Gwen Marston: Quilt Goddess

Last Thursday we had the pleasure of seeing the exhibit "Gwen Marston: Contemporary Quilts" at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City, Michigan. As I've mentioned before , Gwen is my biggest inspiration. Her 'liberated' approach to quilt design is so freeing and fun, and is how I most love to work. "Liberated Quiltmaking II" is one of my first and favorite quilt books; I re-read it often and those right brain gears just start turning.
I am amazed at how someone can be so creative, varied and prolific! Her quilt styles range from classically traditional patterns with reproduction Civil War fabrics, to the most modern, abstract designs in solids. The quilts in this exhibit were her modern ones, almost exclusively in solids.

So come see some of her quilts with me!

Liberated Log Cabin with String Border (2009, see its photo and description in Liberated Quiltmaking II. But here's a mystery: in the book, it's pictured 'upside down' from the way it was shown in the museum, yet it's hung by a hanging sleeve...so which is the right way up?)
This is my favorite of Gwen's quilts.

Small Study 37 (2010) and Abstraction (2012)
The small quilt is her fabric 'sketch' of her design for the larger quilt.

More small studies

Mexican Hat Dance (2008, Liberated Quiltmaking II)
This one makes me all kinds of happy.

Strippy II (2011)

Medallion in Solids (2007, Liberated Medallion Quilts)

Liberated Log Cabin (2007)
So much quilt love for this one. While this quilt is totally modern, she made her log cabin blocks with the traditional red centers, symbolizing the hearth of the home.

Liberated Log cabin with Applique Border (2008)
I love brights, but I really like the combination of these softer colors.

Framed Red Squares (2007)

High Desert Country III (2008)
These colors remind me of a wonderful road trip to the southwest, especially Utah.

Medallion with Sawtooth Border (2008)
Don't miss that lovely sliver of bright lavender.

Red on Red (2013)
Look at all those juicy reds...mmmm.

Red Square VI (2008)

I hope you enjoyed seeing Gwen Marston's quilts at the museum. These are only some that are on display, through April 27. Thanks for letting me share my excitement with you! I left with so many new quilt ideas, my head kind of hurt, but in a good way. You know, that headache you get when you're on creative overload.

It's is a little off-topic, but in case you haven't seen enough color, this was happening at the museum at the same time: Tibetan monks painting a sand mandala.

I could have stared at it for hours, just trying to take in all the detail and color and texture. Absolutely stunning. Wouldn't it make a gorgeous applique'd wall quilt?! You can read more about their mandala sand painting here.

Have a good week!