One of the things about quilting that has always intrigued me is the use of color in communicating shape, design and purpose. So, when I began creating quilt collages using hundreds of different pieces of fabric, the ability to create shape and dictate focus using hues, values and patterns took my work in a totally different direction than traditional quilting. 

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I am consistently drawn to fabrics that create the illusions of texture, movement, relief, and contours with lines, dots and shine.  I take in elements of the fabric while looking at the whole design. Finally, I quilt the finished mosaic with fine silk thread.

 

Most of my work revolves around animals, particularly dogs. There is a soulfulness and a shared connection humans feel with dogs. Perhaps it’s because they’re so curious. After hiking in the Alps, I also fell in love with cows. I noticed how well they communicate without words, simply by expressions. I want to capture that in my work. So, I always begin with the eyes. The eyes render the image alive. The face and body evolve intuitively by careful blending of color and pattern. Each fabric piece adds a level of depth, much the way a painting comes to life through shape, shading and color. 

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I hope that my quilt collages will instill a sense of wonder in what lives within an animal’s thoughts and connects to their souls. 

Rosemary Burris

Portland, OR and Port Townsend, WA

Feel free to contact me using the form below:

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