"The Visitation" by Ricky Tims won Best of Show at Houston International Quilt Festival 2025.

Artist Statement: "Original hand-dyed fabrics were assembled using curved piecing (not paper-piecing). The raven was created with bobbin-embroidered feathers and invisible turned-edge appliqué. The moon is from an original photo that was digitized and printed. The raven symbolizes foreboding darkness. The clock suggests using time wisely. The tree represents wisdom, not dead, but dormant. The quilted leaves suggest spring will soon emerge. The time suggests midnight approaches, but a new day will dawn."

Techniques: Hand embroidery, dyeing, and painting; machine piecing, appliqué, embellishment, embroidery, and quilting; original digitized quilting; digital printing; professional fabric printing

Design: "The tree was, in part, derived from my words via an AI source, with all other elements being original, layered, and combined by me to create the whole."

Poem:

"When Raven comes - so silently - A feathered ghost on moonlit tree. No caw, no cry - just mystic grace, With hands of time in his embrace.

He brings a gift, both worn and wise, Revealing truth behind the lies. The gift foretells what none can stall - That time will end for one and all.

The barren tree in winter's chill, Has living roots and pulses still. Spring will return; new days will dawn; Buds will appear - time presses on.

When Raven takes his final flight, And disappears in failing night, Don't hesitate - don't drift, don't wait. The time is now. The hour is late."