2010 Catalog Cover Art Competition Winner

A Letter from the Artist, Mary Thumann

The possibilities of raw materials have always excited me. Every trip to the library in grade school resulted in my borrowing a book on how to manufacture such exotica as soda bottle cap door mats or mohair coiffed bed dolls dressed in coffee filters. It was no wonder than when I became a newlywed in 1976 that I channeled my creative juices into the bicentennial frenzy and all crafts that went along with it. Stenciling, pierced lampshades, candlewicking, basketweaving, quilting and more, I tried my hand at it all going as far as making the cradle I rocked my two babies in. Too many ideas, too many supplies, not enough time to try it all.

Life has a way of winnowing out the chaff and keeping the seeds of what is important. So I narrowed my focus to what I love most… textiles and fibers. First, traditional hand-pieced quilts slowly evolved to smaller art pieces, then learning how to spin and knit has keep me artistically challenged for the last thirty years.

Currently, some of my work is being displayed in an international exhibit. Also I have started to enter contests….which brings us to my piece “The Sheep”. Inspired by my own wooly flock, I endeavored to represent them in my other favorite fiber…cotton. I am honored to be given the opportunity to share the results with you.

2010 Honorable Mention Entries

Ellen Cornett, Cheverly MD

Rachel Dougherty, Baltimore MD

Betsey Hurd, Kalispell MT

Betttie Sperty, Manassas VA