Frances Murphy - What Polka Dots Do While You're Sleeping - Entry for Whimsy


 

            I needed to make this quilt.  In 2017, my grandson, Justin Murphy, made some Play-Dough “monsters” and sent me photos of his creations.  I was very impressed with the creativity this four-year-old boy displayed by adding google eyes to his creation.  The google eyes animated the designs and brought them to life.  I knew that one day, when the time was right, I would use the inspiration of Justin’s “monsters” to make an art quilt.  

            When I learned that the theme for our Four Common Corners quilts for the second quarter of 2021 was “Whimsy”, I knew the time was right to make an art quilt inspired by Justin’s “monsters”.  The Free Dictionary by Farlex defines “whimsy” as playfully quaint or fanciful behavior or humor, a whim, a thing that is fanciful or odd.  “What Polka Dots Do While You’re Sleeping” fits the definition of “whimsy” perfectly. 

            I wanted the whole process of constructing the quilt to be fun, so I used some of my favorite construction techniques:  fabric weaving, applique and hand stitching.  The underlying theme and driving force for all of my art quilts is color—its interaction and relationship—and I enjoyed the challenge of choosing the colors for this quilt.  I am also fascinated by the contrast and relationship of the textures of different types of fabrics and the textures created by stitching in my art quilts.  I love combining unusual fabrics or fabrics that have contrasting textures, such as silk and wool felt.


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