Saturday, August 23, 2008

In Print!

I am thrilled to have a small art quilt published in the latest issue of Somerset Studio. Several months ago, they issued a Call for Submissions based on the first few lines of Emily Dickinson's Hope is the Thing with Feathers. I've always really loved that poem, and I love the word "hope" and all that it means... including the fact that it is my middle name. So, I had to respond with some art, of course.

I thought it would be fun to take a different spin on the word "feather," so I used a somewhat traditional feathered quilting motif on my little quilt. I added little birds in case the average viewer didn't get my visual pun.

It's got some of my other staples: hand writing, circles stamped in paint, square sequins.

There are some other fantastic pieces that were published in this "hope" article. Surely there is tons of other good stuff in the whole magazine... I haven't had a chance to read through it yet.

Here is the poem in it's entirety for your pleasure and pondering.
Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all, And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm. I've heard it in the chilliest land And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me.

Now that you've read the poem, did you notice the typo I made on my quilt? In the first line I wrote "hope is a thing" rather than "the thing." Sigh. I'm sorry, Emily.

9 comments:

Gerrie said...

I love that piece, Deborah. It is so light and airy and...hopeful!!

Congrats.

Kristin L said...

Ditto what Gerrie said. I am always so impressed that you get so many pieces published -- but then again, your work is so very good that it shouldn't be a surprise at all! :-) Congrats.

Kim said...

I love that poem and love your interpretation! Fabulous! Congrats!

Françoise said...

Beautiful piece. Congratulations!

Pam said...

It's Great Deborah! Can't wait to see it in person! PP

Anonymous said...

Deborah,
That is beautiful!!! I love the blue and yellow. And your birds are adorable...the sequins looks like song. Great job!! Lucy

Leah said...

Congratulations Deborah! so excited for you!

Anonymous said...

I love it love it love it. For sale??????

Kate

Jane said...

This is one of my favorite quotes and I LOVE how you've interpreted it! Such beautiful work!
~jane