Joan Brailsford – Book #3
Pottery
For my third in this series, I chose to represent the art of the potters of the 12th and 13th century, in the southwest of America. These pots were made from local clay and created by coiling or hand building, and fired in rudimentary ovens. In general pottery was created by women, who were also skilled in the art of decorating their pots with intricate abstract and naturalistic designs. I love the elegant forms of the pots and the artwork they contain.
I have used a coarse fabric, hand dyed with orange/neutral colours, to represent the clay materials that are used in creation of the pots. For the abstract patterned pots I fused black cotton to create the heavy detail and used hand and machine stitching to addd the finer lines of the patterns. The surrounding motifs are taken from other pottery decorated with more naturalistic designs. I copied the ‘stalk’ shapes in the same colour thread to add further background quilting to the piece in an almost invisible way (so that it doesn’t complicate the overall simplistic design). I hope this combination of fabric and thread gives a sense of the fine work of native women.
Detail views:
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
A really lovely piece ! I like the light orange back ground fabric, it gives a good contrast with the potteries.
The repetition of the fine quilting lines on the pottteries and on the quilt creates a harmonious whole.
This piece is stunning, you have paid so much attention to the fine details and the background quilting works so well. A truly wonderful piece, well done.
Beautiful, interesting and sophisticated where everything falls into the right place. My favorite details are the fine line quilted triangles. Bravo!
This is a beautifully detailed piece and the colors are perfect for the subject matter. The tiny french knots add great visual texture and appeal.
Beautiful colours and attention to details. Your quilt is so beautiful and calming. Bravo!
You have captured the feel of the Southwest arid climate and its distinct color signature. Love all the amazing details in recreating the remarkable beauty and craftsmanship of the indigenous women’s pottery. Very delicate, elegant and beautiful. Well done.
What a stunning piece! Great attention to detail, love the intricate and perfectly executed designs of the pottery. The colors so fitting and other details as well. Especially like the small flowers. Amazing!
I just read a story of a women who was intrigued by a pattern on the floor of the Hooverdam building. It must have been inspired by this pottery. I love the composition of your quilt. Especially how you added the surrounding motifs.
perfect work and perfect folours.
A lovely quilt that has a real feel of dryness. The designs on the pots are striking but my favourites are the flower motifs in the border design. Lovely stitching.
A great choice of fabric and design, the Northwest designs are intricate and you have translated the pottery design so that it takes on a look of reality. Bravo
Wonderful! The attention to detail and stitching are impressive. I really like the creation of abstract ceramic designs. Bravo!
These are my favorite pots. We have a couple at home from our travels in South and Central America. You really captured the beauty of the designs and made it into a delicate piece. The quilting and embroidery of the flowers add to the overall beauty. Bravo.
Wow, stunning piece and oh, so elegant! Brilliant!