respite: A short period of rest or relief from something difficult, stressful, unpleasant, painful, emotional, or exerting. A way to escape, even if for a fleeting moment. Relief is found in reflection, prayers, meditation, physical movement or creative outlets. Courage is found with companionship, a change in circumstance or attitude or taking time to breathe. With a lull, or timeout, we gain strength to continue. We invite you to take break, then share your interpretation of respite in art quilt form.
“As Far as the Eye Can See” by Judi H Bastion
I go to the beach to rejuvenate and recharge. Walking on the beach early n the morning, watching the sun rise as the birds run along the water's edge, seeing no other foot prints. Feeling the salt breeze on my face as I watch the pattern of the water as the waves roll towards the shore, cresting and breaking as they move. Discovering treasures in the sand; driftwood, different seaweed, colored bits of sea glass, an abandoned toy partially covered by sand, the remains of the sand castle, bits of shells and pebbles. Placing some treasures in my pocket as mementos of the moment. Letting my thoughts move like the tide shaking out ideas, letting go of blockage as I walk the beach. 44.5"H x 40.75"W
“Spring Woods” by Pat Baum Bishop
Spring Woods is inspired by the color of the woods in northern Wisconsin in the springtime when all the leaves are brand new, freshly unfurled in their almost fluorescent hues of chartreuse. Spring woods was inspired by many hours spent up north at our cottage in the woods. In the spring the trees are mostly bare with bits of chartreuse of the freshly sprouted leaves. Everything is bright and clear. 46"W x 34"H
“Woman of the Land” by M L Bunte
The reclining woman in this quilt represents me surrounded by the natural world and becoming a part of it. When stress accumulates, the best way for me to re-center is to spend time with Nature. Sitting on a sandy shore, strolling through an orchard or forest, and seeing vistas of rolling hills—all these experiences soothe my soul. My emotions are put in perspective because I sense that I am a small part of something bigger and it is part of me. I am humbled and refreshed just being there. I particularly enjoy being in Michigan, especially near the Great Lakes. It is my favorite go-to place when I need respite. 58”W x 26”H.
“Walking with Scooter and Mr C” by Gerrie Congdon
Artist Statement: It is no secret that my husband and I love our Labradoodle, Scooter. Almost every day, in every season, we leave any troubles behind and find joy in walking in our neighborhood. I am usually lagging behind taking photos. 24"W x 60"H.
“Flight Thru Sky Blue Pink” by Gerrie Congdon
When I meditate, I often imagine myself flying through a colorful sky punctuated with pink clouds. My grandmother always called this sky blue pink. 22"W x 51"H.
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“Ponderings VIII” by Erika Carter
A passion for creating something of substance from raw materials led me to quilting. It is this same "making" that has helped me find the strength and resiliency to be found in what is sensitive and fragile. I want to portray the poetry in the visual. The Ponderings series explores the calligraphic marks of branches against water, and the resulting "stories" written. 39"W x 43"H
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“A Resting Place in the Serengeti” by Karen G Ernst
The inspiration for this quilt is from a photo taken by a friend. While it shows one elephant finding a resting place from the heat, it can also serve as a metaphor for animals seeking rest from the ways they have been brought to the brink of extinction. 48"W x 52"H.
“My Place” by Ann Flaherty
Escape to my dreamscape when rigid constraints make demands. 12.5"W x 13.5"H .
“American Waterlilly” by Katy Gollahon
In the spring of 2016, a friend took me on a walk through the North Carolina Botanical Garden. It was so peaceful that I decided to spend every Thursday morning walking through the garden, taking pictures along the way. It became meditative and a respite from my daily life. This image is of an American White Waterlilly, Nymphaea odorata taken on one of my walks. 22"W x 15"H.
“Crontons” by April W Foster
After doing several quilts with rock formations and themes relative to the Southwest I decided I needed to make a change. I went tropical with bright croton leaves bringing thoughts of warm breezes, sandy beaches and the soothing sound of waves. Just thinking of these things is enough to enjoy a brief mental vacation. 18"W x 24"H.
