

Yesterday I took a long time deciding on binding color for my new art quilt. Then I got it sewn on the front and pinned to the back. I won't talk about unpicking because I got the wrong side up.
It's Saturday! I needed to get out of the house and have an adventure so off to the Fountains; a shopping center. We had lunch there and visited Sur la Table where they had samples of brownies made in a Wolf convection oven they have for sale. I accidently took 2 samples, they were delicious. We had to visit Anthropologie; clothes and houseware, for color inspiration. Their store decorator does such a fabulous job. I left full of inspiration and brownies.
Where do you find inspiration?