Biography
After a long hiatus, I returned to interior designing in 1992. I established “Feather Your Nest” a design, consulting and project management firm for residential and commercial clients. This also included a decorator art line, with chairs becoming one part of a growing passion to use all types of fabrics and textiles. In 1994, I began piecework quilting as a hobby, which expanded my use of fabrics.
A significant change in my life came in 1998 when I moved to Indonesia with my husband. Living four years in a camp in Central Sumatra gave me the opportunity to quilt full time, design my own quilts and collect batik fabric, songkets and other textiles from Southeast Asia. The Indonesian culture had a big influence on my life and my work.
Now residing full time in Corydon, Indiana after years of spending part time in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Rita has loved using the inspiring landscapes of both locations in her work. “If my work brings a smile, then I know that I have accomplished my goal.” All of her experiences over the years have come to a fine use in her quilts today.
Artist Statement
In the early 1990’s, I returned to interior design and established “Feather Your Nest”, a design, consulting and project management firm for residential and commercial clients. This also included a decorator art line, with chairs becoming one part of a growing passion to use all types of fabrics and textiles. At this time, I began piecework quilting as a hobby, which expanded my use of fabrics.
Today, my work is inspired from the various cultures I have experienced throughout the world. This is especially the case after living four years in Central Sumatra, Indonesia. That experience afforded me the opportunity to quilt full time, design my own quilts and collect batik fabric, songkets and other textiles from Southeast Asia. The Indonesian culture had a big influence on my life and my work.
Inspiration comes from my personal experiences with nature, travel, reading and observing. I pursue my own style and build on what experiences I have gathered and gained from past designs, techniques and knowledge. I begin with an idea, put it on graph paper and start selecting from my extensive library of fabrics. I use a variety of fabrics that inspire my curiosity and vision. I interpret these ideas by drawing on traditional textile techniques used in quilting, embroidery and appliqué to create my designs. Although I have a great respect for traditional quilting, my real interest is creating one-of-a-kind, uniquely designed quilts using many fabrics with vivid colors.
Thus, designing and planning on what I want to achieve comes in various ways either by a ‘spark’ of creativity, from what I have observed in my travels or from working with other women who inspire. I enjoy and have a personal love in creating works of artistry and originality. I try to express a combination of these ideas to create something unique and pleasing to the viewer. For me, the art of quilt making allows me to accomplish all of this.
A Salute to Alexander Girard
(74″ x 76″) $ $2,400
Bohemian Rhapsody
(72″ x 72″) $1,800
The Four Queens
(75″ x 82″) $3,600
Hide and Seek
( ) $2,500
(81″ x 98″) $2,900
Feather Duster III “The Nest”
(55″ x 69″) $1,800
If you’re interested in purchasing or learning more about Rita’s artwork, please contact Harrison County Arts at (812) 738-2123