"Jazz Rhythms" 56 x 35 Cindy Grisdela 2009

I’m pleased that “Jazz Rhythms” has been juried into the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA. The show will run from February 24-27, 2011.

I don’t enter many traditional quilt shows anymore for many reasons, but I have a soft spot for this show. It was the first quilt show I ever went to–many years ago when I couldn’t imagine having created something that I could enter, much less get into the show! At that time, it was held in Williamsburg, VA, where I went to college and still enjoy visiting. For the last few years, my mom and my sister have come up from Florida to go to the show with me–it’s a lot of fun and something we don’t get to do very often.

I love the energy of this piece. Initially I thought I would make a collection of improvisational blocks and set them with irregular red sashing to serve as a neutral base. You can see the red sashing left in several places, but it seemed too static overall. Then I happened upon the idea of the wonky stripes and I added them in various places–then in a few more! The irregular edges are faced, not bound, for a cleaner look. Jazz is hand quilted in an overall pattern of concentric circles to soften the angularity of the design.

I learned a lot from this piece that I’m continuing to experiment with–the improv blocks, the wonky stripes, the solid colors, letting the design flow without imposing a structure too soon. It’s a great series!

4 Comments

  1. Roxane lessa on February 10, 2011 at 11:06 am

    I have a similar experience with MAQF. I don’t have a piece in this year, but I used to every year. But I am going to the show this year. I love your work and hope to see you there!



    • Cindy on February 12, 2011 at 4:18 pm

      Thanks Roxane!



  2. Jill Banks on February 13, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    Cindy,

    I love “Jazz Rhythms” … it just looks like the piece is having a blast. A quilted party.

    Congratulations on all your acceptances and shows. And, I like your explanation/thinking process relative to how you select shows.

    Jill



    • Cindy on February 14, 2011 at 4:55 pm

      Thanks Jill! I’ve been having a blast following your “100 Faces” project–I’m really inspired to try something kinda sorta similar, but probably not faces, maybe just quilts.