Tree Rings by Vicki Conley was featured as part of the Breaking Rules, Honoring Tradition Exhibit in Chandler, Arizona.

Artist Statement: "I am drawn to the process of art and have thus always enjoyed mixed media; calling on ceramics, printmaking, photography and fiber to convey my ideas. My work is an expression of the natural world I see around me. When I encounter a compelling landscape or subject, my goal is not to replicate it, but rather interpret it in such a way that my emotional connection to it is evident to the viewer.

My current work employs commercial and hand-dyed fabric. thread, paint, and stitches. This combination enables me to create multiple layers of interest and depth in my work, drawing in the viewer. One of my goals is to interpret the tactile and dimensional nature of my subjects, so the ability to create texture and depth as well as variations in form and line with fabric and stitching is a key part of my approach.

Tree Rings resulted from a drawing that I took into an App on the iPad and fell in love with one of the effects. Figuring out how to draft the design and then piece it with traditional methods was a challenge. I employed traditional foundation piecing."

About the Breaking Rules, Honoring Tradition Exhibit: "For our 28th annual Art Quilt exhibition, the tension between pushing boundaries versus adhering to tried-and-true methods plays out in fiber form. We invited rule-breakers and traditionalists alike to interpret the theme in a variety of ways, including applying it to physical techniques, materials, construction methods, personal narratives, or commentary on social, cultural and political concerns. In addition to traditional quilting fabrics, materials may include alternative substrates like wood, paper, or metal. All submissions - traditional, unconventional, or a combination of both - were considered for craftsmanship, originality, design, and concept."