Leotie Richards creates raffle quilt

Visitors to the Apregan home and gardens, as part of the Sisters Garden Club’s Quilts in the Garden Tour on July 11, had an opportunity to view and purchase raffle tickets for an art quilt created by local Sisters fabric artist Leotie Richards, longtime quilter, graphic designer, and a member of the Garden Club.

Richards began her working career as an art director for a major retail chain. It was during her 20-year career designing graphics and textiles that her love affair with textiles was born.

After retiring to Sisters, she had more time to devote to working with fabric, spending two years in various workshops where she honed her fabrication techniques. She found that her graphic design skills transferred nicely to art quilting and she discovered the joy in her creative process with textiles.

In 2016, Leotie created an exhibit of 12 art quilts, each depicting an American with a compelling story, called American Folk Heroes.

“Some of the heroes are quite well-known, like Bob Dylan and Amelia Earhart, while others such as the black American arctic explorer Matthew Henson are a surprise to many. The intent is to bring their deeds, talents, and accomplishments to light for the inspiration of the viewer,” explained Richards.

Richards is currently working on a series titled “Embrace Nature.” The art quilts are based on current biological discoveries about plants.

“I enjoy turning scientific concepts into art. I will be utilizing wool, flannel, velvet, and silk along with hand embroidery and needle felting to impart my fascination with nature to my audience,” Richards added.

The raffle quilt created by Richards is titled Blossom Wonder, a colorful, happy piece with flowers, birds, blue sky and sunshine. Pattie Apregan, at whose home it was displayed, was the winner.