“Colorfield: Emerald” by Michele Hardy
Colorfields are inspired by the colors, textures, and structures found in raw and polished rocks and other natural forms. Large fields of enticing color provide a space for contemplation and wonder. 41"W x 41"H.
“Sanctuary” by Ann Flaherty
Among the tidal marshes of New England, a resting point is found. 39"W x 18"H.
“Geoforms Porosity #1” by Michele Hardy
Geoforms are inspired by the colors, textures, and structures found in raw and polished rocks and other natural forms. A quiet joy is found in the luxury of gold, and the repetition of pattern. 30"W x 54"H.
“Diamond in the Wilderness” by Debbie Herbst
While on our Canadian vacation one stop included a visit to Lake Louise. We enjoyed the shimmering blue turquoise glacial lake nestled in some of the highest peaks of the Canadian Rockies. The peaceful feeling we experienced along the tranquil shoreline was a welcome break that evening after dinner. Feeling revitalized we were ready to continue our journey. 24.5"W x 25"H.
“Seeking Peace in the Storm” by Karen G Ernst
This is my refugee art quilt depicting refugees from Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya, and Cambodian and Syrian refugees (photos used with permission). Refugees are seeking respite/relief from oppression. Helping to resettle refugees has been a part of the life of my family since I was a child, and working on this quilt has affected me in many ways. 20"W x 35"H.
“Ponderings X” by Erika Carter
A passion for creating something of substance from raw materials led me to quilting. It is this same "making" that has helped me find the strength and resiliency to be found in what is sensitive and fragile. I want to portray the poetry in the visual. The Ponderings series explores the calligraphic marks of branches against water, and the resulting "stories" written. 39"W x 43"H.
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“Sweet Necesseties” by Gabriele DiTota
Food Network… Iron Chef…. Gourmet magazine….. when to my way of thinking all I need is some crusty bread, a chunk of good cheese and a glass of wine to wash it down. To me these are the sweet necessities that help to make a good life. 21"W x 40"H.
“An Instance of Change” by Janet Hiller
Every evening is the same-- as regular and peaceful as clockwork. Yet every evening presents a different drama in that one instant before the setting of the sun. A shift in the light perhaps. Or the sudden, surprising change in direction of a flock of seabirds. A moment of joy and quiet reflection. 35"H x 9"W .
“Garden Sanctuary” by Barb Ingersoll
My friend worked a stressful job, but she had a beautiful garden that she would retreat to every day. She described her garden as her place of sanity, of color and fragrance, of breath. Peace. This quilt is a fiber interpretation of a painting I did of my friend while she was deep in her garden sanctuary. 16"W x 20"H.
“Little Island” by Janet Hiller
For the fortunate few, there is a place in the world that provides what is absolutely necessary at any given moment -- serenity, acceptance, solitude, companionship, silence -- whatever. A personal oasis. For me, it is sitting dockside, watching as the sun dances across sky and water. 27"H x 43"W.
“Urban Voyeur 4 - Union Station” by Jill Kerttula
When I was in the corporate world, I always loved that time "between worlds" that a commute provided. A time alone; not work, not home, just decompression. I was thinking about that as I watched commuters on their way home in Union Station, Washington DC. 55"H x 35"W.
“Reflections” by Gwen Brink
Influenced by the Japanese tradition called Boro, I use only repurposed fabric from my clothing and the clothing and bed covers of my parents. It speaks of that time between sleep and wakefulness when reality is raw and blurred. Past, present and future are intertwined and raw emotion presents itself as love, anger, resentment, repair, mending, regret, hope and sorrow and peace. The labor intensive act of hand quilting in large stitches opens up a space in time for deep reflection apart from the hectic activity of day to day activity. 48"W x 52"H.
