A Southern Summer Day, 75 x 88 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2008.

Our neighborhood pool opens today with a community party. Summer is officially underway!

Country Quilts by Maurice Cook

I find inspiration for my quilts in many places, but one way to get a massive dose of inspiration is to visit an arts festival. This weekend India and I took in the Decatur Arts Festival. Wow! So much creativity gathered in one place.

I purchased a print of a painting by Maurice Cook of Birmingham, AL called Country Quilts. I absolutely love it!

I have purchased my copy, and I am making plans to publish my catalog. How To Self Publish Your Own Quilt Catalog is available on Amazon.

Ms. Hicks also has a blog that you may want to follow. The address is http://publishyourquilts.blogspot.com.

Waiting to Exhale #1, 33 x 34 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2011.

Waiting To Exhale #1 was presented to Nina Hickson during her farewell celebration Friday in East Point, GA. Nina is leaving her duties as Interim City Manager in East Point. She will begin her new duties as the City of Atlanta’s Ethics Officer in late June.

Waiting to Exhale #1 is part of a series of three quilts that represents the time in our lives when we are waiting our next life adventure. The other two quilts in the series are listed for sale in my studio store.

Evora’s Earth, 85 x 96 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2001.

Everyday is mother’s day,  but it never hurts to add a little something extra. Happy Mother’s Day!

My quilt Evora’s Earth honors my mother Evora Hicks. She was an exceptional lady.

A Different Drummer #17, 20 x 30 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2011

I gave A Different Drummer #17 to Susan Garrett to wish her luck in her new job at the City of Atlanta Law Department. Susan and I worked together in the East Point City Attorney’s office.

Susan said she loved it, so I know my quilt has found a wonderful new home.

Dream Like Crazy, 44 x 51 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2012.

The 4th annual Atlanta Quilt Festival will be held at the South Fulton Arts Center, 4645 Butner Road, College Park, GA July 29 – August 11, 2012.  The opening reception, scheduled for noon – 4 p.m. July 29, 2012, will feature quilts, dolls, a book fair, demonstrations, refreshments and creative inspiration.

During its two-week run, the Festival will also feature doll and quilt classes, a special silent auction of baby quilts and an exquisite exhibit of red and white quilts.

I will have several quilts in the exhibit along with 20 other talented quilters. I am working like crazy on my entries.

See you at the Festival!

I attended the opening of the ninth annual Sewjourners Quilt Guild exhibit Friday night  at the Southwest Arts Center. There are some beautiful quilts in the exhibit. One of the highlights of the exhibit was the raffle quilt called Home and Hearth which was won by a lucky attendee.

The exhibit will remain on display until May 18, 2012. The Southwest Arts Center is located at 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta, GA. You won’t be disappointed if you go by and visit.

Island City, 70x 67 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2012. For sale at ETSY.com/shop/ovbrantleyquilts

I start thinking about my vacations pretty early each year. Island City will keep my vacations alive year round.

Island City is a picturesque scene of colorful houses that you might find on an island in the Caribbean. The quilt is embellished with doorhandle buttons, butterfly buttons and a rooster button about to head across the street. The batik border frames the houses and adds to the island like atmosphere.

There is a hanging sleeve on the back for easy display and a label that documents the quilt. I signed it on the front.

This quilt is one of a kind and is offered for sale in my studio store.

Costa Rican Paradise, 29 x 28 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2008.

India and I were in a mood to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. We tried to get into No Mas, our favorite Mexican restaurant, but it was too crowded. We settled for a seafood dinner at Six Feet Under, but our neighbors to the south were in our hearts.