"Born to Be Wild" by Sue de Vanny won Outstanding Visual Narrative at Road to California 2025.

Road to California 2025 Artist Statement: "Born to be Wild captures the spirited resilience of African wild dog pups as they stride boldly forward, with hope amidst the struggle for survival. The distant, shadowy presence of an adult dog underscores the tenuous thread connecting generations. Webbed holes and intricate textures in the landscape echo the urgent plight of this endangered species, reminding us of the fragile balance in nature and the importance of conservation."

Houston International Quilt Festival 2022 Artist’s Statement: "Wild dogs or painted wolves are my favorite animals out of Africa. Here, three young pups are walking ahead of the adult dog in the background in a landscape of a changing environment. Diminishing in numbers rapidly from disease, it is crucial to look after the numbers before they reach a crisis point, like so many African animals. The webbed holes represent climate change and the effects it has on nature’s wonderful creatures."

Techniques: Machine Appliquéd, Embellished, and Quilted; Free-Motion Stitched; Collaged; Couched; Thread Sketched

Design Source: Original Design