Beyond the Rainbow

After my mother and several friends lived through the experience of breast cancer, this piece evolved to reflect how their diseased breast(s) affected their lives. A cancerous breast becomes detached, or isolated, from "normal" life. It is the main focus in the center of an out of kilter personal universe. All that is happening to the treated breast is reflected not only in the life of a woman but in those who love her.

"Beyond the Rainbow" - 31"x25"- 1998

Technique: Hand-quilted, hand applique, hand embroidery and needle lace, machine pieced.

Materials: silk fabric; hand-dyed, upholstery & commercial cotton fabrics; acrylic paint; beads; mono-filiment, metallic, and cotton thread; polyester batting

Exhibitions:
1998 - Dogwood Arts Quilt Show - Knoxville, Tenn. - awarded 1st Place
- "Scattered Pieces and Gathered Treasures" - Holland Arts Council Museum- Holland Michigan.
2000 - "The Millenium Art Show" - Knoxville, Tenn.
2003 - "Sew Near To My Heart Quilt Show" - Cincinnati, Ohio - Amercian Cancer Society Special Exhibit
2006 - "Festival of Quilts 2006" - Folklife Museum - Farragut, Tenn
Special exhibit, "Nellie's Needles" comprised of 21 quilts

This piece is for sale - $1600

Post Script 2015:
I, too, got breast cancer in 2012. Consequently this piece became even more personal. I ended up donating it to a cancer organization to raise money to help women in treatment.