Queen of Nobody, 48 x 48 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2006.
Valentine’s Week can be a rough week if you are going through a period without a special man in your life. I created Queen of Nobody during such a period. The blues in this quilt and the crazy log cabin pattern matched my mood.
Know that this phase of your life is only temporary. Meanwhile, take life as you find it, and above all, love yourself so you can be ready for love.
Posted in My Life as a Quilter, My Musings about Life | Tagged African American quilter, crazy log cabin, ethnic, fabric art, O.V. Brantley, patchwork, Queen of Nobody, Valentine's Day, wallhanging | Leave a Comment »
MARTA Means Freedom, 82 x 85 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2009.
When an artist is commissioned to capture a particular vision for a special occasion, there is naturally a bit of trepidation that the commissioned piece will not live up to expectations. When I was asked to create a quilt that captured the spirit of MARTA’s 30 year history as well as its future, I was naturally a little nervous that my vision would not coincide with their vision.
The quilt, MARTA Means Freedom, was unveiled at a very special ceremony December 18, 2009, and I was very happy that everyone seemed to like the quilt. Later, I received a heartfelt thank you letter from Ms. Beverly Scott, MARTA’s General Manager. Her letter read in part as follows:
Your contributions to our Commemorative 30th Anniversary quilt blended your artistic creativity, with our vision of the past, present and future of MARTA. By incorporating student art from our Creating Pride education program, you were able to demonstrate a generational connection to MARTA’s importance in the region. It also added to the sense of optimism that Atlanta’s elected and civic leaders oiced to once again make transit a major priority in the Atlanta region in the future. I was deeply humbled by the quilt and the statements you made about the importance of MARTA, and the vital role we must play in addressing the region’s transportation dilemma. You made our 30th Anniversary a truly memorable evening.
It was truly my honor and pleasure to be a part of MARTA’s history.
Posted in My Life as a Quilter | Tagged African American quilter, Beverly Scott, fabric art, MARTA, MARTA Means Freedom, O.V. Brantley, patchwork | Leave a Comment »
From Africa To Atlanta By Way of Arkansas, 72 x 72 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2004.
Atlanta is absolutely the best place to live during Black History Month. Events are scheduled throughout the month that celebrate the great contributions of African-Americans, both in the past and the present. Check the local paper for lots of inspiring events.
My quilt From Africa to Atlanta by Way of Arkansas is a documentary of my life. It constantly reminds me to never forget what came before.
This quilt is part of my African Canvas Memory Quilt series. The other quilts in the series of 100 quilts are posted online.
Posted in My Life as a Quilter | Tagged African American quilter, African Canvas Memory Quilt, ethnic, fabric art, From Africa to Atlanta by Way of Arkansas, O.V. Brantley | Leave a Comment »
India and Mom
India Brantley, my favorite Lovett Lady Lion, was honored Tuesday on senior night as a scholar and an athlete. India lettered for three years and has been on the scholars list every semester. The other seniors on the team are Mary Beth Ellis, Kat Feuer, and Lyndsey Peters.
The Lady Lions made the night special with a decisive win over the Westminster Lady Wildcats. Now ranked number 7 in the state, the Lady Lions will be back in action Friday against Decatur High School.
Congratulations to all the seniors on a great season and a great high school career!
Posted in My Life as a Mom | Tagged Decatur High School, India Brantley, Lovett Lady Lions, Westminster Lady Wildcats | Leave a Comment »
My Stars Got Rhythm, 38 x 38 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2008.
When it’s cold outside, I like to hibernate with my hand quilting. There is nothing as wonderful as a fire in the fireplace, a cup of good coffee and a hand quilting project.
Hand quilting allows my mind to roam free. Like an athlete, I think of it as warming up for the next big creative project.
My Stars Got Rhythm is a quilt that I quilted by hand. What do you do to nurture your creativity?
Posted in My Life as a Quilter | Tagged African American quilter, hand quilting, My Stars Got Rhythm, O.V. Brantley, quilts, wallhanging, www.ovbrant.etsy.com | Leave a Comment »
Have a Cup of Tea -- This Too Shall Pass, by O.V. Brantley, 16 x 15 inches, 2010. For sale at www.ovbrant.etsy.com.
I suppose it is the death and destruction in Haiti that caused me to return to my “Have a Cup of Tea” series. The point of the quilts in this series is to remind us that things are rarely as bad as they seem. But even if they are, you just have to hold on until they get better.
If you have a best friend or co-worker who is going through a hard time, my “Have a Cup of Tea” series is just the answer. You may not be able to fix the problem, but maybe you can make her smile.
Have a Cup of Tea — This Too shall Pass is part of that series. Visit my studio store to see the other quilts in this series.
Posted in My Life as a Quilter, My Musings about Life | Tagged African American quilter, fabric art, Have a Cup of Tea -- This Too Shall Pass, O.V. Brantley, tea quilt, wallhanging, www.ovbrant.etsy.com | Leave a Comment »
Martin's Dream, 74 x 87 inches, by O.V. brantley, 2002.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream changed life for us all for the better. Aren’t you grateful he had the conviction to act on his dreams?
This weekend, take one step toward fulfilling your dream.
Happy Birthday, Martin!
Posted in My Life as a Quilter, My Musings about Life | Tagged African American quilter, fabric art, Martin's Dream, O.V. Brantley | Leave a Comment »
The sale in my studio store ends at midnight. Purchase today to save 20 per cent of the regular prices. Collectors of my quilts and readers of the Start Your Week with a Quilt newsletter receive a 40 per cent discount. Email me at ovbrant@gmail.com to get the discount.
Thank you for your gracious support during 2009.
Posted in My Life as a Quilter | Tagged African American quilter, holiday sale, O.V. Brantley, www.ovbrant.etsy.com | Leave a Comment »
Through the Bonds of Delta, 73 x 88 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2001.
To all my sorors of Delta Sigma Theta, Happy Founders Day! I hope you have a red and white quilt in your collection.
Posted in My Life as a Quilter, My Musings about Life | Tagged African American quilter, applique quilt, fabric art, O.V. Brantley, patchwork, red and white quilt, Through the Bonds of Delta | 3 Comments »
You Make Me Smile, 58 x 75 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2009.
January is one of those months during which it is easy to get down in the dumps. The weather is cold and gray. The glitter and happiness of Christmas is over. The drudgery of work seems amplified with the next vacation a long way off.
We owe it to ourselves to remain optimistic. Not feeling optimistic? Fake it! Optimism, like everything else in life, can be learned. A good first step is to smile at everyone you see today. Try it. It certainly can’t help.
I am lucky to have a person in my life who can make me smile no matter how bleak things seem. I wanted to capture that quality like lightning in a bottle so I made a quilt called You Make Me Smile. Today I share that quilt with you.
Posted in My Life as a Quilter, My Musings about Life | Tagged African American quilter, applique quilt, fabric art, O.V. Brantley, You Make Me Smile | Leave a Comment »
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