Amelia earhart © Priscilla Godfrey

Amelia Earhart – Aviation Pioneer

Priscilla Godfrey

Philomont, Virginia, USA

Artist Statement

I have been quilting for over 30 years and this creative outlet has been the source of much pleasure and delight. My wall hangings, like paintings, tell a story in color and fabric. I have used fabrics that represent the clothing and accessories she might have worn in the 1920s and 1930s.

My portrait of Amelia is done in the poster art style from the period. Her favorite aircraft in the 1920s (a Lockheed Electra) is taking off with landing gear still in place in the quilted sky. Backing fabric used represents the many hours of night time flying she encountered.

Hand quilting and hand appliqué are my specialties. I particularly enjoy quilt challenges because it gives me freedom to design and execute original work. Since 2011, I have been creating and selling wall hangings depicting the western Loudoun County rural countryside, its historic buildings, abundant farm animals and crops. My art has actually taken me to Europe as I participated in an international art exchange in Germany in 2011 and sold my piece, Spring Vegetables, to the government in Mein Teinus Kraus, just outside Frankfurt, Germany. Whether it is people or nature, all can be represented in fabric. Through my art, I hope to increase appreciation for the beauty and fragility of the natural world.

Woman’s Groundbreaking Accomplishment

First person to fly solo over both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Techniques

Hand applique, machine applique, and hand quilted.

Materials

Cotton fabric prints, chino loose weave cotton, vinyl, silver cord and silver thread, fusible stabilizer, and metal zipper, cotton quilting thread, cotton quilt batting.

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