As I was working on Palm Reading, and Interior Monologue, I was also working on The Letters, the second of the two quilts inspired by the pattern on the woman's dress in Mary Cassatt's print, The Letter. So this is why three quilts are tumbling out nearly at once, marking the end of 2024.
The Letters
19.75"w x 38"h (50.5 cm x 96.5 cm)
Hand-drawn pattern stenciled with fabric paint and deColourant on hand-dyed cotton; velvet; commercially printed cotton; embroidery; hand quilting
Details:
I first created the a stencil and made the patterned cloth with deColourant, then selectively added more of the pattern with white fabric paint for depth. Cutting and piecing the envelope shapes was next.
I found a digital copy of a letter written in Mary Cassatt's hand, and tried to emulate her handwriting for the embroidered text, but didn't want to use the specific text of the letter I found. A Berlitz website gave me some typical phrases used in a French letter, ones that may be familiar to any letter writer. "To whom it may concern" "I hope you are well" "I would like to know." Cassatt did sign her letter: mes sentiments cordiales, which I did include. I noticed she did not dot her i's but did use a long cross for the t's and almost no flourishes. I've taken some artistic license here.
Wishing you light and love and good connections in 2025!
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