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Descended from the Stars, Part 1

I’m thrilled to be able to share my most recent major work along with the news that Descended From the Stars has been juried in to this year’s Dinner@8 exhibit, Affinity, which will debut at International Quilt Festival 2015 in Houston, Texas, this coming October.

(c)Sarah Ann Smith 2015; quote (c) Mirza Khan, used with permission

(c)Sarah Ann Smith 2015; quote (c) Mirza Khan, used with permission.  Click to open slightly larger.

You can find more about the exhibit and the other artists here.  I am blushing to find myself in such company, and humbled to be in this exhibit for my sixth consecutive year.

The theme is Affinity, and the call for entry reads:

I am the garden that I plant.
I have…a natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, or idea.
I am all the books that I have read.
I have….. A close resemblance or connection to someone or some thing.
I am the places that I have been
I have…. An agreement with someone.
I am the people that I love to be near
I have…a relationship or ties to another individual.
I am the sum of my life experiences.
“Affinity”.
Months before hearing the new theme and call for entry, I had received an email from my high school, San Domenico, with a Lenten message.  This particular day’s message didn’t have an attribution as did the other quotations, so I wrote to Religious Studies director Mirza Khan (after googling the words) and learned he had written the text.  I asked and received permission to use them in an art quilt.  When I heard the call for entry, at a dinner with other Dinner@8 artists in Houston last year, I immediately thought of the quote and felt as if the theme were about identity. Here are Mirza’s words:

ONE LIFE

We have descended from the stars.   We have risen through the forms of thousands of animals. We have passed through the lives of our ancestors, our grandparents, and our parents.  And now we have been born into the moment of our supreme existence. We have a life. What will we do with it?

Mirza Kahn

San Domenico

Here are two detail shots of my quilt.  In my next two posts I’ll share more about my process and thinking as I made this piece.  All I can say is that I am REALLY HAPPY with it!
Detail of the lower right corner, showing the autumn tree of life.

Detail of the lower right corner, showing the autumn tree of life.

Detail of the lower left corner, with the winter tree kissed by snow.

Detail of the lower left corner, with the winter tree kissed by snow.

13 Responses to “Descended from the Stars, Part 1”

  1. Whiskers Says:

    Congratulations. I would be pleased too. Love the “shining through” in the center.

  2. Jenny K. Lyon Says:

    Wow, you have reached new heights! This is masterful. Congratulations on your many announcements over the last few days-all well deserved. I will be very interested in your process with this piece.

  3. Maggie Says:

    Sarah–this is wonderful and so beautiful! Congratulations to you and all the best!
    Maggie

  4. Kristin Freeman Says:

    Sarah…This piece is lovely; your use of the inspirational writing comes through clearly in the design and execution…Congrats on being included in the exhibit

  5. peaceful Says:

    Sarah Ann, This quilt is fabulous.Heart-warming sentiment, beautifully expressed.

  6. Sherry Boram Says:

    This is stunning, Sarah. I love everything about it — such meaning and beauty!

  7. Mary Ann Littlejohn Says:

    Congratulations, Sarah. I love watching how this group exhibit raises the bar every year. You should all be proud.

  8. Regina Terry Says:

    Sarah, I don’t know why you are surprised to be a part of this awesome group of artists. Your work always amazes me. Please post pictures of these quilts at Houston this year. I’m not.going to be able to go. Can’t wait to see what flows next from your fingers.

  9. Regina Terry Says:

    Sarah, I don’t know why you are surprised to be a part of this awesome group of artists. Your work always amazes me. Please post pictures of these quilts at Houston this year. I’m not.going to be able to go. Can’t wait to see what flows next from your fingers.

  10. Marie Z. Johansen Says:

    Another stunner! Congrats my friend!

  11. Linda Teddlie Minton Says:

    It’s wonderful! I’m looking forward to seeing it, in all its intricacy, in person.

  12. Art and Quilting in Camden and Hope » Blog Archive » Descended From the Stars, Part 2 Says:

    […] Descended from the Stars, Part 1 […]

  13. Rachel Parris Says:

    this is lovely. Thank you for sharing your process.