Layers of Meaning

Elizabeth Barton - Art Quilts

Elizabeth Barton's art quilts are one of Fiberarts magazine's current online articles. Barton identifies herself as a "failed watercolorist". Well... maybe... Perhaps in the strict two dimensional world of watercolor, there could be some sense in this disclaimer. But in the world of quilting, where things can be disassembled and re-arranged, layered and embellished, Barton's background as a watercolorist serves her well. In many of her cityscapes, Barton emphasizes watercolor's fluidity and creates bold imagery in this unforgiving medium. Her cities shimmer with the energy of Mondrian's Broadway Boogie Woogie.

Barton's landscapes, while retaining a pastoral color pallette, jump with energy. Geoff's Shed (Art Quilt Sedgwick 2003) depicts a country scene rife with movement and activity. There are the fields, the barn red structure and hints of cats and windmills. But this is a working scene, not a quiet Andrew Wyeth retreat.

Barton also created quilts that are abstractions and color studies, all of which promise to be much richer in person than on the internet. Ah well. At least there is this glimpse into her wonderfully rich world.

image: Geoff's Shed by Elizabeth Barton