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“Sprouts” by Pat Baum Bishop
Sprouts is an organic piece that grew out of the fabrics it is made from. Nature is my inspiration in the deep, dark, damp woods you will find chartreuse sprouts with unexpected colors. Fresh and vibrant. 38"W x 34"H.
“West Toward Home VI Morning Coffee on the Llano” by Ellie Kreneck
In this quilt my intent is to depict the magical moment that occurs when one savors the lovely calm of a new dawn while anticipating the delicious rush of energy with the first sip of coffee. I look forward to this moment in time - this respite - every morning before I plunge into the day's activities. 46"H x 30"W.
“Frank on Friday” by Nancy Lassiter
Frank Zappa's music is wildly creative. I'd never noticed until I started listening to "Frank on Friday," a weekly program on WNCW. I turn it up loud as I drive home from my 92-year-old mother's house. Zappa's exuberance provides a much-needed respite from my mother's frailty. 30"H x 24"W.
“Ripple” by Liz Kuny
As soothing as the gentle swaying of the shapes in this piece felt to me, I found even more solace in the work and time spent creating it. For me, there is no better escape from the ordinariness of most days than doing the work I enjoy most. 36.5"H x 23"W.
“Rhododendron” by Nancy Lassiter
My grandmother's house was eight miles away, and it almost touched Pisgah National Forest. The setting was secluded, near the end of a cover, and a creek ran by. Rhododendrons flourished in the shade. It was a tranquil haven, apart from the world. 14"H x 20"W.
“Tea Time on CALLÉ de CADIZ” by Mary A Ritter
A Valencian scrambles back to her third floor condo ready to relax after a long day. After an hour or so, she will return to work until late evening. The tea is poured and she relaxes on the balcony overlooking Callé de Cadiz, watching the families beginning to gather for their siesta in the sidewalk cafés below. The traffic is quieted during this time of day, and the warmth of the sun and the tea are a respite from her busy world. 25"W x 33"H.
“On the Beach” by Anna L Willard
Spending time with my family by the sea is one of my favorite ways to get away from it all. This image captured the essence of the memory of that day which was a Mother's day trip to the beach to hunt for shark's teeth. I love how the two figures of my sons are in harmony with each other as they walk down the beach. The wind blowing, waves crashing, salt in the air. It is one of my favorite memories. 31"H x 19"W.
“Respite from the Heat” by Mary J Sneyd
After working outdoors all day in the heat, my brother-in-law needed some relief. He is pictured under his outdoor shower in native forest, Northland, New Zealand. As a doctor I am particularly interested in portraying the human form and a major focus of my textile art is on collaged portraits and nudes. I am also very appreciative of the New Zealand environment and like to incorporate aspects of nature wherever possible. 40"H x 21.5"W.
“Buddah 1” by Lauren S Rosenbaum
Zen Philosophy tells us to live in the moment, to experience our surrounds, not merely observe them. The texture of a tree, the way the light is hitting foliage, gnarled branches on a tree, all serve as inspiration for my fiber paintings. Fiber art and the art of dying fabric is so organic, it seems like a natural relationship. It is a medium that allows for a lot of expression and imagery. 43.5"H x 29"W.
“Airstream Oasis” by Libby Williamson
Solitude and silence. This is my balm. As a grateful introvert, I crave time to reflect on and to process events of my day. I cherish this respite and my soul depends on it for restoration. So I withdraw to the quiet of my airstream, secluded in a terrarium bubble, with my art, my books, my plants and chocolate. Bliss. All that I need is contained within. I am not lonely but I am alone. 56"H x 36"W.
“Rock Ladder” by Franke Palm
If my project succeeds, the assembled images tell a story that is richer and deeper than any single image. My object is thus to capture -- within the apparent confines of my modest, linear, two dimensional world of fiber and stitching -- a larger, richer world, to reach out with color and shape and scale to the inner experience of enjoying a day's trek through the magnificence of the American Southwest. 56"H x 42"W.