Friends

"Friends" by Geri Patterson-Kutras is a very special quilt for her that extols the values of friendship and camaraderie.

Friends is a very special quilt for Geri. With the quilt having traveled to many places, everybody whose seen it has identified with it no matter who they are, everybody loves this quilt because they can see themselves in it. Based on a picture by Peter Kutras Jr. taken in Nice, France in 2009, the quilt features two ladies who you know have gone through so much together, have stuck together, made it through, and are holding each other up, and are still together,

Artist Statement: "As young girls we jumped rope together, laughing and sharing secrets about school and boys and all the things that occupy young growing girl's thoughts.

As we grow our secrets changed to dreams and hopes for our lives. When our lives took the course of young wives and mothers we shared the happiness and difficulties of becoming young women. We took joy in watching our children play together, confident that when one of us was busy the other would step in. Our children always knew they had an "Auntie" that would soothe their skinned knees, make them laugh, and keep them safe until Mother returned.

As the years went by we continued to laugh together and learned to cry together. Wiping away tears for one another when life was unkind. Now as we walk together a little slower, we still find comfort and joy in our daily routines. Our lives are full, rich with memories that we hold and the thread of dear friendship that binds."

Materials: Constructed using acrylic paints, machine applique

Quilted By: Trudy Hardy

Photo By: Peter Kutras Jr., Nice, France, May 2009