Circles of Black, Circles of White 1 - Nancy Smeltzer - © 2010

24.75”W x 28”T x 1”D
Hand appliqué, beading, and quilting
Glass, plastic and metal buttons and beads
I don’t often do series, as pieces this size take about six months to complete and I get tired of the colors and fabrics. “Circles of Black, Circles of White I” is the first of a series of quilts that all have the same black and white striped circles in them. While visiting out in Yakima, WA in 2008, I decided to cut out 4 quilt tops all at once. I had none of my fabric stash with me, so all of the fabric that I needed to “paint” with was purchased out there. (The resulting purchases filled two large boxes that were shipped back home to my studio). Since that time, 3 other pieces have been cut out, so the series includes a total of seven pieces.

This first piece is in response to all of the softly colored, flowery work that I had been doing right before then. (I was also working on “Japanese Irises” while out in WA.) I wanted something more vibrant that would take advantage of the bolder, retro fabrics that were coming out in the stores at the time. I still have some of my beloved flower motifs in this piece, but this work’s image is quite a departure from the pieces that immediately preceded it. Of course, it is heavily beaded, as there is a well-stocked bead store in the Yakima Nation Reservation, so I always stock up on seed beads when I’m visiting out there.

There are a number of my beloved butterflies in this piece. I enjoy watching them flit up and down as they bounce up and down. Occasionally, if I’m really still, I’ll have one light on my finger as I’m gardening, and the thrill of having such a delicate beauty trust me is awe inspiring. Monarch butterfly appliqués are easy to obtain at many fabric stores, so I always include a few of them in most of my compositions. Some day, I hope to see them in the jungles, where they cover the trees. The thought of feeling the slight breeze that would be stirred up by that many wings sends aesthetic chills up and down my neck.

15 members like this

View Full Size

Tags: Nancy, Smletzer, art, beaded, contemporary, More…fiber, quilts
Favourite of 3 people

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of stitchin fingers to add comments!

Join stitchin fingers

Comment by Susan Shufelt on June 13, 2012 at 22:26: I love things that are busy with so much to look at. What a great and VERY unique piece.

Comment by christina richards on June 3, 2012 at 11:12: Magnificent In every way !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by luiz vaz on June 3, 2012 at 8:15: Applause!

Comment by Sharyn Baldwin on June 3, 2012 at 2:50: Your series is simply stunning - what beautiful work you do!

Comment by Nicki Lee on June 1, 2012 at 19:25: Hi Nancy, I've spent the last half hour go back and forth studying each one of your creations - I am in aboslutel awe of the beuaty, time, effort and crativiely you have put into each one. Can I come play with you?

Comment by Elaine Wilding on May 31, 2012 at 8:06: Stunning and I love the stories behind your pieces as well. Hugs Elaine

Comment by Nancy Smeltzer on May 31, 2012 at 7:15: Dear Ones, thanks so much for the encouraging comments. I'd like to think that my work would be interesting enough that you'd want to walk across the room to see and as you got closer, you;d see more and more details. I had that happen to me once at a party, when I walked across a room to see a piece that turned out to be one of mine that I had sold 20 years before. I guess I really do like my own work...:)

Comment by Starr White on May 31, 2012 at 7:05: Nancy, your work is beautiful! Just a riot of sumptuous texture and colors. I've enjoyed them all, but this one's my favorite!