Hi, I'm VickieMy barn quilt journey began with an intense love for a brilliant writer – Willa Cather - and an adventure to Red Cloud, Nebraska. While volunteering at the Willa Cather Foundation, I learned the rich history of the author AND discovered an art form I had never imagined. I first laid eyes on a barn quilt while touring Anna Pavelka’s farm (the prototype for My Antonia). It was love at first sight! I began photographing every barn quilt I encountered. A friend at the Cather Foundation, (thank you, Brenda), offered to teach me how to paint one myself. I was captivated. Several months later Carol at the Webster County Extension Office offered a class at the Webster County Fairgrounds on barn quilting. The beauty of the colors in conjunction with endless possibilities of geometrical combinations and designs was breathtaking.
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Now home in Washington State, I keep on painting. I find great peace and joy in creating these designs. I have begun to sense regional preferences for designs. The Pacific Northwest likes to see the wood grain and incorporates natural wood stain into the patterns. Southern Californians like bright, springy colors. It is truly my pleasure to share this American Folk art with all who share my curiosity and enthusiasm. Want to talk barn quilts? Write me!
First Barn Quilt - Anna Pavelka’s barn – Webster County, Nebraska
"Every artist makes himself born. It is very much harder than the other time, and longer.”