Quilting. What comes to mind? Granny sitting in an armchair, complacently sewing squares and triangles together? Perfectly symmetric, tedious patterns? Before meeting Sandra Lauterbach, Brentwood resident of 54 years, that’s what I thought of too. But now that I’ve seen her quilts, a completely different set of images comes to mind. Rich, vivid eruptions of color. Fine, metallic thread. Abstract designs. Photographic images. The inside of Fed-Ex envelopes.
Sandra Lauterbach hasn’t had her work showcased in 22 exhibits around the country because of her traditional, patchwork quilts. Sure, she can make those. But the real reason behind her international recognition in the quilting world is her ability to create innovative, inspiring, and unique pieces of artwork.
Upon stepping into Sandra’s home last week, I was blown away by the abundance of beautiful artwork framed on her walls, displayed on glass shelves, and covering her pillows, desks, and bed. “My husband is also an artist,†she explained to me. Her art quilts are like nothing I have ever seen before. One depicts a fantastical castle floating on a lake, like something out of a fairytale. Another is an abstract piece, reminiscent of a Venetian festival and complete with mask-like shapes constructed from Tyvek—the inside of used Fed-Ex envelopes. Her quilt “Stepping Out†depicts her great-grandmother looking at a shop window filled with images of Sandra’s contemporary quilts, paintings and family heirlooms. Sandra points out the green vase that appears in the quilt as well in her living room. The black-and-white framed silhouette is of Sandra; she used its mirror image for her great-grandmother’s profile. A few of Sandra’s previous quilts make a second appearance in this one, such as the one depicting her two sons standing by a fountain. “This piece is named ‘Stepping Out’ because my relative is unknowingly stepping out from the past to the future—literally and figuratively†says Sandra. “See how the edge of her dress is coming out of the frame? And I included our poodle, Yogi.â€
Sandra has perfected the juxtaposition of a variety of mediums, from foil to paint to digital photography. It’s why she enjoys quilting much more than her previous vocation as an attorney. “It allows me to combine a variety of things I love to do,†Sandra explains. “There are always new things to explore.â€
See Sandra’s work for yourself at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach CA, from July 23-25, or check out the Memory’s Touch Exhibit at California State University Channel Islands, which is open until July 28, to take a look at “Stepping Out.†
