Introduction
Our recent travels in October have taken us to Piemonte, in northwest Italy. The breathtaking landscape, fabulous city of Turin, sparkling lakes and villages that look like they stepped out of a painting have been a a source of great enjoyment and inspiration. Nature is very generous there, from the geometric patterns of the vineyards, to the aroma of hazelnuts in the surrounding orchards, to the lush vegetation. Our exploration there has been greatly enhanced by our wonderful hosts, Alessandro and Monica, at the beautiful Casa Isabella in the Monferrato hills. As generous as they are with their hospitality, they are equally generous with their friends, and we have met some fascinating people at Casa Isabella, thanks to them. Among them, is their friend, the artist Michele Acquani, whose paintings have inspired me to interpret them as quilts. Michele has generously given me permission, and looks forward to the following October when I show him my latest version of his work.
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The Fantastic City 2022
When we were staying in a beautiful country home in Piemonte, the lovely proprietors were hosting an exhibit of paintings by their friend Michele Acquani. I was immediately struck by the vibrancy of their colors, the playfulness of the dimensions, the complexity of the planes. They reminded me at the same time of Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino, and the paintings of Paul Klee. Yet they were totally unique. The artist graciously gave me permission to interpret one of his paintings into a quilt. So his Città Fantastica became my Fantastic City. I certainly hope that my quilt has given proper honor to his art.
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Fantastic Autumn in Monferrato 2024
(23” W x 16” L)
As with my quilt The Fantastic City 2022, I was inspired by the work of the painter Michele Acquani, fantastic himself. He graciously gave me permission to interpret his 2022 painting of an imaginary vineyard in the Monferrato region of Piedmont, Italy. The landscape itself looks like a patchwork quilt, and one can barely discern the outline of the Alpes against the piemontese sky. The stitching I used in the outer frame extends the landscape into the distance. The region is rich in sensorial delights, which I sought to capture. Can you feel the crispness of the autumn air, can you capture the fragrance of the fall vegetation, can you taste the magnificent red wines that come from this beautiful countryside?
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Fantastic Sardinia 2025
(14 1/2 W x 14 L)
The inspiration for this quilt is yet another painting by Michele Acquani of Nizza Monferrato. His painting reveals the beautiful colors and shapes that define the coast of Sardinia and its islands. As with many of his paintings, when I ask him where this particular scene is, his reply is always the same, una fantasia. With his permission, I interpreted his fantasy of the Sardinian coast.