Some inspiration from Penny

My good friend Barb and I took a day trip recently to Carnegie Center, just a two-hour drive from here, to see another one of Penny Sisto’s exhibits. I thought I’d share some inspiration from this talented artist.

This year’s exhibit is called Earth-Tones and all of the quilts have been dyed with coffee. She said that the whole dyeing with coffee came about because her husband spilled coffee on her ironing board! “As I ironed it dry I saw sheer beauty appear…the alchemy of coffee and heat across the fabric started this journey.”

Before I move on to the quilts, Penny uses recycled fabric in her quilts. Since she is known to use recycled materials she gets a lot of donated goods. However, she has been known to buy a t-shirt off someone’s back! Below are just a few of her pieces. What is amazing about Penny is that she has completed all of these this year!

 

Langspil
Langspil

Just to give you an idea of what she uses in her quilts, Langspil lists silk roving, fur, torn rags, antique lace, coasters, leggins, and Mexican blouse.

Her’s a closeup:

closeup of Langspil

Kudu Horn
Kudu Horn

 

Guitar
Guitar
Harp
Harp
Harp closeup
Harp closeup

 

Jaguar Rattle
Jaguar Rattle

 

Eagle Pipe
Eagle Pipe

 

Fiddle
Fiddle

 

First Day At Work
First Day At Work

The caption: “Hearing the hum of the factory, she stands timorous on the threshold. Child labor remains one of the darkest shadows on our planet.”

Elders
Elders

 

Closeup of Elders
Closeup of Elders

 

Fox Light
Fox Light
Irish Bride
Irish Bride

 

Crane Bride
Crane Bride

 

As I said these were just a few of her pieces in this exhibit. Most of them were already sold. Any of the quilts she doesn’t sell she will take home, take apart, and reuse for her next project. What an amazing woman!

If you live anywhere close to Louisville, Kentucky, take a couple hours and check out this lovely center and this exhibit. It will be hanging through January 10.